I’m a perfectionist in the kitchen. I want to know exactly how much of each ingredient to add so the finished product tastes just like my mom’s! Similarly, coaches want to know the recipe to create a winning team. How much practice, weight training and conditioning will it take? What about perseverance, inspirational quotes or team bonding experiences? The amounts may vary, but according to former Green Bay Packer coach, Vince Lombardi, it takes three main ingredients to make a winning … [Read more...]
November Madness!
We couldn't wait until March for the Madness to start so we thought November would be a great time for some great deals! Are we 'mad'? Probably ... but we're really just excited for basketball season (even if the NBA players & owners aren't sharing in our excitement!) Each of the special 'November Madness' offers below will last through November 15, 2011. After that, we'll be feeling back to normal and these deals will disappear! Hoops U. Insider 2 for 1 Special Offer! Join Hoops U. … [Read more...]
Wisdom for the BusyCoach
If you live each day as if it will be your last, one day you will most certainly be right. ~Steve Jobs Life comes with no guarantees, BusyCoach. No promise that you'll meet or surpass the average life expectancy. No certainty that if you work your hardest you'll win a championship. No assurance that you'll avoid cancer. I suppose there is just one sure thing: you and I will have a last day. Not trying to be morbid, just stating the facts. And issuing a reality check. The above quote … [Read more...]
LDRSHIP
The following 'Army Values' comes from the Army Leadership Manual. I think these values can apply to anyone in leadership, specifically to basketball coaches and players! The values the Army uses to guide the leader forms the acronym LDRSHIP: Loyalty Duty Respect Selfless Service Honor Integrity Personal Courage More from the Army Leadership Manual on each of these values: LOYALTY Bear true faith and allegiance to the US Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other … [Read more...]
Where Are You, Men of Courage?
Are you a man of courage? It's a question you might ask yourself after you go see the new movie, Courageous. Courageous is a movie about fatherhood. If you're a father, you need to see this movie. Actually, if you're a father, son, wife, or mom you need to see this movie. And if you're a coach, you can take a lot from this movie as well. I'll discuss this a little as your read further. This isn't a review of Courageous ... it is simply a recommendation that you be "courageous" and go … [Read more...]
Pre-Order Now: Basketball Notebook
We are now taking pre-orders shipping our latest release at Hoops U, The Basketball Notebook! Now available! Check out our latest release, The Basketball Notebook! The Basketball Notebook is designed to be a durable, easy-to-use notebook you can take with you to coaching clinics. You will also enjoy having one to jot down notes and draw up plays wherever you are -- watching games on TV or in person ... or even having one on your desk or in your nightstand for when that great idea strikes … [Read more...]
Three Properties of Leadership
As a diamond requires 3 properties to form, a leader is also formed by 3 properties. This from former Army Chief of Staff, General Edward C. Meyer: "Just as the diamond requires three properties for its formation -- carbon, heat, and pressure -- successful leaders require the interaction of three properties -- character, knowledge, and application. Like carbon to the diamond, character is the basic quality of the leader. But as carbon alone does not create a diamond, neither can … [Read more...]
You Versus You
Here is your kick in the pants for today. You might recall 'Knock-Knock ... Who's There?' Well, here is another great motivational video from the folks at VersusTV. “It’s You vs. Them. You vs. No. You vs. Can’t. You vs. Next Year, Last Year, Statistics, Excuses. It's You vs. History. You vs. the Odds. It’s You vs. 2nd place. The clock is ticking. Let’s see what you got.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl_1wh1obyM You're welcome. … [Read more...]
No Pussycats, Please
I recently came across the following quote from former Boston Celtic great, Bill Russell. With 11 NBA titles, 5 MVP trophies, a 12-time All-Star ... personally, I'll listen to what the Hall of Famer has to say! "You got to have the killer instinct. If you do not have it, forget about basketball and go into social psychology or something. If you sometimes wonder if you've got it, you ain't got it. No pussycats, please." Do you have that killer instinct? Do you thrive on competition and … [Read more...]
Think to Succeed
The following quote comes from George Matthew Adams (1878-1962). Mr. Adams was a newspaper columnist and founder of the George Matthew Adams Newspaper Service. This quote is a great reminder to us to always be thinking. If you're not thinking, you're not succeeding! "We can accomplish almost anything within our ability if we but think we can! Every great achievement in this world was first carefully thought out... Think -- but to a purpose. Think contructively. Think as you … [Read more...]