{"id":307,"date":"2009-05-01T21:39:54","date_gmt":"2009-05-01T21:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wedevelopyou.com\/?p=307"},"modified":"2023-10-20T20:38:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T20:38:08","slug":"win-or-go-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wedevelopyou.com\/riggs\/2009\/05\/01\/win-or-go-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Win or Go Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Win Single Elimination Tournament<\/strong> Play<\/p>\n

It all comes down to this game. All of the off season planning and preparation, the long days and weeks working to get the players\u00a0ready to play hard and well, the many seasonal challenges faced and won, and now the whole season now boils down to this next game.\u00a0Win or go home.<\/p>\n

It may sound like an oversimplification, but the key for coaches to make the most of single elimination\u00a0tournament\u00a0play is\u00a0to create a basic and solid game plan and work diligently to get a complete buy-in from the players. The primary objective, at this point, is to take all pressure off of the players and put it securely in the lap of the game plan itself (and the coaches that have created it). The goal, at the beginning and throughout the contest, is to have your players in a very\u00a0committed, confident, concentrated,\u00a0and\u00a0composed\u00a0state of mind and body so that they can play to the best of their current abilities. Ride your game plan to\u00a0victory. This is absolutely not the time to begin making significant changes to the line-up, rotations, or adding specific player skill sets. Practice schedules, travel logistics, study halls, meal times and menus should remain as \u201cnormal\u201d as possible. The reality at hand — win or go home — is enough pressure for the players. It is counterproductive to add pressure by forcing them to adjust to additional changes.<\/p>\n

This is the time of the season to ride the momentum that has brought the team, or individual, to this point and go and \u201cplay the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Applying the Four C\u2019s of Execution<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bringing the players to a high level of commitment to the game plan is paramount. In other words, the players must believe the game plan will put them in the best possible position to get a win.<\/p>\n

Coaches Keys: Keep the plan as simple as possible. Throughout the period leading up to the game, be sure to fill the airwaves with lots of phrases
\nlike, \u201cWe got these guys figured out\u201d, \u201cWhen we do this\/these things we are gonna beat them silly\u201d, \u201cWe\u2019ve got their number\u201d, etc.<\/p>\n

From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, assuming the opponents are reasonably evenly matched, the player or team that performs with the highest level of confidence usually comes out on top. Work hard to make each member recognize that he has the ability, mentally and physically, to follow the plan that will lead to a win.<\/p>\n

Coaches Keys: Do not pile-on new skills or to-do\u2019s that a player must learn or quickly improve upon. This is \u201cpump-up\u201d time, not overhaul time.
\nAll of your words, actions, reactions need to echo with \u201cWe will play great\u201d, \u201cYou will have a great game\u201d, \u201cYou are the best at this\u201d, \u201cWe are really hitting stride\u201d, \u201cThings are really coming together at the perfect time\u201d, etc.<\/p>\n

Keep the players at a high level of concentration upon what they need to do to play well. Keeping the game plan simple will remove mental overload for your players. Under the pressure of game conditions, It is easier to focus and remember a few keys to victory than having to reference and recall a library of \u201cif\u2019s\u201d, \u201chow to\u2019s\u201d, and \u201cwhen\u2019s\u201d.<\/p>\n

Coaches Keys: Keep the week simple and limit distractions. Regarding practice, travel, game day logistics, and the like, work to minimize the \u201celements of difference\u201d that will break concentration and pull the players\u2019 minds off the game plan that will lead to a win.<\/p>\n

When the heat is on, the clock is ticking down, and utter pandemonium rules the arena, the players and teams that are able to keep composure — by sticking with the game plan — more often than not find themselves victorious<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Coaches Keys: Make the preparation period focused, yet loose. Include significant opportunity in practice to stay patient and calm in pressure situations. Stress patience and composure within the game plan. Make it clear that freaking out is not an option, by players or coaches, when errors are made or when momentum shifts against you. If imagery has been regularly used throughout the season, add scripts that vividly describe the situations that will be faced with brilliant and resourceful positive outcomes.<\/p>\n

Take all of the pressure off your players and make the game plan the focal point. Continuously reinforce to your players, \u201cWhen we do these things (the Game Plan) with c<\/strong>ommitment, confidence, concentration, <\/strong>and composure<\/strong>, we will win this game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Make sure you, as the coach, are also thinking, acting, talking, walking, eating, and breathing in a very committed, confident, concentrated, <\/strong>and composed<\/strong> manner. You are the field general leading your team into battle. All your players\u2019 eyes are upon you. They will be following your lead.<\/p>\n

Lastly, and certainly not least, enjoy the ride! Never forget that it is a game and is meant to be played and enjoyed. Don\u2019t be afraid to smile and laugh.<\/p>\n

S\u00b2 Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winning in the postseason is not the time to get fancy. Make a simple game plan and stick to it.<\/p>\n

In Another\u2019s Words\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

“I will study and prepare, and someday my opportunity will come.”
\n— Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States\ufffc<\/p>\n

Mich. State tips Tennessee to Earn Another Trip to Final Four<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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