Quote of the Day:

You’ve got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It’s called perseverance. – Lee Iacocca

Tom Izzo on "Special Situations" in basketball

 Thanks to Bob Starkey for posting this on his great blog:

I'm searching for ways to steal 4 points per game, score one basket every two games on each of these = 4 point a game average. This is the difference between Good to Great and Great to Champions.

• FT Situation: Makes and Misses; Set plays off misses.

• Jump Ball: Win it and score with it, change plays throughout the season.

• BLOB: Sell it where we need to score one more basket than our opponents every two games.

• SLOB: Same as UOB

All these situations are during dead balls and a great way to attack the other team when they are resting.

3pt Quick Hitter

Here's a set play designed to get you a wide-open 3 point shot with several scoring options: score on the drive, for the crack back 3, behind the double ball screen for a 3, and drive and kick for a 3 or for layup.

Here's a link that will take you to the PDF:

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/82032258?access_key=key-2kruwxx8sno8oo06fmea

Creating the Perfect Tomorrow

Before going to bed, ask yourself: What will tomorrow look like?

Would you take a test before reviewing your notes? Coach a game without scouting the opponent? Then why would we start a day without thinking ahead of what we want to get out of it?

Step One: Review your personal and professional long-term goals (big picture)

Step Two: Envision success in working towards those goals (small picture).

Step Three: Start with the small tasks (action steps) that can be done TOMORROW to work towards your goals.

Step Four: Do the uncomfortable...that's how we grow.  

Step Five:  Focus and follow through. Set notes/reminders. Email the plan and print it to yourself. Putting ideas into actions is the HARDEST PART!      

Quote of the Day:

Jeremy Lin's secret?

"Good fortune comes when preparation meets opportunity"

Poem

It was only one possession
 Why must my coach scream,
 My poor defense permitted the basket
 But what can one hoop mean? .
 As the pass comes my direction, .
 And I fumble it into the stands,
 The coach's voice rings loud and clear,
 "Catch with your eyes and hands!"
 C'mon, coach, it's a single possession,
 Our team will be okay.
 It's just the first two minutes,
 My gosh, we've got all day.

At the 10 minute mark I remember .
 That the center is strong and stout.
 A putback for two, quite simply due
 To my failure to turn and block out.
 But it was only one possession,
 I didn't commit a crime,
 My team is ahead and I'm playing well,
 And there's still plenty of time!


As the halftime buzzer is sounding,
 And I watch the ball bank in,
 I know I will hear from my loving coach
 Of my questionable effort to defend. .
 But it was only one possession, ,
 Coach-don't have a heart attack!
 We're down by one, but we're having fun,
 I know we'll get the lead back!


The second half mirrors the first,
 But it's early, it's not a big deal
 That my failure to use a pass fake
 Results in an unlikely steal.
 But quickly I sink a jumper.
 I'm greeted by high fives and slaps,
 But the next possession I give up a layup
 While suffering mental lapse.
 But it's only one possession,
 C'mon, Coach, chill out.
 It's crazy to see you disgusted
 As you slap the assistant and shout.
 "Victory favors the team making
 the fewest mistakes.
 Single possessions are the key.
 So treat them like gold and do as
 you're told,
 and play with intensity."


I step to the line for one and one,
 But I'm having a concentration lapse.
 The ball soars through the air-
 Good lord, it's a brick!
 I'm afraid the support will collapse.
 In post game I sit at my locker,
 Pondering what more I could do.
 I realize the value of each possession,
 What a shame that we lost by two.

Contribute or Contaminate

Easy enough: you're either contributing or your contaminating the practice court. Great video.