Tao of Hoops - The Complete Tao

CHAPTER I

THE TAO

The Tao is…a training guide for students of the game…as well as observers of life.

“Tao of Hoops”

-The Complete Tao-

Your answer to this question

Will indeed determine

Where the level of your skill

Will come to rest…

-How good do you intend to be-

___________

The play of 3-3

Continuously

Is the quickest way

To heighten your basketball IQ…

The game is condensed

Onto half the court

And with-in this framework

You will consistently and constantly

Play every position there in

Your rotation through these positions

Will be seamless – necessary

Thus

Your development as a player

Will be quicker

______

There is a game

That lye’s inside the game….

Can you see it

______

Scoring the ball

Is of great importance in this game

But

It is not the only thing worthy

Of your time and diligence

Find other ways to contribute

Develop the entirety of your game…

Remember

There is but one ball with which to play

______

Make an impression

On your coach and staff

Make them see

You are invaluable

______

If there is one place

Where over exuberance

Can be of benefit with-in this game

It is in the realm of effort

Controlled yes

But Exuberant Forceful Direct Effort…

Dive for every loose-ball

Defend and counter every move of your opponent

Contest every rebound

MMMove your body with controlled fury…

Positive things

Will be the result

______

Just as in most areas of life

Test will come to face you with-in this game

You are tested everyday…

Every possession

Presents you a final exam

Be sure

That you are prepared

______

How can a team play together

If they cannot touch one another…

You must find touch

To take this game to its’ next level…

With touch comes trust

And trust is needed

To build championship teams

______

Relaxation comes

When you are at ease with your self

______

When you watch competition

Do you allow your self to feel their reality

______

When you lose the mental edge

In competition

That is when mistakes are made

______

It is not so that…

Every time you lose

It is because of wrong done by you

Nor

Every time you win because of right

Be aware…

Other forces are at play with-in you

And with-in the game

______

You must learn

To counteract the counter

In much quicker time

______

Know the personality of your team

Play to the strengths

Inherent there in of each individual…

If one likes to talk

No shame

Teach him to talk constructively

If one is quiet

Teach him to allow actions to speak volumes

If one is intense

Teach him to recognize

When moments call for subtlety…

The individual’s growth into one

This defines a team…

Know them

______

Defining moments

Will arise during your contests

Do not remain oblivious to them…

When they arise

Meet them squarely – do not fade away

Recognize the opportunity

Call the others forward…

Seize the moment

______

Don’t allow others

To dictate your demeanor on the floor

Allow your truest self

To flourish between the lines

______

If you allow

The innerness of you to shine

While doing the thing you love most…

It will quickly manifest

In all things you do

______

Don’t assume

What should already be known…

Be prepared to teach

______

Begin each training session

With finely skilled movements

Progress to gross movements when fatigue sets in

______

There are 3 parts to an offensive game

Inside – Outside – In-between

Develop all 3

To be a consistent offensive player

______

When you have all 3 phases developed

Your defender becomes invisible…

Make him see that

______

If a defender has one foot or hand out in front of the other

Attack them

In the direction of that front foot or hand

______

In many situations

When attempting your attack

The rotation of your torso

Exposing your side back to the defender

Will give you needed leverage against them

______

Always be in an attack position

Offensively as well as Defensively

Always…In…Attack

______

Listen to your body….it already knows

______

When you posses the ball

The defender should not matter

Keep your body in attack position

Your eyes on every ones movements

And make the best play available…

If you wish to attack him

There is nothing he can do to stop you

______

Keep your self balanced at all times

Keep your mind aware and your body free…..

They already know what to do

You just react

______

As the captain…

Encourage

Rejuvenate

Energize your teammates

Feed them with word and deed

You

You are the true leader

You must be the focal point…

The need of you

The need of your true presence

Is immeasurable and undying

______

When you defend

Attack him

Before he attacks you

______

Don’t just be a spectator on the court

Read the offensive team

See what they are trying to do to you

______

Never allow the person you defend

To choose what option is available…

With pressure

Make him decide now

______

If the offensive player

Gets past you on a drive

Take an angle and beat him to a spot

Once you meet there – play the ball

Make him prove he has the in-between game

______

Keep the game simple

There are only four things you must do

Take the good shot when it is available

Make the good pass where ever it presents

Defend your man strongly when he has the ball

Help your teammates defend your basket when he does not

______

Keep the game simple

To be a twenty point scorer

It is as easy as this…

Score 2 field goals per quarter = 16

Make 1 free throw per quarter = 4…

No need to force

The natural flow of the game will present this to you

So

When you get the good shot

Make it count

______

Develop one thing that you do best

With-out taking away from

The rest of your development

______

Make sure you have that one shot

That one move you can count on

When it becomes a must have

______

It doesn’t matter the age size or experience of your players

Teach the most important things

Play hard Play smart

Play smart Play hard

Each and every time they cross the lines

______

When you and your team are focused

Mind on the task at hand

Expressing and following through on the training that has taken place

You will find your self in balance

At peace

With whatever comes to face you

______

The unison of mind and body

Is of extreme importance

In the pursuit of excellence in this game

There can be neither hesitation nor indecision

Between thought and action

The interaction of the two

Seamless

The reaction on the floor

Positive

______

Your team

In its’ entirety

Should be in affect

Scholars of the game

Each practice session is the classroom

Each game they play the exam

And exam in-which

Even with-out your direction

They should show themselves knowledgeable and correct

Able to make decisions on their own as a group

That will lead to the desired affect

While you sit and wait for the time

When your thoughts are most needed

______

There are 3 parts to a defensive game

Off the ball – One step off – Body to body

Develop all 3 to be a consistent defensive player

______

Foot speed is good

But not necessary for success…

Body to man

Body to ball positioning

Is the...