Herb on Hoops is a growing social media basketball group on Facebook. Social media isn't good or bad. It has value according to its use - information, education, pandering, hate, bullying. Founder Herb Welling often asks compelling questions like,
I've always found the basketball community extremely open and willing to share.
Kevin Durant supposedly wakes up and asks himself "how do I get better today?" With respect to basketball, we ask ourselves, "how can I make a difference today?"
Servant leadership encompasses many areas but especially community. We see the value of community in sayings like "It takes a village to raise a child" or "the strength of the wolf is in the pack."
Players have ownership in many teams - family, team, class, and town. We teach them to positively impact all as they translate basketball values - commitment, discipline, effort, sacrifice, teamwork - into their other communities and personal growth.
We assume obligations to our smaller (team) community - energy, positivity, and adding value for each member. I have a player who isn't tall or fast, and has average ballhandling, shooting, rebounding, and defensive skills. But she is the best young player I have ever seen at passing and cutting, she positions to take charges, she goes to the floor for every loose ball, and finds ways to be engaged all the time. As her skills improve, she will become even more valuable. She is just a great 'sharer'. That adds immeasurable value to her community (team).
All coaches benefits from expanding our community. Our cups always have room because we constantly pour from them. We have space for thoughtful disagreement and differences of opinion about basketball. Althoguh there may not be as many ways to succeed as there are to fail, it's good to share our triumphs and failures and learn from both.
Find an open community that's not overburdened with self-aggrandizement, 'gotcha' members, and anonymous critics. "You can't win until you're not afraid to lose."