GOLD STANDARD COACHING @CoachLok

  Many years ago when I first got into the profession, I would tell people that I was Coach and they would ask me,  "What sport?"  I would relish in sharing stories about the teams and players that I was going through this journey with and everything seemed to come back to one of those stories. To this day, in almost any situation, there is a story or a parable that teaches some life lesson to anyone willing to listen. It would always be common in the sports world to walk around any venue, game, camp, or clinic to hear,  "Hi, Coach"; "What's up Coach?" ; "How are you doing Coach?" ; and whether you knew the persons name or not - by calling him or her "Coach" there is an immediate connection ... and a show of respect. Then we'd stand around and share stories that only added to the collection of tools in the toolbox to teach more life lessons down the road. Whenever I would walk down the halls at school, or better yet, walk into a...

All coaches would love for their teams to perform to their potential every time out and walk away with an undefeated record. Realistically, coaches also realize that is rarely possible; yet, some are still Win-At-All-Cost coaches who will do anything to try to make that possible. Worse yet, those coaches may place all of a player’s self-worth based on the results on the scoreboard. These WAAC coaches drive players out of sports and take away the opportunity for tremendous learning experiences. What most don’t seem to recognize is that by taking the focus off of the scoreboard, they actually might be increasing the chance to achieve on it. Gold Standard Coaching is an organization that started with the  purpose to help Players have productive growth experiences in & out of competition, Parents to have reduced stress so they can enjoy the experience, Coaches to develop tools to make 1 & 2 happen-while keeping their job, and Leaders to understand ways to serve all groups equit...

To inspire people to CARE about themselves & others,THINK how what they do affects those around them,TRY their very best & avoid stress by ENJOYing everything (including the struggle) - hopefully through my example of making the effort to do each of those things as much as possible.

Do we want to be easy to guard or hard to guard? Hard to guard. #Logic Are you harder to guard when you are standing still or moving?  Moving.  Then move. #Logic Is it easier to get open, pass or drive when it's crowded or when you have space? When you have space. So create good spacing. #Logic Is it easier to throw short passes or long ones? Short ones. Throw short passes. #Logic If you have good spacing, it's impossible to throw a basketball pass too hard. How hard should we throw it? As hard as we can. #Logic If a teammate is open, what should we do? Throw them the ball. #Logic Are you sure a teammate will be open later? NO. So Who should you throw the ball to? The 1st open man.  #Logic Is the ball in the air longer if you wait for it, or come and meet it? When you wait. Don't wait. Meet the pass. #Logic Is it easier to catch a ball with one hand or two. Two. Then catch  the ball with two hands. #Logic Once you catch it, can...

If you are a frequent visitor to this site you are quite familiar with John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. The "Pyramid" may be the most complete description of what individuals need to strive for in their pursuit of success, which Coach Wooden defines as, "peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." Interesting that Coach feels you should look at success, not as something concrete you achieve or attain like a championship or certain status, but simply by being "at peace with your efforts." Coach spent years trying to decide what qualities individuals must possess if they are really going to give their very best effort. This became "The Pyramid" Many people are able to rattle off the fifteen "Blocks" of the Pyramid. The Cornerstones of Industriousness and Enthusiasm with Friendship , Cooperation , and Loyalty making ...

People all around the world have different lives, different, jobs, different cars, different homes - but we all have one thing the same and that is TIME. Every day- everyone has the same amount of time. 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day. 86,400 seconds. How those 86.400 seconds are used often defines our lives. If you've been reading often you know I'm an old John Wooden disciple, so get ready for some "Wooden-isms". One of Coach Wooden's most famous quotes is,"Don't mistake activity for achievement." Many folks get caught up in going, going, going and "appear" really busy. Often times those people are in a a hurry - and we all know to "Be Quick - but Don't Hurry" . I See people rushing around all the time because they are in one of two extremes. They either lack planning or preparation and "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." And "if you don't have time to do it right -...

Coaches often look at parents as a potential problem in a program - and they can be if you let them, but they can also be your biggest resource. When you communicate and can get them on your side, there is no stopping the places you an go. Laying out expectations early on and getting the parents to "buy into" your system is a major step in creating a Positive culture where everyone is working towards a common goal to improve the program. There are far too many potential jobs or duties to run a successful team, and that can become burdensome for any coach or staff. Convincing parents the value of assisting in these responsibilities creates some ownership and much can more can be accomplished. At worst, it will follow the old adage, "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer". I like to take all the potential duties and find something every family can contribute to. For example, on a youth baseball team of twelve players, you could have: 1)Ma...

The "Post-Game Handshake" has come under a lot of fire recently due to some confrontations, poor acts of sportsmanship, disrespect, or simply the percieved lack of sincerity in the process. Some organizations and leagues have discussed and/or actually eliminated the practice. A nice discussion started on Twitter after my friend @ClarenceGaines2 shared that @CoachFinamore had called into a show on the topic by @HeyCoachTony on his show, aptly named, "Hey Coach Tony" Coach Tony, whose show originates from Conneticut, provided an opportunity for my friend Steve Finamore, a successful high school basketball coach at East Lansing High School in Michigan and opened the door for discussion with a couple guys from SoCal. How great is Twitter? Their premise that handshakes have become meaningless, empty gestures and create an opportunity for some conflict isI actually one I largely agree with agree with. However... The fact that a situation creates a potential conflict is n...

I always get players (and coaches) asking for how they can improve any number of different skills or strategies. Everybody`s "wish list" is a little different -some are thoughtful and some are...interesting. Players usually want to know how to increase their vertical, or dunk in no time flat. Rarely do they ask how to execute a proper jump stop, bounce pass, or mid range jump shot off the glass. Some coaches want that one drill or play that will turn their team into championship contenders. It's good to add drills and plays to your arsenal - as long as we don`t forget to simply teach players HOW to play.The amazing thing about the game of basketball is that there are NO short cuts. Your daily efforts are what lead to positive results. It`s different than Christmas. There is nothing "magical" that is going to happen one day, nothing that is going to show up under your Christmas tree that will make you instantly better. Santa Claus is not going to bring you an ama...

"Marriage, and life, is like basketball. You need to develop a game plan. And try to give your very best effort every day. Have patience...but not too much... Sometimes you need to take time out to talk. Then make some adjustments. Manage your mistakes and deal with setbacks. Then come back the next day even more determined. But most of all you need to care enough to make the commitment. Each and every day. To yourself...and your teammate, To be selfless enough to do your very best To try and never let them down. All these lessons you learned through basketball Will help you while you move forward In life... as Husband and Wife." - - Ray Lokar, as Father of the Bride in Toast to Mr. & Mrs. Dave Thomas Congratulations to Heather and Dave! September 24, 2011

I coached basketball for 9 years at Pomona-Pitzer College and our D3 athletes played for the right reasons. They did not play for a scholarship or dreams of pro career. They loved to compete - but also wanted to be students - and I had some tremendous mentors that allowed them to do so. My oldest son had the opportunity to play basketball AND baseball at D3, before ultimately deciding on just hoops where he was a starter and a captain- graduating Summa Cum Laude at the University of La Verne. He also met his wife at the college and 9 years later they have a beautiful little daughter. My oldest daughter majored in biology, played hoops, started for two years (is still in the record books), was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes campus rep, worked in Intramurals AND in the Athletic Training Department getting a great introduction to her career - as she is a few months from completing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy after graduating Phi Beta Kappa at University of Redlands. My younges...

There is always plenty of discussion and varying opinions when it comes to post season trophies in youth sports. There is a great thread in the "Ask PCA" page on the Positive Coaching Alliance website Some leagues choose to give "participation awards" to everyone, while others award the top finishers with varying size trophies. I tend to think that initially all players should get a participant trophy. Youngsters get excited at that's what it is ALL about at that age. As players get a bit older there are many life-lessons that sink in and "earning" awards becomes much more meaningful. This might be at U10 or U12. This is an opportunity to reward hard work and achievement and, in a way, encourage those who didn't get an award to come back and work even harder next season. However, even at that, I believe each player should get some token to commemorate the season. Maybe that is a smaller medal, pin, or even a framed team photo. I got an idea from m...

An old man going a lone highway Came at the evening cold and gray To a chasm vast and deep and wide, Through which was flowing a swollen tide. The old man crossed in the twilight dim That swollen stream held no fears for him But he paused when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. "Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near, "You are wasting strength with building here. Your journey will end with the ending day; You never again must pass this way. You have crossed the chasm deep and wide; Why build you the bridge at the eventide?" The builder lifted his old gray head, "Good friend, in the path I have come," he said, "There follows after me today A youth whose feet must pass this way. This swollen stream which was naught to me To that fair haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim. Good friend, I am building the bridge for hi...

Coaches need to constantly discover ways to improve their drills or get the most out of them. All coaches have their own sets of drills that teach their basketball philosophy, but there are many ways that you can create more intensity, enthusiasm, discipline, etc. This can be done by evaluating all the factors involved in a drill. Drill what fits your own offensive or defensive philosophy. Believe in what you are doing. Practice things you'll be trying to do in actual games.

 Give all drills a name so players can identify the procedure and purpose of each drill. For example, "Two-Ball Power-Ups" drills on inside power moves, using two balls in the lane area. Don't waste time on the floor going from drill to drill. Discipline your players to sprint to the next drill station. You don't want to find yourself spending too much time explaining how to run a drill. Demonstrate all new drills on chalkboard prior to practice or give the players a page for their playbook t...