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It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

John Wooden

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John Wooden
Age: 99 †
Born: 1910
Born: October 14
Died: 2010
Died: May 26
Basketball Coach
Basketball Player
Military Officer
Hall
Indiana
John Robert Wooden
Starts
Basketball
Game
Sports
Games
Finishes
Important
Ucla
Sportsmanship
Perseverance

More quotes by John Wooden

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Motivating through fear may work in the short term to get people to do something, but over the long run I believe personal pride is a much greater motivator. It produces far better results that last for a much longer time.
John Wooden
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The player who puts the ball through the hoop has ten hands.
John Wooden
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Passion is temporary. It doesn't last long. Love is enduring. And that's the important thing. If we all had love in our lives to the degree that we should, it would be much happier.
John Wooden
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A mentor must always guide, never push. It was my job to listen to them, offer my perspective, and encourage them to pursue the ideals they believed to be true.
John Wooden
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Every day, try to help someone who can't reciprocate your kindness.
John Wooden
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It's important to keep trying to do what you think is right no matter how hard it is or how often you fail. Never stop trying
John Wooden
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It is difficult for young players to learn - because of the great emphasis on records - but, ideally, the joy and frustration of sport should come from the performance itself, not the score. While he is playing, the worst thing a player can think about in terms of concentration - and therefore of success - is losing. The next worst is winning.
John Wooden
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The eight laws of learning are explanation, demonstration, imitation, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition, repetition.
John Wooden
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I never let our players get satisfied, I never let our Coaches get satisfied, I was never satisfied. We can always do it better.
John Wooden
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I am not as good as I ought to be. I am not as good as I want to be. I am not as good as I'm going to be. But I am thankful that I am better than I used to be.
John Wooden
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Teamwork is not a preference, it is a requirement.
John Wooden
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There are three things an athlete must do. You must be in physical condition ... You must execute properly and quickly the fundamentals ... and you must have eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of the team.
John Wooden
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I also wanted my basketball players to know that I really cared about them. Forget basketball as a person, I cared, I cared about their family.
John Wooden
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Be prepared and be honest.
John Wooden
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If you stay intent and your ability warrants it, you will eventually reach the top of the mountain.
John Wooden
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Being your best when your best is needed. The ability to enjoy challenges when things become difficult and to derive exhilaration from them.
John Wooden
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Make sure that team members know they are working with you, not for you.
John Wooden
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Never allow anyone else to define your success.
John Wooden
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Promise yourself to make all your friends know there is something in them that is special and that you value.
John Wooden
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It is normal to enjoy praise and dislike criticism. True character is when you prevent either from affecting you in a negative matter.
John Wooden