For years, I have written and spoken about how sports are a great metaphor for life. The dynamic of how we deal with our participation in sports mirrors how we live our lives.

We are struggling as a society to make sense of all the changes we see all around in our outward lives. Our lives seem out of balance and with what is happening with the universe, time has been shortened. The resultant feeling is that we feel rushed, filled with angst and stress. This seems to manifest itself with the craziness we’ve seen in the news about aberrant behavior of coaches and parents.

Several years ago, I wrote in the “The Zen of Basketball Coaching”, that when I speak to coaches, especially young coaches, I counsel them to seek balance in their lives; Seek balance between all the different parts that make up who you are; Seek balance between the ego and the rest of your life. Become successful on all fronts. Remember, We’re about being and becoming, not just about what we do for a living.

Whenever we undertake a new venture, be it coaching basketball, some kind of business startup, a hobby or whatever—we usually need help. Help could come in as simple a form as a brochure, but if we’re really starting something that is taking us into our own unchartered waters, we will be better served having a guide, rather than trying to figure out how to do whatever it is we’re trying to attempt.

Henry Ford, in running his company, had a bank of buttons on his desk. When he needed advice on accounting, he pressed a button to call in his accounting guru. For engineering, he pressed another button. Henry Ford was successful, in part at least, because he knew that he couldn’t know and do it all by himself. He kept a stable of mentors-gurus who were knowledgeable in areas where he wasn’t.

"The Will To Win Is Not Nearly As Important As The Will To Prepare To Win"

February, 2007

by Coach Ronn Wyckoff, Author/Producer

Basketball On A Triangle

The title above comes from an oft' quoted maxim in sports. It holds special meaning for me, though, because it was often used in presentations by Coach John Wooden, when he was Head Basketball Coach at U.C.L.A.

by Coach Ronn Wyckoff, Author/Producer

Basketball On A Triangle

In THE PROPHET’S WAY, by Thom Hartman, I first read, “The right thing to do is to do the right thing”. I have since taken that statement as a maxim for living my life. I will admit to not having perfected it yet, but I really try to live by this “rule” I’ve adopted for myself—everywhere, no matter where I find myself. (I find it especially important to live this maxim both when no one is watching and when they are.) I realize that I must practice, practice, practice it in order to polish it, but I plan to get very good at it. Like any new skill, some days I’m better at it than others.

by Coach Ronn Wyckoff, Author/Producer

Basketball On A Triangle

"Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion." Rudy Tomjanovich

"The will to win is not nearly as important
as the will to prepare to win." Unknown

"Pay attention to the details and the big things will take care of themselves."
John Wooden

This article deals with developing a philosophy for basketball coaches teaching the game and for basketball players in order to better play the game.

To be the best we can be in the game of basketball, we need a balance between fundamentals, defense and discipline--three sides of a triangular approach to teaching and playing this game. One aspect can't be ignored or underplayed and result in success--neither as a coach nor as a player. To be really successful in this game, all three aspects of the triangle are necessary.

Compiled by

Coach Ronn Wyckoff, Author/Producer