LATEST STORIES FROM DOC'S HEAD GAMES

Be Mindful of Coaching Speed and Structure

This article was originally posted on the HoopSpeak Coaches Forum on November 21.As coaches constantly cultivating our craft, we start out the season with myriad ideas concocted from a long off-season of watching, debating and theorizing. Then we attempt to integrate possible new schemes and skills into our philosophy and overall vision.Many coaches tend to move fast, not necessarily...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  November 29, 2011
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Mental Toughness Equals Championship

Dirk Nowitzki sums up his motivation for development best:"If I would have won one early in my career, maybe I would have never put all the work and the time in that I have over the last 13 years," said Nowitzki as he celebrated the championship that came with his Mavericks' 105-95 win in Game 6 of the Finals. "So this feels amazing."Coach Rick Carlisle talks about the Mavericks...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  June 13, 2011
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Winning with Age

In game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Chicago Bulls led the Miami Heat by 12 with about 3 minutes left in the game.The Bulls lost. Their average age is about 27 years old.The Heat, on the other hand, is the oldest team in the NBA with an average age of 30 and some change. Miami is the only team in the league above the 30 year old mean.In game 5 of the Western Conference...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  May 27, 2011
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Random Madness to Wrap your Head Around

No No. 1 seeds this year. And no No. 2 seeds either.None of the four head coaches with teams in this year's Final Four graduated from Division I institutions. Jim Calhoun played DII at American International College. John Calipari transferred from UNC-Wilmington and played at DII Clarion. Brad Stevens went to DIII DePauw University where he was up for Academic All-America. Shaka...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 29, 2011
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Winning the Madness

Just enjoyed a full four days of the 2011 version of Division 1 March Madness. Great games for sure. And fabulous finishes, at least from a fan's perspective. Oh, the feeling of a winning end of a game-ending play ... or, yuck, the losing end of a play gone bad. The closing seconds of many games today, especially the close ones where plays were made for the best -- or not-made...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 21, 2011
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The Journey

As one may guess, the last few months have been, well, exciting ... and the last few days have been, well, extremely exhilarating. The journey to Tuesday, February 22 included every possible emotion. I'm grateful to be able to work with so many wonderful people and want to thank all of the supporters of Caltech and the men's basketball program. It's been quite an experience...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  February 25, 2011
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From Somewhere, Arkansas to Springfield, Archetype

Growing up in Oklahoma during the '80s, there was no NBA franchise. Fortunately, we had cable. To double the fortune, our cable package came with WGN, which may as well have stood for What Great News, because that allowed me to be introduced to the Chicago Bulls.Without a home state team to call my own, the Bulls at least seemed close enough in my mind. And with some kid from...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  August 13, 2010
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MT, A Masterful Discovery

After Rajon Rondo's dazzling display of leadership and basketball skills -- one that produced another postseason triple-double and big-time W -- he was asked about his team's approach after a disappointing Game 1 in Los Angeles. Citing "mental toughness" midway through the interview, he sounds so sure of the psychological element that helped his team tie the series...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  June 07, 2010
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Hot Shooting from a Seasoned Shooter

Despite research and debate that may negate that a "hot hand" exists in basketball -- as a player, coach, and sport psych educator -- I do believe in the phenomenon, but not for some existential sake. Rather, for pure basketball sake. Simply knowing that practice and performance sometimes fuse perfectly and allow a player to shine.Ray Allen was hot in Game 2 of the NBA...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  June 06, 2010
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More Than Meets the Bloodied Eye

Ever since Yang Yang discovered the Steve Nash video and posted an article about the implications of team touches, it's been difficult to NOT notice Nash's knack for multiple -- if not hundreds, even thousands -- of high fives. In the Suns' series clinching game against San Antonio, it seemed like the entire Phoenix franchise greeted each member again and again with myriad...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  May 11, 2010
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Cerebral Matter (Playoff Variety)

I know. It's been a while. But there is something about the NBA Playoffs that pushes the pen and inspires inquiry. Perhaps it's a couple long, long-range Lebron jumpers and an effortless triple-double. Phil's insistence of fortuitous free throws -- followed by Durant's rousing roundball retaliation(s). A KG elbow. Lapses and collapses and relapses. How teams respond ... or just give...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  April 27, 2010
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Bball Brief: Believe in Experience

Do you think the Cornell players ever saw this Pistol Pete video? Perhaps not, but they're busy compiling their own psychology of shooting clips.They certainly have the conceptualization, concentration, and confidence when shooting the ball (57.1 effective field goal percentage). According to kenpom.com, only Denver (57.9) and Syracuse (57.8) have a higher eFG rating.And, with...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 23, 2010
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Time to Touch

Knuckle taps. Fist bumps. Rear slaps. All out embraces. Ridiculous amounts of high fives and daps at the free throw line. Pre-game huddles with players in boundary breaking proximity. Even handshakes and hugs with opponents that are sought out by fierce competitors. And it looks like there is more reason for all than just an entertaining and congratulatory montage or homely hello...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  February 25, 2010
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A Mindset Creates a Coach's Meal

There is a certain mindset that works in the bevy of coaches and psychologists -- makeshift or not -- who preach mental tactics to athletes and subscribe to the significant role of teacher within the ever encompassing position as sport leader. In a role that entails much more than where to sketch an X or etch an O, implore a halftime adjustment, or suggest a substitution, it is but...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  June 12, 2009
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What's the Point?

Well, at this point in the 2009 NBA playoff race, the point position seems to be point production -- otherwise known as scoring at an unprecedented consistency. Through Friday, a dozen players listed as point guards in the league (via espn.com) were averaging 14.7 points or more, with Tony Parker leading the way at a 28.6 clip. It makes no difference that Parker and the next three...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  May 10, 2009
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Study Time Creates Kobe Time

Sport psychologists are often called upon to help athletes improve levels of confidence. Specifically, consultants tend to work with a player's self-efficacy, or one's situational self-confidence. Self-efficacy refers to how an athlete feels about himself in certain circumstances, not necessarily his overall feeling in sport. For instance, a basketball player may be extremely confident...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  April 26, 2009
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A Case of the Game Face

Derrick Rose's display today was mesmerizing. His play helped brush his Bulls past the hometown Celtics in a game that featured great point guard possessions on each end. Not to be outdone by his champion seasoned opponent, Rajon Rando, Derrick, quite literally, rose to the occasion in the first NBA playoff game of his career. And it was no doubt a notable one.Perhaps more impressive...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  April 19, 2009
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Mad Breakdown of Stats, Styles, and Coaching Shifts

What happens when you coach a team that finished first in its conference in free throw percentage, field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, and rebounding defense?You get fired. At least, in Kentucky you do...and if the school colors are blue and white.Perhaps a trip to the Final Four could have saved Billy Gillispie. Though, according to new Wildcats coach John Calipari...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  April 06, 2009
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LeBrawn or LeBrain? Looks like Both

There was no hesitation in his voice when asked what the strongest part of his game is. He replied with the utmost confidence and made it known to the world, as if there is no chance anyone can crack the unique bond between his unearthly physical prowess and cognitive superiority. Lebron James and his mental game are dynamic, and he defines both brain and brawn in ways that those...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 30, 2009
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Plummeting Minutes, Enthusiastic until the End

It’s the second half and the players just walked out of the 16:00 time out. Duke is down to Villanova in the Sweet Sixteen, 38-26. Greg Paulus, after not playing in the first half, is in. He immediately drains a three. Next time down, while setting up a play, the senior guard drives to the left sideline in order to produce a jump skip pass to an open Kyle Singler, who bangs another...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 27, 2009
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Cerebral Matter - March '09

Elite scientists are well-rounded... I like to believe this, knowing that my basketball players and other student-athletes at Caltech are talented in a number of areas. It's math and science first and basketball (hopefully) a close second. And many are expert musicians and artists as well:"Some of the best scientists recommend looking for breadth of skills and talents in...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 25, 2009
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Impressions of Mad Basketball

March Madness began again, and depending on one’s interpretation, the forms of the madness were many. Here we take various definitions and break them down:A state of mental illness, presumably temporary – Ameer Ali’s flagrant flip of Blake Griffin. He did his best to imitate a WWF move, though Blake was wary of his own reaction. It almost appeared that the Griffin beast was...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 23, 2009
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Cutting and Shooting... for TV

So, the other day, a friend of mine points out a story from the New York Times -- a synopsis of what it feels like to make a cameo on a television show. Coincidentally, I now know exactly of what the author speaks. Numb3rs, the CBS Friday night hit now in its fifth season, is often filmed on Caltech's campus -- the premise, not surprisingly, that the profs at the fictional Caltech...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 12, 2009
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Systematic Coaching

Paul Johnson believes in himself and his system -- and he is not afraid to implement team building tools and show an unwavering passion for his philosophy of a team:“It’s not just his offense; he teaches toughness, he shows a sense of pride, a sense of determination,” said Mike Sewak, the co-offensive line coach, who has known Johnson for 23 years. “The best way to do that...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 11, 2009
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Phelps Wins Again

Michael Phelps' latest victory did not result in a gold medal, but it did demonstrate the main reason for his eight Olympic wins. He smashed the competition on this site's latest poll, claiming just under 60 percent of the total, or 92 of the 157 votes. D-Wade finished in a far away second with 15 percent of the count, while Nastia and Yao tied for third. Every athlete tallied...
Via Doc's Head Games  |  March 11, 2009
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