Tuesday, July 30, 2019

What Should Youth Basketball Look Like? The Power of TEAM.

"One grain of sand can turn the tide; one single spark can light the night." - Bomshel, The Power of One

 Youth basketball rarely looks good. First, what should it NOT look like? 

 Don't confuse the game with Fight Club. The first rule is "there is no Fight Club." Coaches shouldn't be screaming Banshees, berating officials, humiliating players. No child deserves bench banishment. 

 Don't script every possession. Is anything worse than hearing, "Alabama, Porcupine, 15 Alpha?" Gimme a break. 

Forget about Night at the Opera me-me-me basketball. Shot selection can't mean "I see the basket, let it fly." Or "my turn." Don't dribble the air from the basketball and each player's initial instinct isn't "put it on the floor." 

Do you instantly recognize the coach's child, "Shoot it, Billy. Nothing but net..." where eleven other kids are second-class citizens, the chorus to Daddy's Dream? 

 A good game gets everyone to lean in. Quit the cellphone. Inhale this game. You know it when you see it. High octane basketball. 

Players. 
  • Be a great teammate. 
  • Empower yourself to create within the scaffolding of TEAM. 
  • Go with you best stuff. (Why wouldn't you?)
  • Find ways to imprint a mark on the team experience. 
  • Make everyone around you better, on and off the court.
  • Learn how to play; see the game. 
  • "Don't cheat the drill." 
  • Focus, engage. 
  • Be "full tilt, full time." Coaches do play favorites, players who give more. 
  • Listen. Two ears, one mouth. 
  • Have fun. If nobody's smiling, you're doing it wrong. 
  • Energize.
  • Develop a philosophy. What does the game mean to you? 
  • Respect the game. Hand the ball to the official. 
  • Encourage your teammates and mean it. 
  • Find mentors and study your mentors' mentors. 
Parents. 
  • Support your child, unconditionally. But support the other kids, too. 
  • Keep your child's health, your family, and school as priorities over sports. 
  • Connect with the other families. 
  • Remember that the officials are somebody's children, too.
  • Cherish the memories.
Coaches.
  • Help kids make positive memories.
  • Families, school, and a child's health come first. 
  • Never leave the fundamentals.
  • Build a program, not a statue. It's about the players.
  • Embrace a clear philosophy. "Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson
  • Teach, teach, teach. 
  • Build a culture of which you can be proud. 
  • Have perspective. These are children, not professionals.
  • Thank your players for their effort. 
  • Thank your families for their sacrifice. 
  • "Unsure?" What's best for the team? 
"Never be a child's last coach."

Lagniappe: via @John_Leonzo

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