Simplify and Execute

As a part-time basketball coach, I want players to know WHAT TO DO, HOW TO DO IT, and WHY. To quote legendary hoop coach Pete Newell, "they aren't cattle." Players are smart, but even so, need constant teaching, encouragement, and then it's up to them to make plays.

Here's a paragraph from another book (The Playbook), where I have changed the subject but it makes great points for (fill in the blank) players:

Let's remember how you become a (fill in the blank). Not only do you have to acquire all of the domain knowledge that (TOPIC) requires to be great. This is a matter of PASSION not high IQ or athletic prowess. But then you have to be able to EXECUTE. You may be a great candidate on paper, but you still may not be able to play our game. 

What this is saying illustrates why I pay absolutely zero attention to pre-game warmups. I've seen many players who look tremendous in warmups (hitting/digging/serving) but then they can't reproduce that when the lights come on. When the double (or triple) block is up, can you deliver the power/side tip/dink/rainbow kill that fits the situation? "Domain knowledge" is insufficient. Are you willing to "hit out" when the score is tied in extra points or just when you have a comfortable, pressure-free lead?

That doesn't mean ignoring "risk management". When the situation calls for more conservative play, then you have to accept that but you can't throw batting practice fastballs and get people out.

At 8:25 of the D2 North final, Melrose has match point...a Fenwick player (inaudible) says "just get it over", leading to a Rachel Johnson overhead dig, and a Brooke Bell assist to Athena Ziavras. To succeed in big moments, execution is paramount. Rachel starts the attack, Brooke continues it, and Athena "hits out".

Successful (fill in the blank) find ways to execute in the moment, and then move on to the next play.