My daughter sent me a Stanford Business School case about Zappos, the Tony Hsieh Internet shoe power. Hsieh created a special kind of company that empowered employees. Happy employees provide better service and yield happier customers. Zappos hires for both ability and culture fit. The interview starts when you get on the Zappos shuttle from the airport. The driver assesses how you'll fit into the Zappos culture. They offer new trainees $2000 to quit after the training. 75 percent of Zappos business is repeat business.
Our players are both 'employees' and 'customers' and we serve them.
Some the drills I love don't excite the players. They may not appreciate the value of leaving their comfort zone in deliberate practice.
Arik Shivek pass and cut drill. Deliberate practice takes players out of their comfort zone but not so far as to make success impossible.
Elbow to sideline shooting drill. One minute or 10 shots, whatever works for you...emphasize conditioning, shot preparation, form, and passing to the shooting pocket.
But what do the players enjoy?
This year my players are young girls (11-12 years old).
Dribble Tag. Who doesn't like to play tag? Dribble tag (within the arc) challenges them to 'escape dribble' their teammates. It gets everyone ball handling work. But add constraints, not only area but playing non-dominant hand or requiring a crossover every third dribble.
Continuous four on three. Most players prefer scrimmage over drilling. Indulge the palate but not with a full meal. Emphasize conditioning and 'conversion' with continuous 4-on-3, with defense getting back into the play.
Frito-Lay (Free throw line to layup). But their all-time favorite is something I call "Frito Lay." Two teams, one ball apiece. The first player in line flips the ball with reverse spin to the free throw line. She has to catch, front pivot, and make a one dribble layup. She gets her rebound, dribbles to the free throw line and shoots. Score one point for her team with each make. Switch sides after the first game. Game is 21. Frito Lay adds competition and teaches basic skills, of which we can't get enough.
What drills excite your players?