Okay folks, I’m back…after a brief sabbatical. With all the traveling to work camps and clinics and preparing for my team’s upcoming season, my blog posts have gotten lost in the shuffle. I promise not to run off and hide anytime soon! That being said, the issue I would like to address is preparation, or lack thereof.
One of my favorite John Wooden quotes is, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” Never has seven words spoken so loudly about athletics, or just life in general. The issue with the lack of preparation was recently brought to my attention after the high school girls’ basketball team I coach lost its first game of the season earlier this month. On a high school sports message board, my lack of preparation for this game was criticized by a person in the community. The criticism did not sting or hurt my pride any. In fact, it made me take a step back and reflect on Coach Wooden’s quote.
Looking back on the time preceding the game I had to wonder to myself, “Did I really have the team as prepared as they should have been?” I analyzed my practice plans and what we covered leading up to the game. I questioned myself about the time spent on certain aspects. It was a wonderful moment of self-reflection on the job I was doing. Some coaches would have been offended by the post. I had other coaches tell me to let it go and that my track record should justify how I prepare my team. But a person that truly wants to get better will look at the criticism and examine themselves. That’s exactly what I’ve done. And I must say, since that time, our practices have been more focused and intense with a focus on preparation for what we may face next.
How would a lack of preparation figure into a player’s ability and performance? I laugh at this, but I always think back to the old G.I. Joe cartoons and at the end they always presented a life lesson about something and the saying was, “…and knowing is half the battle.” It may seem silly or corny now, but if you stop and think about it, knowing really is half the battle. A player needs to be prepared for what he/she is about to face. If your opponents like to press and trap all over the floor, then it does no good to work on zone offense for the two days leading up to the game. Information is the key to success. Information is the beginning of preparation.
Teams prepare by going over scouting reports, opponent tendencies, strengths and weaknesses. This information helps a coach come up with a game plan that he/she hopes will lead to victory…if executed properly. Many people stop there. They figure that it’s the coach’s job to be prepared for all the situations that may occur during a game. That assumption would be wrong. It is also a player’s responsibility to be prepared to play. The scouting report the coach has discussed with you should start your mental preparation. If you’re facing a conference foe, then you should be familiar with that team’s tendencies. It should give you a chance to go through your mental checklist on what you, individually, need to do in order to be successful. Are you guarding the other team’s best player? If so, then what does that person like to do? Are they going to give you a head fake and then take two dribbles to their left and pull up for a jump shot? Are they going to slash to the basket or try to come off screens to catch and shoot? Preparing for these things as an individual is critical to a team’s success.
Another instance in which preparation is key comes during the off-season. This is the time for players AND coaches to get better at their respective crafts. Players should examine their play and their offensive and defensive tendencies over the past season and find a way to improve on specific areas of need. Strength and conditioning also comes into play during the off-season. Were you struggling in the fourth quarter of big games? Spend the extra time to condition your body for the rigors of the season.
The same goes for coaches. If a coach struggles with end-game situations, then perhaps he/she should spend some time at a coaching clinic or talk to some colleagues about how to handle particular situations. Take the time to refine how you plan practice or ask another coach to look over your plans and see if there’s anything that could be changed. Pride is an issue that needs to be thrown out the window when trying to better yourself.
Preparation comes down to several factors, but it starts with information. It starts with feedback and that feedback can come in many forms: film sessions, scouting, discussions with coaches and players, and even message boards.
How did I respond to the criticism that I didn’t have my team prepared? I worked harder and made sure they were prepared for our next game. I spoke with clarity in regards to how we counter the other team’s strategy, practices were streamlined, walk-throughs became run-throughs, and the intensity and passion from myself and the players was much, much higher. The outcome? We won 84-47. Don’t fail to prepare!
