Monday, July 13, 2026

Carrollism - "Protect the Team"

"There are still so many players we must protect. I had a different goal from yours, It wasn't winning the championship. It was to have a team that hates to lose, then goes out to win the next day. To become a team that plays persistently hard, to wear out the opponents even when it loses big time." - Operations Manager Lee in Hot Stove League

Giving anything less than your best should be anathema for you. Part of giving your best includes protecting the team. 

In Win Forever, Carroll reduced team culture to three rules:

  1. Always protect the team.
  2. No whining, no complaining, no excuses.
  3. Be early.

Bill Belichick's rules similarly revolve around the team:

  1. Know your job.
  2. Do your job.
  3. Pay attention to detail.
  4. Put the team first. 

Passion

"Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm." Passion is a critical component of performance, wanting to excel. 

Pride

Great advances in history occur through collaboration. Team accomplishments always mean shared success. 

Professionalism

Professionalism includes promptness, preparation, and focus. Attention is a skill. Hard work is a skill.

Professionalism appears in the weight room, the practice field, and in the training room when rehab is needed. 

Professionals protect the team on and off the court. They do the work at home, in class, and aren't involved in off-field incidents. 

Professionals protect the team. You don't have to be an adult to be a professional. 

Protect the team...at home, in school, in the media, on the court, in the community. That is ownership, your responsibility to each other. 

Lagniappe. SSGs were a regular part of practice - creating communication, competition and more touches. 

 


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