As Coach Don Meyer often says, "We should all study Wooden." So this week I have pour over a lot of my Coach Wooden material and will share some of his thoughts and theories.THE COACH AS A TEACHER
Since the most important responsibility of a coach in regard to the actual playing of the game is to teach his players properly and effectively to execute the various fundamentals of the game, he is first of all a teacher.
As a matter of fact, it is unlikely that a teacher of any subject finds it as necessary to follow the laws of learning as closely and superficially as it is for the teacher of the fundamentals of basketball. A fundamental must be explained and demonstrated, the correct demonstration must be imitated by the players, their demonstration must be constructively criticized and corrected, and then the players must repeat and repeat the execution of the proper model until the correct habit has been formed to the point where they will react instinctively in the correct manner.
The coach must be continuously exploring for ways to improve himself in order that he may improve others. A wise motto might be, "Others too, have brains."
Ten Criteria Applicable to Coaching (Teaching):
1. Knowledge of your subject
2. General knowledge
3. Teaching skill
4. Professional attitude
5. Discipline
6. Classroom organization
7. School and community relationship
8. Teacher-pupil (coach/player) relationship
9. Warm personality and genuine consideration of others
10. Desire to improve
