The Basketball Podcast Alicia Komaki on the 5 Ships before a Championship (EP396)
Oct 29, 2025
Alicia Komaki, the head coach of Sierra Canyon girls basketball, shares her secrets to success after multiple championships. She emphasizes that 'better people make better players,' highlighting character development alongside athletic skill. Alicia introduces the concept of five ships—leadership, ownership, membership, warship, and craftsmanship—as essential for team cohesion. She also discusses unique communication strategies like Sierra Slang to foster clarity and ownership, alongside balancing modern coaching with traditional values to prepare players for elite competition.
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Sustained Success Starts With People
- Alicia credits sustained success primarily to consistently having good players and supportive families and administration.
- She pairs that foundation with intentionality in culture and coaching to maintain high performance.
Make Players The Primary Communicators
- Communicate directly with players and require them to be present in parent conversations to build responsibility.
- Give players itineraries, information, and expectations so they learn to manage themselves and reduce parent dependency.
Teach Program History To Build Ownership
- Teach incoming players the program history and expectations so they understand the privilege of the jersey.
- Use quick annual history lessons to transfer ownership and pride from past teams to newcomers.