The top of the mountain

By Alistair Castagnoli, basketball and consulting coach, athletic trainer

THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN...

Everyone knows that coaching a game is different than coaching during practice. And that coaching a clutch game is far more complex than coaching a regular game.

Unfortunately not every coach has that instinct.

The instinct that suggests how, when and what is necessary to bring the game you are coaching, home.

You need many technical skills. But, more than anything, you need to sharpen your social skills.

...STARTS FROM THE BASE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

Social skills start from within yourself and allow you to fully understand yourself and your players.

Remember: when coaching a team you are dealing with human beings and human emotions.

Telling yourself that your players are professionals and that emotions won't get in the way is childish.

Think about it. Maybe you had a rough day or you are upset by something: do you really believe that you can remove all that emotions from a game?

You can't and your human players can't either.

Accept it: emotions will get in the game. And that can be a good thing as you can use them as a compass that will show you the way to your goal.

So what do you need to be a clutch coach?

Many things obviously, but we can start with the basic one:  to know.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Sun Tzu

Knowledge is the key to many big achievements.

But in order to know, you first have to learn.

Learn your personnel's character deeply and help them discover what they are best at.

Learn your personnel's abilities and weaknesses and teach them how to use the former and accept the latter.

Learn to understand the momentum.

Recognition of the minimum shifts during a game might give your team the upper hand.

This ability has little to do with technical and tactical skills, but requires a good competence in social and emotional skills.

It starts with a feeling that hints you a new way (somatic marker). Learn to listen to it.

"When in doubt, do nothing." Phil Jackson

And be careful: stick to whatever it works! Do not change anything when you have the momentum or you might favor your opponent!

Will this turn you in an invincible clutch coach?

Only if you already have it in you, but it will teach you something more precious.

"To create the best possible conditions for success" and "let go of the outcome." (Phil Jackson)

Bibliography
Jackson P. - Eleven Rings - The Penguin Press, 2013