Work - Mike Krzyzewski

One of my favorite quotes about hard work was said by one of the greatest coaches of all time, John Wooden. He said, "Nothing will work unless you do." In other words, you can have the best plans, the most perfect offensive and defensive schemes, and even a great amount of talent. But if you and your team are not willing to put in hard work, your plans will never be realized.

Another quote I often share with my players was by NBA legend Jerry West. He said, "You don’t get much done if you only work on the days that you feel good." Hard work cannot be sporadic. It cannot take place only on the sunny days. If you want your best to become a habit, you must engage in intensive, intelligent, and persistent practice. I believe you play like you practice, so when you practice hard every day, playing hard will seem natural when the game is on the line.

A final quote about work that I share with my team is Roger Staubach’s: "Spectacular achievements are always preceded by unspectacular preparation." Hard work is not pretty, or glamorous, or even fun. But, as I learned from my coach Bob Knight, winners prepare to win. Of course, everybody would like to win. But real winners put forth the time and effort to make it happen. And, in fact, by putting in the work, you make yourself worthy of winning. And I truly believe that you will not win consistently unless you are worthy.

I love hard work. It is a staple of all that I do and all that I ask of my teams. A lot of people hear the words “hard work” and say, “Oh, no. I don’t want to do that.” I want to coach kids who hear that they are going to have to work hard and then get excited about how much they will improve as a result.

I grew up in an environment of hard work. My father was an elevator operator in Chicago and my mother scrubbed floors at night at the Chicago Athletic Club. Even if they were sick or tired, they always went to work and worked hard. They truly believed that there was dignity in their work. I attended Catholic schools my whole life, and then West Point, where the lesson was reinforced by my teachers and coaches.

Detroit Pistons Training Camp

The following notes are from the Detroit Pistons Training Camp, taken and shared by Steve Finamore.

Tuesday September 29, 2015
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

Notes by Steve Finamore
Boys Head Varsity Basketball Coach
East Lansing High School

- Huge sign on the wall at the Pistons practice facility behind basket:

- “BE IMPACTFUL!”

- Championship and division banners hang from the rafters.

- Pistons team and coaching staff walk onto court together at 10AM.
(Many players were at practice facility at 8 A.M. getting in extra shooting with coaches)

                                                       

Coaching staff:
Stan Van Gundy, Brendan Malone, Bob Beyer, Malik Allen, Tim Hardaway, Charles Klask.

- Coach Van Gundy has said in the past that attending a clinic should not change your overall philosophy. Beyond clinics, SVG suggested to go out and watch people practice. I agree. In the past I have found attending practices has helped me so much as a coach.

- This morning there are a few college coaches observing practice. Pistons give out three handouts. One handout is a card asking for any feedback we would like to share about practice.  SVG values anything you can share with him regarding practice. One thing I came away with is that SVG cares about the game and its coaches.

- Pistons start with a walk-through on transition defense.

- “Getting back on defense” is emphasized the entire time.  Reaction time is key. Get back to middle of floor. Point and talk.  “Getting back” is something you can control states SVG.

- Coach Van Gundy is one of the best I have ever seen teach the game. He makes it so simple to understand. He’s teaching pro’s why it’s so important to get back on defense.

Detroit Pistons Defensive Musts:

1-Get Back
2-Protect the Paint
3-Close and contest
4-Pressure the ball
5-Defend without fouling
6-Block out and rebound

- Pistons work on running their offense. After they score, Van Gundy emphasizes getting back to half-court. He wants them getting back to the center circle. Assistant coaches on sidelines shouting to get back to all five players.

“GET BACK! GET BACK! GET BACK!”

What are your rules on getting back on defense?

-1 and 2 are back on the release of the shot. Dead sprint to the other end of the floor.

-4 and 5 go to the boards unless they are above the free throw line.

-3 makes a decision to crash or sprint back.

Match up when you get back. You don’t have a man in transition.

- Pistons worked on their four-man shell drill for :24 seconds.

“Twenty-four seconds of work!” –SVG

- Lots of energy. Lots of talking. Everyone was involved and engaged and encouraging each

“Be active off the ball. You can’t relax.” –SVG

- SVG with lots of emphasizes on the importance of having hands up on defense.

- Lots of work on technique.

“You got to want to get a stop!” –SVG

- Ersan Ilyasova draws two charges in scrimmage. Knocks down jump shots and plays hard.

- Assistant coach Brendan Malone stopped the action and shouted, “When you catch the ball, look at the rim.”

- SVG then said, “Catch the ball, look at the rim and look in the post.”

- Pistons coaching Andre Drummond up to run the floor hard and get to the rim.

Detroit Pistons Offensive Musts:

1-Take care of the ball

2-Push the pace

3-Attack from inside-out

4-Play unselfishly

5-Make quick decisions

6-Take good shots

- The “3” man takes it out on made free throws.

- Tons of teaching during scrimmage.

“Don’t be in such a hurry. Mistakes being made are because you go too fast.” -SVG

“Run hard, but don’t be in such a hurry.”

“Game tempo.” –SVG

- A joy to watch seven year vet Cartier Martin teaching and helping rookie Eric Griffin a few things on the defensive end of the floor.

- D-League coaches of the Grand Rapids Drive, Otis Smith and Dion Glover involved in practice learning Pistons philosophy.

Pistons Support Staff

Doug Ash, Tom Barasi, Robert Werdan, Al Walker, Jeff Nix, Art Luptowski.

- Pistons shooting coach Dave Hopla on sidelines throughout practice taking notes in a composition notebook. He stands by Andre Drummond during free throws.

- Interesting observation at end of practice. Three teams during scrimmage. Blue team wins, two other teams had to run sprints for losing. Marcus Morris, Reggie Jackson and Stanley Johnson, all on the winning team decide to run with the losers. (Extra work).

- SVG admitted to the team that they were putting a lot of stuff in:

“I know that was a lot...”

Practice

Practice

By: Greg Tuchek, Pro Shot Trainer, Venice Beach Basketball Hall of Fame Player 

I don't get these guys nowadays. Don't get me wrong, I hated running... But, I looked forward to competing. My goal was to take your spot, or keep mine. I looked forward to getting better every day! I wanted to win every sprint or at least come in the top three. My speed developed so much running sprints. At Long Beach City, Red was the first team. White was the second. I was on white my whole freshman year. I was new to organized basketball and just happy to be a part of the team. I wasn't tainted by the "superstar" mentality. I played hard EVERY possession. I would get the red team so mad! I would sneak in for an offensive rebound and coach would go ballistic. I just thought that is how you were supposed to play. Like a "Rudy," but with more talent. 

I was a good teammate and we could be cool after, but, you had what I wanted. I tell my kids and players, "try to be a part of every play." For example, every free throw, I try different things when we are shooting. If I am up against a big dude, I try to sneak around him and get to the ball. Or, I will try to time it and tap it out. On "D" my hands were always active. Got my hand on so many balls. My son is just like me. He is the deflection king! I tried to get every rebound. I followed my teammates on easy layups. I got so many follow up baskets like that. I was hoping they would miss! Play every play!!! 

I recieved this story from the UW Women's Basketball Newsletter newsletter via Coach Mike Neighbors.  To recieve the weekly newsletter, email him at nabes22@uw.edu.

What Coaches Make

I recieved this story from the UW Women's Basketball Newsletter newsletter via Coach Mike Neighbors.  To recieve the weekly newsletter, email him at nabes22@uw.edu.

WHAT COACHES MAKE 

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, tried to explain the problem with college athletics. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to be a coach?” 

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about coaches: “Those who can’t play, are those who coach.” To stress his point he said to another guest, “You’re a coach, be honest. What do you make?”

Having a reputation for honesty and frankness, the guest replied, (At this moment Coach Ridder was FIRED up and getting after it!) “You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like a winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids run through 90 minutes of practice and sweat. I make kids turn dreams into reality.” 

“You want to know what I make?” 
I make kids wonder. 
I make them question. 
I make them criticize. 
I make them apologize and mean it. 
I make them cooperate. 
I make them competitive and respectful. 

I make them show all their work in front of hostile crowds and perfect their acts of sportsmanship. I make them understand that if you have the will to follow your dreams, should anybody try to judge you by a mistake you made you must pay no attention because you tried and gave it your all.”

“I make teams from individuals who work together to build success.” 

He paused and continued. “You want to know what I make?” I MAKE A DIFFERENCE, I MAKE LEADERS, I MAKE OTHER PROFESSIONS POSSIBLE.” Then he asked the CEO, “What do you make?”