Nothing Is Stronger Than Gentleness

We had a team of mules named Jack and Kate on our farm. Kate would often get stubborn and lie down on me when I was plowing. I couldn’t get her up no matter how roughly I treated her. Dad would see my predicament and walk across the field until he was close enough to say “Kate.” Then she’d get up and start working again. He never touched her in anger.


It took me a long time to understand that even a stubborn mule responds to gentleness.

I remember a young man whipping a short-tempered team of horses, trying to get them to come out of a gravel pit. They were pulling against each other, jumping back and forth, fretting and stomping. By talking to each of them and patting them, he quieted them down. Then he went behind them and took the reins, let go, and they immediately pulled out together. His gentleness made all the difference.   --- By John Wooden

Coaching Quote #51: With You

"Make sure the team members know, they're working with you not for you."

--- John Wooden

John Wooden: Looking For the Right Things

There’s an old story about a fellow who went to a small town in Indiana with the thought of possibly moving his family there. “What kind of people live around here?” he asked the attendant at the local filling station.


“Well,” the attendant replied as he checked the oil, “what kind of people live back where you’re from"
The visitor took a swallow of his cherry soda and replied, “They’re ornery, mean, and dishonest.”
The attendant looked up and answered, “Mister, you’ll find them about like that around here, too.”

A few weeks later, another gentleman stopped by the gas station on a muggy July afternoon with the same question. “Excuse me,” he said as he mopped off his brow. “I’m thinking of moving to your town with my family. What kind of people live around these parts?”

Again the attendant asked, “Well, what kind of people live back where you’re from?”
The stranger thought for a moment and replied, “I find them to be kind, decent, and honest folks.”
The gas station attendant looked up and said, “Mister, you’ll find them about like that around here, too.”

It’s so true. You often find what you’re looking for.   --- John Wooden

Coaching Quote #34: Discipline

"You discipline those under your supervision to correct, to help, to improve - not to punish."

--- John Wooden

Why Wooden's Teams Won

Here is a great resource with a bunch of John Wooden information.   Things we all as coaches can use in our program in some form or another.

Wooden Handout

John Wooden: The Coaching Profession

Here is a great thought on the coaching profession from Legendary Coach John Wooden.

"The coach must recognize that his profession places him in the public eye, and he will at times receive both unjustifiable criticism and undeserved praise. He must not be unduly affected by either. He must also realize that much of his work is being done under circumstances that are likely to be of an emotional and excitable nature involving many immature individuals."

Coaching Quote #19: Insipiration

"When I reflect on my life, I find that the people who stand out are the ones who challenged me with words and inspired me with action."

--- John Wooden

Wooden Observations

1) Why is it so hard for so many people to realize that winners are usually the ones who work harder, work longer, and as a result, perform better? 2) Why are there so many who want to build up the weak by tearing down the strong?
3) Why is it that so many nonattainers are quick to criticize, question, and belittle the attainers?
4) Why is it so hard for us to understand that we cannot antagonize and positively influence at the same time?
5) Why is it so much easier to complain about the things we do not have than to make the most of and appreciate the things we do have?

Coaching Quote #17: Promise

"Promise to give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others."

--- John Wooden

A Reflection on Coach Wooden

Here is a collection of thoughts from former players of Coach Wooden onhis 95th birthday.  It is a true testament to how Coach Wooden approach the game.

Wooden's 95th

Coaching Quote #14: Practice Planning

"I would spend almost as much time planning a practice as conducting it."

--- John Wooden