The Art of War in Basketball

Alot of time basketball is compared to war or battle. The strategies of war and basketball are at times very relative. A great book that shows this correlation is the Art of War by Sun Tzu. 

Sun Tzu is considered one the greatest generals of all time. His theories in the book still hold weight in today’s modern warfare. Here some of the comparisons that show up between his philosophy and the game of basketball.

Fast Break and Early Offense:  Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.

 We Must Know The Other Team: If you know your enemy and you know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself you will succumb in every battle.

Keeping the Game Plan Simple: What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

Forcing Our Game Plan Upon the Other Team: And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

Scouting and Playing to Strengths and Weaknesses: Knowing ones troops can strike, yet knowing the enemy cannot be struck. This is half of victory. Knowing the enemy can be struck, yet knowing ones soldiers cannot strike.  This is half of the victory.  

Coach to Player Trust and Relationship: He looks upon his troops as his children. Thus they can venture into deep river valleys with him. He looks upon his troops as beloved sons. Thus they can die together with him.

Strategy: To attack and surely take it, attack where they do not defend. To defend and surely hold firm, defend where they will surely attack.

 Confidence: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

 Get a copy of the famed book The Art of War Here: