Tuesday, September 12, 2023

The Elements of TEAM

 


No cheesy slogans. Coach Kevin Sivils always writes it "TEAM." As a middle school coach, I distributed one award, the "best teammate" award, voted on by the players. Not the best player or the MVP but the player others thought best embodied what TEAM meant. Be that guy. The players always got it right.  

Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson says, "Basketball is sharing." TEAM sports means sharing. How do you share? 

FOCUS. Never take your eye off the ball. 

Be the hardest worker to model excellent. HARD WORK is a skill. 

"The game honors TOUGHNESS." You've read Jay Bilas's "Toughness." Toughness is a skill. Be the first to the floor. 

"TEAM first." Putting others first is a skill. That's often hard, especially with egocentric behavior in adolescents. Teens often see through a personal lens with less appreciation of other's viewpoints. "How can she play ahead of me?"

Communicate. When stress, sometimes we retreat inward. Communication suffers. "Silent TEAMs lose." Talk EARLY, LOUD, and OFTEN. 

UNC Coach Roy Williams went to scout a player. The player fouled out and sprinted to the water cooler to bring water to teammates during the 30 second substitution period. The player earned a spot. 

Disallow doubt. Visualize success. Never depart core principles.  

Summary:
  • Share.
  • Focus.
  • Outwork.
  • Out-tough. 
  • Put TEAM first.
  • Talk. 
  • Sacrifice. 
  • Visualize success. 







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