COACH
JOHN
WOODEN'S
RULES
YOUR EDUCATION
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You are going to college for an education. I want every athlete to earn and receive a degree. Keep that first in your thoughts: place basketball second.
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Do not cut classes to be on time for practice.
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Get your work completed and turned in on time. Do not fall behind.
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Keep regular study hours.
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Arrange with your professors in advance when you must be absent.
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Do not expect favors. Do your part.
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Athletes on grant-in-aid should arrange for tutoring through the Athletic Department at the first indication of need.
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Work for a high-grade point average. Do not be satisfied by merely meeting the eligibility requirements.
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Athletes with campus jobs for grant-in-aid must have enough required credit hours. Do your assignment without comparing it with another student.
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Earn the respect of everyone, especially yourself.
PRACTICE
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Be dressed, on the floor, and ready for practice on time every day. There is no substitute for industriousness and enthusiasm.
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Warm-up, work on your weaknesses then shoot some free throws when you take the floor. Do this until organized practice begins.
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Work hard to improve yourself without having to be forced. Be serious. Have fun without clowning around. You develop only by doing your best.
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No cliques, no complaining, no criticizing, no jealousy, no egotism, no envy, no alibis. Earn the respect of all.
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Never leave the floor without permission.
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When a coach blows the whistle, give him your undivided attention and respond immediately.
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Move quickly to get in position to start a new drill
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Keep a neat practice appearance with shirt tucked in, socks pulled up.
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Take excellent care of your equipment and keep your locker neat and orderly. Record your weight in and out every day.
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Do things the way you have been told and do not have to be reminded every day. Correct habits are formed only through continued repetition of the perfect model.
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Be clever, not fancy. Good, clever play brings praise while fancy play brings ridicule and criticism.
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When group activity is stopped to correct one individual, everyone pay close attention so the mistake will not be repeated.
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Condition comes from hard work during practice and proper mental and moral conduct.
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Poise, confidence and self-control come from being prepared.
NORMAL EXPECTATIONS
Chances of having a successful team may be in direct proportion to the ability of each athlete to live up to the following suggestions:
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Be a gentleman at all times.
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Be a team player always.
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Be on time whenever time is involved.
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Be a good student in all subjects, not just in basketball.
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Be enthusiastic, industrious, dependable, loyal, and cooperative.
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Be in the best possible condition: physically, mentally, and morally.
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Earn the right to be proud and confident.
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Keep emotions under control without losing fight or aggressiveness.
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Work constantly to improve without becoming satisfied.
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Acquire peace of mind by becoming the best that you are capable of becoming.
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Never criticize, nag, or razz a teammate.
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Never miss or be last for any class or appointment.
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Never be selfish, jealous, envious, or egotistical.
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Never expect favors.
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Never waste time.
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Never make excuses.
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Never require repeated criticism for the same mistake.
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Never lose faith or patience.
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Never grandstand, loaf, sulk or boast.
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Never have reason to be sorry afterwards.
The player who gives his best is sure of success; the player who gives less than his best is a failure.