Recently Netflix has upgraded its game on the sports docuseries category by producing five very insightful episodes for the latest series The Playbook. The premise of gathering some of the most renowned sports coaches in the world and having them talk about their strategies, motivational tactics for their players, and what was their formulas for success - is obviously a winning one.
Each episode focuses on a specific legend and, needless to say, audiences all over the world have praised the end result of this show. After all, who doesn't love to hear inspirational stories of the hurdles and victories that champions went through? Netflix doesn't always get it right when it comes to docuseries but this one is definitely on the list of the "really well made" ones.
"I Don't Think You Should Run From Pressure..." - Doc Rivers
“…You should run towards it.” This could probably be Doc Rivers' most emblematic quote on the episode that is dedicated to him. He states that feeling pressured to perform and to be "on top" is a privilege because it's when you are forced to move beyond what you already know you can do. And that should be the mentality of a sports winner: to put themselves in a pressured situation that he has worked for and earned.
Through that process, the next step requires working for the team's best performance to get the results wanted until the "race is finished." Glenn Anton, mostly known as Doc Rivers, is an American basketball coach and a former player who was the head coach of the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Clippers, winning the NBA Finals with the Celtics in 2008.
"Ubuntu Is A Way Of Life." - Doc Rivers
Sports coaches always seem to have personal quotes that define their work, style, and team management strategies. And Doc Rivers is no different. Actually, he takes this to the next level. In the docuseries, he went as far as to say that "Ubuntu" has led him and his team to win the NBA title. The truth is that it was during Doc Rivers' watch that the Celtics won their first NBA championship in 22 years.
Basically, Rivers explains in the episode that he had superstar players like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett but his main concern was that these were all leaders. And to win this championship, he told the players that they needed to sacrifice and change their style: they had to really play as part of a team. This is at the essence of what defines "Ubuntu" - an ancient African word/philosophy meaning that "a person can only be a person through others." So this new concept ended up uniting the entire team.
"You Don't Win Big Things With Nice Guys." - José Mourinho
Besides being called "The Special One" for his record titles leading football teams, José Mourinho is known to not be afraid to make bold statements when it comes to talking about what it is that gives him the winning edge. He is the main focus on episode three of this docuseries and, unlike the other interviewees, Mourinho doesn't credit anybody else with his success. He certainly doesn't consider himself "a nice guy" and that's probably part of his secret formula that has shattered records all over Europe throughout his career as a coach.
José Mourinho is a Portuguese professional football coach that has been named the "Best Coach" in several awards through the years, and he has won more than 25 senior trophies.
"Rules Are Meant To Be Broken." - José Mourinho
One of José Mourinho's unconventional coaching rules is that they are meant to be broken. During his episode, Mourinho details experiences where he had to sneak in to get inside stadiums while his team was playing because he had been banned and punished due to previous misconduct. Some say that people see him as a "bad boy" of Football Coaching because his style is the opposite of being politically correct.
He is not afraid of taking risks and to show them off to make sure that he and his team's win is ensured. Mourinho was in charge of big football teams like FC Porto, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
"I'm Not Coaching To Keep My Job, I Am Coaching What I Believe." - Jill Ellis
A woman who influenced so many with her drive, passion, and courageousness to coach teams with what she believed in, Jill Ellis was the head coach of the women's soccer team for the USA (2015-2019) and to say that her episode is inspiring is an understatement. Her recognized coaching style was based on taking risks and motivating her squad of players to believe in themselves and staying focused on the end goal.
Ellis explained that she was always motivated by her passion for soccer and that early on in her career, she made a clear choice to "follow passion over paycheck." Though her trajectory wasn't only made of victories and successes, her journey of how to win back-to-back World Cups while battling her own personal issues and fighting for equal pay for her athletes is touching.
"Mountain Tops Are Small and The Air Is Thin For A Reason..." - Jill Ellis
"...Because you’re not supposed to dwell on top of the mountain." At one point during her episode, Jill shares that she told her team that "the top of the mountain is rented space, not one to dwell on." She believes that one has to be able to share his/her successes and own his/her failures.
But more than that, one of Ellis's wise understandings to be a good coach (and for life in general) was to remind her players that success is not resting on your laurels because someone is always gunning for your spot. So, she knew that one shouldn't take advantage of it, but continue to build upon it.
"What Is Delayed Is Not Denied..." - Dawn Staley
"...Keep the faith." When it comes to leading women's basketball teams, everyone knows who Dawn Staley is. From her own failure to win a championship as a player through her persistence to win as a coach, Staley's story is as relatable as it is impressive.
This quote sums us her belief that in order to be a winner, one should learn to be patient and keep pushing towards their goals. No matter how slow or how fast you want to grow and be better, a team of players must believe in the win and hope for the best.
"Growth Takes Place Out Of Your Comfort Zone." - Dawn Staley
While she was a teenager practicing basketball, Dawn was already showing signs of a promising career. She was even named the national high school player of the year. Staley is open and honest about her struggles in university and how, later on, she didn't even want to coach teams in the first place.
But a piece of advice that she always shared with her players and that has been her motto ever since she heard it from her school's dean is that "sometimes, you have to take steps that make you uncomfortable to understand where you are and where you want to be." This message stuck with her and helped to shape her vision as a coach. Dawn Staley is an American Olympic gold medalist basketball player and coach. She was elected to carry the United States flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
"A Good Coach Can Never Be Afraid To Get Fired." - Patrick Mouratoglou
Patrick Mouratoglou's episode is more evidence of excellence from this TV series. Staying faithful to these interviewees' life stories and keeping them real through their journeys defines this show. Mouratoglou holds all the aces when it comes to tennis coaching and his name goes hand in hand with world-renowned tennis player Serena Williams. He has been her coach since 2012 and this is definitely a winning duo (or, actually, a "dynamic duo" as they are called).
His style is known to focus on optimizing his players' body language and using psychology strategies when they are playing against their opponents. And he is someone who is not afraid of making mistakes as he loves to take risks. Hence, the highlighted quote that he stated in the episode Netflix dedicated to his biography.
"Practice A Million Times, Until It's Perfect." - Patrick Mouratoglou
This is an obvious rule you would expect from a tennis coach like Patrick Mouratoglou. He knows that "being on top" and working to be a winner is tough but beyond rewarding. And that's why not many people can be number one, since not too many are willing to practice over and over again until they reach the perfect technique/movement. Surprisingly, he is proof of this too.
Back when he was a youngster, he couldn't speak a word out of pure anxiety. However, over time and practice, he was able to overcome his fears. Since then, he has dazzled tennis fans and his favorite coachee, Serena Williams, proudly ended up being the receiver of all the credit (pun intended!). Currently, Patrick Mouratoglou is a French tennis coach and a sports commentator. Besides Serena Williams, he has coached and inspired more than 40 players throughout his brilliant career.