#171: Coach Phil Jackson: Turning the mundane into the sacred

<p>All teams face the grind, the mundane, even the doldrums, throughout the course of their time together. How can coaches keep spirits up, and &quot;even make the mundane sacred?” Coach Jackson and Professor Miller discussed:</p><p>1.        The responsibility that players have for playing.</p><p>2.        The coach can bring some fun and joy to the season.</p><p>3.        Times of the season that can become a drag.</p><p>4.        Giving out books to players. </p><p>5.        Giving players a “shield.” “Name your hero. Who motivated you? Favorite music?…”</p><p>6.        The “bulls-eye.” “What’s your relationship to the team? Where do you fit on the team? Using the bulls-eye as a discussion point. “Why did you place yourself outside of the circle?” Getting a personal relationship with the players.</p><p>7.        Collected silly fines as winnings for shooting games. Fun and competition. “It changes up the day or gives them some little incentive... just something different.&quot;</p><p>8.        Had rookies read &quot;20 principles of good behavior.” Then got to know players’ reading levels and gave other books.</p><p>9.        Formal meditation session before videos.</p><p>10.  George Mumford assessing, “How are we doing as a group (in relation to the mid-line)?” Conversation starter. Get to know lives of teammates.</p><p>11.  Relating the 8-fold principles of Buddhism to the offense.</p><p>12.  Inserting comedian clips into the video. Bring humor into it.</p><p>13.  Theme videos for particular opponents. Drawing from certain movies, etc. </p><p>14.  Having players grit their teeth on pencils to demonstrate aggression. Led to laughter.</p><p>15.  Tai Chi in front of big mirrors. Be willing to try new things!</p><p>16.  Seeing an eagle fly by.</p><p>17.  “Be patient with me, because I’m going to try different stuff.”</p><p>18.  Giving players Sundays off. “It’s a day for you family. A day for your spiritual recovery.”</p><p>19.  Working closely with trainers to gauge players’ recovery and readiness.</p><p>20.  How to handle long lay-offs and keep players fresh.</p><p>21.  The Thanksgiving practice routine: Turkey Trot game. Keeping things fresh and fun.</p><p>22.  Using symbolism: “The Way of the Warrior,” “The Chase for the White Buffalo”</p><p>23.  Shields, arrows, prayer arrow, headdress all in the team meeting room.</p><p>24.  What is your space? How do you respond when someone comes into your space? Retaliation? Fight mode? Being centered.</p><p>25.  Rubber band snap for re-centering.</p><p>26.  Knowing Awareness Training (KAT). Players were having difficulty learning. </p><p>27.  A simple touch to a player to re-center him, relax him.</p><p>28.  “I liked finding things that were unique… out of the ordinary. It was kind of experimental.”</p>