Playing Unbothered

Coaching staffs will come up with different mantras for their programs to set a tone believed to be emblematic of the mission ahead. You’ve probably seen shooting shirts and warmups with sayings like, “We>Me” or “Why Not Us?” branded on the players’ apparel. After being on this coaching journey for over a decade, one of those one-liners that that continually sticks out in my mind to consider for the future is cultivating an Unbothered culture.

Insider information – one of my most biggest pet peeves is any and all drama.

Is it avoidable? Never. Can it be mitigated and minimized to steadily keep it moving? Yes.

Nobody is impervious to stress, disappointment, or frustrations. But, when caught in those moments or head-spaces, players can train the brain to develop a stronger sense for resolve over resignation. That mentality can be a difference between making winning plays despite poor shooting performances. Or, instead of a 6-0 run deficit stretching further to 10+ there’s a collective confidence to draw a line in the sand.

Tough opponents prey on the bothered.

So maybe playing unbothered could be more easily defined after listing common situations that bothers most basketball players and teams:

• Not getting a foul called
• Not making shots
• Other teams ability to make shots
• Not getting touches
• Not getting rebounds
• Opposing players inciting frustration (e.g. taunting, flopping, or physicality)
• Lack of freedom of movement
• Lineup and rotational decisions
• Physical discomfort (i.e. nagging pain or injury)
• Opposing team’s pregame routine or choice of music
• Logistical circumstances due to travel or scheduling changes
• Pregame meals

You could come up with another 15-20 of your own, but any one of those examples listed above have negatively impacted one of my players at some point in time.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve coached for a week or over 25 years one of the biggest responsibilities as a coach – during games – is to assess what is currently bothering the team or a player, then having to come up with a way to adjust. Ideally, this is done preemptively by recognizing a potential vulnerability based on trends to avoid ever being bothered.

It will happen. The leading scorer will have an off-night. An opponent will get the favorable whistle over the course of the game. So, what’s your choice?

Let poise steer passion. Stay principled without completely abandoning script because circumstances seem unfair in the moment. Doing something out of character is a subconscious approach to blaming an outlier for failing. Instead of strengthening winning habits in more difficult times and accepting the results. Find a way to play unbothered.

CAN PLAYERS BE FRUSTRATED AND UNBOTHERED?

Sure. Does that particular player have the capacity to channel frustrations while staying disciplined with an intent to succeed? Then be pissed off. Find meaning in the Ray Lewis line, “Being pissed off for greatness.”

However, if frustrations impact attention to detail or probability for success then that would give the coaching staff a reason to find someone else less bothered by the moment.

CAN COACHES BE BOTHERED AND EXPECT PLAYERS TO IGNORE IT?

There’s probably a reasonable discussion here, but it’s in my opinion, players and programs tend to reflect coaching styles. That being said, there are plenty of examples where some of the most intense coaches lose all patience on the sidelines while the players successfully come off stoic in response. Think of the dichotomy for sideline behaviors between Jay Wright and Dan Hurley, or Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey. There has never and will never be a one-way style of coaching that guarantees championships.

IF THERE IS A COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT

With any championship program I could guarantee, despite the percentages or previous plays there was no shift in approach. Players must prioritize the assignment and coaches must trust the mission will get accomplished.

I think we are all at our best when we Play Unbothered