Wooden Wins! - Adaptability
Our Pyramid of Success focus this month will be on Adaptability. At American Heritage Charter Schools, we celebrate the core value of “Live Pure”.
The Key to Adaptability
By Craig Impelman
On the left side of the Pyramid of Success, below faith, there are four additional pieces of mortar: ambition, adaptability, resourcefulness and fight. These are qualities that encompass the resolve, ingenuity and resilience of the human spirit. In his book Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success, with Jay Carty, Coach Wooden defined adaptability and its importance in the following manner:
“Adaptability is being able to adjust to any situation at any given time."
“In life, we all know that we can only be sure of a few things, specifically death and taxes. We can also count on change. We need to recognize change, grow with it and learn from it. Since change is inevitable, people who are inflexible, bullheaded or stubborn will never make it to the apex of the Pyramid. If we want to succeed, we must readily adapt to circumstances as they unfold—this includes both what we cannot change and what will take some time to change.
“If we fail to adapt, we fail to move forward.”
Under each piece of mortar on the Pyramid, in parentheses, there is some brief application advice for that mortar. Under adaptability, the application advice is “to any situation.” Coach described the essence of adaptability in his book Practical Modern Basketball this way: “Be flexible enough to be able to adjust to the environment and to the occasion.”
The key to being effective in our adaptability is recognizing the situation and determining whether we can change it or whether we simply need to make the best of it and move forward.
Coach has four great quotes that describe this strategy:
• “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
• “The more concerned we become over the things we can’t control, the less we will do with the things we can control.”
• “Things turn out the best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.”
• "Don’t Whine, Don’t Complain, Don’t Make Excuses."
When Coach arrived at UCLA 1948, he had a gym with only two baskets, which he shared with other sports during his practice period. At Indiana State University, where he had come from, he had six baskets and a private facility. He recognized that he could not change the situation at UCLA, so he adapted and made the best of it.
When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar came to UCLA, Coach adapted his style of play and practice routine to take advantage of Kareem’s unusual talent, though he had already won two national championships with his prior system. Coach recognized this as a situation he could and would need to change so the team could reach its potential.
Key Idea:“We change what we can, but if we get too concerned, involved and engrossed in circumstances over which we have no control or can’t change, those circumstances are going to have a negative impact on events and outcomes we can control.”
@Home
Activity: Adaptability is forged as we learn to navigate the difficulties and challenges of everyday life.
Watch this inspiring video as a springboard for family discussion.
Although no parent wants to watch their child struggle, difficulties provide a unique opportunity to help our children learn to adapt and become overcomers.
Family Response: Jessica Long had to adapt to a life with amputated legs, and yet went on to compete as a Paralympic swimmer. Around the dinner table, share a challenge each of you are facing. Discuss how hardships can help make us more adaptable and resilient.
On Campus
Activity: Watch the Coping with Change video.
Staff Response: Change is inevitable and how we adapt or deal with it is important. We will experience change in our jobs and in our home lives. We will have students and families that are going through changes. Think of a time that you had to deal with change. How were you able to adapt and adjust to the new situation? What tools do you keep in your tool box that help you navigate changes in a positive way? What are some ways that you can help students or families that you interact with deal with change?
In the Class
Activity: Watch the videos & complete the activity below.
- Growth Mindset (5:03)
- Coping With Change (3:22)
- Toolbox Activity: Have each student write down “tools” that they can put in their toolbox for when they face change (Printable)
Class Response:
1. How do you respond when faced with difficult/different types of assignments in your classes?
2. What do you do when you can't find the answer?
3. How can you become more adaptable in your classes?
On the Field
Conversation Starters: Watch these two videos in your film session and respond to the questions:
- What allowed these athleates to succeed?
- How does individual adaptability infuence team success?
- How can you be adaptable today?
X's + O's:
- This week, task your players to lead their own warm ups with limited equipment. See how they can adapt!
- Normall Drill vs. Adapted: Start a drill with normal parameterw and then complicate the drill to see how your team reacts. For instance, run some relay races normally and then do them three legged race style. Make it fun and focus on how they adapt!
- Change your practice time this week! Always be ready for what comes your way.
Mind: Watch this video and discuss with your teams at next practice:
https://youtu.be/XyxLKFDwwU4