John Wooden Sports Quotations

Don't give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you.

I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs.

It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

You've never heard of them- and you never will .

It is normal to enjoy praise and dislike criticism. True character is when you prevent either from affecting you in a negative matter.

Always think of passing the ball before shooting it.

I think that in any group activity - whether it be business, sports, or family - there has to be leadership or it wont be successful.

Others may have more ability than you, they may be larger, faster, quicker, better jumpers ... but no one should be your superior in respect to team spirit, loyalty, enthusiasm, cooperation, determination, industriousness, fight effort, and character.

If we, as coaches, aren't teachers, we are nothing

The purpose of discipline is not to punish, but to correct.

It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from the performance itself, not the score. While he is playing, the worst thing a player can think about in terms of concentration - and therefore of success - is losing. The next worst is winning.

No matter how you total success in the coaching profession it all comes down to a single factor - talent. There may be a hundred great coaches of whom you have never heard in basketball, football, or any sport who will probably never receive the acclaim they deserve simply because they have not been blessed with the talent. Although not every coach can win consistently with talent, no coach can win without it.

Why can't we have patience and expect good things to take time?

A Dominican monk, Father Henri Didon, used it as a watchword for his pupils in sports at Arcueil College in Paris. Baron Pierre De Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics, made it the Olympic Games ideal adopted at the Antwerp Games in 1920. I never mentioned winning to my players. I mentioned constantly that all I wanted them to do was the best they could. If they're good enough, the score will be to their liking; if they're not, it won't be but that's nothing to hang their head about. Sometimes the other fellow is just better than you are.

I constantly caution our teams: 'Play your game, just play your game. Eventually, if you play your game, stick to your style, class will tell in the end.' This does not mean that we will always outscore our opponent, but it does insure that we will not beat ourselves.

One of my constant reminders is, 'End practice on a happy note.' I want the boys to want to come out to practice; and I want them to get a certain amount of pleasure. ..lt's a game. It should be fun. So I always try to counterbalance my criticism in practice with a bit of praise. I want my players to feel that the worst punishment I can give them is to deny them the privilege of practicing. If they do not want to practice, I do not want them there.

Hustle makes up for many a mistake.

When everyone has good players, teaching will be a telling difference.

Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you for the rest of your life.

A player who makes a team great is better than a great player.

Ability is a poor man's wealth.

Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the reason behind what I asked of them, not to do things just because I said so.

An effective leader develops the ability to correctly identify the pertinent detail or details - incidentals in a market, industry or sport that might create an incremental advantage.

I don't believe in looking back. If you make a decision that you think is the proper one at a time, then that's the correct decision.

Many ... have tremendous God-given gifts, but they don't focus on the development of those gifts. Who are these individuals? You've never heard of them- and you never will .

It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.

Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating. Youngsters need good models more than they need critics. It's one of a parent's greatest responsibilities and opportunities.