Charles Barkley commented that former coach Paul Silas would ask, "What is your NBA talent?" We can ask, "what is your talent?" This rekindles the infamous questions, "why do you want to be President" or "what qualifies you for this job?"
Tryouts inform a player's size, athleticism, skill, and game understanding. Some coaches record players' strength (e.g. bench press reps at a given weight, vertical jump, and running time). When parents ask why their child didn't make the team, the coach can provide both OBJECTIVE and SUBJECTIVE information. "Susie scored 30th of thirty-one players in strength, jumping, and running testing. Her effort was good, but she needs to improve her athleticism to compete at this level."
After each practice and game, I suggest that players record in their notebook three items they did well, one they struggled in, and what specific change they will make to improve. A few players actually do...and they generally are the 'serious' players. They control what they can control.
Players must develop an improvement PROCESS. During your offseason, catalog your strengths and 'need areas'.
Directions: complete the self-assessment and also CIRCLE the area where you feel is your biggest need for offensive and defensive improvement. The slashes allow the player options to grade within the category or get independent assessment (e.g. coach score as well as personal grade).
Write three SPECIFIC drills you will practice to improve. If you don't know how, ask the coaches for suggestions.
Coaches provide opportunity. You must find reasons to force them to play you. As a young player, I needed more quickness, better ball-handling, and improved shooting to get minutes. My sense is that most players lack self-assessment skills.
Geoff Colvin also writes, “The best performers set goals that are not about the outcome but about the process of reaching the outcome.”
