The Smart Take from the Strong
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Book Overview
On March 14, 1996, before a national television audience, Pete Carril's Princeton University Tigers defeated the heavily favored defending national champion UCLA Bruins, 43-41, in the first round of the NCAA tournament. To the casual observer, it was a shocking upset. But to those in the basketball world, Princeton's triumph was no surprise. For twenty-nine years, Pete Carril had led his teams to more than 500 victories and thirteen Ivy League championships. After the victory over UCLA, Carril announced his retirement from the ranks of college ball, but not before penning this witty, memorable, and insightful collection of vignettes espousing his philosophy of the game. In this era of basketball as raw athleticism, size, and power, how was Pete Carril able to maintain such a level of success throughout his career? In The Smart Take from the Strong, Carril lays bare his philosophy for basketball success. A great teacher and a terrific motivator, Carril has shown that practice, hard work, and determination help shape a winning basketball squad; Carril's teams have demonstrated that even in an age of skywalkers and long-range bombers, there is still merit in discipline, intelligence, and the ageless patterns of the game.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:068483510X
ISBN13:9780684835105
Release Date:March 1997
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Length:208 Pages
Weight:0.75 lbs.
Dimensions:0.9" x 5.8" x 7.8"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Great Coach! One Fantastic book!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I am not a fan of the Princeton Tigers but a Wisconsin Badger basketball fan, Pete Carril is a tough, tenacious basketball coach who beleived in certain principles that went beyond the game of basketball. These principles gained the trust and confidence of his players. Which explains why he was able to coach basketball for so long in an age defined by "image over substance"... shoe contracts, commercials, etc. I wish that I could have played for a coach like this.
Pete Carril is an "old school revolutionary"
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
What can you say about Pete Carril, The man is bringing the skills back into the game. Now, with the defensive rules in the NBA going back to their original state persistance with philosophy like this is the way the game will be played for years to come. This offense and its principals are great for any age group. The lost art of passing and cutting to create opportunitys for your teammates is no more. Buy the BOOK, see the VIDEOS and realise how you can aim to perfect your team at the basics, and beat teams that you otherwise shouldn't by teaching instead of coaching. For the love of the game, Edward Worrall- Ranger Coach in Australia
Living Legend
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
In the summer of 1991, I spent a week at Pete Carill's Basketball Camp in Princeton. When Coach Carill listened to me speaking spanish with a group of friends he came by and started joking with us... in spanish. He told me about his Spanish roots and kept practicing it all week long. We made quite a friendship. As a 14 year old boy I was very impressed with his philosophy of life. He's not only one of the premier basketball brains of the era but a master philosopher. He made us think and he made us laugh in a unique way. His effective teaching techniques are old school and modern at the same time and that's what I like most of this book. I'm 100% convinced Coach Pete is the reason for the latest success of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. If not go on and ask Chris Webber and Predrag Stojackovic.I hope one day I can meet with Coach again and tell him how much I appreciate everything he did for us in just a week.
A simple philosophy for success
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
Coach Carrill boils the game of basketball down to a very simple philosophy that being good at the fundamentals of the game make you a good player, regardless of what position you play. The ability to pass, shoot, dribble, rebound, and play defense are becoming a lost art in the "complete" player. Coach Carrill accurately points to the fact that the "specialists" of today are usually lacking in one or more of these skills. This book is a MUST read for high school and youth coaches. It should also be read by anyone who loves basketball.
Young coaches need this
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
The role models for young coaches today are all salesmen. Coach Carril is a teacher first and foremost. Teaching is something that is being done less and less in basketball and the quality of play is reflecting this. Coach Carril can get you thinking straight again.
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