If It Doesn't Serve, Don't Say It

We talk to our team about focusing on the words they speak.  Words have power.

From the book, "Rolling Thunder, an American Indian medicine man":

• "People have to be responsible for their thoughts, so they have to learn to control them.  It may not be easy, but it can be done.  First of all, if we don't want to think certain things we don't say them.  We don't have to eat everything we see, and we don't have to say everything we think.  So we begin by watching our words and speaking with good purpose only."

Marshall Thurber, successful realtor in San Francisco, agreed with his staff to only speak with good purpose.  That is, "If it doesn't serve, don't say it."

20 Thoughts & Observations From Non-Conference Play

Non-Conference Thoughts And Observations

I have put together some random thoughts and observations of our team and teams we have watched during the season in the non-conference. One of the things I enjoy about scouting and game preparation are the opportunities to learn. Not only do you learn about the opponent but all the teams that they play. We are constantly trying to improve our team by adapting things that we see. Listed below are 20 things I've thought about:

1. It's very hard to coach selfishness and immaturity.
2. Point guards that can control the tempo of a game are incredibly valuable.
3. The ability to penetrate and defend penetration.
4. Deep outlets put a lot of pressure on a defense.
5. Running along the side of the ball is not a stoping the ball in transition.
6. Players do not ealize the worth of starts, stops and turns.
7. Playing hard is a skill to develop.
8. Before teaching our players to lead others, we must first teach them to lead themselves.
9. Things that you can control, motivate you.
10. Develop the ability to maintain your stance for 30 seconds.
11. Finishing a 3/2, 2/1
12. Parents, Press, Peers
13. Communication--is part of skill development
14. Teach them how to watch tape
15. The art of simply hitting open shots
16. The ability to catch and shoot
17. Defining a shooter's range.
18. The value of ball reversal.
19. Teaching angles on offense and defense.
20. Cutting hard is a skill.