APRIL 7, 2022 WHAT MAKES FOR A GREAT BASKETBALL COACH - PART III

 APRIL 7, 2022 WHAT MAKES FOR A GREAT BASKETBALL COACH - PART III

This week as Coach K from Duke retires and Geno Auriemma takes the UCONN women to the final four for a record 27 times with six undefeated seasons I am writing about coaching basketball

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Yesterday I started with the top ten qualities of a successful basketball coach:

 Top 10 Qualities Of a Successful Basketball Coach (stacknj.com)

6. TIMELY FOLLOWS UP ON COACHING SESSIONS

A good coach will follow up on coaching sessions timely. He/she will be committed and will follow up on coaching sessions timely. 

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One of the best learning times for a team is right after a game in the locker room.  The game is still fresh in everybody's mind.  (Our Granny Basketball coach wants us to discuss what went well and what needs improvement after a game).  Coaching - like learning needs good feedback.  (I always gave an anonymous questionnaire at mid-term so I could make corrections for the second half of a class)

7. ALLOWS ADEQUATE TIME FOR THE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONCERNS AND ISSUES

This is a great sign of a good coach. A good coach allows players to discuss their concerns and issues and give them the right amount of time for their purpose. This helps players to give their opinion and discuss everything they want to with their coach.

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There might be times right after a game when a person is reluctant to talk about the concerns and issues.  For me as a professor, that is one of the reasons for office hours.  “Hey - stop by and we can talk.”  Communication and feedback are vital for effective basketball coaching (and life).  “BE THERE” and be ready to listen!!!

8. SEEK IDEAS AND MAKE THEM PART OF THE SOLUTION

This is one of the most important qualities of a successful coach. They are always willing to listen to the ideas of their players or the employees and then use them for the perfect solution. Those coaches who do not allow ideas from the other end are bad coaches and all they consider is their ego. These coaches are not able to coach their players successfully. 

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In my current situation as an average granny basketball player, I am reluctant to add comments.   It takes time for rapport and acceptance to happen and at age 74, I’ve been ‘burned’ a few times and am reluctant to add too many comments.  (I think it might be that I am definitely unique on the team as a transgender woman, and I tend to hang back and not join in.  Finally after two years, one of my friends is using ‘she/her’ pronouns. Another one yelled at me in front of my teammates).

Coaches have a unique spot on teams - directors, encouragers, motivators, and yet help those that don’t get the big picture to join in. They also get to negotiate the internal squabbles and help build a stronger workable team.

9. EXPRESSES OPTIMISM AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN EVERY SITUATION

Sometimes the team is dealing with a difficult and tough situation. It is a good coach that comes to the rescue and then expresses optimism and gives encouragement to the players to deal with such a problem.

Unfortunately, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.  I know from my teaching that if two or three people are complaining, there might be 40 who are happy with the situation.  

Optimism and encouragement are more than just “rah, rah”, but deep heartfelt support.  I remember some average students who with the right encouragement became academic superstars.  It is like that in coaching.  An encouraging word at the right moment can turn a situation around.

I know of some coaches who are yellers - they yell at their players, they yell at the referees.  But, one of my favorite coaching images is that of a coach who had “the look”, he didn’t need to say anything but the player understood his role and his mistakes.  

10. PROVIDE AUTHORITY, RESOURCES, SUPPORT, AND TRAINING IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE SOLUTION

When the coaching session gets over, it then becomes the responsibility of the good coach to stay in touch with their players and provide them with the resources and the support they need. Coaching is not limited to the coaching session. However, a good and successful coach realizes this thing and therefore he/she gives the support the players need after the coaching session.

Ah yes, “coaching is not limited to the coaching session”.  Little notes (emails), and letting love win can reap benefits.

Likewise, teaching is not limited to class.  I keep in touch with many of my former students as they work their way into management and responsible positions.  

While it isn’t basketball coaching, a friend almost every day texts me with a happy image.  It is nice to know that somebody is thinking position things about you!!!

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Aside, I find good coaching to be a delicate and demanding tightrope walk.  Too lax and the teaching doesn’t come through, too strict and the teaching gets blocked.  

With students, I like the advice from a good colleague and friend - “View each student as a human being, the child of (generally) two parents - a child with dreams, with needs for somebody to encourage and love them.  While it might not quite fit, “an ounce of prevention prevents a pound of cure” might suggest that letting little problems go might lead to bigger issues down the road.

I asked one of my former students from my first teaching job about coaching.  (He has been an outstanding coach for many years).  He said “I’ve been lucky” - but I know better.  He IS a great coach.  Maybe he hasn’t read these blogs, but he can (and does) bring out the best of twelve (or so) high school students from rural Wisconsin.  I know of his sincerity and his skills in coaching and motivating!!!  (And, I know of his great bobblehead collection!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

April 7, 2022