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Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Basketball: Wake Up Call

Life sends us wake up calls. They arrive in many forms.

 1) Physical. Illness, injury, fatigue, sleep deprivation, and 'undermanned talent' all show on the premortem examination. Nobody "immunizes" a team against acts of God. Overwork or undertrain a team and we're doomed. If players 'burn the candle at both ends' with immaturity, lack of self-care, or alcohol, then we're still accountable. If we have inadequate size or speed, we'll struggle to find a coherent solution. 

2) Tactical. Love our losses. Early on, we were ill-prepared to match up with teams with a year's experience together. A virtuous blowout showed us what we couldn't do:

  • Contain the ball.
  • Defeat pressure. 
  • Defend urgent cutting. 
  • Dominate the defensive boards.
3) Technical. Potential is not production. Basketball, like golf, takes years of volume repetitions. As much as I believe "basketball is a game of separation" (and preventing separation), it's a game of "separation AND finishing." With younger players, "layups and free throws win games." And making layups against "height" and "contestedness" may be less of a layup than you think. In three hours of practices a week, there's only so much skill growth possible. 

Offseason voluntary practice separates the players from the participants. With poor attendance, the highly motivated players got "private lessons" leveraged into high performance. 

4) Psychology. Unexpected lack of effort and toughness are two giant red flags. Mental resilience sometimes separates extraordinary from excellent players. It's nature and nurture as some players are tougher than others but many players become more resilient with experience. Some players don't understand they're expected to dive and fight for loose balls, or don't want the contact. 

When we give players "an out," with less experience, training, or toughness, it allows them to tap out mentally. Create high expectations of "who we are" and "how we play" because a team reflects its coaching. 
  • Simplicity preaches, "how you do anything is how you do everything." 
  • You cannot hide your authentic self on the court.
  • Share positive and negative examples of resilience.  
ChatGPT AI shares ideas for promoting resilience with young athletes. 

Teaching resilience to young athletes is crucial for their development both on and off the field. Resilience helps them handle setbacks, stay motivated, and maintain a positive attitude. Here are some effective strategies to foster resilience in young athletes:

1. Set Realistic Goals

  • Break Down Goals: Help athletes set achievable, incremental goals. This makes larger objectives feel more manageable and gives them a sense of accomplishment as they progress.
  • Focus on Effort: Emphasize the importance of effort and improvement rather than just outcomes or winning. This shifts the focus from just the end result to the process.

2. Encourage a Growth Mindset

  • Promote Learning from Mistakes: Teach athletes that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. Emphasize that effort and perseverance lead to improvement.
  • Positive Self-Talk: Encourage them to use positive self-talk and affirmations to build confidence and counteract negative thoughts.

3. Model Resilient Behavior

  • Demonstrate Persistence: Show how you handle challenges and setbacks. Your behavior can serve as a powerful example.
  • Share Stories: Share stories of athletes or individuals who have overcome obstacles through hard work and resilience.

4. Teach Stress Management Techniques

  • Breathing Exercises: Introduce simple breathing techniques to help manage stress and anxiety during competitions or practice.
  • Visualization: Encourage athletes to use visualization techniques to picture themselves succeeding and handling challenges effectively.

5. Foster a Supportive Environment

  • Build a Positive Team Culture: Create an environment where athletes support each other, celebrate successes, and encourage one another through tough times.
  • Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication between athletes, coaches, and parents to address concerns and provide support.

6. Provide Constructive Feedback

  • Focus on Improvement: When giving feedback, concentrate on what athletes can do to improve rather than just pointing out mistakes.
  • Balance Praise and Critique: Offer balanced feedback that includes praise for effort and areas for growth.

7. Teach Problem-Solving Skills

  • Encourage Critical Thinking: Help athletes develop problem-solving skills by discussing how they can address challenges and find solutions.
  • Role-Playing: Use role-playing scenarios to practice handling difficult situations and making decisions.

8. Promote Healthy Routines

  • Physical Conditioning: Ensure athletes understand the importance of physical conditioning, rest, and nutrition in maintaining performance and resilience.
  • Mental Well-Being: Encourage activities outside of sports that promote mental well-being, such as hobbies, socializing, and relaxation techniques.

9. Celebrate Effort and Resilience

  • Acknowledge Perseverance: Recognize and celebrate instances where athletes demonstrate resilience and persistence, even if the outcome isn’t perfect.
  • Reward Progress: Offer rewards and recognition for effort and progress, not just for winning or achieving goals.

10. Be Patient and Consistent

  • Understand Individual Differences: Recognize that each athlete develops resilience at their own pace. Be patient and provide consistent support.
  • Continuous Reinforcement: Reinforce resilience-building practices regularly to help them become ingrained habits.
Lagniappe. Do you have guys who can make tough passes? 

Lagniappe 2.  Move defenders north/south and east/west. 

Lagniappe 3. Moving defenders to open space is sometimes overlooked.  


The Duke "elbow series" starts with horns spacing and clears a side. 

 

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