A Coach's Diary

Originally published on Steele Thoughts When a former colleague of mine, Joe Turner, was named "Teacher of the Year," a reporter asked him for his advice to new teachers.  He responded:        "Teach every child like you're their lifeline... like you're their last chance to succeed." When I read this, it shook me to my core.  I shared it with our leadership team and it inspired an initiative at our school that we simply call "Lifelines."  This is not a formal program; it is not structured; and there is no paperwork. We simply ask our staff members to be a lifeline to 1 or 2 students who would benefit from an adult in their corner.  As a faculty, we commit to going above and beyond to care about these students. Not too long ago, our counselor gave me my three "lifelines."  One of the challenges for me with this project, is that I don't teach these students.  I may not even see them every day.  The hallways are crowded...

Find original article from USA Basketball here . Date:   Jan 3, 2018 Talent and teamwork are the keys to success, but sometimes your players need an extra push. With that in mind, here is this week’s question for the USA Basketball Coaches Network: Whether it's a drill, a speech, or some other type of incentive, what is your favorite motivational tactic? Dori Oldaker, head coach, Mt. Lebanon High School (Pa.) I believe in the saying, “Team will always beat Talent, when Talent doesn’t work hard!” I truly believe in team chemistry and team bonding opportunities. Almost yearly, our team is given a chosen book (selected by the head coach, me) and we will have book studies as a team. We will discuss and learn as much as we can from these motivational books. These discussions lead to great conversations and teachable moments. Our staff treats our team like a family. We call it our “Basketball Family!” Families sacrifice for each other and r...

Great advice!!  Sometimes you aren't playing simply because there is somebody better than you in front of you; and that is OKAY!! The highest difference between club ball and school ball is 1 - You pay the club coach, you don't pay the school coach 2 - If you don't play on a club team, you can change teams/coaches.  You can't do so (as easily) with school ball. So as former NBA champion Shane Battier once said, play so good that your coach CAN'T take you out of the game.   It's not equal opportunity - its who is going to give us the best chance to win and we have to teach our kids how to be a part of team and that sometimes that means we are the best player and sometimes that means that our role is to cheer them on from the bench.   We have to teach them to work hard in and out of practice to get better, and that while we might be working hard, there just might be somebody better - and that is OKAY!

Below is passage from legendary coach John Wooden titled “A Parent Talks to a Child Before the First Game.” This is your first game, my child. I hope you win.  I hope you win for your sake, not mine.  Because winning’s nice.  It’s a good feeling. Like the whole world is yours.  But, it passes, this feeling.  And what lasts is what you’ve learned. And what you learn about is life. That’s what sports is all about. Life. The whole thing is played but in an afternoon. The happiness of life.  The miseries.  The joys.  The heartbreaks. There’s no telling what’ll turn up. There’s no telling whether they’ll toss you out in the first five minutes or whether you’ll stay for the long haul. There’s no telling how you’ll do. You might be a hero or you might be absolutely nothing.  There’s just no telling. Too much depends on chance. On how the ball bounces. I’m not talking about the game, my child. I...

If you want to be good, there isn't a choice. If you want to be good, there is one option - TO WORK. You have to be ready, willing, able, and wanting to WORK. Whoever works the hardest, and smartest, will be the best. There are no shortcuts. There is just the work. How much and how hard are you willing to work? How willing are you to rep the same thing over and over? Your answer determines your ceiling. Fall in love with the game. Love to play. Love to practice. Love to get better. Love to get pushed by your coaches. Love to compete against the best. Hate to lose. Learn to learn from your losses and grow from them. Don't shy away from a challenge. Embrace a challenge. Seek challenges and work daily to make sure that you are ready to meet the challenge.