“Best Practices”

“Best practices” vary because it generates process versus outcome discussion. One area high school won consecutive state basketball championships. Their best player hails from far out of area. That’s becoming the rule not the exception. Talent aggregators earn notoriety as coaches. 

Own "practice accountability" over "outcome accountability." Outcomes are subject to a myriad of variables - talent, schedule, health, even luck. But coaches control tryouts, player selection and development, strategy, game planning, and so forth.

Ideally, the team entering the post-season evolved in cohesive consistency and 'toughness'. 

Process links to outcome nonlinearly. An “iceberg effect" exists as performance in higher stakes contests links to 1) talent and 2) offseason training. 

Grant writes, “Focusing on results might be good for short-term performance, but it can be an obstacle to long-term learning.” Weak scheduling doesn’t harden competitors. Young players' growth may propel them past upperclassmen.

“The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.” Unreliable players tend to remain unreliable. 

Excellent coaches place team first. In 1986, Dave Stapleton usually replaced Bill Buckner defensively late in games. Bill Buckner’s critical error in the World Series occurred by varying from proven success. Eighteen years passed before the Red Sox won their first title in eighty-six years.

Commit to refining constantly. 

Lagniappe. Dig, roll, and recover.