The power of doing less, but better.
Coaching basketball in today’s world comes with an overwhelming number of choices. There are hundreds of offensive systems, countless defensive schemes, and endless training methods. Every season brings new trends, new analytics, and new voices telling you what you must add to succeed. The result? Many coaches constantly tweak their approach, adding more plays, more drills, and more complexity yet never achieving the results they desire.
The problem is not a lack of options or information. The problem is a lack of focus.
This is where Essentialism, a concept popularized by Greg McKeown in his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, offers a game-changing perspective for basketball coaches. I read this book (the first time) in 2015 and it has been the blueprint for my work with basketball coaches in our RAMP program.
Essentialism is about focusing only on what truly moves the needle, eliminating distractions, and committing fully to a clear, intentional system. It’s about doing less, but doing it better.
The Coaching Overload Problem
Too many coaches operate with a non-essentialist mindset. They constantly search for the next great tactic, believing that the right combination of strategies will lead them to success. As a result, they:
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Change their offensive and defensive systems frequently based on trends.
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Add more and more plays instead of refining a few core actions.
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Overload players with excessive information, leading to confusion.
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Prioritize short-term wins over long-term player and program development.
This approach doesn’t build successful programs, it creates chaos. Players struggle to grasp an ever-changing philosophy, execution suffers, and the team never develops a true identity. The Essentialist coach takes a different approach.
The Essentialist Coach vs. The Non-Essentialist Coach
The key to Essentialist coaching is clarity. It means defining your philosophy, identifying what is truly important, and cutting out everything that does not serve your mission.
Why Less is More in Basketball Coaching
1. Simplicity Enhances Execution
Basketball is a game of quick decisions. The more complex your system, the harder it is for players to make the right choices under pressure. The best teams at every level are often the ones that run simple systems with elite execution.
Look at legendary coach John Wooden. His UCLA teams focused on fundamentals, disciplined execution, and a clear philosophy. He didn’t chase trends. He built a system and perfected it. The result? Ten NCAA championships in 12 years.
2. Mastery Beats Variety
Coaches often believe that having a vast playbook gives them an edge. In reality, teams that master a handful of plays are far more effective than those that run dozens of sets poorly.
Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs were famous for running simple yet highly effective offensive actions. The reason? His teams mastered timing, spacing, and execution – three things that never go out of style. Instead of adding more complexity, Popovich drilled the essentials until they became second nature.
3. Players Thrive on Clarity
When players don’t have to think about what to do next, they play with more confidence. A well-defined system provides clarity and allows athletes to focus on competing rather than processing.
A non-essentialist coach overwhelms players with excessive schemes and constant adjustments. An Essentialist coach creates an environment where players understand their roles, know what is expected, and can perform at their best without hesitation.
Becoming an Essentialist Coach
Step 1: Define Your Coaching Philosophy
If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything. Start by answering these questions:
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What are your core coaching values? (e.g., discipline, teamwork, defense first, player development)
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What style of play do you believe in? Do you have a game model?
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What principles will guide your decision-making?
Write down a coaching philosophy statement. Limit yourself to one sentence that captures your program’s identity. For example:
“We will be the toughest, most disciplined team on the floor every night.”
This philosophy should be the foundation of everything you do.
Step 2: Identify What Moves the Needle
Ask yourself: What are the 20% of things that produce 80% of the results? These are your essentials.
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What are the must-have skills for your players?
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What offensive and defensive principles will you emphasize?
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What habits lead to the greatest improvement?
Focus on these areas relentlessly, and eliminate everything that does not contribute to your core mission.
Step 3: Cut Out the Non-Essentials
Saying yes to everything means saying no to excellence. Take an honest look at your current coaching approach and ask:
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Are you running too many plays?
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Are you using drills that don’t directly translate to your system?
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Are you wasting practice time on things that don’t produce results?
Simplify. Get rid of what’s unnecessary and double down on what matters.
Step 4: Commit to Your System
An Essentialist coach trusts the process. Once you establish your philosophy and core approach, stick with it.
This doesn’t mean never adjusting, instead it means filtering every new idea through your Essentialist lens. Ask:
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Does this align with my philosophy?
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Will this significantly improve execution?
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Is this worth sacrificing something else?
If the answer isn’t a resounding yes, it’s a no.
The Essentialist Mindset is a Competitive Advantage
Many coaches will continue chasing every new tactic, hoping for a magic formula for success. They will overcomplicate, over-teach, and overwhelm their players.
The Essentialist coach, on the other hand, will build something sustainable. By focusing on what truly matters and eliminating distractions, they will create a program that is disciplined, efficient, and consistently successful.
Final Takeaways
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Clarity beats complexity. Define your philosophy and stick to it.
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Execution wins. Master a few things instead of trying to do everything.
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Less is more. Eliminate distractions and focus on what truly moves the needle.
By embracing the Essentialist mindset, you’ll not only become a better coach, you’ll build a basketball program that thrives on purpose, precision, and long-term success.