Better than Kata (Adapted*)

*Adapted from my basketball blog

Kata is a Japanese word (型 or 形) meaning "form" - Wikipedia

“This is a matter of practice related to what martial artists call kata — a set pattern that rewards repetition with excellence.“ - Sam Sifton, NYT 

"The enemy of good is better." Form begets function, but "perfect form" is usually illusory. Better approaches outshine perfect. Winning is hard. Excellent coaches and teams develop SYSTEMS to improve performance. 

 

 1. “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win. Everyone wants to win but not everyone wants to prepare to win." - Bobby Knight

How many young players fully commit to preparation? 

2. Make maximal effort your brand. "Never cheat the drill." 

3. "Obsess the product." That means "every day is player development day," in all facets. Build skill and athleticism. 

4. See more. Newell's priority "see the game," requires study of great players, coaches, and video. 

Learn from Kobe. Be granular (detailed). 

5. Watch the game analytically. 

• See the big picture and the symmetry. What are the offensive and defensive philosophy. 
• Don't just be a ball watcher. What happens away from the ball? 
• Study 'common' actions - Outside, middle, and opposite attacks. How often does a team hit back row, tap, and dump? The more you 'watch', the more you'll see. 
• In key situations, imagine what you'd do as a player or coach. 
• Watch your own video. What do you without and with the ball? How do you impact winning? 

Systems to Promote Winning:

• Have the will to prepare to win. 
• Make maximal effort your brand.
• "Obsess the product." 
• Study the game 'professionally'. 
• Watch the game analytically.

Lagniappe. "Keep the ball up" by dragging it out of the net. Analyze the likely possibilities of how the ball will react.