🏀 Process > Outcome
Welcome to The Basketball Academy. 🏛️
Here’s what we’re serving up:
🏀 Must Add Ideas 🔑
🏀 Process > Outcome 🎧
🏀 Must Add Action 🎥
🚨 BONUS - DRILL OF THE WEEK
Listen to the pod 🎧
On this episode of The Basketball Academy, we sit down with University of Utah Women’s Basketball Head Coach Gavin Petersen to talk about his early big wins, the concept of a smart box score, how the game is evolving, and the creative ways they use air horns and cowbells in practice.
LET’S DIVE IN ⬇️
🏀 Two Basketball Practice Keys 🔑
Airhorns and Cowbells Philosophy
Airhorns and cowbells play a unique role in the University of Utah women's basketball team's practice sessions.
They use an airhorn during practices to discourage players from taking inefficient mid-range jump shots, which they refer to as "death shots."
When a player attempts such a shot, someone sounds the airhorn as an immediate cue to reinforce better shot selection.
They utilize the cowbells when they get the shot they want, the extra pass, or a great play, and they go crazy ringing the bells!
This method is like "training dogs," emphasizing its effectiveness in instilling desired habits.
Next skill & habit they practice with these tools:
Houston Cougars "Tip" Rebounding Philosophy
🏀 Process > Outcome 🎧
The noise has no impact on the result
Blocking out the noise—whether it’s outside criticism, praise, pressure, or distractions—is a skill that separates the good from the great. Here are the best strategies for athletes and coaches to stay locked in and cancel out the noise:
🧠 1. Define Your Inner Scoreboard
Focus on internal standards over external outcomes. Ask:
Did I grow today?
Did I compete with poise and presence?
Did I control what I could?
When you measure success by your own process and principles, outside voices lose their power.
🎧 2. Control Your Inputs
Protect your mental diet like you would your physical one.
Mute or limit social media
Avoid comment sections and message boards
Surround yourself with truth-tellers, not hype dealers
🎯 3. Clarity on Your Mission
When you know why you play or coach, it’s easier to ignore distractions. Anchor to your:
Core values
Team purpose
Long-term vision
Remind yourself often: Noise fades, purpose doesn’t.
🕯️ 4. Build a Pre-Performance Routine
Routines cue the mind to shift into focus mode. Elements might include:
Breathwork or visualization
Listening to music or affirmations
Focusing on one or two key controllables
This acts as a reset—filtering out chaos and bringing you into the moment.
💬 5. Say Less, Mean More
As a coach or leader, model calm confidence. Avoid overreacting to headlines, rankings, or social chatter. A composed presence helps players tune out the noise too.
“The louder the crowd, the quieter my mind.”
📚 6. Learn from the Greats
Athletes like Kobe, Novak Djokovic, and Tom Brady practiced mindfulness and visualization to stay in control. Coaches like Nick Saban and Steve Kerr preach process > outcome, and keeping the "rat poison" (as Saban puts it) out of the locker room.
🔄 7. Reframe Criticism
Turn criticism into data, not drama. Ask:
Is there a truth I can use?
Or is this projection, not reflection?
Either way, use it to fuel growth, not insecurity.
🏀 Must Add Action 🎥
Small
Grenade
🚨 BONUS - DRILL OF THE WEEK
Florida Basketball playing dodgeball — love seeing it.
Team chemistry is everything. When a group enjoys being around each other, they’ll go the extra mile — playing hard, sacrificing, and showing up for one another. That’s where the real magic happens.