Being A Student of the Game

​As coaches and players in this day and age, resources are at our disposal at the touch of a button. There are so many ways to improve your general knowledge, physical skill sets, X’s & O’s, motivational tactics, leadership qualities, being a better teammate, the list goes on. There is no excuse if you are in this business of sports – coach or player – that you do not work on your craft, daily!

Define student: a learned person; someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines. Words like “mastery”, “learned person” and “long study” are very interesting, and we will dive in to understand better what they mean. As a coach or player, we are always asking ourselves how we can become more knowledgeable in the game of basketball, more skillful. Coaches, we go to clinics, order DVD’s, read books/blogs, email our contacts for advice and tips, players seek out trainers to help develop their skills. Essentially, there is one vital component that you should never forget, that is the fact that no matter how good you may think you are, there is always more to learn, more experience to be gained. That is what is so great about this profession, no two days are alike, you don’t go to an office to repeat exactly what you did the day before, in sports the human element takes on a life of its own and throws all types of curve balls at you every single day. For the most part, I will talk mainly about coaching with a few sprinkles from the player perspective.

Let's breakdown the phrases “learned person” and “long study.” As a coach, over the years you have developed your own unique philosophy and coaching style, from years of long study. As a player, you have developed your own unique playing style through years of long study, whether intentionally or unintentionally. By long study, we mean that you have paid your dues, you have been exposed, and taught the game from many different people, studying mentors and colleagues alike. Once you have learned any specific teaching, it is now your job to put it to use and teach it to your players.

We all learn at a different pace and different ways. The way you learn may not be the way I learn, or your best friend, that’s not to say any specific way is “the right way.” One common theme you will hear from the most successful people in the world are those that are very detailed and take notes on EVERYTHING. That doesn’t mean the person you are taking notes on has to be better than you; here is something I like to share to help kids understand the world better, “You can learn something from the rich, as well as the homeless. Do not be so naive that because you may think you are better, that you cannot pick up anything valuable from that person.” One key tool to help your players better understand what you are trying to teach them is by creating a binder that includes every single play, rotation, concept etc. so they have a reference and can refer to on their own time. Us as coaches do virtually the same thing when we listen to other coaches speaking at clinic, we take a notebook and pen to take notes on each speaker that day. Taking notes is a great way to learn not just because you are taking the notes, but also because you have something tangible to review at a later point. I know myself, I have a huge binder in my bedroom filled with all sorts of notes, plays, schemes etc. that I reference all the time, along with folders on my computer with tons of information. We never stop learning, and the day that you think you know it all, you lost.

You are a master of your own mind. Mastery is a constant process and will never be fully completed, but we can strive for it. We should never be satisfied with the amount or level of knowledge we are at; we need to be humble and hungry to gain as much knowledge as we can. Soak in everything you learn, from everyone you learn it from. Spend AT LEAST one hour per day; doing something that will improve you as a coach or player. If you want to be great, you need to sacrifice to be great.

Here is a section of a book I have been reading titled, "You Win In The Locker Room First" by Jon Gordon on being humble and hungry;

BE HUMBLE

1. Don't think you know it all. See yourself as a life-long learner who is always seeking ways to learn, grow, and improve.

2. See everyone, including your competition, as teachers and learn from everyone.

3. Be open to new ideas and strategies to take your work and team to the next level.

4. When people tell you that you are great, don't let it go to your head. (And when they tell you that you stink, don't let it go to your head.)

5. Live with humility because the minute you think you have arrived at the door of greatness it will get shut in your face.

6. Remeber that today's headlines are tomorrow's fish wrap.

BE HUNGRY

1. Seek out new ideas, new strategies, and new ways to push yourself and your team out of your comfort zone.

2. Be willing to pay the price that greatness requires. Don't be average. Strive to be great.

3. Become the hardest working team you know.

4. Love the process and you'll love what the process produces.

5. Make your life and work a quest for excellence. Every day ask how can I be better today than I was yesterday?

6. Don't rest on past laurels. Make your next work your best work.

I saw a quote the other day, that I will leave you with; “We learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30 % of what we see, 50% of what we both see and hear, 70% of what is discussed with others, 80% of what we experience personally, and 95% of what we teach to someone else.”