Wednesday, March 24, 2004

CLIMBING THE USL MDIA PYRAMID

John Wooden is one of my heroes.  Popeye and The Three Stooges are in that club, too, so it might be difficult to find a pattern.  I like the intense way that Michelangelo worked and also how Dr. J. dunked.  I'd kill for Will Rogers' ability to speak the politically incorrect (albeit during a much simpler time), and yet not piss anyone off. I digress. 

As a coach John Wooden always talked about and worked with a pyramid of success model.  The Wizard of Westwood was far more organized than I, but I admire him and try to learn from him wherever I can.  He detailed to the point of making players put their socks on a certain way.  I can't go there.  He also created an environment where his team always worked like a family, though, and I'm always going there.  His discipline was based on reason and not just protocol.  He revolutionized coaching basketball by breaking the game down to its simplest form in order to play it at its highest level (It never hurts to have Lew Alcindor or Bill Walton on your team either).  The U.C.L.A. full court zone press of the 70's was a vision to behold.  They attacked the ball all the time, but it never seemed like they were gambling or out of control.  

THERE IS NO LANDING STRIP ON TOP OF A PYRAMID

As a basketball coach, Wooden practiced fundamental concepts to the point where it was easy for his players to make good choices in stressful game situations.  As a coach I never underestimate the importance of dealing with pressure well. They (UCLA) worked on basics until they found excellence.  The Coach never seemed to attempt to be overly controlling during games, but I suspect he ruled practice with an iron fist.  Come game time he expected them to emerge as players and as a team.  He wanted his team to look and act mature, always poised.  His Bruins pretty much did. 

The results he (Wooden) got with his type of approach are legendary, and I try to copy as much as I can fit in.  I truly believe in the power of practice.  On the other hand I also have had to learn as a club coach to deal with all the other stuff they (players) have to do like work and go to class at 3:30 sometimes (practice time).  This week has a lot of people doing other important things besides lacrosse. 

I AM BIG ON BODY LANGUAGE, NO KIDDING

In my opinion it is okay for Jr. High School teams to look like they wouldn't know which way to turn without their coach, but it is not okay for mostly grown up boys and men reaching for the peak of their physical power to act that way. I work on this too. I want them all to each have reasons to be aware of what the game situation is at all times.

ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it is key that we live each new rehearsal with vigor and passion.  Today was a really simple practice, but it had pace and tempo.  It was competitive, and at times beautiful to watch.  I gave the offense a standing ovation at one point.  I was obsessed with working on fast breaks today.  It was literally all we did, doing them in many incarnations, even working on slow fast breaks.  Four or five of our rock "stars" weren't there today and or yesterday, but it was all good.  Practice looked fine, and in no way lacking because of absence.  We just go about our team business, or so it would appear. 

I have no idea if any of this means anything, but hopefully it signals growth or change toward the continued betterment of team.

THE WORD PYRAMID HAS NO SYNONYMS

"I did not know that" (Johnny Carson)

The top of a pyramid has a single tip.  The bottom has 4 broad, sides, square shoulders as it were.  For us I think I can kind of define the four fundamental sides at the base of our pyramid of promise:

Side 1:  We must play catch well (good stick work) as a team.

We are doing this right now, and we (I) never take it (catching and throwing) for granted.

Side 2:  We must be able to deal with different teams and different styles of play.  So far we have done a good job of reading our opponent, and we have been able to avoid being overly exposed as weak in one or another area of play.

Side 3:  We must communicate at a high level.  This is always a work in progress and a fundamental focus with me.  So far we are doing okay, but I want so much more. I think I really want some sort of total team telepathy to be happening before I will ever truly be happy. 

Side 3.5:  The other part of good communication on the field is the knowing when to shut up (like when referees are nearby, for example).  Trash talking seems like a waste of perfectly good energy, too.  Why do some of us need to do so much of it?  This is energy better spent elsewhere to my way of thinking.  We have always work to do in this realm with my CSU "Fun Bunch".  I want us to act better.  Confidence is fine but it looks best with some dignity.  I wish I could teach or exemplify this better than I seem to, judging by my overall results.

Side 4:  We must always exhibit large amounts of team will and resolve.  This is what should define us.  We have shown the ability to answer all the early challenges. We have done no more than that, but also no less.

In order to climb the tall and treacherously slick MDIA pyramid, we need to make our four-sided foundation so solid that it can eventually rise and become no-sided, an object with only one simple, single, and central point, no easy task.

NEXT UP

Utah, Saturday, 1:00 in the Fort.  Our second league game.  It is starting to look like winning the RMLC might be one of the harder things in the MDIA to do this year.  BYU and CU both are playing great right now.  I think our last loss came at the hands of the Utes.  I hope we get weather and a crowd.

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