The Memory Toolbox: 75 Tips and Resources to Go from Amnesic to Elephantic

We ask our athletes to remember a lot of things- offenses, defensive adjustments, out of bounds plays, time and score situations, personnel tendencies, film review, meetings, academics, etc. etc. etc.

Coaches...please check out Daniel Strauss' article with tips on how to better teach/learn/remember! A great resource right here.


He provides details and tips on the following topics:



+ Be in the Moment
+ Create a Learning Environment
+ Use All Your Senses
+ Use Mnemonic Devices
+ Organize
+ Overlearn
+ Retain a Positive Attitude
+ Exercise Regularly
+ Manage stress
      

Quote of the Day:

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

The Four Laws of Learning Applied to Basketball

The Four Laws of Learning Applied to Basketball

-Shaquala Williams

Skill Development is a never-ending commitment to filling the gap between what a basketball player is and has the potential to be. Skill development is a learning process for players; and since good coaches are teachers first, understanding the most effective ways to teach is a great way to get the most out of players and good professional development tool.

Edward Thorndike, a Psychologist who specialized in the learning process and how to learn best in educational settings developed the “Laws of Learning.” These laws are fundamental principles of the learning process, proven to make learning more effective. Four of the “Laws of Learning,” have great parallels to coaching and highly useful for a better understanding of the most effective ways to coach players.

1. The Law of Exercise = Quality Repetition
Practice does not make perfect, but meaningful practice and repetition lead to development and improvement. Meaningful practice means players have greater focus on proper technique, acceptance of feedback and desire to correct any errors or weaknesses. Quality repetitions help athletes retain information longer, so skills eventually becomes second nature.
Focus on the quality of repetitions, not quantity

2. Law of Readiness = Engagement and Investment
Just because a player is present, does not mean they are engaged. Individuals learn best when they are physically and mentally prepared to learn. Engaged players find value and purpose in what they are doing, which keeps them motivated. Engagement made me think of a video from Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban, who compared investing time vs. spending time. When players are engaged, they are invested in their improvement.
Ask players drills they like or skills they would like to improve. This creates ownership and increased ownership creates greater engagement and investment.

3. Law of Primacy = Create Good Habits the First Time
Doing something the wrong way, creates bad habits. Players retain the first thing they learn more readily, so teach it right the first time. Focus on details and correct technique. Early in workouts players should be kept at a pace that allows emphasis on technique. Increase speed as skills are mastered because doing something full speed incorrectly, does not develop good habits or improvement.
Detail – Master the details
Speed – Perform full speed with correct technique
Contest – Perform vs. game like conditions

4. Law of Intensity = GS3
The Law of Intensity states higher intensity material is more likely to be retained. A clear, vivid learning experience teaches more than the same boring routine or experience. Make workouts visually game like by using cones, garbage’s cans or chairs. Push players out of their comfort zone to grow; choose goals just beyond their present abilities and make workouts game like.
Game Shots
Game Spots
Game Speed

Quote of the Day:

"You are the Michelangelo of your own life.
The David that you are sculpting is you.
And you do it with your thoughts."

— Joe Vitale

Quote of the Day:

"I tell my guys if they work hard every day than they don't have to worry about game plans, or where they play, or who they play, or about rankings and so on.  The quality of their work habits can overcome anything: praise, criticism, good coaching or bad coaching.  They have their daily behavior to fall back on."
- Pete Carill

Quote of the Day:

"Playing time is your responsibility. You want to play more? Bring more value to the team." 

-Kevin Eastman

If and When

IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and had lunch. Their conversation usually centered on all the things they were going to achieve. They both had many dreams and they loved to talk about them.

This particular Saturday when they met, WHEN sensed that IF was not in a great mood. As usual they sat at the table reserved for them and ordered their lunch. Once they placed their order, WHEN questioned IF. “IF what is wrong with you? You don’t seem your usual cheery self?”
IF looked at WHEN and replied, “I’m not sure, I just don’t feel like I am making any progress. This last week I saw a course I wanted to take if only I had the time to take it.”

WHEN knew exactly how IF felt. “Yeah,” replied WHEN, “I too saw a course and I am going to register when I get enough money together.” WHEN then said, “well what about that new job you were going to apply for. You were so excited about it last week, did you apply?”

IF responded, “If my computer didn’t break down last week, I would have applied. But, my computer is not working, so I could not type my resume.”

“Don’t worry about it IF, when you are ready another job will come through. I have been thinking about looking for another job also, but I will wait and when the weather gets nicer I will look then.” WHEN then went on to tell IF about his week, hoping that it would cheer him up a bit.

The man at the next table couldn’t help overhear WHEN and IF. They both were talking about when this and if that, finally he couldn’t take it anymore. “Excuse me gentlemen,” the man said. IF and WHEN both looked at the man and wondered what he wanted. The man continued, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help hearing your conversation. I think I know how you could solve your problems.”
IF smiled and thought, how could a complete stranger know how to solve all of their problems. If only he knew. When he realized the challenges they faced there was no way he could solve their problems! Curious, IF asked the gentleman, “How do you think you can solve our problems?”
The gentleman smiled and said, “You only need listen to yourselves. It reminds me of an old proverb:
‘If and When were planted, and Nothing grew’.”

IF and WHEN looked puzzled. The gentleman smiled and said, “Start counting how many times you use the words ‘if’ and ‘when’. Rather than thinking ‘if and when’, start doing, take action, stop talking about ‘if and when’.”