(Apologies in advance for the length)
Coming of this week of ugh, if I were in Calipari's shoes, this is what I would do (I have coached D1 ball, so this isn't just coming from a couch coach):
On the plane ride home, each player gets a 1 on 1 with the coaching staff. Three open-ended questions asked:
1. What happened this week? Tell me about the games, what went on, mindset, any turning points, thoughts, etc.
2. What did you do poorly today?
3. What did you do well today?
Tomorrow, when practice time arrives, bring everyone in to the huddle at the beginning and say:
"Today is yours. You told us about this week, told us what you did poorly, what you did well, and where you're at. Now today is yours. Coaches are gonna leave, we'll leave the managers here to help, but today is yours. I don't care if it's a 2 hour shoot-around individually, or if you get together in groups to work on something. Just no gameplay. You have the rest of the time."
And leave.
Now, of course, the session will be recorded, but the coaches can't be seen poking their heads in or watching from the offices. It's their practice. But after the practice is over, the staff reviews it, see who takes ownership, see if they come together at times or if it's all people by themselves.
Monday, meet with each player individually and discuss practice, what went on, what they worked on, what the atmosphere was like, etc.
I think not only the staff, but the players, as well, would have an eye-opening experience about the position of the team moving forward.
Coming of this week of ugh, if I were in Calipari's shoes, this is what I would do (I have coached D1 ball, so this isn't just coming from a couch coach):
On the plane ride home, each player gets a 1 on 1 with the coaching staff. Three open-ended questions asked:
1. What happened this week? Tell me about the games, what went on, mindset, any turning points, thoughts, etc.
2. What did you do poorly today?
3. What did you do well today?
Tomorrow, when practice time arrives, bring everyone in to the huddle at the beginning and say:
"Today is yours. You told us about this week, told us what you did poorly, what you did well, and where you're at. Now today is yours. Coaches are gonna leave, we'll leave the managers here to help, but today is yours. I don't care if it's a 2 hour shoot-around individually, or if you get together in groups to work on something. Just no gameplay. You have the rest of the time."
And leave.
Now, of course, the session will be recorded, but the coaches can't be seen poking their heads in or watching from the offices. It's their practice. But after the practice is over, the staff reviews it, see who takes ownership, see if they come together at times or if it's all people by themselves.
Monday, meet with each player individually and discuss practice, what went on, what they worked on, what the atmosphere was like, etc.
I think not only the staff, but the players, as well, would have an eye-opening experience about the position of the team moving forward.
