Tao of Hoops

This book, by design, is intended to be a handbook, a guide, not a text book. The purpose of which is to give direction to anyone who sincerely wishes to add depth, knowledge, to the playing or coaching of basketball. The order is disjointed purposefully, so that anyone, can pick the book up at anytime, turn to any page and find discourse that will be relevant in their pursuit of hoops information. The absence of punctuation is of purpose design as well, for the author feels that the flow of the pen adds to the dimension of mental freedom that is needed with-in the reading.

For me, sport at its base, is a spiritual practice. A practice that must be understood for those who wish to scale it’s highest peaks. This is what I have endeavored to bring forward with the teachings with-in this book. I feel this book is different than most coaches’ books in that the x’s and o’s are not the point of emphasis. For me it is the coaches and players state of mind, the state of union they posses with the moment at hand.

By focusing attention on the spiritual and mental aspects of the game, the author is requesting that the reader understand that the power of thought action is equal to or above physical action in-between the lines. 

The most important aspects of the game are not the game at all, it is the commitment to learning, practice, discipline and yes love that are the most important. Stressing these factors will lead the aspirant to hoops advancement as well as life advancement.

The intent of this book is to give a glimpse behind or into the spirit of hoops…to the soul of a true hoopster. Someone who knows that whether they are playing street ball, 1-1, 3-3, 5-5 or even major college ball, that the beauty of the game, the true meaning of it, lies with-in themselves…not between the lines of the court. And that this, this is what really matters and it is worth all the blood, sweat and tears that it brings forth. My brief phrasings of instruction are meant to go straight to the heart of the specific hoops happening in question and hopefully aid the player in finding direction.

This book “Tao of Hoops – The Complete Tao” endeavors to give hoops specific information with-out neglecting the truth of spirit with-in us all. With-out this spirit lying behind and living with-in all that is written here, this book would have no depth, this book would have no life… which is the gift that is intended. I thank you for taking the time to consider this project. Sincerely,                                                                                                            T Osom

I am the sum

Of all my basketball experience

Fortunately for me

I have been a part of the equation

In many a good coach and players minds

I have learned from many…

I seek to pass on much

Hello, my name is T Osom and I have been playing or coaching basketball for the last 30 some years. During that time I have been blessed with being around excellent coaches and players alike. While I wasn’t the best player nor the finest coach, I have always had an insight into the minds of people and into the heart of the game…an intuitive, an innate feel for what was needed to make others better, to make the game simpler. This book is a compilation of the thoughts and ideas i have learned from many.