Shooting in the Dark: Tales of Coaching and Leadership
Coaching styles and techniques have evolved significantly since the militant days of Vince Lombardi and Woody Hayes. No longer can coaches gain respect and effort from players by yelling "My way or the highway," writes NBA coach and Zen masterPhil JacksoninShooting's foreword. "This new type of coach is one whose leadership is trusted because he shares it with his players." Jim Thompson tests this theory--and others, to varying degrees of success--throughout his two-year stint as coach of a Northern California girls' high school basketball team.Skillfully weaving how-to coaching techniques and a diary containing his inner thoughts (and, at times, obsessions) with the progress of the Fremont Women Warriors, Thompson's philosophical and motivational account exposes the multilayered dynamics of the player-coach relationship. As the coach explains the value of "Encouraging Players to Disagree," or "The Art of Celebrating Practice," he shows how the Women Warriors respond to such techniques. After a lopsided loss to an inferior team, Thompson rips the Warriors for a lackluster effort. But, thanks to their share-the-leadership philosophy, the team suggests they update their antiquated Flex offense. At first, Thompson fears mutiny, but then he realizes that "sharing powerincreasesyour own power in the sense that the likelihood of success is greater when you create a partnership."Coaches will appreciate the wealth of practical and light-hearted tips, such as "Drills with Consequences," "Creating a Team Vocabulary," and "Motivational Speeches." And readers will find themselves rooting for the inspirational Woman Warriors. But it'sShooting in the Dark's ability to blend these insights and intimate stories that will light even the darkest of gymnasiums.--Rob McDonald