At an offseason workout for eighth graders yesterday, I told one girl that her goal shouldn't be to make the high school varsity next year. She should work toward contributing as a starter. Challenge players to become more and ask questions. The right response could be, "what can I do to make that happen?"
When players want a bigger role and more time, what can they do? You want to be an ACE - show attitude, make great choices, give total effort.
Total commitment means showing up EARLY ("Dean Smith time"), being ready to go, listening at all times, and being a GYM RAT. Outwork the competition.
I've heard many coaches tell players we'll be in better shape than every opponent. Was it true? As Division 1 college pitchers (I walked on), we had to run an indoor mile for time. I ran a 5:07 as a junior. Unfortunately, my fastball was about as fast. Deeds not words matter.
Jay Bilas writes in Toughness, "Play so hard your coach has to take you out." You have to make every repetition count. Maybe you can't win every sprint, but you can do your best on each sprint. Coach Dean Smith spoke of not coaching effort but execution. He meant that effort is expected. Coaches see everything.
While the coach always needs to energize her team, be noticed by your energy and energize your teammates. Energize as a role model, by encouraging teammates, and supporting players just as hard when you are on the sidelines. The best teammates make other teammates better.
Eighty percent of basketball is mental. Playing smart means understanding balance (spacing, floor balance, defensive balance), shot quality not shot quantity, taking care of the basketball, giving help, recognizing the right play in the right situation.
I think it was Doc Rivers who said that we need character not characters. Coaches, teammates, and fans recognize players who make a difference. When individuals show commitment, work ethic, curiosity, energy, and sacrifice they make a visible difference.
