Sport and the Growing Good #171: Coach Phil Jackson: Turning the mundane into the sacred
All teams face the grind, the mundane, even the doldrums, throughout the course of their time together. How can coaches keep spirits up, and "even make the mundane sacred?” Coach Jackson and Professor Miller discussed:
1. The responsibility that players have for playing.
2. The coach can bring some fun and joy to the season.
3. Times of the season that can become a drag.
4. Giving out books to players.
5. Giving players a “shield.” “Name your hero. Who motivated you? Favorite music?…”
6. The “bulls-eye.” “What’s your relationship to the team? Where do you fit on the team? Using the bulls-eye as a discussion point. “Why did you place yourself outside of the circle?” Getting a personal relationship with the players.
7. Collected silly fines as winnings for shooting games. Fun and competition. “It changes up the day or gives them some little incentive... just something different."
8. Had rookies read "20 principles of good behavior.” Then got to know players’ reading levels and gave other books.
9. Formal meditation session before videos.
10. George Mumford assessing, “How are we doing as a group (in relation to the mid-line)?” Conversation starter. Get to know lives of teammates.
11. Relating the 8-fold principles of Buddhism to the offense.
12. Inserting comedian clips into the video. Bring humor into it.
13. Theme videos for particular opponents. Drawing from certain movies, etc.
14. Having players grit their teeth on pencils to demonstrate aggression. Led to laughter.
15. Tai Chi in front of big mirrors. Be willing to try new things!
16. Seeing an eagle fly by.
17. “Be patient with me, because I’m going to try different stuff.”
18. Giving players Sundays off. “It’s a day for you family. A day for your spiritual recovery.”
19. Working closely with trainers to gauge players’ recovery and readiness.
20. How to handle long lay-offs and keep players fresh.
21. The Thanksgiving practice routine: Turkey Trot game. Keeping things fresh and fun.
22. Using symbolism: “The Way of the Warrior,” “The Chase for the White Buffalo”
23. Shields, arrows, prayer arrow, headdress all in the team meeting room.
24. What is your space? How do you respond when someone comes into your space? Retaliation? Fight mode? Being centered.
25. Rubber band snap for re-centering.
26. Knowing Awareness Training (KAT). Players were having difficulty learning.
27. A simple touch to a player to re-center him, relax him.
28. “I liked finding things that were unique… out of the ordinary. It was kind of experimental.”