UNC women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance recognizes differences between players. He could describe the difference between players as warriors and hummingbirds.
Having studied (one course) ornithology in college, I respect hummingbirds. They are a thermodynamic biomarvel (above). Explaining how they migrate from an energy perspective is remarkable.
Dorrance uses the "English" term "stuck in" to describe players willing to play through contact and embrace physical play. These are the Marcus Smarts with exceptional toughness and agitators. Shane Battier and Ron Artest also come to mind.
The converse are "hummingbirds", remarkable enough for their skill and energy, but finesse players who find ways to avoid the fray.
Hummingbirds have a self-protection mindset (and sometimes a frame) that bespeaks fragility. And it's not always size-dependent. We see finesse big people and warrior little people.
Hummingbirds seldom take charges. They bail on layups to minimize contact. Sometimes they have "alligator arms" while pursuing rebounds. You don't necessarily bet on them going for 50-50 balls.
In his "Toughness" essay, Jay Bilas includes "get on the floor" and "take a charge" among his thirty-one toughness traits.
Tom Izzo at Michigan State takes a proactive approach, conducting some rebounding drills with helmets and shoulder pads. You don't see hummingbirds in Lansing.
Dorrance clearly uses "hummingbirds" as a disparaging term. If you're going to be a hummingbird, then you had better compensate in other ways.
Tony Watson demonstrates a drill for finishing with contact. The "ten toes to the rim" mantra doesn't apply when finishing this way.
As coaches, we have to be smart. We want tougher players, but we don't want injuries via "hamburger drills".
