Soft Skills: Print and Save Edition

Vertical touch, bench press, and forty-yard sprint time matter. But players with fewer 'measurables' still excel. 

They excel because they have skill and intangibles.

So you want to be a player. Nobody can suddenly make you taller, quicker, and more skilled. 

1. Punctuality. Be stretched out and ready to go on time. 

2. Effort. Be the hardest worker every practice.

3. Energy. Bring energy and energize your teammates. 

4. Positive attitude. Believe. 

5. Passion. Care. Care more every day than the day before. 

6. Body language. Walk onto the court tall, head up, looking confident. Everyone should know you belong as you announce your presence. You are where you should be. 

7. Coachability. Make eye content. Listen. Translate the coaching into action. They say 'jump', you say, "how high?"

8. Extra. Do five more. Be the first at practice, the last to leave. 

9. Preparedness. Know the coverages. Know your responsibility and those on the court with you. Know the score, the situation, and the plan. 

10.Work. Outwork the competition. "Don't cheat the drill." Have a strong identity "this is who I am" and reliable performance "this is what I do." 

"Dean Smith Time." Dean Smith, former UNC Basketball coach, was notorious for strict punctuality. Former player Phil Ford set his watch ten minutes early to assure he'd never be late. 

"Effort plus." NBA Hall-of-Famer John Stockton won EVERY sprint during his long career with the Utah Jazz. Success was his choice. 

"Energize." "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm." Be a star in your role, the best teammate ever. 

Lagniappe. Ball control drills from Elevate Yourself. 

Lagniappe 2. Coaches are like broken records. We say the same things again and again.