Team First - - Is It True for You?

So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:10

As the season begins, we all start to make our vows on how we intend to work towards a certain goal. The most important promise to make in order to achieve team success is to accept a role for yourself that puts the team’s greatest need above your own. This, however, is much easier said than done.

As players, it’s easy to say that we want what’s best for the team at the beginning of the season. The hard part is actually living that out when the season is not going well for you as an individual. It is the act of celebrating team success over personal gain that makes basketball a special game.

The opposite will destruct a team. One player who decides to dictate the success of the season on his/her own standing will become and cancer on the team. That feeling will be seen by the team and limit the potential your team once had. You will seem by others as if you don’t belong to the team.

This effect is also seen in our faith. We see in 1 John that belonging to God necessitates our ability to live and love in community with other Christians. By choosing the opposite, we reject the life that God wants us to live.

Before your season begins, ask yourself these questions to see if you are committed to the team above your own achievements.

1

Can you support your team if you are not earning the playing time you think you deserve?

2

Can you remain obedient to your coach if you are not scoring as much as you feel you are capable of scoring?

3

Can you continue to play within the system if other players whom you believe you are better than are getting more opportunities?

These 3 things can cause individual players to place more importance on themselves than the team’s success. Consistently check in with yourself and reflect on how much you want your team achieve their goals. Are your own goals more important than the team’s? If they are, your team will suffer because of it.

Your Approach During Tryouts

Tryouts are approaching quickly! While some players are confident in their standing with the team, others are fighting for their chance to be a part of the program. I have a few tips for each category of players.  

If you are confident…

LEAD

Set the standard for which you expect all players to work like. Show everyone else that it is not easy to be a part of the team they are trying out for. If it was easy, anyone could do it.

SERVE

If you believe that you are a lock for your team, create a culture of serving early on. Any chance you get, help to meet your teammates needs. This can be as simple as being the first player to get to the huddle, picking up basketballs/equipment after practice, or getting water for an exhausted teammate.

TALK

Communicate on the court! Other players will be nervous and may not be willing to step out of their comfort zone. Show the importance of communication within the game by talking with your teammates on and off the court.

If you are fighting…

LISTEN

Follow instructions. Coaches do not want to have to continuously explain themselves. Listen to what the coach wants in each drill. If you do not fully understand, sit out a few reps and watch the more experienced players do it before you jump in.

WORK

Be the hardest working player on the floor. Coaches will notice you if your work ethic is on a higher level than the others. Once you have their attention, you can be assured you will be seen and observed.

PERFORM

No matter what you do, you still need to be able to play. Knock down your open shots and limit your turnovers. Be aggressive, but don’t try and do too much. And you definitely need to be able to defend!

2 Ball Handling Workouts to Help You Improve

One of my biggest hobbies for the last couple years has been developing my skills as a videographer and photographer. This has helped me gain opportunities to create multiple types of videos. Last month, I was able to create two ball handling workouts for the Nike Pre Season Elite Basketball Camp. They are each about 10-minutes long, challenge yourself and do both for a 20-minute ball handling workout. http://youtu.be/x4cZ5xJd3t8

http://youtu.be/Oc2rShu4qcg

Salem Hoops Project Winter Schedule

Free basketball clinics continue this winter! These clinics will be for boys and girls in grades K-5. All clinics are at McKay High School and will run from Noon-1pm. The dates are as follows: November 11 November 24 December 22 January 19 January 26 February 16 March 6

Contact me at salemhoopsproject@gmail.com for more info.

Entitlement and the Story of the Ceramic Cup

I am currently reading "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek. Thus far, it has been one of the greatest books on leadership I have come across. There is one passage I would love to share. It comes from the former Under Secretary of Defense, who spoke at a conference in consecutive years. The first year, he was given a first class ticket, greeted with a limo at the airport, greeted with a hotel suite, then hand delivered a ceramic cup on a plate for his coffee. The second year, he was no longer in his role as Under Secretary. He flew coach, picked up a taxi at the airport, then checked himself into his hotel room. When he got to the conference and asked for coffee, the attendant pointed to a cart where he could pour his own coffee into a styrofoam cup. That year at the conference, he shared his story, and pointed this out: “It occurs to me that the ceramic cup they gave to me last year, it was never meant for me at all. It was meant for the position I held. I deserve a styrofoam cup.

This is the most important lesson I can impart to all of you. All the perks, all the benefits and advantages you may get for the rank or position you hold, they aren’t meant for you. They are meant for the role you fill. And when you leave your role, which eventually you will, they will give the ceramic cup to the person who replaces you. Because you only ever deserved a styrofoam cup.”

Developing a sense of entitlement can be one of the most detrimental things we do to ourselves. When we believe that we deserve certain perks because of who we are, we begin to erase the memory of how we got to a certain position and the people who helped get us there.

No one person is more important than other in the game of basketball. Each player does his/her job to help the team reach its potential. When players begin to think that they deserve more playing time or more shot attempts, the team chemistry begins to disappear. As you approach this coming season, remember that you are but a player on the team. There are no titles, only the position of teammate. You deserve nothing, but you can contribute to everything.

The Tough Moments of Significant Change

Last Sunday was my final weekend attending Salem Alliance Church due to moving out of the area. It was a significant moment for me. I usually do not find things like this so important or meaningful. But this change, to me, is a huge change because of the growth I have experienced in my 2 years of attending. Change can be hard for coaches because of our drive to reach consistency. There are many types of change that coaches can see, from new jobs, new players, and also new offensive or defensive systems. While some changes are exciting and easy to make, others can leave us in a place of resistance.

When we grow as individuals and make life-lasting relationships through an experience, change can be seen as an attack on who we are becoming. I talked previously about my experience with the McKay Hoops class of 2014. Seeing that group go was hard because I became a better coach and person during my time of coaching them. But with a mindset of welcoming the change of a new group, I have been able to start the process again, with myself and with the players. On the contrary, when we are stagnant in a situation, all we can think about is what else is out there and how we can change.

If I ever leave McKay and coach elsewhere, I am sure that my feelings will be similar to that of leaving Salem Alliance Church; grateful for what it has done to me, and excited to see what lies ahead. When change comes to your current situation, even if you think you’re situation is ideal, think about the possibilities rather than sacrifice. Consider that a big change could continue to help you develop in all parts of your life.

Madden 15 and the Importance of Instincts

I am not a gamer. As a kid, I enjoyed playing Mario Bros. and also got into NBA Jam and Mortal Kombat. The last time a video game really sucked me in was the first Tony Hawk Pro Skater. This past weekend, I got a chance to play Madden 15 on the new XBox system that my brother has. I got to admit, I was pretty amazed with the graphics of the game. I was also amazed at how hard of a time I had playing! My experience with playing one game of Madden got me thinking about the importance of developing instincts within the world of athletics.

When reacting to the defense and making reads (with or without the ball), every split second matters. During my game of Madden, I continually looked at the controller to find the button of the receiver I wanted to throw to. This resulted in a sack instead of a huge passing gain.

To be able to make quick decisions in the game of basketball, it’s important to be a student of the game. Drills in practice that seem meaningless and boring are often the most effective at building your basketball IQ. Not only is active participation in practice important, but watching games and seeing how great players respond to their defender is important, too.

Develop your instincts as a basketball player. With and without the ball. And don’t waste your time developing your instincts on Madden.

Witnessing LeBron Workout

Thanks to a connect from my guy Henry Barrera, I was fortunate enough to be a big part of Nike’s LeBron 12 Shoe Launch media event. The best part was not the free gear I got, but the fact that I was able to watch LeBron James do a full workout. It’s not every day you get to see an elite athlete’s training regimen, let alone one of the best players to ever do it. His workout consisted of segments of skill drills with coach Damon Jones broken up with strength and mobility drills led by trainer Mike Mencias. What impressed me most was the efficiency he performed his workout with. Granted, this is easier to do with 2 coaches ready to serve your every need, but it’s still something that can be replicated by players of any level. Here are 3 important things I observed from LeBron’s workout.

1. Fundamentals never quit

LeBron’s workout was not flashy. There were no secret drills or breakthrough techniques. He worked on footwork in game-like situations. Every rep looked identical. When you are performing skill workouts, focus on how you are moving and the footwork you are performing each drill with. Whatever your focus is for that drill, make an effort to master it on each rep.

2. What you do after the workout will increase your gains

After his workout was finished, he spent a good 30 minutes stretching and performing low-impact mobility work. Again, stretching is much easier when you have a trainer doing it for you. However, this is not a reason for a majority of young athletes to overlook this portion of their athletic development. Create or find a flexibility/mobility routine and stay diligent and consistent.

3. Don’t expect a perfect result every time

I have seen countless young players vocally and emotionally display their frustration during workouts when they go on a streak of missed shots or lose the dribble during ball handling work. Although it’s common opinion that LeBron is not a pure shooter, he is still one of the greatest in the game. He made shots during his workout with efficiency. Yet, he still had streaks of misses (I counted 6 at one point). This did not shake his mindset. He wasn’t happy with himself, but he remained consistent in how he performed the drills.

3 Easy Steps to Prepare for the Season

The season is only a short 2-months away! What could be more exciting? As a player, I always enjoyed this time approaching the season. As each week reached completion, I felt my skills sharpening and my body becoming stronger and stronger. Once the season came, I was in the best shape I could possibly be in. If you are a player who has high expectations and takes the game seriously, there is no excuse to come into the first week of the season unprepared. If your team does not have any organized workouts, you can still take initiative to make sure you are ready for day 1. There is a ton you can do in 8 weeks! There are a lot of great resources available to help you get ready. Here are 3 easy steps you can take to help you prepare for the first day of tryouts. 1. Consistent sprint workouts

Gone are the days of running for miles at a time to get in shape. Research has proven that high intensity sprint workouts will prepare a basketball player in a much more efficient manner than long distance running. The standards of your spring workouts should be high-intensity, short distances mixed with limited recovery periods. This builds your body to be explosive while also prepping your energy systems for the demands of a basketball game.

2. Get your shots up

Skill workouts are outstanding. However, they can be inefficient if not performed right. It will do most players better to get in the gym and shoot. Make sure your reps are at game speed and with game focus. Keep track of your sessions and measure your improvement at different spots on the floor. If you can shoot the ball, you increase your chances of making a team and earning more playing time. Coaches always need shooters on the floor!

3. Develop positive habits

Once the season hits, new demands are placed on your body. A full day of school, two hours of practice, and then homework on top of that can shock your system. It’s important as a serious athlete to start prepping your mind and body for the season now. Develop a great sleeping pattern, be sure to start blocking out time for studying, and pay attention to your nutrition level (an easy start is to start drinking water throughout the day).

What Makes Team USA Dominant (Aside From Talent)

I have been fortunate to watch a few of Team USA’s games during the FIBA World Cup. Obviously, they are dominating. Yes, they are more talented, but statistically, they are proving that there are 3 things teams can do to win games. (Using stats through their first 3 games) Make more free throws than the other team shoots

Being aggressive offensively puts pressure on the defense. Soft teams settle for jump shots, not necessarily because they are good shooters, but because they don’t want to work for a shot closer to the basket. Team USA has made 56 FT’s compared to 49 attempts for their opponents. This is primarily because of dribble penetration, but also a product of getting out in transition and attacking the offensive glass.

Win the rebounding and turnover battles

Two things that are so obvious. If a team can consistently do these two things, they are going to be in position to win ball games. Team USA is dominant because of the way they control these two categories. They out rebound their opponents by 9 boards per game. This is extremely helpful to their ability to hold teams to 37% shooting. In addition, their +11 forced turnovers margin allows them to get easy baskets in transition.

Score off the pass

Team USA is getting 21 assists per game, while making nearly 40 field goals per game. This means half of their baskets are coming off the pass. Scoring off the pass takes advantage of help defense and also helps to avoid forced shots. This is quite impressive considering that the players play in a league dominated by isolation plays.