One additional thought from former Iowa Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder (see dot #4304) —
Bluder’s goal in coaching was to “teach the game of basketball, not be a play-caller.” This meant that the Iowa team spent as much time understanding the strategies as they did in scrimmages and celebrated the assists in practice as much as in the game. As a result, the players learned to see the whole court and take advantage of opportunities as they arose.
It also helped the players have greater versatility. Kate Martin, former Hawkeye who now plays for the WNBA Las Vegas Aces is playing point guard, a position she never played in college. Her Aces coach said, “She’s going to be prepared. She’s going to study. She’s probably overstudying, actually.” Martin is being a student, rather than just practicing free throws — because that’s what was drilled into her by Bluder.
Everyone who is a supervisor or coach can learn a lesson from Bluder’s philosophy. ‘Tis much more gratifying to be a teacher than a micro-manager — and apparently, much more successful, too!
Source: Aces impressed with rookie Martin after first start by Callie Lawson-Freeman for the Las Vegas Review-Journal
