--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you can read the play before it…" description: "\"If you can read the play before it happens, and make the pass before the player's gonna be there, you're gonna be successful.\" — Gordon Hayward" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg" --- # If you can read the play before it happens, and make the… ![“If you can read the play before it happens, and make the pass before the player's gonna be there, you're gonna be successful.” quote by Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg) > “If you can read the play before it happens, and make the pass before the player's gonna be there, you're gonna be successful.” [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Anticipating events and acting before they unfold leads to success in sports and life. **In simple terms:** Act early to stay ahead. Key Takeaway Practice foresight and quick decision‑making. Themes sports strategy anticipation success timing Mood motivational strategic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - team sports - business negotiations - emergency response Key Concepts pre‑emptive action situational awareness decision making Questions to Reflect On - What situations could you anticipate better? - How do you balance speed with accuracy? A Different Perspective Requires accurate prediction; premature moves can backfire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of times when you probably come into the NBA as a younger player, you're gonna probably build your habits based on your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-donovan/a-lot-of-times-when-you-probably-come-into-the-nba-as-a-younger/) [Billy Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-donovan/) > [“Brittany Ellis, I'm goin' to prove to you I'm the guy you believed in ten months ago, and I'm gonna be the successful man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/brittany-ellis-i-m-goin-to-prove-to-you-i-m-the-guy-you-believed-in/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [We are footballers, so if you've got to play with someone, you've got to play with them. What happens off the pitch, well, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-bronze/we-are-footballers-so-if-you-ve-got-to-play-with-someone-you-ve-got/) [Lucy Bronze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-bronze/) > [People have to see play as more important than what it currently is. We don't want to get boxed into thinking play only happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darell-hammond/people-have-to-see-play-as-more-important-than-what-it-currently-is/) [Darell Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darell-hammond/) > [You can't just skip the boring parts." "Of course I can skip the boring parts." "How do you know they're boring if you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-d-schmidt/you-can-t-just-skip-the-boring-parts-of-course-i-can-skip-the-boring/) [Gary D. Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-d-schmidt/) > [You read the play that's in front of you. You don't try to look back; you don't look forward. You deal with the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-gasol/you-read-the-play-that-s-in-front-of-you-you-don-t-try-to-look-back/) [Marc Gasol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-gasol/) > [If I could read it, I could play it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-king-cole/if-i-could-read-it-i-could-play-it/) [Nat King Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-king-cole/) > [I like to read the play. Some of it's luck, being at the right place, right time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/i-like-to-read-the-play-some-of-it-s-luck-being-at-the-right-place/) [Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/) > [“He raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get this? Is our Anne Boleyn suddenly from Mars?" He chuckled. "I always thought she hailed from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-kate/he-raised-an-eyebrow-where-did-you-get-this-is-our-anne-boleyn/) [Lauren Kate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-kate/) > [When you read a play, the words speak to you. When you read a script, there's no way you can tell if that's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judge-reinhold/when-you-read-a-play-the-words-speak-to-you-when-you-read-a-script/) [Judge Reinhold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judge-reinhold/) > [I like to hang out with my friends, go to the theatre, watch DVDs, read, play with my niece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-ryan/i-like-to-hang-out-with-my-friends-go-to-the-theatre-watch-dvds-read/) [Michelle Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-ryan/) > [When I think about it, I was working very hard the summer before I applied to graduate school. I was going to the library…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii/when-i-think-about-it-i-was-working-very-hard-the-summer-before-i/) [Yahya Abdul-Mateen II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yahya-abdul-mateen-ii/) > [I always just read the play and find a world. That world must honour the play, enhance it, and maybe shine some new light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-farr/i-always-just-read-the-play-and-find-a-world-that-world-must-honour/) [David Farr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-farr/) > [When I was in school, in eighth grade, someone recognized something in me. She was an English teacher, and we read a play out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-morse/when-i-was-in-school-in-eighth-grade-someone-recognized-something-in/) [David Morse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-morse/) > [Every so often you read a play and a character just speaks to you - almost seems to speak through you, in fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rickman/every-so-often-you-read-a-play-and-a-character-just-speaks-to-you/) [Alan Rickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rickman/) ## More by Gordon Hayward > [I think video games have been instrumental to me as an NBA player.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-think-video-games-have-been-instrumental-to-me-as-an-nba-player/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [I work every day on skills, and I don't think you can ever work enough on that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-work-every-day-on-skills-and-i-don-t-think-you-can-ever-work-enough/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [Obviously with LaMelo, he's a fun guy to play with, he makes some exciting plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/obviously-with-lamelo-he-s-a-fun-guy-to-play-with-he-makes-some/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [Dennis Lindsey - if there's anyone who's most responsible for the winning culture in Salt Lake, it's him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/dennis-lindsey-if-there-s-anyone-who-s-most-responsible-for-the/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [You know how boxing does those pound-for-pound rankings? If the NBA did that, I think you'd see Kemba right there among the very top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/you-know-how-boxing-does-those-pound-for-pound-rankings-if-the-nba/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [I've always controlled my emotions. I think that probably came from playing a lot of tennis, keeping it inside and not letting the opponent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-ve-always-controlled-my-emotions-i-think-that-probably-came-from/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [It's easier to learn things at a younger age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/it-s-easier-to-learn-things-at-a-younger-age/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [League of Legends' players are so toxic. 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But I loved basketball,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/my-dream-was-always-to-be-in-the-nba-i-just-happened-to-be-better-at/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [Any time somebody goes through a major injury you feel for him and also what I've been through, I know firsthand what it's like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/any-time-somebody-goes-through-a-major-injury-you-feel-for-him-and/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [It's been so much fun for me here in Utah and growing up here, starting a family, growing from a basketball standpoint, growing from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/it-s-been-so-much-fun-for-me-here-in-utah-and-growing-up-here/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [There's not too many 5-10 basketball players that make it, let alone play college and make it to the NBA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/there-s-not-too-many-5-10-basketball-players-that-make-it-let-alone/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [Whether it's some last-second move within a move that he's adding, or switching up his timing the smallest amount, or using the rim as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/whether-it-s-some-last-second-move-within-a-move-that-he-s-adding-or/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [The Salt Lake fans are so passionate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/the-salt-lake-fans-are-so-passionate/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) > [I think playing with no fans would be pretty wild. It would almost be like a scrimmage at training camp. You'd have to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/i-think-playing-with-no-fans-would-be-pretty-wild-it-would-almost-be/) [Gordon Hayward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) [Explore all 100 Gordon Hayward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. 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I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you can read the play before it happens, and make the pass before the player's gonna be there, you're gonna be successful.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gordon Hayward" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happens-and-make-the-pass-before/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happens-and-make-the-pass-before/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/gordon-hayward-5925_football_if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happe_2731431.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you can read the play before it happens, and make the pass before the player's gonna be there, you're…” — Gordon Hayward", "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": "Gordon Hayward", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-hayward/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you can read the play...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happens-and-make-the-pass-before/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-hayward/if-you-can-read-the-play-before-it-happens-and-make-the-pass-before/#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 } } ] } ```