Vic Shaefer's talk at the Final Four

Below are some notes I took when Texas A&M Assistant Coach Vic Schaefer spoke at the WBCA Convention at the Final Four last year (the day his Aggies won the National Championship!).

-Assistants and Head Coaches can agree to disagree...but, when you disagree, it should be about what we think is best for the program or team.

-The Head Coach should talk to parents about intangibles, but let the Assistants handle the crises that arise.

-Knowledge of the game is so important!! WATCH THE GAME!! (See my post on "deliberate practice" here)

-Professionalism is so important...what you say, how you dress...

-Know you're stuff- we aren't paid to be wrong.

-Be a voice to your Head Coach. Sometimes, bosses need to think it's their idea about a game plan or something that will benefit the team/program.

-Go to work early and stay late.

-Emotionally invest in your team!

-Teach kids to be accountable and to hold each other accountable (it's not personal, only work!). For example, run on the 3rd missed block out.

-It's not WHAT we do...it's HOW we do it

-Trust is the foundation of A&M's defense....tight ball pressure = susceptible to penetration. Need to trust your teammates' rotations, etc.

-Post defense is played 35' from the basket (bump and get position early)

-Make your team uncomfortable in practice so they are better prepared to face adversity in games (and life!)

-Clear minds make plays. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

-A&M has a foundation of the same 3-5 drills everyday

-BE WORTH POINTS EACH GAME (on defense!)

-Defense is a LEARNED response.

Quote of the Day:

”Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit…. KEEP GOING!!”

Talent is Overrated ... The secret to success?

Perfect practice makes perfect. 

I'm in the middle of reading the outstanding book by Geoff Colvin called "Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else".

Brief summary: "Why are certain people incredibly great at what they do? Most of us think we know the answer- but we're almost always wrong. That's important, because if we're wrong on this crucial question, then we have zero chance of getting significantly better at anything we care about."

So, what makes world-class performers so remarkable? Colvin presents a ton of research that shows natural, innate, "born-with" talent is just a fallacy. Also, it isn't simply "hard work" that elevates some above others. The short answer? Deliberate practice. (there are many details about what deliberate practice is and is not...post with details to come).

Granted, you need to have the physical qualities and mental cabilities to perform a certain task (ex: height to be a basketball player, right brain strength to be an artist).

From chess grand-masters to violin virtuosos, from General Electric's CEO to Tiger Woods, Colvin reviews how these remarkable people actually possess average IQ's and have done one thing to rise above the competition: practice with intention. A LOT of practice, with specific intentions.

Check back in the next post for a quick overview of how Tiger Woods and Mozart became so great at what they do.

Quote of the Day:

After a short hiatus, the blog is back up and running!
"Two kinds of ballplayers aren't worth a darn: One that never does what he's told, and one who does nothin' except what he's told. " -Bum Phillips

Quote of the Day:

The noblest search is the search for excellence – Lyndon B. Johnson

You don't "have to"; you "get to".

Here is a link to a great post written by Michael Hyatt entitled "How a Shift in Your Vocabulary Can Instantly Change Your Attitude"- click here.

Quote of the Day:

You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins. – Jim Stovall