Shooting in the Dark: Tales of Coaching and Leadership

Skillfully weaving how-to coaching techniques and a diary containing his inner thoughts (and, at times, obsessions) with the progress of the Fremont Women Warriors, Thompson's philosophical and motivational account exposes the multilayered dynamics of the player-coach relationship. As the coach explains the value of "Encouraging Players to Disagree," or "The Art of Celebrating Practice," he shows how the Women Warriors respond to such techniques. After a lopsided loss to an inferior team, Thompson rips the Warriors for a lackluster effort. But, thanks to their share-the-leadership philosophy, the team suggests they update their antiquated Flex offense. At first, Thompson fears mutiny, but then he realizes that "sharing power increases your own power in the sense that the likelihood of success is greater when you create a partnership."

Coaches will appreciate the wealth of practical and light-hearted tips, such as "Drills with Consequences," "Creating a Team Vocabulary," and "Motivational Speeches." And readers will find themselves rooting for the inspirational Woman Warriors. But it's Shooting in the Dark's ability to blend these insights and intimate stories that will light even the darkest of gymnasiums. --Rob McDonald

Book Description
Shooting in the Dark: Tales of Coaching and Leadership by Jim Thompson is a philosophical account of the author's two-year tenure coaching a high school girls basketball team in Northern California. The book also draws content from topics in leadership theory and a course co-taught by the author at the Stanford School of Business called Learning to Lead. The overall result is a unique journey into the world of coaching. The book features a Foreword by Phil Jackson, Head Coach of the Chicago Bulls.