I always talked to my players about today. It's the only day that matters. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
If a player's not doing the things he should, put him on the bench. He'll come around. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
The best players don't win championships. The best team players win championships. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
A coach's primary function should be not to make better players, but to make better people — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Once you become a good person, then you have a chance of becoming a good basketball player. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
We may not be the best conditioned team in the country, but our players think they are. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
The greatest ally you have to get things working well and the players performing as a team is the bench. Don't be… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I talked to the players and tried to make them aware of what was good and bad, but I didn't try to… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I wanted my players to always be searching, especially for truth. I wanted them to know what they believed and be able… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Selfishness is the greatest challenge for a coach. Most players are more concerned with making themselves better than the team. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Good coaching is about leadership and instilling respect in your players. Dictators lead through fear - good coaches do not. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Team spirit means you are willing to sacrifice personal considerations for the welfare of all. That defines a team player. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I always stress condition with my basketball players. I don’t mean physical condition only. You cannot attain and maintain physical condition unless… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Since the most important responsibility of a coach in regard to the actual playing of the game is to teach his players… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
You cannot attain and maintain physical condition unless you are morally and mentally conditioned. And it is impossible to be in moral… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
My bench never heard me mention winning. My whole emphasis was for each one of my players to try to learn to… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
What you do in practice is going to determine your level of success. I used to tell my players, 'You have to… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
The person who is afraid to risk failure seldom has to face success. I expected my players to make mistakes, as long… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I never yelled at my players much. That would have been artificial stimulation, which doesn't last very long. I think it's like… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
One of my constant reminders was, "End practice on a happy note." I wanted the boys to want to come out to… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
A Dominican monk, Father Henri Didon, used it as a watchword for his pupils in sports at Arcueil College in Paris. Baron… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I discovered early on that the player who learned the fundamentals of basketball is going to have a much better chance of… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
One of my constant reminders is, 'End practice on a happy note.' I want the boys to want to come out to… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
A gifted player, who is not a team player, will ultimately hurt the team. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
When everyone has good players, teaching will be a telling difference. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Good players can take coaching; great players can take coaching and learn. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I never let our players get satisfied, I never let our Coaches get satisfied, I was never satisfied. We can always do… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Although I wanted my players to work to win, I tried to convince them they had always won when they had done… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I do not want players who do not have a keen desire to win and do not play hard and aggressively to… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I also wanted my basketball players to know that I really cared about them. Forget basketball; as a person, I cared, I… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Too many people look on outscoring someone as winning, I never tried to get that across to my players. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I continually stress to my players that all I expect from them at practice and in the games is their maximum effort. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
“It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it. -John wooden” — John wooden Copy Share Image
“I remain convinced to this day that compassion like that—sincerely caring for your players and maintaining an active interest in their lives, concerns, and… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Being a role model is the most powerful form of educating...too often fathers neglect it because they get so caught up in making a… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Approval is a greater motivator than disapproval, but we have to disapprove on occasion when we correct. It’s necessary. I make corrections only after… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Each of us has a huge capacity to learn and to achieve. Being ever alert makes the task of becoming all we are capable… — John Wooden Copy Share Image
Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly. — John Wooden Copy Share Image
