The ‘minutemen’
(6 MINUTE READ)
Phil Jackson is firmly on my coaching Mount Rushmore. I've read, re-read and filled endless notebooks with notes from his book Eleven Rings - a book I highly recommend to anyone interested in leadership, culture and team performance.
While I've taken inspiration from many aspects of his philosophy (alongside Tex Winter's famous Triangle Offence), one concept that particularly stood out to me was his approach to substitutions, both as a player in the 1970s and later as a coach in the 1990s.
I promised myself I would stay away from substitution-related content for a while, but this INNOVATION felt far too transferable across different sports not to share.
Basketball is a sport from which football can learn a tremendous amount when it comes to the art of substitutions. The SPORT getS the culture, process and expectations right before players have even signed. There is complete clarity around each player's role within the squad, making conversations around playing time far easier to manage. Alongside this, players are often recruited with a clear development roadmap that outlines what they need to do to become part of the starting five. Equally, many are signed because they possess an "X-factor" attribute or a super-skill that can be relied upon when a particular game demands it. Some coaches even design specific practices to help these players maximise their unique strengths. Steve Kerr has spoken openly about this approach, which I explored in a recent article.
During the early stages of his playing career, Jackson suffered several injuries that left him spending significant time on the bench. As a result, he was able to observe bench dynamics in remarkable detail throughout much of the 1969/70 season.
In Eleven Rings, Jackson speaks fondly of one player in particular - Cazzie Russell - whom he credits with inspiring the nickname "The MinuteMen."
CREATING THE MINUTEMEN
Russell was known as an exceptionally dynamic scorer, capable of fulfilling multiple offensive roles thanks to his ability to score in a variety of ways. Statistically, he excelled at attacking the basket off the dribble, making him a dangerous, unique and highly valuable weapon to bring off the bench.
Jackson explains how RUSSELL WENT ABOUT changing the identity of the BENCH from the "second unit" to the "Minute Men" AND SUBSEQUENTLY transformed a collection of isolated individuals into a collective with a shared purpose. With many players having been drafted that season, Jackson believed this recognition accelerated the group's bonding and sense of belonging. He also credits head coach Red Holzman, who consistently highlighted every player's contribution, regardless of minutes played.
Interestingly, the term itself has much deeper roots.
The original "MinuteMen" were members of colonial militias during the American Revolutionary War in 1774. They earned their name because they could be ready to fight at a minute's notice. These soldiers were selected for their youth, versatility and skill, enabling them to respond rapidly to A VARIETY OF emerging threats. They played a significant role in the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775.
Jackson’s approach to the minutemen
As Jackson observed the Knicks' version of the Minute Men, he was simultaneously developing ideas that he would later implement throughout his own coaching career.
Known for his emphasis on mindfulness and meditation, Jackson introduced practices specifically designed for players occupying these substitute roles. The objective was simple: remind players of the present moment.
Jackson believed many players struggled with being BENCH players because their minds were trapped in a different stage of their careers - when they were the team's star player, when they were fully fit, when they were in the best form of their lives, or when they commanded the highest status within the squad. He referred to this as a "restrictive mindset."
Instead, he encouraged (THROUGH THE USE OF MEDITATION) players to focus on the reality of their current situation, NOT ONLY PROFESSIONALL, BUT ALSO PERSONALLY.
This is something we encounter regularly in football.
One former case study of mine involved a player who had been the standout performer throughout his academy journey before being promoted into a first-team environment where he then went ten consecutive matches without playing. It was a dramatic shift in both role and perceived importance.
Jackson believed meditation helped players acknowledge and accept their new reality. Once acceptance occurred, the real work could begin: helping players thrive within their role. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, STEVE KERR TALKED OPENLY ABOUT UNIQUE AND OFTEN QUITE UNCONVENTIONAL DRILLS CREATED TO HELP ensurE Kerr he could maximise the specific skill set that made him valuable to the team AND THRIVE IN HIS UNIQUE ROLE.
tURNING THE MINUTEMEN INTO SUBSTITUTION UNIONS
This concept has since become an exercise I deliver to teams around the world as part of my substitution methodology. Most recently, I presented elements of this approach to England Rugby during a performance summit at Twickenham Stadium, as the process continues to gain traction across multiple team sports.
The history behind the original Minute Men - from the battlefield to the basketball court - always makes for an engaging session with academy players. It creates a powerful foundation from which I can add further layers, personalising the concept into what we call the "Substitution Union" and adapting it to the specific needs of each team AND PLAYER.
The substitution union can be adaptable to differing cultures, help channel AND OFFER DIRECTION TO personalities, but most importantly form a collective that we can hold to certain standards and values. Most importantly, it ensures that substitutes no longer feel like individuals waiting for an opportunity, but members of a group with a clear purpose and meaningful contribution to team performance.
To date, I have helped more than 20 clubs worldwide create their own version of the Minute Men. If you would be interested in learning more about building your own Substitution Union, PLEASE DO REACH OUT.
BY SAMMY LANDER.