Measure to Improve
Something that I personally have been struggling with lately is the concept of becoming a better person, a better coach, and a better leader. I’ve consistently been reflecting and actively trying to get rid of what I consider negative habits whilst adding positive habits into my lifestyle. This has been challenging for me as IContinue reading “Measure to Improve”
imPACTT coaching – When less means more!
Is coaching less more effective in the long run? We’ve all seen coaches who have a presence on the court. A certain aura as they move around demanding, controlling, roaring instructions, giving feedback, constantly correcting skills and directing players from drill to drill. On the outset, it looks amazing. The coach seems to be in constantContinue reading “imPACTT coaching – When less means more!”
Making an imPACTT!
WHY DO I COACH BASKETBALL? I coach basketball for a living and have dedicated the last number of years of my life to the sport and all that it brings. Late nights, early mornings, long weekends, emotional players, demanding administrations, over involved parents and uneven working hours. Oh, and did I mention low wages? Of course, I’mContinue reading “Making an imPACTT!”
Elusive Confidence
When it comes to sporting success, confidence has been shown to account for the differences between successful and unsuccessful performances. Sports psychologists and elite athletes have consistently stated that confidence is a crucial currency in their performances and success. But, what is confidence? Are there different types of confidence? How do we develop confidence? What impactsContinue reading “Elusive Confidence”
Pt. 3 – Let me Play!
3. Let Me Play Coach There are times that players perform really well in a game and are executing the coach’s plan perfectly. They share the ball, communicate on defense and shoot the ball well. Then, before they know it, they find themselves back on the bench and they don’t know why? “Coach, I was doing well. JustContinue reading “Pt. 3 – Let me Play!”
My Players Suck! Pt. 2 – Why Am I Out?
2. “Every-time I sub my players’ off; they demand an explanation. I can’t provide that during the game” Nobody expects to play forty minutes every game. Most players would like to, but they don’t expect it. As such, player expectations are based on their self-perceptions in comparison to their teammates, how many minutes they usuallyContinue reading “My Players Suck! Pt. 2 – Why Am I Out?”
My Players Suck! Pt. 1 – Coach Won’t Play Me
My last post, My Coach Sucks, talked about some of the issues that affect players’ game time and a couple of tips on how players can deal with these issues. Most of these issues can be solved by the player approaching the coach and initiating communication to understand the vision of the team, the directionContinue reading “My Players Suck! Pt. 1 – Coach Won’t Play Me”
My Coach Sucks!!
Coaches differ from one another in various ways. Their coaching styles, their behaviours, their philosophies, systems and even their personalities. Combining these styles with that of their athletes results in some great working relationships and at other times, confusion from the athletes’ part as they struggle to understand their coach and fit in with theContinue reading “My Coach Sucks!!”
Predicting Success through Testing
Tim Grover is so on the money in the below article in more ways than one… http://attackathletics.com/why-draft-combines-are-a-poor-predictor-of-success/ Let’s start with athletics and he is right. Can you imagine if Damian Lillard, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant were judged by their ability to bench press and that was a determinant of how successful they would eventuallyContinue reading “Predicting Success through Testing”
Coach Weldon – Coaching Notes
Coach James Weldon spoke at the National Coaching Conference 2016 about the importance of individual workouts for players and gave an insight into some of the drills that he uses to help players improve. Coach Weldon – Individual Workouts
Coach Trunic – Coaching Notes
Some notes from Coach Nenad Trunic from Serbia presenting at the National Coaching Conference 2016 in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght in Dublin. Coach Trunic Post Player Development Coach Trunic Zone Principles
Gender Equality and the Wage Gap
The “golden boy” of tennis, Novak Djokovic made some comments on Monday about the wage and gender gap in tennis that seem to have opened up a can of worms about the sport, gender differences and the wage gap. A controversial topic that very few people actually want to engage in because of the fact thatContinue reading “Gender Equality and the Wage Gap”
Creating Team Cultures
With the basketball season just around the corner, coaches need to start planning and making several decisions. Although most of these decisions will be in relation to the team, its playing style and their goals for the coming year, one of the most important decisions will be the conscious decision to foster a team culture.Continue reading “Creating Team Cultures”
Are you a Carrot, Egg or a Coffee Bean?
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.Continue reading “Are you a Carrot, Egg or a Coffee Bean?”
What’s the Importance of a Warm-Up?
Last week, I wrote a blog about killing “Sacred Zombie Cows” or in other words, challenging conventional wisdom as it relates to sports. This blog will address the warm-up and the role it plays in activities. For the most part, I speak in basketball jargon, but the ideas in the blog can be easily transferredContinue reading “What’s the Importance of a Warm-Up?”
Challenging Conventional Thinking
I came across the above photo on Facebook a couple of days ago and it got me thinking about the way we do certain things. As a basketball and a strength & conditioning coach, I witness this almost on a daily basis. Whether I’m at the gym or on a basketball court, I observe people doing things inContinue reading “Challenging Conventional Thinking”
Strength Training and Kids
There exists a concept which states that strength training in kids is wrong and harmful. There exists a concept which states that strength training for kids will stunt their growth. A lot of people firmly believe this, and prevent their kids from engaging in strength training activities. So, is there any truth to this? Or areContinue reading “Strength Training and Kids”
Working on your craft!!
Last week, a good friend of mine, Ciaran Toner wrote a post about being in the “Right Place at the Right Time“. If you haven’t seen it, go and read it now. I want to echo on the points he made before jumping to my topic. There are certain people, who wish for success, but spendContinue reading “Working on your craft!!”
Batteries Recharged
It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on here. I’ve been finding it hard to formulate my thoughts into words and put them out there, but enough is enough, I’ll just get on with it. Let me start with the most recent occurrence and from there, I will do my best to post a blog everyContinue reading “Batteries Recharged”
The Station
Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long, long trip that almost spans the continent. We’re travelling by passenger train, and out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside,Continue reading “The Station”
9 Ways to become a tougher player
by Coach Joe Wootten Play in the moment: Great shooters have no fear of the future and have the shortest memory…..they play in the moment….most adults are better players as they get older because the did not worry anymore….they play in the moment……do not wait until you are older, do it now! Play forContinue reading “9 Ways to become a tougher player”
Holding Yourself to a Higher Standard
“THE POLICE ARE UNDER ATTACK!!” That is the headline that greeted me in today’s paper. Let me review. Plenty of problems exist in the world that we live in today. However, all of these problems seem to be blown way out of proportion for the most part in the way that the media seems toContinue reading “Holding Yourself to a Higher Standard”
Keys to Being a Great Defensive Team
Keys To Being A Great Defensive Team: by Coach Joe Wootten 0 lay-ups in transition: Stop the other team from getting to the rim in transition. A player should sprint to the hole (under the rim) and not give up a lay up. +15 in rebounding: A successful team is going to win the battleContinue reading “Keys to Being a Great Defensive Team”
You are your own key to success
Click on the link below to read this great article on how you are your own key to success; how your actions or inactions determine your victories or failures. Seize control of your life, your fate and your destiny. Empower yourself. http://www.the-open-mind.com/no-one-is-coming-to-save-you/
14 Points to being a Key Parent
by Joe Wootten Tell you Child every time you watch them play, “I loved watching you play today!” Please think about how that would make you feel! I know that would make anyone feel great! Do not soften the blow for your child after a loss: If they lose teach them to not make excuses,Continue reading “14 Points to being a Key Parent”
Basketball and Life
“Whatever works in basketball works in life!” – Morgan Wootten Coach Wootten is arguably the most successful high school coach in basketballs history with over 1’200 wins in his career. The above statement is his core philosophy in basketball and I must admit that I completely agree with it. In order to be a goodContinue reading “Basketball and Life”
Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right!
A couple of days ago, a female african american actress was “hand-cuffed and detained” by police officers in LA. The incident occured after the actress was seen making out in a car with her white boyfriend. The actress reports that the police thought that she was a “prostitute” and as such was mistreated. Is thisContinue reading “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right!”
Successful People Interact
Successful people don’t wait for opportunities; rather they go out of their way to seek opportunities Technology, the internet and mobile phones have certainly changed our lives. Everybody these days has a smartphone and two seconds with the internet drives people crazy. But, is this a good thing or a bad thing? It isContinue reading “Successful People Interact”
Getting around in VA
So, after a week of being in Virginia and trying to figure out the transportation system to allow me to get to and back from work, I think I may have finally figured out my commuting schedule for now. I am currently staying in Stafford, courtesy of some very nice folks. However, Stafford is slightly outContinue reading “Getting around in VA”
Living it up
I’ve been fortunate to have spent the last fourteen years of my life in Ireland, getting to meet a tonne of really cool people and developing great relationships with so many in the Emerald Isle. One of my passions is coaching and over the last eight years, I have been privileged to have been involved with severalContinue reading “Living it up”
Q & A with Gregg Popovich – Spurs Offense
The original article was written by Jeff McDonald and the link to that article can be found below. CLEVELAND — The question was about Cavaliers coach Mike Brown and his stated goal to model his team’s approach to offense after the team he once worked for, the Spurs. The Spurs, Brown noted, don’t run offenseContinue reading “Q & A with Gregg Popovich – Spurs Offense”
Back to School Again
I honestly believe that everything that we do is a conscious choice…. and once we’ve made that choice, our attitudes towards it determine how successful we become at it, and how much of an impact it has on those around us. This is an interesting time of the year, as we have now approached theContinue reading “Back to School Again”
Breaking Down Game Film
Failure to Prepare is Preparing to Fail The FIBA European Championships was going to be a test of mental toughness and preparation for all teams involved. With 17 teams competing in the Championships, and each team playing a minimum of 7 games in 10 days, it was imperative that every team do anything they couldContinue reading “Breaking Down Game Film”
FIBA Europeans 2014
FIBA 2014 European Championships It’s the journey and not the destination that leaves the most lasting memories; it’s how we overcome adversity, obstacles and challenges that define us and our lives. After spending more than two years working closely with an exceptional group of people, the journey is now over, but the memories will foreverContinue reading “FIBA Europeans 2014”
Life Truths
It’s that time of the year again; the dreaded off-season/pre-season. For the serious and committed athletes, they’ve already used their off-season time wisely and will now be transitioning into pre-season. Other are still unsure if the work is worth it. “I worked so hard on my game last year, improved my jump shot and myContinue reading “Life Truths”
Is Success Really a Choice?
A couple of months ago, I wrote an article titled, “Success is a choice!”. I didn’t come up with this title, rather, I heard it from Coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals. I do, however, strongly believe that success is a choice that you consciously make. It may be a difficult choice, but itContinue reading “Is Success Really a Choice?”
The Debate on Icing
As a Strength and Conditioning Coach and Basketball Coach with several teams and players, the one thing that has begun to irk me is how players and athletes rush to “ice” when injured. The players I work with will get a knock or go over their ankle and the first thing that everyone seems toContinue reading “The Debate on Icing”
Requiem for a Dream – How Barcelona’s Prodigal Son Became Their Most Damaging Signing in a Generation
Originally posted on Neymarketing:
To all intents and purposes, the time of Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona is now up. While nothing has yet been signed, nor even officially agreed, he is expected to move to Chelsea in the very near future. And, if that falls through, it is no secret that the club are willing…
Blessed and Privileged
On April 14th, I travelled with the Irish Womens U16 Squad for an International Tournament in Leeds, UK against the England U16 Ladies squad. Let me rewind for a second… I am extremely grateful and fortunate to have been blessed with an opportunity to do what I do. In my role as a coach, IContinue reading “Blessed and Privileged”
Should Coaches Love the Off-Season?
The season is officially over and I am as excited, if not more excited because of it. Not because that I have more free time on my hands and that I don’t have to plan practices, watch game tapes, scout oppositions or go on road trips to coach around the country. NO, I am excitedContinue reading “Should Coaches Love the Off-Season?”
Bill Parcell – Finding a way to Win
Some very useful stuff taken from Bill Parcell’s book, “Finding a way to Win” When an organization stays the course and holds fast to their philosophy, through good times and bad, they work from a firm foundation. They gain an identity. They stand for something. Every organization, whether it’s floundering or ruling the roost, needsContinue reading “Bill Parcell – Finding a way to Win”
Lost but Won
In my first year as the Head Coach of a Premier League team, I have come across a lot of challenges and obstacles. This has at times left me completely drained, both physically and mentally. It is important, however, to keep things in perspective and realise that this is all just part of the process…Continue reading “Lost but Won”
Embrace the Challenge…
The only organisation that I represent is myself. RendBasketball. The views that I express are simply my opinions, and I am constantly reminded that I am young and inexperienced and hence, do not know how things are done and I don’t understand! That’s fair and I’ll accept that as your opinions. Funny thing about opinionsContinue reading “Embrace the Challenge…”
Embrace the Challenge…. Accept the Process
Embrace the Challenge… Accept the Process This weekend I managed to get down to watch a basketball game. For the first time in a long time, I could sit down on the spectator side of things and just enjoy the action purely for the fun of the game. Oh, what a beautiful game. The teamsContinue reading “Embrace the Challenge…. Accept the Process”
Let the Coaches Coach
What is the job of a coach? Getting a group of players to come together and work as a team to achieve a common goal. The most difficult aspect of the coach is getting the players to embrace a fundamental concept that is an essential ingredient towards their success. The concept is that the teamContinue reading “Let the Coaches Coach”
Believe in the Process
This is my first season coaching in the Irish Premier League and while it is an absolute privilege to be entrusted with such a task, we have been unfortunate to get off to a bad start. We just played our seventh league game earlier and came away with a loss. One win, in seven games.Continue reading “Believe in the Process”
Are we Coaches or Teachers?
The official title is Coach. But the question is, are we coaches or are we teachers? Personally, I like to consider myself a teacher. My medium is “basketball” and the classroom is “the hardwood” and finally my subject is “Life lessons through basketball”. Coaches want to win, teachers want their students to succeed. Coaches receiveContinue reading “Are we Coaches or Teachers?”
Being Mentally Tough
I came across this and immediately had to share. Credit where credit is due though and it is not my work.. A friend of mine sent it to me, but I do believe the author’s name is Amy ……… Mentally strong people have healthy habits. They manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in ways thatContinue reading “Being Mentally Tough”
Turning Things Around
A concerned parent recently wrote to Coach Torbett looking for advise on how to develop a winning culture within a team, how to build confidence and motivate players. What follows is Coach Torbett’s reply. Whilst he nails all the points, I especially like points 5 and 6. Coaches, parents and players, sit down, grab aContinue reading “Turning Things Around”
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