Learn from Coaches in Other Sports

*Modified from a piece in my basketball blog

Learn from coaches in different sports. Fergus Connolly introduces us to coach John Kavanagh in his book, 59 Lessons. Kavanagh is an Irish pioneer in Mixed Martial Arts and coached Conor McGregor. 

What are the transferrable takeaways from Kavanagh/Connolly?

• Find and exploit edges. 
• Practice must impact winning. 
• Time is our most precious and finite resource.

Practical applications: 

1. Edges include size, speed, or skill (e.g. create mismatches)
2. Situational practice (BOB, SLOB, ATO) informs edges

• Listen to what players share.
• Improvement is part of our job.

Practical application:

1. Ask players what they feel more or less comfortable playing 
2. Have a personal improvement plan (reading, writing, MasterClass, film study) 

• Kavanagh, like UNC Coach Anson Dorrance, creates a 'competitive cauldron'
• Habits and "automatic play" free up "working memory" which is limited. 

Practical applications:  

1. Make drills competitive ("competitive standard") 
2. Repetitions automate (developmental actions like box drills, wing series)
3. Play up (versus better competition, e.g. UCONN women vs men) 

Summary: 

• Find and exploit edges (e.g. mismatches, team strengths).
• Make more drills competitive, the "competitive cauldron."
• Practice must impact winning.
• Listen to players.
• Have a personal improvement plan (write it out).

Lagniappe. Practicing your serve at home. You can! 

Lagniappe 2. Report. Blocking is an attitude. Be ready.