Doing Things the Hard Way

The theme the last two weeks has been work ethic.  We have reinforced to the players how important hard work is and how there is nothing that replaces hard work.  We have asked the young people to use their strong minds in a positive way to push themselves physically to the next level of effort.  We have asked the kids to lay off any negative messages and focus on what can motivate themselves and their teammates.  During brief rests between drills we have asked them to give all of us a motivational speech of encouragement.  Boy have we heard some interesting things.  As you can imagine the young mind can only regurgitate small tidbits of messages that us adults are pounding in.  It is a reminder that development of anything takes time and repetition. 

On the court we have been working hard executing several elements of the game.  Transition offense and defense.  We continue to focus on the sideline break and the jump ball play.  We have started adding out of bounds plays and increased the intensity on our half court sets.  As usual a well oiled offense can take the longest time to develop. 

The kids are enthusiastic about learning and applying what they are being taught.  I like what I see.  We seem to have their attention.  Thank you for encouraging this.  As a coach it is easy to tell who we are reaching and who we are not. 

Skill wise as always we focus on ball handling, shooting, rebounding, defense, and passing fundamentals each week.  The kids continue to improve in these areas but we have a long way to go. 

Here are some additional messages that we continue to reinforce at practice:

Being very thankful for everything your parent(s) are doing to provide for you.  I hope you are getting this feedback from them like always. 

What you do at home outside of scheduled practices and games is as important as the scheduled practices and games.  Get the ball in your hands on a regular basis.  Work the game. 

Everyone wants to be the shooter.  Fewer want to be the passer that sets up the shooter.  Both are equally important.

We are always looking for a leader that leads by example by being the one that practices the hardest which ultimately lifts up the effort of the others. 

The way you warm up typically is the way you play.  If you give special attention to your warm up you are more likely to be the person that brings high energy from the start of competition.


Questions of the day.  There may not be a right or wrong answer.  If you are a great player and you are put on a team of poor players will that make you a lessor player?  If you are a poor player and you are put on a really good team will that make you a better player? 

Headed to Monmouth this weekend.  Cannot wait to get in the gym and help the kids get better.