The LLaBB

WHICH COACH ARE YOU? DEVIL OR ANGEL?

2009-10-24T17:05:00.002-05:00

[Image source unknown. I discovered this one on the net some years ago. Sorry. I always like to 'thank the passer.']

WHAT'S YOUR COACHING COMMUNICATION STYLE?

2009-10-24T16:29:00.005-05:00

There are a lot of different styles of coaching/teaching. Yet, how aware are you of your communication style when you coach?

Take a look at the chart below and personally assess your communication style. Where would you place yourself on this spectrum?

In having the opportunity to coach coaches over the years, I've found that use of questions is the most difficult for coaches to incorporate. Often, the only technique used is the "tell and repeat" approach.

The truly great teacher-coaches move seamlessly between the different types of communication: tell & repeat, question & listen; and, collaborate. This is the art of coaching rather than a science.

None of the styles above, when examined in isolation, is better or worse than the other, necessarily. The challenge is when the only communication tool you have as a coach in your arsenal is one - especially if that one tool is the tell and repeat... tell and repeat... tell and repeat... tell. (You get my drift. It gets tired after a while. Now, imagine how your athletes feel after 4-months of that!).

Having a chance the opportunity to watch Coach K in live action this past week, I was so thoroughly impressed with who is is as a communicator. Truly masterful teacher.

He moved skillfully and intuitively between the different styles. And, at two separate points in the practice, he stopped the group to ask an athlete this one, very powerful question: "How do you feel right now?"

1st Ask:

Athlete Response: "Great."
Coach K (emphatic retort): "Hey... [-----] great!"

2nd Ask (toward the end of practice):

Athlete Response: "Tired."
Coach K: 'Tired... you look it. Don't underestimate the importance of being in shape. Not just physically, but mentally in shape. When you step on this court you have to be ready to but your *ss out there.' [SB: He then went on to briefly speak to each athlete's approach to every possession.]

Two different athlete responses both ending with the athletes feeling good about themselves. You could see a demonstrable increased commitment to the task at hand on their subsequent reps.

There's a time for telling. A time for questioning. And, a time to collaborate. Become a master communicator and you'll be well rewarded with how much more you'll be able to yield from your athletes.

//SB

DUKE, COACH K PRACTICE NOTES

2009-10-24T15:59:00.003-05:00

I had the privilege this past week to travel with the PGC directors through the 'research triangle' in North Carolina. We called it the Tobacco Road Tour. And, covered Durham (Duke), Chapel Hill (Univ of North Carolina), Winston-Salem (Wake Forest) and Raleigh (NC State).

Here are some thoughts from our time at the Duke Men's Basketball practice we attended:

Coach K started the practice with a brief talk to the team about remembering to acknowledge and thank the people around you that help make their experience possible. "When someone does something good, give a handshake... say thank you." [SB: I need to write a separate blog on how extraordinarily different the Duke culture is from any other I've seen.]
"A smart player is a better player. Be smart and help each other be smart."
All players echoed commands (e.g. play calls from teammates or coaches)
"If you pass slow, you run slow. Our (fast break) begins with the pass. Strong pass will lead to a strong break."
Keywords offensively = SPACING & BALANCE.
"Think as a scorer" Can't afford wasted opportunities.

//SB

COACHING CLINIC NOTES: EUROPEAN COACH JASMIN REPEŠA

2009-10-24T15:20:00.004-05:00

Two weeks (or so) ago, I attended a clinic that featured Jasmin Repeša. Coach Repeša has risen through the ranks of European basketball, first as a player and now as a coach.

Aside from being the Croatian National team coach, Repeša has also recently worked with Euroleague contender Lottomatica Roma and previously won two Turkish Cups and two Turkish Championships with Tofas S.K.

The theme of his 2-hour clinic was BALANCE: (1) Team balance, (2) Defensive balance and (3) Personal body balance - defensively and offensively.

(Before I give a dump of some nuggets from the clinic, I have to say that I enjoy sitting in on clinics done by people for whom English is not their first language. Yes, some things are lost translation. But, other things are said in such a direct and succinct way.)

Here are some highlights from my notes:

Balance lets you have the 'first step.' The first step gives you the advantage. Doesn't matter what the age of the athlete. In fact, balance is just as, in not more, important for a senior national team athlete than for a younger athlete. "Basketball IS first step."
Good defensive balance makes you quick (defensively). Players must develop controlled balance.
Catch (on balance) by getting "under' the ball."
Catching, cutting, running, sliding, the "next game" (i.e. transition from OFF to DEF or DEF to OFF)... must all be done on balance.
Very few players catch thinking about the next play. [SB: This is a mentality - skill - that must/can be taught.]
Be on balance on the catch, after the pass, on the shot, after the shot
Shoulders need to be relaxed (to optimize first step) ... [SB Note: Repeša spent a *LOT* of time correcting the demo athletes on their shoulders. "Relaxed!" his voice would boom. This was one of those things that you could tell was very important to him, but oft not discussed in North American basketball. Track coaches make this a point of emphasis for their sprinters. Something to give thought to.]
Defensively, don't elevate your body or extend your arms (to lunge or reach) - even on close outs. Just adjust the distance between your body and the offensive player.
"No balance, no possibility of quick recovery."
Wish, desire, concentration is a requirement that players need to have for help defense. Helping on the ball must be practiced everyday. "Move together with the ball" on the air time of the ball. New ball position = new defensive position. "Quick help... quicker recovery."
In Euroleague/International basketball, 80% of set offense starts or finishes with the pick and roll.
When teaching defense, start with... (1) individual responsibility, (2) help-recovery, (3) communication and (4) your system.

//SB

BEEN SOME TIME

2009-10-19T07:34:00.005-05:00

I know... It’s been some time. At least 3-weeks give or take. Man, I miss writing, but things have been so hectic with me being on the road, that I’ve sold some of my soul to Twitter. Good news is that I can share in bite sized chunks. The bad news... Brevity is not necessarily my strength so staying within 140 characters is a stretch.

You can also follow me at http://twitter.com/thellabb

I finally have a little time to take a breath. I write this one from the airport in MIA (en route to Raleigh). Airport layovers are a great way to getaway crack open a book or watch a flick with minimal distraction.

So, to give quick recap on all that’s gone down in the past few weeks.

Attended the Leadership Retreat & Fall Retreat with the PGC team in Tampa ... Strategic planning and good times mixed in.
Led national meetings for Canada Basketball’s Centre for Performance ... Coaching the coaches, superb idea exchanges and moved another step closer to ensuring that all national team targeted athletes are being developed using the same concepts/approach across the country.
Participated in technical summit on men’s basketball with leaders men’s sport at Canada Basketball and their Council of Excellence.
Spent a few days back at the ol’ stomping ground at Air Canada Centre in Toronto ... Caught up with all the guys and my past colleagues with the Raptors. Had chance to help work out Bosh. (Injured players don’t travel for Toronto... Just my luck!)
Met with one of my mentors at ACC and had an intensive session as he takes me through his executive leadership development program.
Attended a (great!) basketball clinic featuring legendary European and Croatian National Team Coach Jasmin Repeša. (Had dinner with Repeša, Ontario Basketball ED, Ms O’Keefe, and Maurizio Gherardini at a tantalizing italian resto. Lip smacking good! And, I learned so much. Almost turned that invite down to prep for an on-court session the next day, but remembered the advice of another mentor to always pick up or drop off the clinician if you really want to learn something. Glad I didn’t get too caught up in myself.)
Finally, got back on court (my haven!) at the women’s Ontario Centre for Performance session in T.O. for a weekend.
Picked up my visa to get me into India from their consulate. Taking some time in November and will be doing some travelling. (Yay!!!)

After all that... I hauled tail back home. Stayed just long enough for the clothes to make it out of the dryer and back out the door to North Carolina.

More to come as I do a dump of some of what I’ve picked up along the way. /sEf.

HOW DO YOU LEARN BEST?

2009-09-25T00:54:00.004-05:00

I know that this video is getting a lot of play and is enjoying a second lease on life... for a lot of good reasons. For starters, it's ABSOLUTELY hilarious!

But as I watched it a second time, it served as a reminder to me (for athletes): Some of our best learning comes from watching others.

Athletes spend a lot of time in lines. Could be on the sideline during a game, in the back of the line in a drill; and so on. If you watch most athletes, they have a real sloppy and shoddy approach when they're 'on deck.' This is a BIG mistake. A missed opportunity for growth and learning.

As coaches, we must draw attention to it. Bring awareness to heighten concentration.

Sometimes we learn best from watching others.

That said, our folks were on to something when they said: "Learn from my mistakes."

To that I often responded... "I have to make my own mistakes."

Perhaps our dancing baby is a reminder that we can watch and learn; while also putting our own spin on a good old fashioned booty shake. The results, surprisingly, can be just as good. /sEf.

Ben Zander is on to something with "Rule 6."

MYTH BUSTERS ON FOOTWORK

2009-09-09T00:39:00.003-05:00

Oh, this is a goodie (via twitter.com/brianmccormick). It's a video overlay of lateral slide with what the author calls a "trail leg as the power leg" contrasted with the "lead leg as the power leg" ... or what I'd call a cross over step. Which is faster?

Just because we've always taught it a certain way, doesn't make it right.

Assess. Innovate. Apply. Improve. //SB

OBAMA: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU POST

2009-09-08T16:48:00.005-05:00

I'm not endeavouring to get into the post-Obama-speech hoopla (pardon the pun!); although, I must say that I don't quite understand the rationale for parents not allowing their kids to what or listen to The President's message to America's students. (Save the politicized comments please. I'm a de facto neutral entity by nationality... just an observation.)

One thing that caught my eye online though, that I think that more coaches, educators, parents and influencers need to make a point of discussion is, online etiquette (for lack of better words).

From mashable.com:

"...Prior to his live Internet broadcast to students across the country earlier today, President Obama answered questions at a Virginia high school.

Asked by one student how he could become President someday, Obama issued a warning about Facebook. “I want everybody here to be careful about what you post on Facebook, because in the YouTube age whatever you do, it will be pulled up again later somewhere in your life. That’s number one,” he said.

Poignant advice for aspiring politicians in the 21st century? Absolutely. It’s actually hard to imagine how someone who grows up with social media will be able to run for President one day without exercising extreme caution. That’s not to mention how wildly one’s views may change from the time they’re 15 to the when they’re 45, giving cables news channels decade’s worth of fodder to opine about.

Meanwhile, even for many of those with slightly lower ambitions, social media is proving to be an obstacle. Recent research showed that nearly half of companies now screen social media profiles in the hiring process, with content including provocative photos, alcohol, or bad-mouthing of former employers being frequently cited as a reason for not considering candidates. ..."
--

While working in the NBA, there was a lot of discussion about etiquette -- both on and off the court. Your seeing these challenges infiltrate into the business world now with the tightening of standards by ESPN on twittering by its employees; while the NBA is reviewing policy too.

Bigger than that, and just as insidious, is how the larger population of young people are using the various online forums. What legacy are they creating? Is it a positive reflection of them now and how others may interpret it later?

Like Hansel & Gretel, the pics and posts put online are bread crumbs that create a traceable e-trail. The question is, is what they're leaving behind closing doors to future opportunities? And, who's actively making a conversation of this issue with them an educating them?

There's never been a time in human history, I'd argue, where youth's understanding of technology exceeds their parents (and educators).

In business, it's said: 'Long-term success relies on staying relevant to the consumer.' The focus is on understanding and using technology to drive efficiency.

We, as teacher-coaches, have a responsibility to stay relevant to our consumers: athletes.

Off to figure out this tweeting thing... /sEf. (Follow me at http://twitter.com/thellabb)

FAV OBAMA LINES FROM HIS SPEECH:

"You can't let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you. Let them teach you what to do differently the next time."

"Don't be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. Because it shows you have strength to admit when you don't know something and that then allows you to learn something new."

"At the end of the day, the circumstances of your life -- what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home -- none of that is an excuse... There is no excuse for not trying. Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you... you write your own destiny. You make your own future."

MYTH BUSTERS ON GAMES vs. DEVELOPMENT

2009-09-03T17:22:00.003-05:00

This is not my own. It comes from Mike MacKay, Manager of Coach Education & Development, Canada Basketball. I've been meaning to share it for some time.

"The greatest myth currently being perpetuated is the idea that players can improve their skills by playing numerous games. Many of our developmental athletes are sometimes playing up to six games on a weekend. This is often preceded by only one practice during the week.

Upon closer inspection we see that if the athlete played six games on weekend this is actually only 192 minutes of basketball, if they played every minute of every game [32 minute game x 6 = 192 minutes (a 32-minute game was chosen since many leagues at the train to train stage only play this length of time.)].

Let us now assume that there was an equal split between the time spent on offence and defence [192/2 = 96 minutes on offence]. Since there are five players on the floor we will estimate that an individual player would only have the ball for 1/5 of this time [96/5 = 19.2 minutes]. It is very difficult to develop your ball handling, passing, shooting, lay ups, movement without the ball and fitness in only 19.2 minutes.

By going to a well constructed practice of one hour in length, the athlete would have surpassed the amount of developmental basketball played in the entire six games on the weekend. If you want to develop a skill like shooting, it requires deliberate practice to accumulate the number of repetitions that the experts say you need in order to master the skill. If the athlete took on average 10 shots a game it would take over 10,000 games to get up 100,000 shots."

Food for thought. /sEf.

FOOTWORK: ARTFUL & EFFICIENT

2009-09-01T18:30:00.009-05:00

This is a must see. This is not tennis, this is fundamental movement and a wonderful depiction/description of the basic physical literacy that any athlete must obtain to optimize performance.

Check out this NYtimes.com feature, "Federer's Footwork: Artful and Efficient." (http://bit.ly/13B3Bf)

Let me pull some examples out...

Forehand Section (of the video) - Coach Macdonald speaks to the exaggerated 'heel-to-toe' foot placement that allows Federer to maintain balance and slow the acceleration of his body. This action is the same movement pattern used by a basketball player dribbling into his/her jump shot stride stop (e.g. left-right or right-left). It's also the same action used by a high jumper as they attempt to transfer their horizontal momentum into vertical force.

Jab Step Section (of the video) - What in tennis Coach Macdonald refers to as a "jab step," is the same action taught by speed specialists (like Lee Taft) as a 'plyo step' and 'hip turn.' It is, in fact, the same action that a basketball player uses to change direction out of a defensive slide. Teaching a drop step is Old School basketball. (Just because we were taught it, doesn't mean that it's right.)

Backhand Section (of the video) - The action that's described as using "...his legs like a slalom skier" to "absorb the tremendous movement forces and maintain dynamic balance." First, without evening knowing of Coach Macdonald's pedigree, I'm assured in this sentence alone that he's an effective coach because he does what Mike MacKay calls "painting a picture" with words. Second, this action is the same in any sport where there's a lateral change of direction required. And last, do notice that as Federer explodes out of this direction change, he uses a crossover step (whereby his left foot crosses over his right to move laterally the other way). Again, in basketball, far too much time is spent in slides than what actually happens in live game action with an athletic offensive player. (My hypothesis!)

Got the link to this story via @ericmusselman on Twitter. Check out his tweets as he does a FANTASTIC job of sharing some great golden nuggets.

Also, I'm still blogging, but will also be doing more twittering and saving the blogs for my longer rambles. Follow me at http://twitter.com/theLLaBB.

/sEf.

AMAZING... absolutely amazing what technology can do nowadays!

SCIENCE OF MOTIVATION

2009-08-28T08:18:00.003-05:00

Dan Pink, in his TED Talk, does a great job of 'making a case' for why businesses doing is contradicting what science has proven to be true.

There are many take-aways in this one. And, if you have 18mins to stick sit through it, it think you find it insightful. If not, no worries. Tune in for the first 6mins.

Dan flushes out a very interesting point about how external reward is ineffective toward solving complex problems that require creative solutions.

My take-away... IF Dan is right, then when winning is the motivator for today's coach during an athlete's development years, then it becomes even more apparent why coaches end up with a single minded focus towards games-strategies-tactics. That’s the carrot and stick. Athlete development is a far more complex problem and therefore the motivation cannot be extrinsic alone. Ultimately, I think if Dan were speaking to a group of coaches and administrators, his case would expose the fact that we're sabotaging our own success.

Curious to hear what, if anything, others take away from this...? /sEf.

THE GAME HAS CHANGED

2009-08-22T16:34:00.004-05:00

A must see (to me!). Thanks LMF for sharing this one. The notion of what's being proposed here is not just for the business world. It's got greater application. We have to able to speak the language of today. Stay current, stay relevant.

//SB

CANADA NOTCHES SILVER IN U16 FIBA AMERICAS

2009-08-21T09:26:00.003-05:00

Two for two with our U16 national age group teams! Congrats to all the athletes and coaches who bought in and played an integral role in the success of both our men's and women's cadet/te national teams.

As Senior Women's National Team Coach, Allison McNeill, reminded us: "It takes an entire village to raise a child." In the case of these teams, it took an entire nation to position these young men and women for the success that they had.

Big congratulations to head coach, Jacquie Lavallee, and assistant coach, Dawn Keith, for being able to create a cohesive unit within a short 3-day training camp leading into the tournament. The Canadian team went 4-0 heading into the gold medal match, falling to a overpowering US team in the finals.

Like the boys before them, the girls have qualified for the World Championships next summer.

When it comes to sport, there are very few things that can compare to the pride that comes out of representing your country. I'm proud to had played a contribution. GO CANADA GO!

//SB

GOOD TO BE GROUNDED

2009-08-21T08:52:00.004-05:00

I should say... Good to be grounded and at home - at least for a little while.

These past few months, since May, have come and gone at a blistering pace and were chalk full of travel. I am happy to report that it was all in the name of basketball. (Yes!).

Being back at home allows me to get back on track and be consistent with several personal commitments. I've been able to start of my personal training and dive back into another cycle of P90X (ahem... I should say "Plus" now) and can start to eat healthily again. Airport and cafeteria food just don't cut it.

This week every morning has started off with a green fruity smoothie. Coach Evans turned me on to these about a year ago and it's been a staple in my diet since. I LOVE 'EM!

Today's recipe included:

1 ripe banana
Handful of frozen blueberries
Handful of fresh pineapple
1 fresh squeezed lime (and the zest)
1/2 a cucumber
Handful of steel cut oats
Fresh kale (once all the others are in, just stuff the blender with as much as it can take)
Flax seed Oil
Dash of orange juice (to sweeten it a little more)
Water (more/less depending on how thick you want it)
(I forgot to add fresh ginger, but normally I do)

Stuff that all into the blender. Flip the switch and liquefy. And, you've got a great energizer.

There's a lot of info available online espousing the benefits of "green" shakes or smoothies. Look into it. I realized early that I could get more goodness in these shakes to start my day, than I would normally otherwise.

I mix up what I add based on what's available in the supermarket. Also, you'll want to mix up your greens from week to week. Typically, I rotate between spinach, kale and various lettuces. I'll also add celery and then toss in whatever left over from a salad from earlier in the week (e.g. dill, avocado, tomatoes, etc.).

True green smoothie enthusiasts don't typically add the fruit or juice; however, if you're like me and you don't want to totally taste your greens, a little splash of fruit douses their taste.

Salut... Enjoy! /sEf.

As Coach Evans shared, these smoothies contains many of the omega 3 and 6 fatty acids we all strive to include in our diets. Flax seeds or flax oil is the greatest non animal food source of these acids. The avocado and nuts/seeds are other good sources of various omega acids and make this very filling. Dark leafy greens are the other excellent source of omega 3’s. The banana’s sweetness makes this smoothie ideal for those who don’t want to totally taste their greens. Blueberries contain the most antioxidants of all fruits and are added for extra health benefits. If you don't like your drink green, blueberry will give it more of a red/purple color than green.

Also, feel free to add a handful of nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds) and/or seeds (e.g. pumpkin). I typically save that for my mid-morning oatmeal, but if you're not getting it in your diet at any other point, then throw it in the shake. Hhhmmm... hhhmmm.

MINING FOR GOLD

2009-08-06T00:37:00.005-05:00

I feel like one of them ol' time prospectors out sifting through the sludge mining for that nugget. Trying to find 'pay dirt.'

27 hours of basketball, 24 games, all in a span of 36 hours. "And, not all of it good," as one coach exclaimed. I just finished Day 2 of Canada Basketball's U15 National Championships, in Kamloops, British Columbia.

One year, to the date, I was sitting in the same gym doing talent ID for our cadet/te men's and women's basketball teams. I have no idea where 12-months went because, right now, it feels as if I never left. My only reminder is that the faces on the athletes look different.

The good news: After sifting through the stock pile and with a little free milling, there's gold and the end of the line.

I gotta go lie down and let my head decompress. Off to find the junkiest movie in my travel stash. Back on the saddle tomorrow and the day after. /sEf.

"You can have it now or you can have it all, but you can't have it all now." - Jack Donahue (former Canadian Senior Men's National Team Head Coach)

LANGUAGE CAN BE A BARRIER, BUT COMMUNICATION IS UNIVERSAL

2009-07-31T14:38:00.002-05:00

Good poetry makes me forget words,
renders me speechless.
I don't hear language littered like trinkets.
These aren't roadside tchotchkes,
they're riverbed stones.
Feelings don't clink like pebbles on tin scraps.
These landscapes are laid like boulders,
grenade-shattered reveries,
vast canyons we've ignored...
but poetry lets us walk among their ruins.
-Kerry Flory-

"Language is can be a barrier, but communication is universal."

All of the preceding words come from a young lady by the name of Kerry Flory. What a majestic manipulation of language that communicates so poignantly.

I've been fortunate over the years to have been blessed by the joy of listening to Ignatius "Iggy" Mwela perform his slam poety. I'm very excited for him as he, and his group, Mental Graffiti, will be hitting the national stage in the 2009 Poetry Slam Competition.

If you never experienced this art, check out Iggy on YouTube. //SB

TESTS & TRYING TO "RIGHT A WRONG"

2009-07-30T13:28:00.003-05:00

I just read a wonderful quote by Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and survivor of the Holocaust. He once wrote:

"Whosoever survives a test,
Whatever it may be,
Must tell the story.
That is his duty."

This thought resonates with me on a number of levels, but it also connects, I think, to the this video that was on ESPN's site called "Trying to Right a Wrong."

We know the story that the mother is attempting to rewrite. I wonder too what story this young lady will script.

Hope all are well! I have a busy few weeks ahead as I fly out to Kamloops, BC, to do some talent IDing at the Canadian national Under-15 championships. It'll be fun to see some of the future prospects that will go on to represent Canada in international competitions. Last year's identification was very fruitful as many of the athletes from that tournament represented Canada on the U16 Cadet/te teams, on the men's side, in Argentina this past June. And, for the women, next week in Mexico.

After that, I take off right away to St. James, Maryland, for our inaugural PGC college session. I'm very excited about that. It'll be almost like dessert after a summer that made for a long main course.

We have athletes coming in from UNC, UConn, Virginia, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Texas Christian, Seton Hall and Utah State to name a few. (Oh baby!) And, there will be a number of NCAA Div. 1 and high school coaches in attendance as Observing Coaches.

I'm starting to 'salivate' thinking about working with that calibre of athlete and the late night chalk talks.

If you can join, do so. Visit www.pointguardcollege.com/pgc/college-session.

My best. /sEf.

DICK DEVENZIO

2009-07-16T11:03:00.003-05:00

Bob Starkey in a recent post touched on Dick DeVenzio (founder of 'Point Guard Basketball College,' now Point Guard College). Coach Starkey is a maven. His blog is full of good info. (I think I've spotlighted it previously).

Dick has been a mentor for many. His legacy and teachings live on in his books and through PGC. (His brother, Dave, who I look forward to meeting one day, also carries to the torch in his National Point Guard Camp).

Coach Starkey excerpted one of Dick's chapters on loyalty…

Loyalty to friends, to teams and to nations is unwarranted when it conflicts with doing what's right.

Loyalty is a word often associated with sports. Some coaches emphasize its importance. Personally, I am skeptical about it. If you find yourself demanding or asking for loyalty, you may not be doing the things necessary to inspire it.

Make sure you remain loyal to yourself and to the principles you believe in. Loyalty is not always admirable; loyalty to friends, to teams and to nations is unwarranted when it conflicts with doing what's right.

You have to decide for yourself what's right.

Click here to read the whole post from Coach Starkey.

I have a lot of thoughts on the topic of loyalty that I'll look to share in another post. I know many struggle with it: How do you develop loyalty when it doesn't exist? How do you transform an organization's or team's culture? What things are loyalty killers?

These questions are ongoing challenges for all of us who seek to move ourselves and others from good to great.

In my experience, having been a part of some very good (and well led) organizations, loyalty is not something that requires a barrage of discussion and commentary. Define your org's or team's core values. Live it authentically. Protect it. Identify and secure others whose values align. When their sense of "what's right," as Dick says, aligns with yours, synergy occurs. A movement is created. Attraction and retention will come.

An overly simplified version of a complex and pervasive topic. I know.

We're working through it now. Like tending to a garden, it's a never ending process that requires a lot of LEADERSHIPENERGY.

For more from Dick (or on him)…

I'd recommended "Stuff!" or "Think Like a Champion" as starting points in his series of books. Dick also wrote a fantastic, yet hard to come by, book called "Smart Moves." (The latter is a personal favourite of mine and it has nothing to do with basketball.)
A great article at the time of his passing in 2001 about his legacy: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/columnists/20010603cook.asp
Article by Dick on Leadership from HoopU: http://www.hoopsu.com/coachingtips/devenzio-leadership.html
A lot of great notes from Dick by Eric Musselman: http://emuss.blogspot.com/2009/02/notes-from-dick-devenzios-book-stuff.html

Yes, Dick IS a superbly masterful basketball mind. But, his masterpiece is in his use of language. His musings go far beyond the court into all fields of play.

SCHAPE yourself first. /sEf.

"Communication isn't just a long word; it is a powerful force. It elevates – or drags down – all human experience." (Dick DeVenzio)

BREAKING OUT THE SALT & PEPPER AT POINT GUARD COLLEGE

2009-07-15T13:54:00.001-05:00

Amidst my commitments to the Canadian National Team program, I've been directing Point Guard College sessions this summer. Love it! What an honour and pleasure to work with such committed and enthusiastic athletes and coaches.

I just returned from two back-to-back sessions in Anderson, Indiana, and then in Bloomington, Illinois. These were especially fun as I was co-directing with Dave Daniels. Coach Daniels is the Head Coach at Colorado Christian University, a former Olympian and five time national teamer having played for Canada (most notably backing up Steve Nash in the 2000 Sydney Olympics). All of those credentials say nothing of the man. And, as I was fortunate enough to learn, Coach Daniels is a wonderfully authentic and genuine person with a sharp basketball mind. Thanks D for the many lessons learned and ideas exchanged! It's great to have you as a part of the PGC family. You're now in the "us" and "our" category. ;-)

Self promotion is not my forte… but I'm so excited about what's coming up, that I have to tell. August 10-14 in Maryland, PGC will be holding its first ever session for COLLEGE ATHLETES only at St. James Private School.

I truly enjoy all of the sessions, but one of the things that makes them so rewarding is the time spent with observing coaches exchanging ideas on athlete and skill development. And, each week, we typically have anywhere from 2-6 coaches who sit in on a PGC session as a part of their own personal and professional development. Awesome! Talk about a learning culture.

Last week was especially fun with the coaches in Illinois… what made it so good? Salt and pepper. Yup. The spices came out.

You see, it's so tough, for me at least, to sit around with a bunch of coaches because the conversations seem to quickly go in the direction of plays, sets and players. Who's who. And, where whomever is playing; and, for whom. (ZZZzzzzzz!). Sorry. It just doesn't do it for me.

Well, I knew I was with a good group when we broke out the salt and pepper shakers. (I was the first with my grubby hands on them, so pepper was on offense; and, since we were discussing concepts of zone attack and "Pack Defense," as I told Daniels, it's only fitting that salt be on defense!). It was great. We were beckoning to others in the cafeteria to donate their salt and pepper to the cause until we had enough for '5on5.'

I knew I was with a group of learners/sharers when everyone collectively slid forward in their chairs; others, interrupted the conversations with others breaking away mid sentence to come over and get in on the action.

I got goose bumps. Thanks coaches! Sorry we had to break off early to get back to our next session, but I look forward to doing it again.

Hey… If you're the type to get all goose-bumpy too at the thought of a little salt and pepper action, come join us at the PGC College Session. I'm getting excited just thinking about it! We'll have all five (5) PGC directors leading the session which also makes it extra special. And, this will be the only session NCAA Division One coaches can attend because there are no "recruitable" athletes in attendance.

/sEf.

(BTW – Athlete registration is limited for this session. There are still a few spots remaining for athletes looking to participate.)

On learning and sharing: "Eat like a chicken. Poop like an elephant."

U16s: PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

2009-06-24T10:15:00.007-05:00

Wrapping up the experience in Mendoza, Argentina, by sharing some pics from our time there. These will do far greater justice to it all than I could ever...

After the medal ceremony, Team Canada poses for on last group photo.

Click here for team roster and final team stats.

From left to right: Kirby Schepp (Assistant Coach), Roy Rana (Head Coach) and Krisjon Vargas (Trainer, Therapist and do-it-all)

Duane Notice (ON), Fergus Duke (NS), our attache, Marianella, and me. The boys managed to steal a few moments away from signing autographs to snap a pic or two. (I had to laugh as by weekend they were commenting that their hands were cramping up from signing autographs... if only they knew what the life a pro athlete is like!) Canada was a big hit amongst the fans.

Oscar, our driver for the week, tries desperately to keep up with the police escort after the final game. We had a police escort for the better part of the week, but on championship night, it was like a scene out of Bourne Identity. Argentine cops decked out in all black body suits and helmets with matching incognito black motor bikes and blue sirens. They had side pistols, shot guns and bullet proof vests lined with shot guns shells. These guys were bad-mama-jamas... and, whizz in and out of traffic criss-crossing in front and behind of us in an effort to stop traffic. The boys felt like they were in a presidential caravan. (Shoot... so did I!)

Club Israelita-Macabi was one of the practice gyms.

Group photo with the staff at Macabi after our final shoot around there. (That's me on the far right layered and deck out in a toque. I was 'frio' as it's the Argentine winter this time of year.)

Walk through at Macabi. We did most of our stuff in half court... see next to understand why.

This was the other end of the court. Looks good from a distance, but is far.

The old parquet floors at the garden have nothing on this. The wood tiles where literally torn up from the floor. My guess is that some had popped up and others were pulled from the baseline to use to patch up the main court. You had some tiles on court that were a good 1/2 inch up and loose. The coaches mandated against dunking as the rims were rusty and holding on by some loose screws. They couldn't afford having a player go down because of injury or 'rust poisoning.'

Here's a close up of some of the handiwork at half court. There's dead spots and then this this... potholes!

This is 'The Barn' as a couple of us called it. Here's our shoot around prior to the Bronze Medal game. This spot was real nice. It gave you the feeling of an old style gym from Indiana. It was Hoosier-esque. (And, still cold!)

Team trainer, Krisjon Vargas, maxing out time and getting creative with the use of space at Macabi. We were waiting for the Puerto Ricans to finish up their practice slot and then we discovered this gem of a court at Macabi. The surface looks like a clay tile. Kris led the boys through their dynamic warm up and movement prep here so that by the time we could get into the gym, the team could dive right in.

More dynamic work. The athletes loved this spot! It was so foreign to anything that they'd ever seen in North America.

The gentleman was a trip... he hopped in and started to do some movement prep with the guys. Hilarious! He also came through big time as he ended up washing our uniforms for us after each game for 1/5 of the price that our hotel was charging. Nice to find local hook ups like this. Gracias, senor!

Recovery & Regeneration: Oh so important. Again, Kris was working with the space he had available and took over the hotel halls. The rooms were too small, outside was too cold and their were no accessible common areas. Ice was at a premium and hard to come by... Kris tried to take advantage of using the outdoor pool for cold baths, but after taking a look at the build up of algae and other unknowns thought better of it. Instead, they rotated the guys through one of the bathroom tubs, but first had to get McGiver and create a plug out of plastic bags and athletic tape. Who knew that they didn't use plugs for their bath tups in Argentina. Lesson: To thrive in international basketball, you have to get creative.

//SB//

THEY DID IT... 2010 WORLD'S HERE WE COME

2009-06-21T17:52:00.003-05:00

Big congrats to Canada's Cadet Boys who have qualified for the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championships!

This was the sum of the effort, contribution and support of many; but a big shout out to the players, coaches and staff for creating synergy in such a short period of time. Well done.

Very proud and humbled to have the opportunity to have been a part of it all. It's not very often you have opportunity to represent your country in some capacity on an international stage.

One more thing off my 'bucket list.' /sEf.

PROUD... VERY PROUD

2009-06-20T10:23:00.004-05:00

We lost a hard fought, well coached game last night to the Argentines in overtime. Wow, what a basketball game... what an environment to play in.

Our boys got their first taste of passion and fire that comes along with international basketball yesterday. And, there's no better way to know what that intensity feels like other than to play the home team in their gym in an important game.

The stadium was shaking and the media booth, where I was perched, was trembling. The Argentine fans were jumping up and down, chanting songs, and sending sustained piercing whistles in the air that reverberated off the walls. Players couldn't hear the whistles over the mayhem and the coaching staff could barely issue orders from the bench. (Amazing!)

I was told by the players after the game that there fans behind the bench were unwavering and unrelenting in the ferociousness of their comments. As told to me by the coaches, one older gentleman, was right in the player's ears screaming: "Eff you MFer! I'm going to kill you." His English, I'm sure, wasn't great, but some things you don't need to call on the attache to translate. The F-Bomb is pretty much universal and the players only needed to feel the spittle and warm breath on the backs of their necks to know that he felt adamant about what he was saying. (Awesome!)

That's the fire and "orgullo" (pride) that these countries play with.

Hey... I'm not condoning it. But, as an athlete, you better have a positive approach to cope with playing in this type of an environment, if you want to compete for an Americas or World championship.

Our boys had it on this night. Very proud.

Despite the loss, we advance to the crossover round and will play USA tonight at 6PM. The team has given themselves a shot to qualify for the World Championship next summer and will have two chances to come away with the a win which will secure a spot. The top three (3) teams from this zone qualifier move on to 2010.

No mercy for the wicked... /sEf.

PICTURED ABOVE: Team Canada during time out of the CAN vs ARG game. U16 FIBA Americas Championship (June 19, 2009)

BIG MATCH FOR THE CANUCKS

2009-06-19T16:12:00.003-05:00

It doesn't get much better than this... playing the home team on their court, prime time on a Friday night.

Canada vs Argentina @ 8PM.

Argentina is a skilled and tough minded team. It will be a good test for our kids. That fans have been loving "Ka-na-daaaa!" Tonight, I think they'll turn on us. Lots of whistles and jeers.

Take a look at a few quick clips of their U16 team...

//SB

WELCOME TO INTERNATIONAL BALL

2009-06-19T15:29:00.004-05:00

International ball is a lot of things: Fast-paced, athletic, physical, skilled, crafty and outright dirty.

This was a no call...!

Filming credit goes Kirby "Kirbinder" Schepp (Assistant Coach, Canadian U16 National Team)... working his tail off breaking down film.

//SB

“HOLA!” FROM MENDOZA

2009-06-19T01:03:00.004-05:00

First post of June, I know… for good reason. I've truly been living the nomadic life as these past 3-weeks. Home is where ever I take off my socks for the night. (Actually, there was a few nights at University of Central Missouri two weeks ago when the socks didn't come off because it was so cold!).

Let me sum it up: Cayman – Toronto – Windsor – Detroit – (Warrensburg) Missouri – Cayman – Oklahoma City – (Mendoza) Argentina.

It's been bonkers… to say the least. But, I'm truly grateful for it all and have been having a blast along the way.

Last week, was my first PGC of the summer. It was the first time partnering back up with Mano Watsa since our days of Point Guard Academy. Loved it! To add icing to the cake, Rick Torbett of Better Basketball, sat in on the week and I thoroughly enjoyed talking hoops with him. He's a teacher-coach who's a lifelong learner. (Thanks for the time and all the insights, Coach Torbett!)

And, within 26-hours of finishing up that session, I landed in Mendoza, Argentina. This is return trip for me as I was last here on "vacation" in December when we stayed in B's and A's. This time round, I'm here with Canada Basketball for the FIBA Americas inaugural U16 World Qualifying Tournament. (The top three teams from this tournament move on to compete in the 2010 World Championship).

Mendoza is quite different from Buenos Aires. It's in the middle of the dessert, more humble and restrained of a city. I did, though, experience a little déjà vu yesterday when I got dropped off. You see, we're staying at a beautiful 4-star hotel that's been dropped right in the middle of what I've now learned is called the "red district." (No similarities to Amsterdam!).

My taxi driver, when he dropped me off, started speaking in Spanish frantically waving his hands while do so. "No comprendo," is all I could say. Then he said something that I knew sounded familiar, but I couldn't place the word: "peligroso."

It took me a few seconds, but then the recollection slapped me in the face. The last time I heard that word was in La Boca (just outside Buenos Aires) when we were about to turn down the wrong road and the wrong time and this woman vehemently warned us against it.

Peligroso. It came back to me… dangerous!

They put us in da hood. I was just glad it wasn't midnight… cause you don't want to be in the hood at midnight – anywhere in this world! (Universal PGC-ism)

[Hhhmmm: Bad news… I may not get to see much of Mendoza. Good news… I may be able to use this as a legit excuse for not getting Cat something on my return trip.]

I missed out on the first three games of Day 1 as I was travelling, but I did manage to catch the opening ceremonies which took place right before the final game between Argentina and the Bahamas. Canada won their game against Mexico by 40+ which was positive news.

Day 2 of the tourney wrapped up a few hours ago. It was an early rise and off to Walmart. Yup, that place with the greeters. Same as back home except the greeters say "Buenos Dias!"

We needed food for the boys as the hotel is feeding them by the plate as opposed to buffet. These kids are way too big to portioned sizes for the average population. We bought bundles of bananas, lots of oranges, granola bars, juice, and some PB & J as comfort food.

From there it was off to the arena from 1:30-10:00pm of straight games.

Canada walked out 2-0 and now faces a (very) tough Argentine squad tomorrow night.

My hope is that our game earlier was a reminder to our boys that you can't sleep on anyone in these types of tournaments. We got up on the Bahamas quite well and they lapsed. Bahamas made a run cutting a 20 point lead down to 7 or 8.

As is par for the course in international tournaments of this caliber, the schedules for the athletes and coaches is pretty hectic as they turn from preparation to performance to recovery and back into a preparation cycle in quick short times frames. 5 games in 5 days! And, in typical FIBA fashion, you've got to do your work early as a coaching staff. For our U16 national team, the coaches had a very short 3-day training camp before flying down for the tournament.

If you'd like to keep up on the results, visit: www.fibaamericas.com or www.basketball.ca.

I'm working to cut some footage to post here and share so others can see the differences in style of play. It's really interesting; although I must admit the 'stylistic' differences are far more noticeable when you contrast North American teams to the Euro and Asian.

Stay tuned.

Buenos noches! I've got to get some sleep. /sEf.