Game On: The All American Race to Make Champions of Our Children

By Tom Farrey

In my quest to read 50 books in 2009 I have come across some excellent ones; most of which just reinforce stuff I have read before.  Looking back, I have come across a few books that were real eye openers; ones that caused an infamous “Ah hah!” moment. Game On: The All American Race to Make Champions of Our Children was one of those books. One of my friends in Nike Basketball recommended it to me and I am so thankful he did. Before going deeper, let me say I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any parent, trainer, or coach who has or works with youth athletes. This book is an absolute must read for anyone who cares about the youth of today.

Given my line of work; I have been around elite level athletics my entire life and have a finger on the pulse of youth grassroots basketball.  I work with players as young as 9 years old and have both seen and experienced the positives and negatives of competitive youth sports; so this book most certainly hit close to home. In addition, I hope to have children of my own in the very near future and the insights from this book will most certainly dictate some of my own parenting and coaching decisions.

This book should change the way the American culture looks at youth sports. From nationally ranking basketball players while they are in elementary school to holding golf events with a 5 year old division; we have taken the competitiveness of youth sports to the extreme. We have created a win at all costs mentality for kids who should be playing for fun. We have deteriorated the proven processes for developing fundamental skills and we are rewarding the kids who mature early (in all of the years of the Little League World Series, in which we have seen thousands of kids play, only 30 have made it to MLB!).  As a culture we are rewarding performance over participation with kids who still drink Juice Boxes and watch SpongeBob SquarePants!  And what have we gotten from this approach? A majority of kids who quit playing sports by age 13, testy sidelines with lunatic parents and coaches, steadily rising obesity rates, and US national teams that rarely win world titles.

The best part about this book is the variety of solutions we can implement to help fix this; realistic ways to change our current model. By studying the methods of countries like Australia, as well as reorganizing the governing bodies we have in the US, we can take powerful steps to getting back on course.  We need to launch a movement to protect our children!

Along the lines of correcting our youth development model and teaching and coaching our children in a systematic, age appropriate manner, I fully endorse an e-book by Brian McCormick (who was quoted a few times in Game On) entitled Cross Over: A New Model Of Youth Basketball Development. I have a tremendous respect for Coach McCormick’s work. In addition to his book, he has an excellent “Hard2Guard Player Development Newsletter” I recommend you subscribe to. Coach McCormick has several sites; but visit www.TrainForHoops.com.

I will post a similar book review each week; so make sure you check back often. Next week I plan to review an insightful book I read two weeks ago at the beach; Know Yourself As A Coach by Denny Kuiper. I got an opportunity to meet (and work with) Coach Kuiper at the NBPA Top 100 Camp earlier this summer.  His book is an absolute must read for any level basketball coach.

I am not going to post an NBA player interview this week; but have my fingers crossed I will be able to sit down with Chris Paul in two weeks when I work his CP3 Elite Back Court Camp in Winston Salem, NC.

And don’t forget to check out and subscribe to www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom for the latest exercise of the week.  And if you want the inside scoop on the summer training scene, as well as daily inspirational quotes, follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein.

Train hard.  Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

Outliers: The Story of Success

By Malcolm Gladwell

One of the things I enjoy most about working the Nike Skills Academies is talking shop and learning from the coaches who are there.  We exchange ideas and thoughts on everything you can think of.  At the Vince Carter Skills Academy several coaches where raving about the book Outliers: The Story of Success (by Malcolm Gladwell).  Given my enormous respect for these coaches; I knew I had to read it as well!

I believe I have mentioned in previous posts that I am a huge fan of Audiobooks; a new age “books on tape” approach using iTunes.  While I still believe in the dying art of actually reading, I find listening to books is just as valuable and makes car rides and plane rides not only more enjoyable, but productive as well. I listened to Outliers a couple of weeks ago traveling to and from Ocean City. It was captivating.

I have always been fascinated by successful people and intrigued by what makes them tick. I have studied the decisions they have made in their life to enable their success.  Malcolm Gladwell takes traditional theories of success head on as he studied several groups of outliers; people far from the norm on a standard bell curve. He examined many of the worlds’ brightest, most famous, most successful, and wealthiest to devise a theory on why folks reach uber-success. His goal was to answer the question; what makes super high achievers different?  What did he find? We pay too close attention to what successful people are like and not enough attention to what opportunities they have had, their culture, age, and where they come from.  He proves without doubt, those characteristics are just as important to being successful as the standard ones we all know and preach; hard work, intelligence, etc.  His findings are fascinating and eye opening.

Among many others, he explains why most professional hockey players are born in January, February, and March, why Bill Gates is Bill Gates, why Asians are superior in math, and why the Beatles are arguably the greatest rock band in history. 

I highly recommend this book, or Audiobook, as the theories and stories are applicable to everyone.

I will post a similar book review each week; so make sure you check back often. Next week I plan to review an amazing book I read on my way to and from Jamaica; Game-On: The All American Race to Make Champions of Our Children. 

And don’t forget to check out and subscribe to www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom for the latest exercise of the week.  And if you want the inside scoop on the summer training scene, as well as daily inspirational quotes, follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein.

Train hard.  Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

The Bald Truth: Secrets of Success from the Locker Room to the Boardroom

By David Falk

I was fortunate enough to meet David Falk several years ago as he is a regular member at Rockville Fitness; the gym I have been training my players at for the past 10 years.  I still see him regularly and have always respected his body of work and have been fascinated by his success in the sports world. 

For those that don’t know; David Falk was the NBA’s first super-agent.  He represents many of the games’ greatest players and coaches, including Michael Jordan and Coach K.  Yes, he is MJ’s agent.  Enough said.  He has represented countless NBA All Stars and lottery picks.  Mr. Falk was innovative in his approach to negotiations and was responsible for the sports world’s first ever $100 million contract (Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat).  He helped Jordan become the biggest commercial superstar in sports history and helped pen his groundbreaking, and history changing, contract with Nike. Heck, he even thought of nickname Air Jordan! He has been representing players for over 35 years and has, literally, seen it all.  He is a wealth of knowledge and experience.

His book, The Bald Truth, is a summation of those experiences and is a captivating read for any NBA fan as well as for all aspiring agents. Mr. Falk reveals numerous business secrets that have helped him attain such extraordinary success.  The examples he provides transcend basketball and are applicable to just about anyone.  He takes a candid look at both his successes and his failures.  He shares the numerous insights he has learned from the brilliance of MJ, Coach K, and former Georgetown head basketball coach John Thompson.  If you have ever met Mr. Falk, he never pulls any punches and is extremely blunt.  This book is written in the same fashion, which as a reader, is appreciated.

I will post a similar book review each week; so make sure you check back often. And don’t forget to check out and subscribe to www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom for the latest exercise of the week.  And if you want the inside scoop on the summer training scene, as well as daily inspirational quotes, follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein.

Train hard.  Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

Mind Gym

By Gary Mack

After a colleague’s recommendation; I read Mind Gym this past winter.  It was actually one of the first books I read in 2009, but I felt compelled to review it now because of how valuable the information was and because it had an impact on how I prepare my players for workouts and before games.  I have referenced it in a few previous blogs, so make sure you check the archive section of my previous posts.  I can’t stress enough how powerful this book is. Mind Gym is an absolute must read for any player looking to go to the next level.  In basketball today, there is very little that separates the top players, so any advantage can be what makes you stand out and makes you distinct.  Mind Gym proves proper mental training can be that difference maker.

Mind Gym is very well written and is an easy read. It is full of vivid short stories and anecdotes and really illustrates why the mental part of sport is often overlooked, but unbelievably valuable.  Mr. Mack’s insight shows why guys like Alex Rodriquez, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordan are beyond extraordinary and why they repeatedly perform at such astonishing levels despite intense pressure and scrutiny.

Mind Gym covers topics like appropriately dealing with pressure, strengthening mental toughness, positive self talk and reinforcement, aiming for progress (not perfection), eliminating distractions, increasing the ability to focus, proper breathing techniques, the danger of over analyzing, and how to get in and stay in the illustrious “zone.”  Mr. Mack gives numerous examples of how positive mental imagery can have a tremendous impact on performance.

I have actually tried many of his techniques and suggestions with my players and clients and have seen a difference.  Mind Gym will have a positive impact on your game!

I will post a similar book review each week; so make sure you check back often. And don’t forget to check out and subscribe to www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom for the latest exercise of the week.  And if you want the inside scoop on the summer training scene, as well as daily inspirational quotes, follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein.

Train hard.  Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

The Success Principles: How To Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be

By Jack Canfield

Given my vocation as a basketball strength & conditioning coach, I obviously believe in a life of health and fitness. I advocate taking great care of your body; because you only get one of them!  I also firmly believe the same holds true for your mind; you have to exercise your mind in order to grow and improve.  While nothing can quite take the place of actually reading for mental stimulation and growth, I have really gotten into audiobooks this past year.  I spend a good deal of time in the car and on airplanes and have found audiobooks to be a really productive alternative to listening to the radio or the news.  Audiobooks help me learn new things and keep me motivated and inspired.   I buy all of my audiobooks from iTunes; but you can also get them at Audible.com.

In my quest to read (and/or listen to) 50 books in 2009, I have purchased about a dozen audiobooks.  One of which was The Success Principles by Jack Canfield.  It was so on point and so inspiring I have listened to it three times already! Repetition and reinforcement of such quality principles can only help!

Jack Canfield’s book Chicken Soup for the Soul was turned down by the first 33 publishers he submitted it to. Despite these constant road blocks, he believed in his dream and never quit. His persistence paid off and his book was finally picked up and published. Since then he has sold millions and millions of copies in dozens of different languages! Jack Canfield knows what it takes to be successful.

The principles he advocates are timeless; not trendy.  And his principles transcend any occupation.  No matter who you are or what level of success you have already attained; this book is still of great value.  Jack explains right from the start how you have to hold yourself accountable for your current state of well being and happiness.  “You are where you are in life because of the choices you have made.” Until you are willing to admit that, and stop being the victim and blaming everyone else, you will never reach your ultimate success.

He tells insightful and heart warming stories of dozens and dozens of folks from all walks of life, from professional athletes to media moguls, who have beaten the odds and attained tremendous success.  He walks you through, step by step, the ways you can make positive changes in your work habits, relationships, and overall confidence. He basically shows you what you need to do to tackle all of life’s challenges and garner the courage to start being successful… now!

This is an absolute must read (or must listen too!) for any coach, player, or parent who wants to be the best they can be.

I will continue to do my best to post a book review each week; so make sure you check back often. And don’t forget to check it out and subscribe to www.YouTube.com/StrongerTeamDotCom for the latest exercise of the week.  And if you want the inside scoop on the summer training scene, as well as daily inspirational quotes, follow me on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AlanStein.

Train hard.  Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com