--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The key statistic is still to get to the…" description: "\"The key statistic is still to get to the foul line.\" — Dean Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg" --- # The key statistic is still to get to the foul line. ![“The key statistic is still to get to the foul line.” quote by Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg) > “The key statistic is still to get to the foul line.” [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes that the primary goal is to reach the base of success. **In simple terms:** Focus on getting to the starting point. Key Takeaway Prioritize the first step toward success. Themes goal setting focus achievement Mood determined motivated Type inspirational When to use this quote - sports competition - career planning - project launch Key Concepts sports psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - What is your “foul line” in life? - How do you stay focused on the first milestone? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball coaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-coaching/) [Coaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coaching/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Foul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foul/) [Foul Line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foul-line-888803/) [Key Statistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/key-statistic-5675219/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lines/) [Statistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statistic/) [Statistic Foul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statistic-foul-5675218/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) ## Related quotes > [...you can't play any defense if the other team is on the foul line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-krzyzewski/you-can-t-play-any-defense-if-the-other-team-is-on-the-foul-line/) [Mike Krzyzewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-krzyzewski/) > [I like to see the difference between good and evil as kind of like the foul line at a baseball game. It's very thin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/i-like-to-see-the-difference-between-good-and-evil-as-kind-of-like/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [Me shooting 40% at the foul line is just God's way to say nobody's perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/me-shooting-40-at-the-foul-line-is-just-god-s-way-to-say-nobody-s/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [When covering the man with the ball, the defense should be able to touch the ball with his hand. He should assume this touching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-miller/when-covering-the-man-with-the-ball-the-defense-should-be-able-to/) [Ralph Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-miller/) > [If one of our players gets his second foul in the first half, then he must come out of the game and not re-enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-daly/if-one-of-our-players-gets-his-second-foul-in-the-first-half-then-he/) [Chuck Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-daly/) > [I would never recruit a player who yells at his teammates, disrespected his high school coach, or scores 33 points a game and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/i-would-never-recruit-a-player-who-yells-at-his-teammates/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [What to do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/what-to-do-with-a-mistake-recognize-it-admit-it-learn-from-it-forget/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [You should sub a player out when you see a player not going full-speed or playing selfish basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/you-should-sub-a-player-out-when-you-see-a-player-not-going-full/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [Everyone on the bench stands for the man coming out of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/everyone-on-the-bench-stands-for-the-man-coming-out-of-the-game/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [I only use statistics to reinforce what I already think, or if it's something unusual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/i-only-use-statistics-to-reinforce-what-i-already-think-or-if-it-s/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [Over coaching is the worst thing you can do to a player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/over-coaching-is-the-worst-thing-you-can-do-to-a-player/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [The most important thing is team morale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-most-important-thing-is-team-morale/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [The best way to build team chemistry is the way Rupp used to substitute, when they fouled out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-best-way-to-build-team-chemistry-is-the-way-rupp-used-to/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [Always have your players go and pick-up the guy who draws the charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/always-have-your-players-go-and-pick-up-the-guy-who-draws-the-charge/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [I've always believed in quickness over strength and size.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/i-ve-always-believed-in-quickness-over-strength-and-size/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) ## More by Dean Smith > [You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/you-should-never-be-proud-of-doing-the-right-thing-you-should-just-do/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [“If you do what we ask you to do, the victories will belong to you, and the losses to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/if-you-do-what-we-ask-you-to-do-the-victories-will-belong-to-you-and/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [The best way to build team chemistry is the way Rupp used to substitute, when they fouled out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-best-way-to-build-team-chemistry-is-the-way-rupp-used-to/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [The real issue is not if a crossing is put in, but when. It would be negligent on the part of Union Pacific and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-real-issue-is-not-if-a-crossing-is-put-in-but-when-it-would-be/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [A leader's job is to develop committed followers. Bad leaders destroy their followers' sense of commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/a-leader-s-job-is-to-develop-committed-followers-bad-leaders-destroy/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [The focus should be on the players. I'm here a long time. You can call me in the summer. 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I've never been for that... but I know that's just American society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/i-just-think-we-shouldn-t-get-into-counting-coaches-records-i-ve/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [A lion never roars after a kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/a-lion-never-roars-after-a-kill/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [“Play hard. Play smart. Play together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/play-hard-play-smart-play-together/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [The most important thing in good leadership is truly caring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-most-important-thing-in-good-leadership-is-truly-caring/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [One player's selfish attitude can poison a locker room and make it hard, if not impossible, to establish team work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/one-player-s-selfish-attitude-can-poison-a-locker-room-and-make-it/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [I know a lawyer who'd love to retire and be an assistant coach. 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So when kids get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-iguodala/it-s-similar-to-basketball-when-you-go-to-different-gyms-and-win-or/) [Andre Iguodala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-iguodala/) > [If a Coach is determined to stay in the coaching profession, he will develop from year to year. This much is true, no coach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/if-a-coach-is-determined-to-stay-in-the-coaching-profession-he-will/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [Well, you can certainly teach free-throwing. And you can teach the boys to pass at angles and run in curves. - University of Kansas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darryl-dawkins/well-you-can-certainly-teach-free-throwing-and-you-can-teach-the-boys/) [Darryl Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darryl-dawkins/) > [Practice to beat the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-bennett/practice-to-beat-the-best/) [Dick Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-bennett/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [I am both humbled and honored to receive the Honda Sports Award for women's basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-both-humbled-and-honored-to-receive-the-honda-sports-award-for/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [What I've talked about the entire series and throughout this playoffs is about intensity and effort, desire and will of our players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/what-i-ve-talked-about-the-entire-series-and-throughout-this-playoffs/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) [Browse all 5,387 Basketball quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The key statistic is still to get to the foul line.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dean Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the-foul-line/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Basketball" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the-foul-line/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/385/dean-smith-12433_basketball_the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the_722321.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The key statistic is still to get to the foul line.” — Dean Smith", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dean Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The key statistic is still to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the-foul-line/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/the-key-statistic-is-still-to-get-to-the-foul-line/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```