One of my constant reminders was, "End practice on a happy note." I wanted the boys to want to come out to practice, and I wanted them to get a certain amount of pleasure out of basketball. It's a game. It should be fun. So I always tried to counterbalance any criticism in practice with a bit of praise. I wanted my players to feel that the worst punishment I could give them was to deny them the privilege of practicing. If they did not want to practice, I did not want them there.
"They Call Me Coach".
![One of my constant reminders was, End practice on a happy note. I wanted the boys to want to come out to practice, and I wanted them to get a certain amount of pleasure out of basketball. It's a game. It should be fun.](http://cdn.myquotes.org/images/john-wooden/one-of-my-constant-reminders-was-end-practice-on-a-happy-note-i-wanted-the-boys-to-want-to-come.jpg)