Perhaps it is just me but I thought I had been speaking the English language since birth. Afterall I was born in the United States (if Texas is still considered one of the fifty) and I have lived exclusively as a U.S. citizen for my entire life. So it is surprising to me when my players cannot discern what language I am speaking. Of course there are a few generations between us, but I was not aware of a new language being taught in our school systems.
There are some definite words which seem to change from my lips to their ears. For example, I tell them that we don't want to shoot the first shot but the first best shot. I think that language is fairly straight forward. The language barrier seems to be on the word "best". Apparently the defintion of best has changed since I was in school. When I was doing my spelling words back in elementary school, best meant the most desirable, favorable, or profitable. In their elementary spelling books, best apparently meant first opportunity.
Then, there is the misconception about who gets to shoot. I absolutely beg some of them to shoot the ball, telling them over and over again that I want them to shoot. These individuals do not want to shoot. We have one young player, Ali Tobias, who we recruited because she knew how to find a shot in high school even when her opponents knew she would be shooting the ball. She was so smart that she oftentimes had opponents doing donuts on the court as she changed speed and direction going down the floor. For a year, I have been begging her to do more on offense. Then the other night, she began playing just as I had always hoped she would. When I asked her what had changed, she responded that I had finally given her the green light. Apparently, I had been using the wrong vocabulary words again.
If I could just get the vocabulary words right, I'm certain we could begin playing better. Perhaps we need to publish a Golden Eagle dictionary with my words and definitions. If we could all agree on the meanings of words, life on the court would be much easier.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Confidence on the Court
On opening weekend, the Golden Eagles showed a few of our strengths but mostly displayed our weaknesses. Although the good was offered in smaller portions, we can still capitalize on what the team is doing well and work on improving the play which was inferior. Jihan Williams and Veronica Carman were good. They competed. They rebounded. They played defense and they scored. Of course, they have three seasons behind them and are confident in their abilities.
Veronica and Jihan were good enough to lead us past East Stroudsburg 74-60, but they could not prevail against Shippensburg by themselves. Two players in the confident zone are not enough. We need a team full of players who believe in their abilities.
This is typical of the Golden Eagles early in the year. The team often struggles with what the coaching staff wants versus playing on instinct and intuition. It is a product of my coaching. Because I teach so much, it can create paralysis by analysis where the players are frozen, stuck in limbo and afraid to move. When we get beyond this and we always do, we get in sync and become a tougher unit.
Watching Veronica and Jihan improve over the years, I know our system works. Veronica was a defensive specialist early in her career and didn't look to score. This season in our opening games, she scored 19 and 20 points on lay-ups, three point shots, and jumpers. WOW! Jihan is another player who has come a long way in her three seasons. She can now penetrate left or right, post up in the low block or hit the outside shot. When she started her freshmen year, she could not go left at all.
I wish I could take credit for all their improvements, but the truth is that both of these young women wanted to become better and spent many hours outside of team practices improving their games. We have many other athletes who have worked hard in the off season and preseason. They will eventually start playing better and looking for their scoring opportunities.
Without Katy Arick and Jennifer DeMeyer, two seasoned veterans, in the line-up, some of our younger players must step up and become more aggressive offensively. I know they have the talent, but they must know they have the talent. We have several players who can contribute to the scoring column adn in order for us to be successful, they must do so.
Confidence is an illusive thing. It cannot be given to a player. She must find it and own it herself. Currently, we have two players playing with confidence. When the rest of the Eagles strengthen their belief systems, we will begin to win more games.
Veronica and Jihan were good enough to lead us past East Stroudsburg 74-60, but they could not prevail against Shippensburg by themselves. Two players in the confident zone are not enough. We need a team full of players who believe in their abilities.
This is typical of the Golden Eagles early in the year. The team often struggles with what the coaching staff wants versus playing on instinct and intuition. It is a product of my coaching. Because I teach so much, it can create paralysis by analysis where the players are frozen, stuck in limbo and afraid to move. When we get beyond this and we always do, we get in sync and become a tougher unit.
Watching Veronica and Jihan improve over the years, I know our system works. Veronica was a defensive specialist early in her career and didn't look to score. This season in our opening games, she scored 19 and 20 points on lay-ups, three point shots, and jumpers. WOW! Jihan is another player who has come a long way in her three seasons. She can now penetrate left or right, post up in the low block or hit the outside shot. When she started her freshmen year, she could not go left at all.
I wish I could take credit for all their improvements, but the truth is that both of these young women wanted to become better and spent many hours outside of team practices improving their games. We have many other athletes who have worked hard in the off season and preseason. They will eventually start playing better and looking for their scoring opportunities.
Without Katy Arick and Jennifer DeMeyer, two seasoned veterans, in the line-up, some of our younger players must step up and become more aggressive offensively. I know they have the talent, but they must know they have the talent. We have several players who can contribute to the scoring column adn in order for us to be successful, they must do so.
Confidence is an illusive thing. It cannot be given to a player. She must find it and own it herself. Currently, we have two players playing with confidence. When the rest of the Eagles strengthen their belief systems, we will begin to win more games.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tough Times Require Tough Minds
A quote I read several years ago which I love is, "Tough times never last but tough players do." I love this quote because it is about mental toughness--about the quintessential characteristic of great players. Great players get through adversity seeing the opportunity of growth which exists before them. They don't succumb to injuries or illness or bad shooting days or fatigue. They get over them, under them, through them or beyond them.
I am discussing this today because we have had one player quit and three on the injury list. The player who quit could have been an awesome player. Two of the players sidelined with injuries were starters last season and the other one received significant playing time.
As a team we could allow this to get in the way of our goals. We could quit now, make excuses, and limp throughout the year as if we had all the wrong breaks. OR we could make the decision to get better. It is really quite that simple. If we are tough-minded, the current situation will not deter us; it will invigorate us to rise to new levels.
If the Golden Eagles choose to see this as an opportunity rather than a crisis, we are heading in the right direction. We don't always get to choose the situation we are in, but we always get to choose how we react to the situation. Our reaction creates our mindset and our mindset determines our success rate. I believe we have a several players who are mentally tough. The question is: "Can their mental toughness carry us through the next few weeks?"
I think if they honor their hearts and believe in their talents as much as the coaching staff does we will not only survive but flourish.
I am discussing this today because we have had one player quit and three on the injury list. The player who quit could have been an awesome player. Two of the players sidelined with injuries were starters last season and the other one received significant playing time.
As a team we could allow this to get in the way of our goals. We could quit now, make excuses, and limp throughout the year as if we had all the wrong breaks. OR we could make the decision to get better. It is really quite that simple. If we are tough-minded, the current situation will not deter us; it will invigorate us to rise to new levels.
If the Golden Eagles choose to see this as an opportunity rather than a crisis, we are heading in the right direction. We don't always get to choose the situation we are in, but we always get to choose how we react to the situation. Our reaction creates our mindset and our mindset determines our success rate. I believe we have a several players who are mentally tough. The question is: "Can their mental toughness carry us through the next few weeks?"
I think if they honor their hearts and believe in their talents as much as the coaching staff does we will not only survive but flourish.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Flat Ball Practice
I have a coaching friend who believes practicing offense with a flat ball is the best thing he has ever done. After spending a week working on our offenses with a flat ball, I must agree with him.
The flat ball makes our players play together; they have no other choice. It is impossible to score with a flat ball without making passes. Playing with the flat ball makes the offense slow down and see the defense; it teaches players to make the extra pass; and they must absolutely headhunt to screen and use their screens. It is one of the best tools available to create team offense.
I am now a convert. I don't know if there is a flat ball club which I could join but I would definitely be a member and pay my dues.
I don't believe the players have as much fun as the coaching staff during flat ball drills because they have to work so much harder. They especially don't enjoy full court flat ball drills which are really difficult. Most teams (including the Golden Eagles) dribble the ball on fast break opportunities. When players are required to pass and move all the way down the floor; it requires attention, concentration, and continual movement without the ball. Most players enjoy spectating as their teammate dribbles down the court. When they have to work to hit gaps to get open, they come to appreciate the hard work of their point guards.
After a week of practicing with the flat ball, I have seen incredible results. Our shooters are getting open, our posts are getting the ball in the low block in one-on-one situations, and our penetrating offensive players are able to get to the rim more often. With continual work with the flat ball, we will learn to play as a unit. I know that it is tougher to defend a unit than it is to defend one or two outstanding players.
This is something we must continue to build--the concept of team basketball both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. When we can buy into team, our good players will appear to be great. We will be able to showcase players like Jihan Williams, Veronica Carman, Lindsey Kentner, Ali Tobias, Caress Williams, Tarenna Dixon, Lisanne Comeau, Jennifer DeMeyer, and Katy Arick. These are all players who can score when in the right situation. It allows all of them to be the player to stop. If we can create a team where the defense must defend every player on the court as well as every substitute then we can win the big games.
The flat ball makes our players play together; they have no other choice. It is impossible to score with a flat ball without making passes. Playing with the flat ball makes the offense slow down and see the defense; it teaches players to make the extra pass; and they must absolutely headhunt to screen and use their screens. It is one of the best tools available to create team offense.
I am now a convert. I don't know if there is a flat ball club which I could join but I would definitely be a member and pay my dues.
I don't believe the players have as much fun as the coaching staff during flat ball drills because they have to work so much harder. They especially don't enjoy full court flat ball drills which are really difficult. Most teams (including the Golden Eagles) dribble the ball on fast break opportunities. When players are required to pass and move all the way down the floor; it requires attention, concentration, and continual movement without the ball. Most players enjoy spectating as their teammate dribbles down the court. When they have to work to hit gaps to get open, they come to appreciate the hard work of their point guards.
After a week of practicing with the flat ball, I have seen incredible results. Our shooters are getting open, our posts are getting the ball in the low block in one-on-one situations, and our penetrating offensive players are able to get to the rim more often. With continual work with the flat ball, we will learn to play as a unit. I know that it is tougher to defend a unit than it is to defend one or two outstanding players.
This is something we must continue to build--the concept of team basketball both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. When we can buy into team, our good players will appear to be great. We will be able to showcase players like Jihan Williams, Veronica Carman, Lindsey Kentner, Ali Tobias, Caress Williams, Tarenna Dixon, Lisanne Comeau, Jennifer DeMeyer, and Katy Arick. These are all players who can score when in the right situation. It allows all of them to be the player to stop. If we can create a team where the defense must defend every player on the court as well as every substitute then we can win the big games.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Learning The Hard Way
Saturday, during a scrimmage, we had an opportunity to understand how important it is to run an offense, to adhere to the rules of our offense and to play together as a team. We were drummed, beaten, punked, and totally run off the court the first twenty minutes. OUCH!
As we were playing, the coaching staff was continually attempting to provide the necessary instruction to the team; however, sometimes hearing is simply not enough. Doing is the best way to learn. When we could not score--could not, in fact, "buy" a basket--the players were humbled and ready to learn from their failure. Failure is never a bad thing except when one ignores the lessons. In the case of the Golden Eagles, they are prepared to do what it takes to turn this failure upside down and create the success they so much desire.
After the first twenty minutes, we erased the scoreboard to start the second half. While we did not execute our offense any better, we did fumble our way through the game enough to change the outcome - the scoreboard showed the Golden Eagles on top. We played a little bit better defense, boxed out, found some fast break baskets, and began to share the ball on offense.
The best part about the scrimmage was that we didn't quit. We could have chosen to give up, to allow the other team to continue their massacre but we didn't. We fought. We hustled. We scrambled. We continued to make mistakes but we didn't give in to our errors. We continued to battle. This is what we want from a team--a team who doesn't give up in the face of adversity--who finds a way to fight even when the outlook doesn't look too promising.
Both Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci said that 90% of their solutions were incorrect. 90%!! In history, we do not know these two individuals for their failures but for the innumerable and incredible discoveries they made. If the Golden Eagles can learn the most important lesson from this scrimmage which is to use their mistakes as stepping stones, then they can also be known for what they create on the court.
As we were playing, the coaching staff was continually attempting to provide the necessary instruction to the team; however, sometimes hearing is simply not enough. Doing is the best way to learn. When we could not score--could not, in fact, "buy" a basket--the players were humbled and ready to learn from their failure. Failure is never a bad thing except when one ignores the lessons. In the case of the Golden Eagles, they are prepared to do what it takes to turn this failure upside down and create the success they so much desire.
After the first twenty minutes, we erased the scoreboard to start the second half. While we did not execute our offense any better, we did fumble our way through the game enough to change the outcome - the scoreboard showed the Golden Eagles on top. We played a little bit better defense, boxed out, found some fast break baskets, and began to share the ball on offense.
The best part about the scrimmage was that we didn't quit. We could have chosen to give up, to allow the other team to continue their massacre but we didn't. We fought. We hustled. We scrambled. We continued to make mistakes but we didn't give in to our errors. We continued to battle. This is what we want from a team--a team who doesn't give up in the face of adversity--who finds a way to fight even when the outlook doesn't look too promising.
Both Albert Einstein and Leonardo da Vinci said that 90% of their solutions were incorrect. 90%!! In history, we do not know these two individuals for their failures but for the innumerable and incredible discoveries they made. If the Golden Eagles can learn the most important lesson from this scrimmage which is to use their mistakes as stepping stones, then they can also be known for what they create on the court.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Halloween Read
Today, the Golden Eagles read to the students at Ruffner Elementary. We have been doing the Halloween read for the past seven years. Every year our players receive as much joy as the elementary students do during this community activity.
We spend approximately 45 minutes reading to the students. The Ruffner students and the Golden Eagles share stories, smiles, and laughs. We love the curiosity of the young mind.
Here is some of what transpired:
Student Y asked Katy Arick and Lisanne Comeau if they knew his aunt who played for Capital High School. Katy asked, "Well, what is your aunt's name?"
Student Y thought a moment before responding, "Auntie."
When the teacher asked what her real name was, Y said, "Auntie is her real name."
When one class was asked by Katy and Lisanne what they were going to be for Halloween, most of the girls responded that they wanted to be princesses or Tinker Bells. Student G said, "I'm going to be a devil 'cause that is what my dad calls me."
The teacher responded, "Well, your dad is just kidding with you, right?"
Student G said, "No, he really thinks I'm the devil. He tells me that all the time." This got the entire class smiling.
Julianne Smith had the opportunity to read to a class where one of the young girls gave her a card of Jason Williams explaining that he was her uncle and that she was going to be a basketball player too. Later on in the class, she had several students who wanted attention and started telling her about their broken legs. Apparently one little boy's brother had three broken legs at once.
Lindsey Kentner signed autographs in her classroom because they all believed she was famous. When she attempted to leave, she had to spend several minutes sharing hugs with the youngsters before they would allow her to depart.
When Caress Williams and Tarenna Dixon asked the kids if they got lots of candy for Halloween, they were told yes. When they asked if the kids would share, all of them said yes except for one young girl in the back who emphatically shouted, "No way." Apparently, she had earned that candy and was not going to share with anybody.
One of the students asked Tarenna if she was actually wearing house shoes to school. When Tarenna realized she was caught, she informed them that they were Michael Jordan house shoes. The students all agreed, then, that wearing those house shoes to school was okay.
It was a great day for both the students at Ruffner and the Golden Eagles.
We spend approximately 45 minutes reading to the students. The Ruffner students and the Golden Eagles share stories, smiles, and laughs. We love the curiosity of the young mind.
Here is some of what transpired:
Student Y asked Katy Arick and Lisanne Comeau if they knew his aunt who played for Capital High School. Katy asked, "Well, what is your aunt's name?"
Student Y thought a moment before responding, "Auntie."
When the teacher asked what her real name was, Y said, "Auntie is her real name."
When one class was asked by Katy and Lisanne what they were going to be for Halloween, most of the girls responded that they wanted to be princesses or Tinker Bells. Student G said, "I'm going to be a devil 'cause that is what my dad calls me."
The teacher responded, "Well, your dad is just kidding with you, right?"
Student G said, "No, he really thinks I'm the devil. He tells me that all the time." This got the entire class smiling.
Julianne Smith had the opportunity to read to a class where one of the young girls gave her a card of Jason Williams explaining that he was her uncle and that she was going to be a basketball player too. Later on in the class, she had several students who wanted attention and started telling her about their broken legs. Apparently one little boy's brother had three broken legs at once.
Lindsey Kentner signed autographs in her classroom because they all believed she was famous. When she attempted to leave, she had to spend several minutes sharing hugs with the youngsters before they would allow her to depart.
When Caress Williams and Tarenna Dixon asked the kids if they got lots of candy for Halloween, they were told yes. When they asked if the kids would share, all of them said yes except for one young girl in the back who emphatically shouted, "No way." Apparently, she had earned that candy and was not going to share with anybody.
One of the students asked Tarenna if she was actually wearing house shoes to school. When Tarenna realized she was caught, she informed them that they were Michael Jordan house shoes. The students all agreed, then, that wearing those house shoes to school was okay.
It was a great day for both the students at Ruffner and the Golden Eagles.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The Intangibles
Last Saturday we had a scrimmage. Per NCAA rules I cannot disclose who we scrimmaged or any particular stats; I can, however, discuss the qualities of the team which I liked and those which I disliked.It became immediately apparent that the Golden Eagles have not yet learned how to discern the difference between the first shot and the first best shot. We teach our players to take good shots which are defined by high percentage shots. A high percentage shot would be a lay-up, a one-on-one shot in the post, or an uncontested shot which a player can make 50% of the time. We have a better opportunity to win if we take good shots on every offensive possession.
It is often difficult in the early part of our season to run a solid offense because we run a motion offense which requires the players to think and read the defense. It is much easier to run a patterned offense where players run to a spot. When we ask them to actually watch their defender rather than the ball, it requires concentration and effort. The rules of the offense define the parameters of the offense but not the actual plays. The players have to make choices on their own each time we have an offensive possession. It is a slow learning process which means that early in the year we tend to look sloppy on offense.
Defensively, we need 100% of the players to learn the concept of team defense. We still have a few who are concerned about whether or not the player they are matched up with scores. We must erase that belief system and replace it with one which emphasizes helping teammates, rotating to the open player, and contesting every shot. If an opponent is able to penetrate to the basket without defenders rotating to stop her, then we are going to allow high percentage shots. It is tough to win ball games this way.
The things I loved about the scrimmages were not actual offensive or defensive qualities; they were more intangible characteristics which are essential to winning and tougher to teach than offense or defense. This team has unity--the desire for the team to win even if it means that one of them is not going to be the star or even receive playing time. They are willing to cheer for their teammates and assist them in whatever way is possible. They have leaders who care and who are willing to step up and do or say what is necessary in the leadership role. They have tremendous work ethic and determination--a willingness to do whatever is necessary to get better.
I believe the success of this team is going to be determined by the maintenance of the intangibles. We will continue to work on our technical and tactical weaknesses, but our true strength is going to come from our togetherness. Embracing WE, Including me!
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