Plan – Teach – Motivate – Build a Team
Not long ago after speaking at a coaching clinic, I was asked by a local coach if I would visit basketball practice for his team of eleven-year old boys. It was an eye-opening experience. When I arrived, there were two teams of the same age and abilities practicing at the same time on opposite ends of the floor. The difference between the two teams was amazing. Here are some general observations.
Start of practice
Team A
Players sat on the floor as the coach talked to them for 15 minutes, within 3 to 4 minutes the players were lying down and had completely lost focus. Three players arrived late after the coach had begun.
Team B
Most players arrived early and practiced shooting. At the starting time, the whole team stretched for about 10 minutes while the coach walked around and met quickly with each player, welcoming each of them by name with a smile and asking if they had reached their shooting goals at home since the last practice. He used the stretching time as teaching time and reminded the team of what they had learned last practice and what the new skills would be for today. He ended with a quick huddle and reminder of the emphasis of the day and their team values (Concentrate – Do your best – Be a great teammate).