In just a handful of pages, I have distilled the most important aspects of Coyle’s theory on talent and skill development.
Making your program a powerhouse is possible, but it will only come with a lot of hard work over time. And guess what, both coaches and players must do that hard work. Everyone contributes to the betterment of the program, and the vision acts as a unifying catalyst.
I completely understand that everything in the “Talent Code” series may not be applicable to you. Some of you may be able to use much more than others, but I believe implementing some of these ideas will have a significant impact on your program.
Can’t take on anything else? I don’t blame you. So find volunteers and create ownership. If you’re not enthusiastic and excited about your vision for the program, how can you expect someone else to be? Human beings, no matter what area they are in, long to be a part of something greater than themselves. We want that experience, that memory, which no one can ever take away from us.
That’s why practice alone does not suffice to build a strong program. You must go beyond that to ignition. Building a significant vision is something you can start doing right now, and it will also make you a better coach.
Creating a Vision
Players persist through adversity only when they have a vision, and one they are emotionally connected to. As the leader of your program, it’s your responsibility to create that vision.
What does every player in your program work for and dream about? If that’s a conference championship each year, what does that environment feel like? What does it sound like?
For your program I suggest you visualize a specific vision based on a collective team effort, and the most significant is a defensive stop:
It’s March, and you’re playing at home against your rival for the conference championship. You and your team walk out on the floor for warm-ups and the gym is packed. Standing room only. There are students, parents, and community members there with signs made and faces painted. Everyone is wearing your school colors.
Fast-forward to the fourth quarter with 23 seconds left. Your team is on defense in the half court with a one-point lead. The opposing team starts their offense, but your on-ball defense is perfection—bothering without fouling. The closeouts are textbook—high hands, containing the drive until one player gets beats. But the help side is there, just like you practiced all year. On the kick-out, the rotational defender “helps the helper” as the game clock expires.
They don’t even get a shot off. The gym goes crazy and you can’t even hear yourself. That’s why you emphasized the details, fought through fatigue in practice, and sacrificed all year long. Some of that wasn’t fun, but this is. This is fun.
Whether or not your varsity team wins the championship is not the point. What’s much more important is the collective striving to reach that goal, and that’s what ignition creates.
It requires coaches to motivate players by challenging them, and invokes a drive to achieve something as a community. Dream big. Develop skills. Build something great.
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Mike Lee Basketball Services trains thousands of middle school through NBA players across the country each year in their skill development training, camps and coaches Academies. The owner, Mike Lee, is also a former Nike Girls Skills Academy instructor and former assistant director for the Stephen Curry Skills Academy. Recently the company has authored 7 skill development DVDs and created miSkillz Online Basketball training. To host an event in your city please email mike@mikeleebasketball.com
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Click here for more information on Daniel Coyle and The Talent Code