Let’s be honest.  Not all coaches are fair.  They all seem to want to win, but some are hell- bent on winning a certain way, and that may or may not include your services– in the beginning. Sometimes no matter how well you perform, coaches- especially at the college or pro level or any situation where they have a plethora of options, may not play you … just because.  You choose it.  He may not like something about your game, something about you, or whatever.  It really could be… just because ??

I personally believe that coaches who don’t allow the players to decide who plays (based on their play), should be lined  up and exterminated.  It goes against the true spirit of competition and our american principles. It’s beyond wrong – but it happens all the time. And worse, everyone seems to stand idly by and let it happen.

The answer, if you find yourself “caught up”…

Resist the urge to whine to that seemingly sympathetic ear. Your teammates- and others want to support you (usually), but in reality they’re  singularly focused on their own circumstance. The assistant coaches will give  you the good cop, bad cop (head coach) routine. Uggh! (Remain pleasant).

However, the only real way to change your circumstance is to continue to demonstrate (every second) what you’re capable of and by maintaining a positive and supremely joyous attitude.  If you truly deserve to play, everyone knows it- including the head coach.

There’s usually some block (rational or irrational) in the mind of a coach who doesn’t play a person who deserves to play.  Remaining positive and gracious will eventually allow him or her to save face when your play demands that you be included- if only to preserve the integrity of the group. If you keep performing, something will give and sooner than it seems while your caught up in it (not playing).

Once the paradigm shift happens  and the coaches’ perception of you changes, he’ll (if only privately)  have a greater amount of respect for you and will typically be better able to evaluate you at face value. Equally important, he will eventually allow you to flourish according to your capabilities… and deservedly so!

So let’s clear the air.  No one cares if it ain’t fair.  So in order to fare well, you’ll have to handle your circumstance  well.  Don’t dwell on the negative.  Give all that you’ve got to get it done and cold-filter the rest (of the b.s.)  Trust me… I’ve been there!

When we typically think of a minute, it’s no big deal. Quietly, we give away minutes  everyday. “Ahh.. it’s okay, no problem.”  However, when it comes to sports and competition, a minute (of playing time) is golden.  In fact, getting as many as possible is always way up there on the short list of any true competitor. Basketball players are no different.  Players are vying for those precious  rotation spots and desired role definitions as I type. Gym shoes are squeaking, elbows are flying as everyone is giving their all to play. Everyone should want to play and  everyone should want to be productive in any manner to help the team … although, I’m sure “scorer” would probably be the most desired description in the lineup.  You’re main concern should be to get out on the floor by any means (role) necessary! Which basically means expanding your value to the team at all times.

Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City Thunder

If you ask me, D is the key.

It seems fewer people truly understand the science of defense.  How many players today are actually interested in playing it… Tell me the last time you heard of or saw a player stick out his chest and say “I got D”, as a way to represent himself?

“The Virtual Game of Basketball” Learn to take your man to S.C.H.O.O.L defensively

Great defenders are part of the fabric of any successful team. Additionally, establishing yourself  as a bona-fide on-ball defender or a “Carom Scare ‘em” of a rebounder, is not only a sure-fire way to make the team, but also a sound strategy to earn minutes- whatever level you play. Fierce defenders manage to keep top offensive players out of rhythm and help to disrupt the overall offensive flow of the other team- which should be the most important defensive key. Rugged rebounders on the other hand, secure and provide extra possessions for their teams.

The strategy for rebounding starts with P&P: Probability and Proximity.  Probability is the summation of facts to determine the likely destination of the ball following a missed shot. Proximity is a strategy for getting as close as you can, as soon as you can, to that location. “The Virtual Game of Basketball”

Ever notice how great  rebounders find themselves on top teams (Lol). Look at this short list of  top rebounders  from throughout history. They’ve all put on championship rings at the professional level.  Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlin, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Paul Silas, Maurice Lucas, Robert Parrish, Bill Walton, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace and I’m sure I missed a few. Sorry Ron Ron!

The truth is, no matter how tough you are as a team on a particular defensive stand, without the rebound you’re still on D.  Key stops  and  rebounds are game changing moments, and the players responsible are “Mo-Men” or momentum changers. Every team needs one… or two.

Shot-blockers fit into this category as well. Terrific shot-blockers can change an offensive scheme  quick, fast and in a hurry.  Ever heard of those “Georgetown Boys” (Patrick Ewing , Dikembe Mutumbo and Alonzo Mourning)?

If rebounding, shot-blocking and on-ball D are not your most distinguishable attributes, you can still earn time as a legitimate “Lane Patrol Officer” (off-ball defender). On duty officers solidify “gap management” (“help” situations) and can come up big with timely steals.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to limit you to the role of “specialist”- far from it. Instead, I’m trying to provide you with a mindset and platform that will give you the opportunity to do many of the things that you’re capable of. I don’t care how much game you got, you can’t express yourself (outside of the cheering capacity) from the bench. Realistically, the differences between capable players is marginal. Therefore you have got to have something about your offering that separates you from the other guy or gal, trying to get in where they fit in.  One or more of these roles, whether primary or secondary could be the difference for you in your circumstance.

IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR, opportunities to score and do other things will present themselves galore. It’s all about doing what you’re coached to do and also doing what you are capable of doing- inside the context of the team strategy. Unfortunately, it’s not at all possible to dial in, until the coach calls your number.  So do all you can do to make it to the “favorites” list. So you too can hear the sweet ringing of your name being called… perhaps over and over again.

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The 2010-11 hoop season is coming fast.  Last spring season came and went, and the summer circuit has evaporated into the fall… real quick I might add, huh? Basketball time goes faster than any other- which is a a beautiful thing, if you’re doing the right things. Otherwise the tries don’t supply the change, and your game stays the same-for the most part.

So, how much have you grown as a player since the whistle blew out the 2009-2010 season? You’ve gotten a little older and like everyone else in every sport, I’m sure you’ve thrown up a few weights, so you’re probably a bit stronger. You’ve certainly gotten  plenty of shots up too- hopefully you’re not grooving any faulty mechanics.  As strange as it sounds, be careful with shooting machines. Using machines before you’re technically “ready” will help you get tons of less than optimal reps and “help you” get better at  shooting with a higher degree of difficulty than what is necessary?  Refine your shooting technique first. This can be done from a foot away. It’s about the technical precision of the shot, not the distance per se.   Distance (eventually) comes with more foot power.  Stay close (to the basket) with your reps until you can get the ball to come back to your shooting hand continuously.   This will indicate a mathematically sound delivery.

Anyway, the main thing is whether you made strides in a way that separates you from the masses of other ball-playing sisters and brethren, and whether or not you got better (made the necessary changes and additions) in a way that will greatly improve your on- court performance? . If you did, not only are you lucky, but also part of a very small crowd- particularly at the high school, college and professional levels. Like I said in “Empty Without It”…. there’s a difference between just going to the gym and growing at the gym- no matter how many hours you spend there. The sole goal should be chartable growth at all times.

How do you think your personal growth would look on a chart? Most players would actually be shocked to see the marginal gains of their effort (s)- especially the hard-workers. All the long hours put in, and all the sweat they saw fall, there should be a higher ROI perhaps. Unfortunately, it’s trickier than that. True growth requires MPT: the right Materials, proper pressure, and time to make it happen. If your goal is CQI (continuous quality improvements), your efforts must fall within these guidelines and unfortunately, the right materials is hard to come by. If you’ve read the article,“By The Time You Get to Where You’re Going”, then you understand, there really is no time to spare – if you’re truly serious about getting better in real-time. Some how you’ve got to “Listen to the Message” and if possible, to get yourself ”From Do-How to Know-How… Hopefully”... while you have a chance.

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