As I’m sure you may be aware the final four for the NCAA basketball championship is this weekend in Atlanta, GA.
More often than not these games are won on defense and a full court press is often a major part of a defensive strategy. A full-court press is a basketball term that refers to a defensive style in which the defense applies man-to-man or zone defense to pressure the offensive team the entire length of the court before and after the inbound pass. Some presses attempt to deny the initial inbound pass and trap ball handlers either in the backcourt or at midcourt. Defenses not employing a full-court press generally allow the offensive team to get halfway down the court (a half-court press) or near the basket before applying strong defensive pressure.
A full-court press takes a great deal of effort, but can be an effective tactic. Often when teams are behind late in a game, they will apply full-court pressure as a means of attempting to produce turnovers as well as tire opponents. Certain teams, such as those coached by Rick Pitino, are known for applying full-court pressure during most of the game. Presses are especially effective against teams with poor ball handlers, shallow benches (since players become more fatigued attacking a press), or teams with deliberate offenses (since taking the ball up the court can waste a substantial portion of the shot clock).
A team with less talent can beat a talented team by utilizing a full court press for the entire game. It doesn’t take talent, but it takes a lot of heart and desire to play an “in your face” defense for the entire length of the court for a full forty minutes. Teams that apply this strategy are constantly running fresh players into the game that eventually wear the opposing team down and cause them to make mistakes resulting in easy baskets for the pressing team.
If you’re in the car business today you need to be in a full court press. You may very well be behind in the game. Be it good or bad, in the car business every day is a full court press day. Every minute of every day it needs to be an “in your face” approach.
I know you think you’re doing all you can, but you aren’t, there is always more. If you’ve played sports you know that is true. How can you do more? Start by writing it down. Make a list of all the basic things you know about this business. Things you now do, things you used to do and things you’ve heard that others do. Once you make the list, make a commitment to go into a full court press for a minimum of the next 21 days.
Why 21 days? Research has proven it takes 21 days to create a new habit. The reality is if you will focus on this list for the next 21 days good things will happen. I’m trying to press you to take action. I’m pressing you to get after it. I’m pressing you to take stock of what you do and how you do it.
I think of every minute of my life as a full court press. Press on. That’s all I’m gonna say, Tommy Gibbs