Customer Reviews

Beyond Basketball: Coach K's Keywords for Success

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

All Duke fans and alumni should be proud to have such a sterling person to represent their school and team. I have seldom read such a humble book from such a successful person . . . not to mention the value of the timeless wisdom in the book.

Coach Krzyzewski is joined in this easy-to-read and hard-to-apply book by his daughter, Jamie Spatola, who is an example in several of the book's segments.

This book has an unusual concept. Be sure you understand and like that concept before you buy and read the book. Coach Krzyzewski likes to focus his team's attention. Rather than leading into a game with a long speech, he will put one word up and ask the team to keep that word in mind. It will be a word that reflects something needed to keep the team's focus and performance in balance. This book is organized much the same way. There are thirty-nine essays that explore one or two words in 2-3 pages . . . followed by a conclusion that looks at the essence of great team play. Each of the thirty-nine essays begins with explaining what the word means and why it is important, and then goes on to provide an example from Coach Krzyzewski's life. The examples are particularly charming because Coach Krzyzewski seeks to make others look great . . . while he plays the straight man.

As I read this book, I was reminded of a comment Larry Bird made about one of the Celtics coaches who liked to direct everything the team did. Bird noted that it's hard to start a fast break if the whole team is watching the coach to find out what half-court play the coach wants to call.

Coach Krzyzewski obviously tries to stay out of the way of his players' genius and tendencies. I loved the sections where he learned better methods of playing from many of his great players.

What are the thirty-nine words and word combinations? Here they are (in alphabetical order): Adaptability, Adversity, Balance, Belief, Care, Challenges, Collective Responsibility, Commitment, Communication, Courage, Crisis Management, Culture, Dependability, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Excellence, Failure, Family, Friendship, Fundamentals, Giving Back, Guidance, Imagination, Integrity, Learning, Love, Motivation, Next Play, Ownership, Passion, Poise, Pressure, Pride, Respect, Selflessness, Standards, Trust, Will, and Work. The conclusion focuses on The Fist (the team's focus on five core concepts of cooperation: communication, trust, collective responsibility, care, and pride).

The best way to gain from this book is to start by reading the words that you don't think are important . . . then move on to the words you think are important. You'll deepen your understanding in both cases. Then re-read this book at least once a year to reinforce these positive lessons.

My favorite examples in the book didn't have anything to do with basketball (although the ball is always in the background). But there are also wonderful examples of behind-the-scenes moments when Coach Krzyzewski took action to deal with a challenge and create a better effort . . . or a success.

However, the whole gleams with a special shine . . . like a highly polished diamond with 40 perfect facets.

Subtitled: Coach K's Keywords for Success

Coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University is a true believer in the power of words. However, he emphasizes that the concept is not merely using or borrowing words, but owning the words. Making them belong to you, personally.

The book takes powerful words and creates an entire chapter for that particular word, its usage and the reader's ability to own that word. At a glance, the reader can see these words and immediately their mind begins to assimilate them into their individual lives.

Following is a sample of some of the words Krzyzewski uses:

Adaptability, Adversity, Balance, Belief, Care
Challenges, Collective Responsibility, Commitment
Crisis Management, Culture
Dependability, Empathy, Enthusiasm
Excellence, Failure
Family, Fundamentals, Giving Back, Guidance
Integrity, Learning, Motivation
Next Play, Ownership, Passion
Poise, Pressure, Pride, Respect
Talent, Trust, Will, Work

A brief definition is given of each word in a practical manner, using personal touches that makes the words come alive for the reader and gives them the pathway to incorporate that word into their lives.

Coach Krzyzewski concludes his book with a concept he calls 'The Fist.' He states, "the analogy of The Fist is used to describe how five vital words come together and help create teamwork."

Coach Krzyzewski emphasizes five words for his teams: Communication, trust, collective responsibility, care and pride. When they put their fists together, each member of the team is using this combination of words as a symbol to show their unity as a team.

Although team-oriented and based on basketball, I highly recommend this book for any person reaching for success in any walk of life. The impetus is on the power of words and combining them in a manner that creates unity, which in turn creates victory.

Armchair Interviews says: Good advice from Coach K.

"Beyond Basketball" should be required reading for people in all walks of life, but especially for school coaches who have a major impact on the lives of young athletes. Coach K leads by example. As a result most of his players go on to become solid citizens. Yes, Coach K makes an effort to recruit multidimensional players who have both good character and athletic talent. But he also sets a high bar, teaching them to respect others and never to forget their roots. In "Beyond Basketball," Coach K provides a lesson for athletes, coaches and others --If only our politicians and corporate CEOs would read this book and take a few notes! (Jerry Marcus is the author of four novels, including Broken Trust - The Murder Of Basketball Star Jack Molinas)

Coach K knows more than what it takes to win on the court. He also knows the power of publicity and the critical role it plays in the success of all players -- regardless of the game. Leadership, accountability, responsibility, and academics are all factors in success -- regardless of what game we play in life. Individuals in various businesses may define success differently. But one fact remains the same: If we want people to value our skills, we must first show that we value ourselves. If we want people to buy from us, trust us and invest in our companies, or even to vote for us, they have to know who we are, what we have accomplished, and why they should believe in us! Thanks Coach K for reminding folks that success means more than scoring a basket -- it is a life strategy. (Marion E. Gold is author of "Personal Publicity Planner: A Guide to Marketing YOU," and "Top Cops: Profiles of Women in Command.")

Mike Krzyzewski is the men's basketball coach of the Duke University team. For many years, Duke's team has found itself at the top of the college basketball circuit, and it owes a lot of that success to the wisdom, discipline, and dedication of its coach.

Coach Krzyzewski knows that one sentence, beyond any other, can inspire in his players the determination to succeed: "I believe in you." In life--whether it be academics, athleticism, or anything else--knowing that someone believes in you can make the difference between losing and winning. Coach K. knows that, and so do his players.

BEYOND BASKETBALL is broken down into numerous short "chapters," which include the following:

Adaptability, Adversity, Balance, Belief, Care, Challenges, Collective Responsibility, Commitment, Communication, Courage, Crisis Management, Culture, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Excellence, Failure, Family, Friendship, Fundamentals, Giving Back, Guidance, Imagination, Integrity, Learning, Love, Motivation, Next Play, Ownership, Passion, Poise, Pressure, Pride, Respect, Selflessness, Standards, Talent, Trust, Will, and Work.

Whether you're a follower of college basketball or not, BEYOND BASKETBALL is a fitting book that deals with working hard, playing hard, and dedicating yourself to whatever goals you set for yourself.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

Read wooden then read this book, and you'll see the similarities
in their style of coaching and some of their personality traits.
For me this is a lighter read than wooden but then it has alot of
useful ideas about personal and team development that you'll probably
love to look at.
The zenith of the book is to realise that father and daugther co-authored
the book and getting to know Coach K's father had to change his name to
Kross to get a low-class job to get going in the US in the '40's while the
name "Krzyzewski" was good enough to become a hall of famer in the new Millenum.
Perhaps you might say the "American dream".
I should be giving the book 5 stars but then I have some cultural
issues with some of the views he held in this book which to the
average American will not make any sense that I'm uncomfortable with such views,
never mind it's a global village and this Amazon(supposedly the biggest online market (wild forest) in
the Universe).

This is not only a book for Duke fans or college bball hopefuls. I bought this book after two of my friends/colleagues had used it in a presentation for one of our graduate courses. Being a language arts' teacher, I am always on the lookout for words with which my seventh and eighth graders can (or should) connect, and Coach K's list of important words really fit the bill. My "Vocab Rehab" is not just a study of prefixes, suffixes, and roots; it's my students sharing how they have experienced or seen those words in action. It's my contention that once they've practiced the words on paper and verbally, application to life situations and/or development of life goals will be easy next steps for them. Thank you, Coach K, for providing an inspiring book for everyone.

Coach K says a lot in a few pages. Everything I read applies to me or it also can apply and be enjoyed by my 13 year old son or 11 year old daughter. I appreciate Coach K and his daughter taking the time to share the insights contained in this book.

I purchased this book as a gift for my daughter. I started to skim thru it and could not put it down! My daughter loved the book so much she ordered one for her basketball coach as well. Great book on leadership and would highly recommend it to share with coworkers, family and friends.

Bought this for husband. He LOVES it! He coaches baseball and can use everything in this book. It has lots of useful quotes, if you're a quotes person. Coach K is great.