Marvin Harvey: Decades of Teaching Through Quotes

Four Decades of Teaching, Coaching, and Inspiring Athletes Worldwide

Marvin Harvey Trained the Entire Country of Mexico

Introduction

Marvin Harvey's legacy spans over four decades of coaching, teaching, and mentoring athletes and coaches worldwide. From the iconic US Shot Lab in Tampa, FL, to hundreds of international learners, Marvin Harvey's teachings transcend the game of basketball. His philosophy emphasizes discipline, self-awareness, and the delicate balance between power and control. This collection of Marvin Harvey's timeless quotes reflects his unique ability to merge technical precision with profound life lessons.

Section 1: Fundamentals of Success

• "Plan your Work, and Work your Plan." — Emma Mae Harvey

• "Success is going from one failure to another without losing your enthusiasm. Think about it!"

• "You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started if you want to get great."

• "Excellence comes from mastering details."

• "The first road sign on the path to greatness is failure."

• "Success is measured by the end results, not the beginning."

• "The longer the ball is in your hands, the more power you lose."

• "The sooner you fail, the sooner you get better."

Section 2: The Art of Shooting

• "The ball always tells the truth!"

• "Don’t try to make every shot, try to get every shot right."

• "Understanding the power of missing is greater than the will to make."

• "Make the ball go over something, not just ‘go in’."

• "Timing equals rhythm."

• "The set-point is the beginning of every shot."

• "Line of eye: Once the ball crosses the line of eye, release it!"

• "There’s more power in missing than there is in making."

• "Jump shot: The longer you're in the air, the more power you lose."

• "The shooting form is more important than the shot."

• "To make adjustments, always start with the feet and work up."

Section 3: Off-Season Mindset

• "During the off-season, shoot for the sake of making adjustments so you can make shots during the season."

• "Great shooters make adjustments before they start missing."

• "Off-season you are working on something, or someone will be working on you during the season."

• "There’s a difference in making shots and making adjustments."

• "The more correct adjustments you make in the off-season, the better shooter you’ll be during the regular season."

• "There will come a time when the winter asks the spring, what have you done?"

Section 4: Discipline and Character

• "Our struggles do not come from not having weakness, but how we struggle with our weakness."

• "Don’t judge your progress on makes and misses."

• "Know what is the right way vs. the wrong way."

• "Be more concerned with your character. Your character is what you really are. Your reputation is merely what others think you are." — John Wooden

• "You will NEVER score 2,000 points in a career until you’ve missed 2,000 shots training."

• "There are two types of players: trained and untrained."

• "There are two types of pain: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret."

• "Balance equals power. The more balance points you have, the closer you are to greatness."

Section 5: Coaching Philosophy

• "I teach and they run away. I listen and they come. I guess strength is in silence."

• "If a man’s reputation and his character met at the same place, they would seldom recognize each other."

• "Great teachers see everything with their trained eyes that players don’t see."

• "It’s the little things great players do that make them great."

• "Change your mind."

• "Respect the PROCESS."

• "Some things look better just passing through."

• "Humility is one of the most important qualities you can have."

• "You can’t have an impact unless you change yourself."

Section 6: Life Lessons Beyond the Game

• "Basketball is not life. It teaches you the fundamentals for life."

• "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

• "It is better to be alone than in the wrong company."

• "To build great relationships, you have to be willing to do more for people than to want more from people." — Emily Ghosh

• "Inner self advice is our soul. Never ignore your soul; it’s the only thing that follows you wherever you go."

• "Patience is a virtue… it is the companion of wisdom."

• "Though hope is frail… it’s hard to achieve."

• "Life is the greatest gift of all."

Section 7: Analytical Insights into Basketball Mechanics

• "Hand-eye coordination: See the target (set point)."

• "Upper and lower body coordination: Rhythm of movement."

• "Toes drive the body, finger pads drive the ball."

• "Arc = height and distance."

• "Eyes find the basket. Fingers find the ball."

• "The hands must cross the line of the eye."

• "Knees stop going down when elbows stop. Toes and fingers then start."

• "Create the power with your body, direct the power with your fingers."

• "The fingers direct the ball, not control it."

Conclusion: A Legacy of Impact

Marvin Harvey's words are not just coaching principles; they are life lessons. His teachings extend far beyond the basketball court, fostering character, resilience, and a pursuit of excellence in every learner. Through four decades, thousands of athletes, coaches, and students have been shaped by his wisdom, and his legacy continues to inspire generations.

"The road to anywhere starts from where you are." — Marvin Harvey

This collection stands as a testament to Marvin Harvey's timeless influence on sports, education, and life itself.