Proverbs 29 and Effective Leadership

The most important piece for a team to reach its full potential is effective leadership. This comes from both coaches and players. I have been intrigued with leadership for the past couple years and learning about what great leaders do and what horrible leaders do. I continually look at my life and see who around my I value as a leader and who I do not. The most effective leaders throughout my life have made me want to accomplish something for their sake, not in regards to my personal gain. The moments in my life when I feel like everything I am doing is for myself causes me not only to reflect on who I am as a person but also who are the leaders that are promoting this selfishness. I love reading books about this topic (if you have any recommendations, please send them my way). However, I think I have come across one of the highest quality lists of leadership in Proverbs 29. Quality leadership is reflected in the attitude of the people. This is usually described as the moral of the team and translated through team chemistry. So how can leaders get people to “rejoice” (29:2)?

Discipline

(v.15, 17, 21)

Without discipline, there is no standard which we can hold people to. The opposite of this is spoiling and pampering people. This promotes a sense of entitlement and builds characters who resist correction.

Fairness

(v. 4, 14, 16, 18)

Justice and fairness provide stability within the team. This makes leadership consistent and constant. With favoritism, leaders will face pushback from people who recognize it.

Humility

(v. 12, 23)

This could also be seen as the lack of pride. Being able to humble yourself and recognize that even though you are the leader, you do not have all the answers allows your team to see that you value them. Letting go of pride when you are confused as to what to do builds trust and support for the leadership. An arrogant leader will not have lasting success. A humble leader will admit and acknowledge their faults.

Honesty

(v. 5)

Sometimes the things that need to be said are the hardest things to say. However, being honest with criticism is more respected that lying to flatter someone.

#LiftAsYouClimb

What I Have Learned in 8 Years of Coaching

Eight years of coaching hoops has come and gone quickly! Not a day goes by that I am not jealous of my players. The thrill of suiting up in your school jersey and taking the court to compete against another team is like nothing else. I truly enjoy coaching, but I grew up wanting to be a player before I started coaching. Playing is always more desirable. However, coaching has been more educational for me. I have spent 6 years as an assistant (1 of those a JV head coach in addition) and 2 years as a head coach. I have been a part of 2 league title teams and 3 last place finishers. My teams have lost close games, won close games, been blown out, and blown out teams. I have gone to bed happy with the job I did, but have spent more nights replaying situations and thinking about what I SHOULD have done. Through experience and being surrounded by great people, I have learned significantly more about the game than I originally knew when I began coaching in 2007.

The most important thing that I have learned is that players are people. In fact, they are young people. They will make mistakes, they will lack energy on certain days, and they will take things personally. People all have their unique things about them that cause different types of reactions. Just because kids play basketball does not somehow eliminate their limitations caused by being human. For the longest time, I thought I needed to demand perfection out of them. One mistake was one too many.

There is definitely an importance to getting the most out of your players. But, as in life, mistakes will happen and failure will occur. In life, I have been told that through failure we find success. Thus, my mindframe has shifted from being negative towards failure to accepting faults as a means to encourage growth. One of my most concerned efforts to improve in my craft is to take away as many “don’t do” coaching cues as I can. Rather than tell players what not to do, I want to be able to give them a solution to encourage growth as opposed to discourage failure.

Turnovers will happen. Bad shots will be taken. There is nothing a coach can do to fully eliminate them. In order to develop my players, I must first understand they are people with a desire to do great things only to be limited because they are human. This is what eight years of coaching has shown me.

I guess I still have a lot more to learn.

#LiftAsYouClimb

Why Leaders Need Discipline - - Proverbs 10:17

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way of life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Proverbs 10:17

This is my first time reading through the Proverbs. The reading plan I am following has me reading 1 per day (I am on my second round through). One of the main themes throughout the book is discipline. This particular verse proved discipline to be vital to becoming a successful leader.

When I think of discipline, I think of three ways to define it:

Being disciplined - receiving consequences for actions

Having discipline - being able to do what is needed to be done, whether you want to or not

A discipline, or act - something that is done for growth

Each form of discipline is beneficial to the growth of an individual and also necessary for a leader to be effective.

Leaders must be able to handle feedback while also giving their teammates feedback (leading vocally).

Leaders must be able to do what is necessary regardless of how hard it is (leading by example).

Leaders must do little things on a daily basis that help them reach their full potential (leading by setting the standard).

The outcome of leaderships’ attitudes towards discipline will determine the development of your team. Will you show the way, or lead others astray?

#LiftAsYouClimb

Setback, or opportunity?

I recently received an email from my church that the class my wife and I had signed up for had been canceled due to lack of interest. Apparently, they have a minimum need of 10 people to sign up. While I understand the policy, I question why so many people pass up this opportunity to study and gain more knowledge in a subject they are obviously interested in? Westside A Jesus Church is not a small place. There are four services and each are highly populated. What kind of opportunities are you being given that you are not taking advantage of?

Many times in athletics, we have opportunities that we fail to recognize. In fact, we see them as setbacks. A personal example that I have (and that I see year after year) is being a Junior on the JV team. This can be hard, because players typically advance from Freshman team to JV team then to the varsity team as a Junior. My first reaction was that it was a huge setback and I was getting left behind. Years later, I was able to reflect and realize that I was given the opportunity to play in games more than I would have at the Varsity level, which allowed me to grow as a player.

There is always opportunity to grow in whatever situation you are in. If you feel like something is a setback, find the opportunity in it.

#LiftAsYouClimb

Being Coachable - - Respond AND React

There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. - Matthew 21:28-31

I can remember first hearing about what being coachable is from former Willamette University head coach Gordie James. He said that being coachable was not about saying “yes, coach” or telling the coach all the right things and having a good attitude. While those traits may in fact be good, they may also be a front. Being coachable is about taking correction from a coach and applying it, whether that be on the court or off.

Look at the two sons in Jesus’ parable. One says, “I will not.” A stern answer, a blatant refusal to follow directions. The other says, “I will, sir.” A response of submission along with addressing his dad with a respectful name. If the story stops here, it would be obvious which son was more coachable. But as we look deeper, the one who refuses at first ends up following his dad’s direction. The son who appeared to be respectful ends up insulting his dad by refusing to follow up on his word.

Being coachable requires actions in addition to a response. Coachable players will find their game improving throughout the season. The more players on a team that are coachable, the closer that team will get to reach its full potential. Remember that your coach only wants to help you improve when he is giving you advice. His goal is not to make you feel bad or inadequate, but to give you the tools to become the best player you can be.

#LiftAsYouClimb

Shot Selection - - The IQ Series

There are so many aspects to shot selection. I think I will be moved to write about different scenarios as the season continues. I am tentatively considering this to be part one. End of game situations can be difficult for players to understand. Most coaches use the term “time and score” to communicate the importance of recognize the end of a highly contested game. One of the hardest things to learn is how to play at the end of the game with a narrow lead.

Different coaches have different philosophies about remaining aggressive versus killing the clock. There is a fine line between being extra patient as the game winds down and causing players to tighten up and make mistakes in their attempt not to lose the lead.

There are some general guidelines that I think players can play by. Let’s say, for example, you are up by 4 with 2 minutes left in the game.

No contested jumpers/transition jumpers

Contested jump shots are usually not a coaches favorite shot at any point in the game, let alone at the end of a tight game. Shooting a contested jumper can lead to a long rebound, which also leads to a transition opportunity. This also is a low percentage shot, most likely allowing the other team to have the ball without having time run off the clock.

Always take the layup

An open layup is the highest percentage shot in the game. Adding two points extends your lead. Even though time may not come off the clock, you have now required your opponent to need an extra possession to tie the game.

Understand what you need

Being up by 4 points does not require your team to shoot a three. I think there are very few players in high school basketball that would be encouraged to shoot a three, regardless of how open they are, in this given situation. Again, different coaches have different philosophies. But players should understand that with 2 minutes left, the defense will probably become more aggressive. Offensively, you can take advantage of that by penetrating and by cutting if you are off the ball.

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Closing Quarters - - The IQ Series

When you lose a game by 3 points, it’s easy to look at things that happened at the end of the game to decide the defining moments of the loss. No matter if someone missed a shot or turned the ball over late in the game, it’s easy to point to one play and say a certain player lost the game on his own. There are, however, many more factors that go into a loss besides 1 play in the last minute of the game. One of those factors is a teams ability to close quarters. Closing quarters efficiently can greatly effect the outcome. Let me give you an example. We lost by 3 a few weeks ago and had a shot to tie at the end of the game. Despite everything else that happened throughout the game, we failed end of quarter situations twice in the first half.

First quarter

We took a contested drive with 10 seconds to go, then allowed our opponent to hit a three before time expired. 5 point swing.

Second quarter

We turn the ball over with under a minute to go, then allowed our opponent to knock another three down after an offensive rebound. Again, 5 point swing.

So because of how we closed 2 quarters, there was a possible 10-point difference not in our favor. Even if we didn’t score, by ensuring that we took the last shot, we could have took away 6 points. And in a 3 point game, that means all the difference.

Time and Score - - The IQ Series

Throughout the season, there a plenty of opportunities to learn from each game. My goal this year is to share what I see with players to help develop your basketball IQ. The first topic will be time and score. The situation is this: there is 2 minutes left and your team is up by 4 points. What can you do to remain aggressive yet also remain under control? The common phrase is “playing not to lose.” This attitude can cause you to tighten up and make mistakes because you are only attempting to not make mistakes. Here are some tips from what I have witnessed this past week to help you maintain poise and finish the game with a win.

Amazing plays are unnecessary

Defensively especially. If you try and steal the ball by jumping the passing lane and do not make the play, your team is now at a disadvantage. This can lead to easy shots or most likely a foul and free throws for the other team. Even diving for a ball can be costly if you do not gain possession. Only make hustle plays that are 100% in your favor. If there is a chance you do not make the play, do the safe thing and contain your man to ensure a tough shot for your opponent.

Amazing shots are unnecessary

If you have to split defenders, double pump, or fadeaway, you probably shouldn’t take that shot. You most likely want to work the ball for a layup. Some coaches may be ok with a dependable shooter taking an open mid-range shot after a number of ball reversals. Jumps shots, in addition to not being as high-percentage as layups, also lead to long rebounds, which lead to easy transition baskets.

Ball fake

If you are up by 4 with 2 minutes left, the defense will be looking to jump passing lanes to get steals. Ball fake as you looking to pass to get the defense off balance. Turnovers and bad shots will lead to the other team coming back and making it anybody’s game.

Living Thankfully

There is so much talk about being thankful during this time of year, and my mind took me to gratitude in the game of basketball. Nothing is more frustrating than playing with or coaching players who act like they do not want to be a part of the team. These are the players who bring the intensity of practice down. Depending on the level of leadership on the team, their attitude can spread to other teammates as the season grows. Players whos actions say they would rather not be there are not showing gratitude for their opportunity to be part of a team (an opportunity that only 12 boys in the whole school get). Being thankful is shown in our action more than by what we say. It’s easy to say how thankful you are for certain opportunities, but it’s a different story when it comes to living it out. I thought of three ways that we can begin to live thankfully:

Show up

Being thankful for your opportunites begins by showing up everyday. You can learn much about a person by witnessing their attendance. Yes, there are days for everyone where it might be hard to get out of bed and gain the energy to go to practice for the 6th consecutive day. But by not showing up, a message is sent that being a part of the team is unnecessary in your life; it’s not an opportunity that means enough for you to attend even when motivation is lacking. Perfect attendance is the foundation for gratefulness.

Pour out

The 2nd part to showing your thankfulness is the energy you put out into what you do. Showing up says that something is important to you, but striving for excellence is the piece that says it is meaningful for you. Caring about the results you produce is being grateful for what you are doing. Being sloppy and careless, exerting minimal effort, and acting disinterested are all ways to tell people that you are spoiled. 

Give back

My last thought on displaying gratitude is to be selfless and share your opportunities with others to the best of your ability. We always think of giving money and gifts as an important part of giving back. However, the attitude that we perform with can be just as crucial to our development towards living with gratitude. Work with others for the benefit of a greater good than your own desires. Help others achieve their goals even if it means that individual goals will suffer.

I would love to hear how you will start living your life thankfully. Send me an email with any thoughts.

 #LiftAsYouClimb

Up Your Intensity at Practice - - Talk and Communicate

Thanks to my good friend Henry Barrera, I was given an opportunity to visit the Portland Trailblazers practice facility where we were shown their strength program and also observed a practice. I have always been curious as to what goes on at the highest level of the game.  

Obviously, they have the nicest equipment for strength training. But they do keep things simple as far as programming despite their hectic schedule. What I saw on the court was nothing out of the ordinary: 5-0, 3-on-3 breakdown drills, 5-5 controlled half-court scrimmage, and, of course, getting shots up.

The biggest difference I noticed was that each player was involved for every drill, regardless if they were on the court or sitting out. They were there to get better at practice, not to get through a practice. This was demonstrated by their commitment to talking.

Talking and communicating is, perhaps, the hardest skill to teach young players. Not simply talking to make noise, but talking to make sure that your teammates know what you are doing and what you expect them to do. The Blazers’ players did not just talk when they were on the court, but also when they were on the side waiting to enter the drill.

Your team can reach a higher level if all players are committed to communicating with one another. Talk on the court to keep each other on the same page, and talk on the sidelines to keep yourself mentally ready to play.

Big THANK YOU to @toddforcier @Ben_kenyon_ for letting us come by today. Really appreciate it. #IronSharpensIron @IamDJShaw @SLMHoopsProject

— Henry Barrera, CSCS (@hoopdiaries) November 21, 2014