"You don't have a lot
But it's all that you've got
And you can turn it into more than it seems
Just give it a shot
Fantasize every movement
And imagine every inch of your dreams." - Meatloaf
The twelve year-old girl was leaving in her softball uniform. "You're going out to play softball." "NO, Daddy, I'm going out to win." She understood the distinction between playing and winning.
Education changes behavior. Learning how to play and playing to win aren't the same. The value from winning derives from its difficulty. Emotionally low cost wins have less value.
Character and dialogue aren't identical, but author Neil Gaiman says that our conversations say much about us. What do coaches emphasize and repeat? Say what you believe. Character and coaching become inseparable. Authentic beliefs, attitudes, and values transfer. In "10 Minute Toughness" Jason Selk defines this by training his clients using an identity statement (this is who I am) and a performance statement (this is how I play).
"Explode to the basket."
"Play with force."
"Space, cut, and pass."
"Value the ball."
"It's not who starts that matters, it's who finishes."
"Are we going to stand around or are we going to fight?"
"Play for the girl next to you."
"No middle, no paint."
Coaches change lives when telling players, "I believe in you" and players embrace that becoming belief...street angels and court demons.
Lagniappe: via Medium.com
Understanding spacing and reading cutters is essential to creating high quality opportunities. This Basketball Bits article has illustrative video.