Pete Carril Quotes on Teaching and Learning

In my research for What Teachers Can Learn from Sports Coaches, I discovered numerous quotes from successful coaches on the topics of teaching and learning. Below are a handful of great quotes from Pete Carril, former Princeton University basketball coach now with the Kings, who is recognized by many as a master teacher. Some of the quotes below appear to be about basketball only. However, each quote below can easily be translated into meaningful classroom practice.

The smart take from the strong.

In trying to learn to do a specific thing, the specific thing is what you must practice.

Teach a guy fundamentals and he can play anywhere.

Try not to talk too much about shooting. Spend the time instead taking a lot of shots.

Anybody can know the facts about something, but knowing how to do it is what's crucial.

The high school coach who does not make his players learn and practice should be arrested.

If they learn to do things right, or well, that gets to be the way they do things.

It is a mistake we all make as coaches to think that there is only one way of doing something.

When you teach basketball, it has its technical parts and its life parts.

Go slow so they can learn fast.

If you watch what your players are doing when they play, they will show you what to teach them.

In trying to learn to do a specific thing, the specific thing is what you must practice.

Anybody can know the facts about something, but knowing how to do it is what's crucial.