Closing Quarters - - The IQ Series

When you lose a game by 3 points, it’s easy to look at things that happened at the end of the game to decide the defining moments of the loss. No matter if someone missed a shot or turned the ball over late in the game, it’s easy to point to one play and say a certain player lost the game on his own. There are, however, many more factors that go into a loss besides 1 play in the last minute of the game. One of those factors is a teams ability to close quarters. Closing quarters efficiently can greatly effect the outcome. Let me give you an example. We lost by 3 a few weeks ago and had a shot to tie at the end of the game. Despite everything else that happened throughout the game, we failed end of quarter situations twice in the first half.

First quarter

We took a contested drive with 10 seconds to go, then allowed our opponent to hit a three before time expired. 5 point swing.

Second quarter

We turn the ball over with under a minute to go, then allowed our opponent to knock another three down after an offensive rebound. Again, 5 point swing.

So because of how we closed 2 quarters, there was a possible 10-point difference not in our favor. Even if we didn’t score, by ensuring that we took the last shot, we could have took away 6 points. And in a 3 point game, that means all the difference.

Time and Score - - The IQ Series

Throughout the season, there a plenty of opportunities to learn from each game. My goal this year is to share what I see with players to help develop your basketball IQ. The first topic will be time and score. The situation is this: there is 2 minutes left and your team is up by 4 points. What can you do to remain aggressive yet also remain under control? The common phrase is “playing not to lose.” This attitude can cause you to tighten up and make mistakes because you are only attempting to not make mistakes. Here are some tips from what I have witnessed this past week to help you maintain poise and finish the game with a win.

Amazing plays are unnecessary

Defensively especially. If you try and steal the ball by jumping the passing lane and do not make the play, your team is now at a disadvantage. This can lead to easy shots or most likely a foul and free throws for the other team. Even diving for a ball can be costly if you do not gain possession. Only make hustle plays that are 100% in your favor. If there is a chance you do not make the play, do the safe thing and contain your man to ensure a tough shot for your opponent.

Amazing shots are unnecessary

If you have to split defenders, double pump, or fadeaway, you probably shouldn’t take that shot. You most likely want to work the ball for a layup. Some coaches may be ok with a dependable shooter taking an open mid-range shot after a number of ball reversals. Jumps shots, in addition to not being as high-percentage as layups, also lead to long rebounds, which lead to easy transition baskets.

Ball fake

If you are up by 4 with 2 minutes left, the defense will be looking to jump passing lanes to get steals. Ball fake as you looking to pass to get the defense off balance. Turnovers and bad shots will lead to the other team coming back and making it anybody’s game.

Living Thankfully

There is so much talk about being thankful during this time of year, and my mind took me to gratitude in the game of basketball. Nothing is more frustrating than playing with or coaching players who act like they do not want to be a part of the team. These are the players who bring the intensity of practice down. Depending on the level of leadership on the team, their attitude can spread to other teammates as the season grows. Players whos actions say they would rather not be there are not showing gratitude for their opportunity to be part of a team (an opportunity that only 12 boys in the whole school get). Being thankful is shown in our action more than by what we say. It’s easy to say how thankful you are for certain opportunities, but it’s a different story when it comes to living it out. I thought of three ways that we can begin to live thankfully:

Show up

Being thankful for your opportunites begins by showing up everyday. You can learn much about a person by witnessing their attendance. Yes, there are days for everyone where it might be hard to get out of bed and gain the energy to go to practice for the 6th consecutive day. But by not showing up, a message is sent that being a part of the team is unnecessary in your life; it’s not an opportunity that means enough for you to attend even when motivation is lacking. Perfect attendance is the foundation for gratefulness.

Pour out

The 2nd part to showing your thankfulness is the energy you put out into what you do. Showing up says that something is important to you, but striving for excellence is the piece that says it is meaningful for you. Caring about the results you produce is being grateful for what you are doing. Being sloppy and careless, exerting minimal effort, and acting disinterested are all ways to tell people that you are spoiled. 

Give back

My last thought on displaying gratitude is to be selfless and share your opportunities with others to the best of your ability. We always think of giving money and gifts as an important part of giving back. However, the attitude that we perform with can be just as crucial to our development towards living with gratitude. Work with others for the benefit of a greater good than your own desires. Help others achieve their goals even if it means that individual goals will suffer.

I would love to hear how you will start living your life thankfully. Send me an email with any thoughts.

 #LiftAsYouClimb

Salem Hoops Project Seeking Donations

I am thrilled by the momentum the Salem Hoops Project is gaining. The goal with this project was to provide opportunities to boys and girls of all socio-economic status. What I have seen is a great response of participants and parents. We have served over 250 kids since the summer of 2013, and each clinic produces first time attenders. It's time to take it a step further. One of my visions when I started this was to not only teach the game in an environment that encourages personal growth as well as athletic growth. Now that I have seen the movement happen, I would love to start building what can become something even more special.

We are seeking donations to help provide athletic equipment for children who attend the Salem Hoops Project clinics. This ranges from basketballs to healthy snacks and also will stretch to raffle prizes given at the end of camp. To donate, visit gofundme.com/salemhoopsproject .

#LiftAsYouClimb

Up Your Intensity at Practice - - Talk and Communicate

Thanks to my good friend Henry Barrera, I was given an opportunity to visit the Portland Trailblazers practice facility where we were shown their strength program and also observed a practice. I have always been curious as to what goes on at the highest level of the game.  

Obviously, they have the nicest equipment for strength training. But they do keep things simple as far as programming despite their hectic schedule. What I saw on the court was nothing out of the ordinary: 5-0, 3-on-3 breakdown drills, 5-5 controlled half-court scrimmage, and, of course, getting shots up.

The biggest difference I noticed was that each player was involved for every drill, regardless if they were on the court or sitting out. They were there to get better at practice, not to get through a practice. This was demonstrated by their commitment to talking.

Talking and communicating is, perhaps, the hardest skill to teach young players. Not simply talking to make noise, but talking to make sure that your teammates know what you are doing and what you expect them to do. The Blazers’ players did not just talk when they were on the court, but also when they were on the side waiting to enter the drill.

Your team can reach a higher level if all players are committed to communicating with one another. Talk on the court to keep each other on the same page, and talk on the sidelines to keep yourself mentally ready to play.

Big THANK YOU to @toddforcier @Ben_kenyon_ for letting us come by today. Really appreciate it. #IronSharpensIron @IamDJShaw @SLMHoopsProject

— Henry Barrera, CSCS (@hoopdiaries) November 21, 2014

Stewardship and Our Responsibility to be Selfless - - #LiftAsYouClimb

To me, one of the best things in life is the people I get to be around. I love that I get to be surrounded by a diverse group of people every day. My enjoyment is not necessarily being around people, but more so learning from people. Taking what I see from them or from what they tell me and reflecting on how I am living. This is best applied when I can make connections with what I am seeing in those around me with what I am studying.

I am currently going through a study called “Our Great Exchange.” It is a study on stewardship. While I limited my thoughts towards stewardship on how I use my money, the first lesson expanded my mind. Stewardship is more than our money, it is everything that we are given, tangible or intangible. Stewardship is taking the gifts God has given you and using them to become who God wants you to be.

As I mentioned before, I was able to go observe a Trailblazers practice. This opportunity was presented to me by my guy Henry. This isn’t the first time he has given me a unique opportunity. Watching Henry made me realize that leadership and growth is a collective process. We always hear how God calls us into a life of community. I think when we refuse to be selfless in our communities, it limits not only our individual growth, but also the growth of those around us.

It’s important to remember that what we have is not ours. We are only stewards of what we have. Life in community requires intentional selflessness. Instead of being focused on YOUR goals and what YOU want, think in terms of the whole. If we hoard our gifts and opportunities for ourselves, we limit the exchange of growth we can share with others. Don’t leave your team behind, bring them with you.

#LiftAsYouClimb

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.

What Do You Desire Most?

That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” (2 Chron 1:7)

What if you were given the chance to request one thing, and you knew it was guaranteed to be given to you?

Money? Possessions? Power?

These are the common choices that society would assume are most desired by people. Culture tells us that we need new things, more money, and a higher social status.

What if this question was geared towards your position in the game of basketball?  I think we would assume that people would choose more championships, more individual accolades, or a new coach/new players/new team.

O Lord God, please continue to keep your promise to David my father, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth! Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly, for who could possibly govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chron 1:8-9)

In a culture that is focused on self-promotion and personal gain, we can take lessons from Solomon’s request. While we read that he requests wisdom and knowledge, his request gives us more to consider when we think about what type of leader we are becoming.

THANKFULNESS

Solomon leads off by acknowledging how he became in this position of leadership. It wasn’t by his individual effort alone or by networking. It was through his father by a calling from God.

SELFLESSNESS

 

While Solomon could have easily requested something for personal gain (or even wisdom and knowledge for his own growth), he felt that the needs of his people were more important than his desires. His request was made with intentions of helping his people.

HUMILITY

Solomon’s request to lead his people better was based on his acknowledgment that he was incapable of doing his job efficiently without further advancement. Too many people believe they are fully equipped for their future and stop learning and developing. It’s important to realize that every day is a chance to grow as a person and a leader.

God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people —  I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!” (2 Chron 1:11-12)

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