Next Play

The start of the basketball season has a way of sharpening perspective. Each November, as practices begin and routines settle in, we go into the season with high expectations and and the thought that everything will run smoothly. As my new season has started, I’ve been reminded of one of the most important lessons to instill in our players and something we have focused on in week one of practice: the “next play” mentality. It’s at the heart of what we do—not just as athletes or coaches, but as people.

This idea has been front and center for me lately as I’ve been reading Alan Stein Jr.’s new book, Next Play. I have followed him for many years as he was a long time basketball trainer who I saw a number of times at basketball clinics. We even start every practice with “Alan Stein” warm ups! One line in particular from his book hit me:
“Next play mentality isn’t about forgetting—it’s about refocusing.”
In sports and in life, mistakes will happen. Shots will be missed. Assignments will be blown. Teammates will run a play wrong. What matters most is what happens next—the choice to reset, respond, and move forward with purpose.

With a new team, I find myself modeling “next play” in real time. When a drill falls apart or a possession gets messed up, my temptation is to dwell on it. But that’s not where growth happens. Instead, we need to pause, reflect, and move on.

It’s the same in life and in business. You maybe misread a situation at work. A conversation doesn’t go the way you hoped. Plans for the future unravel. You can replay it endlessly, or—as Alan Stein puts it—
“Your response is your responsibility. Own the next moment.”

Honestly, the “next play” mentality applies everywhere:

• In leadership: the team watches not whether you’re perfect, but how you respond when you’re not.

• In relationships: Instead of hanging on to frustration, you choose patience and growth.

• In personal goals: If yesterday didn’t go well, today offers new opportunities

Every next play is a chance to change the momentum of a game, a day, or even your life. In my mind, basketball is a great teacher. Every possession gives you a chance to practice resilience, accountability, and the opportunity to flip the switch and restart. As the season gets underway, I’m reminding myself just as much as my players of this: you can’t change the last play, but you can absolutely own the next one. I am still a work in progress on this but I am working really hard to follow through on this!

Here’s to a season—and a life—based on refocusing, responding, and moving forward with intention when things don’t go as we want. Have a great week!

Coach K