Find more ways to impact winning, even when not a "star." Star in your role.
1. Dependability and versatility are skills.
Bill Belichick discussed D'Angelo Ross, a backup defensive back. “D’Angelo is a really smart player,” the coach said. “On the scout team, he plays basically every position in the secondary. He has a really good understanding of what to do and techniques to do it on."
Belichick explained having a versatile fill-in eliminates shifting multiple players around. "He's gained a lot of confidence of the coaching staff and his teammates based on his work ethic, his consistency, and his dependability on a daily basis."
Contemporary basketball requires players to play and to defend multiple positions. Help players learn everyone's responsibility.
2. "Toughness is a skill
."
"Toughness, there is no substitute." Toughness is mindset.
Players who get contested rebounds, set hard screens, go to the floor, and take charges impact winning. Coaches avoid playing players who are "soft" or lack the physical toughness to compete. "There are no 50-50 balls."
3. "Hard work is a skill." Don't confuse work with maximum work, unrequired work. John Stockton famously won every sprint. There's a difference between showing up and balling out. "Don't cheat the drill." The best players use every opportunity to gain athleticism, game knowledge, and skill. Advantage begins during "unseen hours."
4. Focus is a skill. Move beyond listening. The first price paid is paying attention.
5. Organization is a skill. Organize our thoughts, our time, and our plan.
6. Competitiveness is a skill.
- Overcome fear of failure
- Play to win not to avoid losing
- Leave the comfort zone
- Think positive
- Utilize strengths
Lagniappe 2. Curry warmup... make five at each spot in each radian. Perfect form with every shot
