#178: Coach Phil Jackson: “Know yourself, be yourself.”

<p>In this session, we discussed the importance of having a system to give your team focus and direction. Coach Jackson also gave many other words of wisdom for aspiring coaches and leaders as we seek to impact others in sports.</p><p>1.     The importance of physical surroundings and living by water.</p><p>2.     Situational awareness. </p><p>3.     Having a system. “It allows a team to focus.”</p><p>4.     “The first 30 minutes of practice are the most important because it’s what the player remembers.”</p><p>5.     The importance of “entrances and beginnings.”</p><p>6.     Gathering in a circle at the beginning of practice.</p><p>7.     “The moment of truth” when bringing the ball up the court.</p><p>8.     The importance of the physical space and what it represents. Bulls meeting room: The White Bull. A head dress. Arrows and bows. </p><p>9.     Finding the balance in “sticking to the system” vs. adapting.</p><p>10.  Putting in constraints in practice to encourage player development.</p><p>11.  Coach Jackson’s journaling. An “event journal.”</p><p>12.  Off-season reflection routines.</p><p>13.  “You have to be a salesman if you’re a coach.”</p><p>14.  Teaching the team how to breathe together.</p><p>15.  Keeping scrimmages competitive in practice. Mix-up the lineups. E.g., matching up Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.</p><p>16.  Being more patient as a more experienced coach. </p><p>17.  Keeping players calm. Breathing.</p><p>18.  Rooting.</p><p>19.  Snapping the rubber band to get back to yourself.</p><p>20.  “Know yourself. Be yourself.”</p>