Sports Quotes by John Wooden

The best competition I have is against myself to become better

— John Wooden

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

Hustle makes up for many a mistake.

— John Wooden

Dictators lead through fear; good coaches do not.

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

The true athlete should have character, not be a character

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

The athlete who says that something can't be done should never interrupt the one who's doing it

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

Discipline of others isn't punishment. You discipline to help, to improve, to correct, to prevent, not to punish, humiliate, or retaliate.

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, the habits you are developing now will be with you…

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

For an athlete to function properly, he must be intent. There has to be a definite purpose and goal if you are…

— John Wooden

I constantly caution our teams: 'Play your game, just play your game. Eventually, if you play your game, stick to your style,…

— John Wooden

An effective leader develops the ability to correctly identify the pertinent detail or details - incidentals in a market, industry or sport…

— John Wooden

Decisions are more apt to be accepted when you've listened to suggestions first. I wanted them to see the reason behind what…

— John Wooden

There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition ... You must execute properly and quickly the…

— John Wooden

In the end, it's about the teaching, and what I always loved about coaching was the practices. Not the games, not the…

— John Wooden

No matter how you total success in the coaching profession it all comes down to a single factor - talent. There may…

— John Wooden

When I was coaching I always considered myself a teacher. Teachers tend to follow the laws of learning better than coaches who…

— John Wooden

One of my constant reminders is, 'End practice on a happy note.' I want the boys to want to come out to…

— John Wooden

One of my constant reminders was, "End practice on a happy note." I wanted the boys to want to come out to…

— John Wooden

A Dominican monk, Father Henri Didon, used it as a watchword for his pupils in sports at Arcueil College in Paris. Baron…

— John Wooden

It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and…

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

Always think of passing the ball before shooting it.

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player.

— John Wooden

You can lose when you outscore somebody in a game, and you can win when you're outscored.

— John Wooden

Good coaching is about leadership and instilling respect in your players. Dictators lead through fear - good coaches do not.

— John Wooden

Others may have more ability than you, they may be larger, faster, quicker, better jumpers ... but no one should be your…

— John Wooden