Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Playbook

by John Wooden, John Wooden, Jay Carty

Readers of Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success received practical, down to earth, biblical tips for being successful in life. Readings based on Wooden’s own life experiences and spiritual development through the years revealed that success is built block by block, much like a pyramid. From confidence to faith, the building blocks contribute to moral character and form our key values. Coach Wooden and author Jay Carty would be the first to admit, it is not enough to simply read about the Pyramid of Success, one must also act on it. Enter Coach Wooden’s Playbook for Success, a pocket guide to the principles and Bible verses that Coach Wooden has lived and shared for more than 40 years.  Like sitting next to the legendary coach himself, working through each principle in the Playbook and spending time with God will encourage and set you on the road to success.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Sports, Psychology, Self Help

128 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2005

About the author

John Robert Wooden is a retired American basketball coach. He is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player (class of 1961) and as a coach (class of 1973). He was the first person ever enshrined in both categories; only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have since been so honored. His 10 NCAA National Championships in a 12 year period while at UCLA are unmatched by any other college basketball coach.

Reviews

[Jared Pangier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a lover of Wooden, his principles, and his guidance since I first encountered him in 2010, this book proved to be extremely valuable for me as I continue to reflect on the way I live my life.

The book uses Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success as the foundation, including all levels of the pyramid (15 blocks in total) and the character-trait mortar qualities that hold the blocks together. Styled like a sports playbook, the book doesn't waste words, providing one short page by Wooden and another page by one of Wooden's former players Jay Carty who went on to become a minister. Wooden and Carty assertively share their Christian faith-based approach to living a successful life, embedding a Bible verse between each of the co-authors' reflections. Being a Christian myself, participating in my own daily devotions, I find these verses as a bonus. Perhaps those of a different faith or those without a spiritual belief might find that off-putting, but I'm not so sure. Somehow, I feel, Wooden has a universal ability to communicate with people of all walks and beliefs because he his sincere, consistent, and principled in his approach to life, living a respected life to the ripe age of 99.

This book can be read in a week or less but can easily be referenced throughout a person's life.

[Tyler Bray · Rating 2 out of 5]

This small book is designed to be a "playbook" version of Carty and Wooden's book, The Pyramid of Success.

While each of the traits of the pyramid are valuable, the order of the traits and their level of importance is never really explained. I could just as easily move different traits around the pyramid, without knowing why "Enthusiasm" is a base block while "Self-Control" is not.

Wooden and Carty each give their own account for each trait; Wooden's is geared more towards basketball while Carty is more geared towards finding a scriptural reference for each block. While Wooden's advice was decent, I found Carty's information either irrelevant to the block at hand or even in contradiction with what Wooden was saying. I even found some parts where Carty contradicted himself within two paragraphs of his own original statement.

If you were to read this work, I would much rather read the actual Pyramid of Success book, or even any other leadership book written by Wooden.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of how Coach Woodens, Pyramid of success, can be used to make your life more successful. This book has made a lot of people successful, including me; and so will you! This book is based on coach woodens own life experience and spiritual development. Just reading the book doesn't have any effect on you; you must act to fully get the books effect. The book gives biblical tips on being successful. With this being a pocket size, you will be able to fully experience this book anywhere you take it. Read this book if you are suffering from lost of courage or you just don't feel like your the best, I recommend you to read this book immediately.

[Kyogo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a basketball, Coach Wooden has led his team to victory through his charismatic coaching and focus on character. In this book, he doesn't dwell over the fancy bits but goes straight into real tips on developing a character that leads to success. Unlike other self-help books, his advice is real and genuine. His real examples as a coach is also an important asset of the book as it gives us hope on how we can apply his advice to our own lives. Overall, development is a slow process. However, like Wooden's pyramid to success, the goal is reachable through small steps and that only.

[Mylon Pruett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good simple straightforward book. There isn't anything in here that most people wouldn't have heard before though, this is a "starter" book in almost every sense of the term. It's also written a bit oddly in that every chapter is really two chapters. One half principles from John Wooden and then the other half a biblical devotional to ties into the topic of the chapter, in some cases very loosely.

Overall not a bad book, but I wouldn't call it great.
Time Read: 1:55

[Seito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has made a lot of people successful, including me and you. This book is based on coach wooden own life experience and spiritual development. Just reading the book doesn't have any effect on you, you must act to fully get the effect of the book. The book gives biblical tips on being successful.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a ton of respect for John Wooden. I also appreciated how much faith plays a role in this pyramid of success. The pyramid is largely based on cultivating virtues. That's a great thing. My critique is that it's such a short book on such an expansive values system. One of the things I appreciated about the book was the unwavering focus on doing things with excellence.

[Emmanuel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I'm late to the game, but have discovered Coach Wooden's success pyramid and his philosophy. I can not get enough of it and want to read more and really understand his principles.

[Kurt Rocourt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some great advice in this book. The problem is there's some other persons work in this book that throws this book off. Coach Woodens part is why I read this book. If I could rip out the other persons parts in this book it would be a five star book to me.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get through on audio-book. Too many worksheets and assignments to do after every chapter. Still, a must read for every man, I mean MAN.

[Valters Bondars · Rating 1 out of 5]

2/10

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am interesting take on how Character determines success. All principles are biblical and includes basketball and bible stories for each character trait. This is on my to read again list!

[Marquez Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumbs up!
Recommend to others
Life Changing!