SEPARATING FACTOR IS CHARACTER

"When I first started coaching I thought mostly of physical ability; quickness, agility, control, strength, and explosiveness.

Then, as we developed into a stronger team, character became more important.  The character and competitiveness of a player become the more controlling factors.

When you reach a championship level, what separates you is basically the character on your team.  If you have enough character, it'll usually pull you out of tough situations."

-Tom Landry

Dalla Cowboys

The Essence of TEAM

No Umenyiora (injured).  No Strahan (retired).  No Shockey (traded).  No Burress.  Five new defensive starters.  No players rank at the top of major stat categories.

And somehow the NY Giants aren't just better than last season when they won the Super Bowl (without a single Pro Bowl player), they're 10-1.

As the NY Times puts it:  "The more anonymous they become, the better they get.  The deeper they dig into their roster, the more they win.  The Giants, despite their success, shine without much individual wattage."

Coach Tom Coughlin contends that it comes down to one thing: Team.

“That’s really what the essence of it is.  That’s what this thing is all about: team."

Based on their comments, Giants players have bought in.

According to LB Antonio Pierce:

“Once you have guys here complaining or being bitter about not getting the ball enough or not making enough plays, that’s what causes the problems.  We’ve had that here.  We don’t have that here now.  That’s why we’re 10-1.  I’d rather have 53 guys who play like Pro Bowlers, regardless of whether they get into the Pro Bowl or not.  That’s what our team is.

We have 53 stars.  Instead of having that one star-power guy, that guy that gets all the attention, all the love, every week reporters have somebody else to talk to, something else to write about.  That’s good.  That’s good for our whole team, because that means everybody’s shining.  And if you’ve got your whole team shining, you can’t have nothing but a good team.”

Says Giants center Shaun O'Hara:

“The one thing I can say about our team right now is whether we’re up 3 or down 3, up 7 or down 7, we have the confidence that we’re going to come back and win the game.  A lot of us feel like that because we have done it before.

“[After winning a championship] you raise your own standards as well as your team’s standards.  You carry yourself differently because you do not allow yourself or your teammates to settle for mediocrity.  You expect greatness from everybody.  You’re no longer saying: ‘Oh, man, we didn’t get it done.  Well, what are you going to do?  We’re not perfect.’

Now it’s like, ‘That’s unacceptable.’  We know how good we can be when we play the way we’re supposed to play.”

4:13

ASK YOURSELF - DO I HAVE IT?

Came across a speech by Anson Dorrance from a University of North Carolina freshman athletic orientation class.

“I will excel athletically by committing myself to performance excellence, team success, and continual improvement.”

- from the Carolina Creed

There are three things at the core of athletic character:

One . . . self-discipline

Two . . . competitive fire

Three . . . self-belief

I am sure everyone in this room has huge talent.  The University of North Carolina does not recruit athletes without it.

And some of you are going to make it because you have the self-discipline to separate yourself from your peers even though self-discipline is an extraordinarily uncomfortable state . . . it is not easy for ordinary people.  Most of us are rather ordinary so most of us will not really attain their potential.  It is just too hard to invest in being the best.  Most of us would rather be comfortable.  But please understand being ordinary is not an indictment… it is a choice.

Mia Hamm once said that “The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching.”

Some of you will make a name for yourself and your university because your competitive fire lights up an arena or a stadium.  Do you remember the day or the moment you decided you were always going to do your best?

Some of you will make a name for yourself because your self-belief will not be shaken, regardless of what happens to you.

I am here to tell you, you control all of these qualities.  These are not genetic traits you inherited, these are all decisions you all have made or can make now to make a difference.

So let me ask you, what are all of you going to choose to be?  This core of athletic character is not what you have been given, it is what you choose to have.  So will you choose to have:

- self-discipline

- competitive fire and

- self-belief?

And if you don’t choose it, don’t worry, very few people do . . . these kinds of people are exceptionally rare, they are sometimes called champions. “Champion” is another word for individuals willing to do difficult and uncomfortable things on a daily basis that no one else is willing to do.

4:13

LEADING BY PLAYING WITH HEART

Great article in ESPN The Magazine about PG Brandon Jennings, who went from Oak Hill Academy High School to playing professionally in Italy.

Worth the read.

PRIMARY DEFENSIVE GOAL

After spending a few minutes watching some of our recent games, I notice a couple of things about our defense that we need to become better about recognizing.  

When an opponent is able to freely bring the ball downcourt, or score, we need to stop looking at it as "it wasn't my man, I had my man covered."  Instead, we need to look at it as "that was Covenant's man, that was everyone's man that just scored."  

Our primary philosophy on defense is: STOP THE BALL.

Regardless of where the ball is, our goal is to STOP THE BALL.

A few of you are playing oustanding help & recover defense.  (Heather, Hilliary, Chelsea, Hannah)  Others are playing great help-defense, but are to slow to recover to your man or you lose your man altogether.

The second thing I notice is that a few of you continue to play your man rather than STOPPING THE BALL.  You can't run side-by-side with your man down the court and expect to stop the ball.  You have to get ahead of her and force her into doing something else...picking up her dribble, forcing her into help-defense, etc.

Our ROVER on our opponents inbounds plays is standing 25 feet away from her man and just watching the play rather than being part of the play.  The Rover's responsibility is to help double-team the ball OR to see a screen developing and cover the open receiver - neither of which seems to be happening.

We should take great pride in our ability to pressure the offense into doing things they aren't very comfortable doing (rushing shots, rushing passes, etc.).   

Execution + Effort = Excellence.

4:13

USE YOUR HEAD - MENTAL FITNESS

Basketball is a game of mental and physical fitness.  If you want to outperform others in the game of basketball, you have to remember to use your brain just as much as you use your body.  Thus, you should not just workout your body, but your brain as well.  This will give you a distinct edge over a lot of players who simply workout their bodies. 

Now you may ask, " how exactly am I supposed to work out my brain"?  We'll it's simple, study your mistakes and improve on them.  But wait…there’s a catch.  You see, most players don’t even recognize that they are making mistakes.  99% of what a player does out on the court is based on their habits, whether those habits are good or bad habits.  A player will usually refer to their dominant habit (whether good or bad) when placed in a stressful situation.

A few examples of good habits that we have formed are:

How Hannah jump-stops at the basket 99% of the time.  How many defenders have we watched blow right past her as she finishes her lay up on-balance, with power and under control?  She rarely gets impatient and just throws up a rushed shot.

When was the last time we had an unforced turnover along the sideline or baseline?  We make a conscious effort to stay out of the manure strip.

How many times have we pushed the ball up the floor and beat the defense back for an easy basket?  Does anyone remember RACECAR?

Those were just a few of the examples of mental fitness that we routinely use on the court.  None of us like to hear criticism of any kind, but if you will look at criticism as an opportunity to learn something new that will give you a distinct advantage over other players, you will start to see an immediate improvement in your game.  

Accept what your coach says you need to work on without taking it personal.  It is intended to help you recognize and modify certain habits in order for you to improve your game.  

4:13

ME-FIRST vs. TEAM-FIRST

Part of what is wrong with sports these days (and drives coaches crazy), from the youth and high school level, all the way to professional sports, is the “me-first” attitude rather than the “team-first” attitude.

When a player cares more about playing time or starting position then they do about being part of a winning team – they are not a very good teammate and their selfishness can have an adverse affect on the team as a whole.

The news is filled with examples of the “me-first” athletes.  For the past few weeks, NY Knicks guard Stephon Marbury has refused to dress out over his perceived lack of playing time, and now he wants to be traded.  What do his teammates think of Marbury’s attitude?  Teammate Quentin Richardson, who presumably has chatted with Marbury on the subject at some point has had enough.

"I don't regard him as a teammate" Richardson said.  “Regardless of what you have going on with the organization or what you have going on with your coach or whatever.   Once again, I don't pay attention to (Stephon) because I don't look at him as a teammate anyway.  Right now, he's the furthest thing from my mind.  We got a pretty good thing going.  I'm trying to hold onto that.  He's not trying to be part of this team.  He's voiced that.  That's what it is.  So why would I waste my time thinking about him?"

Then there’s the latest headlines for the Golden State Warriors:  First Al Harrington, now Marcus Williams: The Boston Globe reports that Williams is the latest player to want out of Golden State, citing lack of a sustained opportunity to get plenty of minutes.

Again, not wanting to be part of a winning team, but rather wanting more minutes for himself.

And ESPN reported today that the Piston’s have suspended Allen Iverson and will levy a hefty fine for missing today’s practice.  Iverson was the only player that didn’t show up for the Thanksgiving Day practice.  Again, a player that puts “me-first” rather than “team-first.”

Youth basketball is where everyone played equally.  As you progress upward, it’s not about being fair or paying dues.  It’s about being part of something bigger than the individual.  It’s about working together for the overall goal (and overall good) of the team.  It’s about accomplishing something few teams get to do -- win a championship.

4:13

Another Thought on RF Munroe

Watching RF Munroe on defense late in the game reminded me of something we should cover.  Although we rarely find ourselves behind near the end of a game, it is always good to know how to handle the situation in the event that it happens.

BEHIND: ON DEFENSE

There are no prizes given for staying between your man and the basket and playing “good solid-defense.”  If you stay in good solid defensive position, the clock will soon run out and we lose.

A team that is ahead with just a few minutes left in a close game will try and waste the time on the clock by spreading the ball with passes.  Although we tried to do it with Munroe and became impatient, their defense on our passes was horrible.  They ran back and forth chasing the ball, thinking they were playing solid defense.

Many players fail to adjust their thinking at this point.  Although we want to discourage shots, we definitely want to discourage passes.  If you want to play good solid-defense at the end of a game when we are behind, you have to make it VERY difficult – almost impossible for your man to receive the ball.

If we find ourselves behind late in a game, and our opponent wants to protect their lead and begins to spread & slow the ball --  stick to your man like glue and don’t let her touch the ball.

Our goal is to stop the pass.

4:13

HOW TO CONTROL THE BALL (ON DEFENSE)

A player with the ball can only do three things:

1.  She can pass the ball.

2.  She can shoot the ball.

3.  She can dribble right or left.

Knowing this, you should use your intelligence to control the offensive player by taking away at least two of her three choices.

Aggressively closing out on her and getting inside her "bubble" will take away the easy shot.  In addition, being inside her bubble also makes it difficult for her to make a good pass.  Okay, you've just taken away two of her three choices.  

Now, can you take away part of her final and only choice?

The only choice she has left is to dribble right or left.  Knowing that most players are right- handed, doesn't it make sense to take away her right hand if she wants to dribble?  By forcing her to her weak hand, you have just put her at a disadvantage.

Control the ball and you control the game.

4:13

BEATING DOUBLE-TEAMS

Double-teams must be tough to beat in football.  Two big linebackers run at you full-speed and knock you into next week.  But, in basketball, where no one is allowed to touch you, there is no reason that a double-team should bother you.

It is merely a matter of how you think, if your first thought is "oh no, a double-team," you are likely to panic and throw an ill-advised pass just trying to get rid of the ball.

Instead, your thinking should be "oh, here's a 4-on-3 opportunity."  All you have to do is be strong with the ball, be patient, stay low, pivot and look.  (Sounds almost like HuPPPY doesn't it?)  If you think "tough" and protect the ball, one of your teammates will have time to get open for an easy pass, and your team will have a 4-on-3 scoring opportunity.

4:13

First P.O.O.P. and now P.R.E.P.

After spending some time watching the Rutherford and Munroe games again last night, I think it's time we introdce a new word into our vocabulary.  PREP.  

No, not the kind of person you're thinking about, but instead P.R.E.P. stands for Prime REceiving Position -- a place you should NEVER be unless you are wide open for a pass.

One of the biggest faults of players that often results in turnovers for teammates is standing in prime receiving position, ten to fifteen from the ball, but not moving and too closely guarded to throw a pass to.

Just one player standing close to the ball but not free forces the the player with the ball to go the other way and limits her options.  Anytime two players stand in prime receiving position but are not open, a turnover is very likely to result -- either from a risky pass, a double team, a five-second call, or any other number of risky possibilities.

It may look like the dribbler's fault, but it is actually the fault of her teammates who clogged the area around her and prevented her from doing something good with the ball.

If the passer has to wonder whether or not you are open...YOU ARE NOT OPEN.  LEAVE.  GET OUT OF THE WAY FAST.  Let your teammate throw to a man that is running to the ball.

PREP means being in the right area when the ball needs a quick outlet.

Fuel For a Comeback

Rick Pitino has a new book out titled "Rebound Rules."

Found some excerpts online, including this one in which Coach Pitino describes how his University of Kentucky team came back from a 31-point deficit at LSU in 1994:

"One thing you must do in the face of adversity is to be honest with yourself.  Acknowledge the difficult spot you're in and commence digging out of it.  Don't point fingers, don't recriminate, and don't make excuses.  Stay positive and get to work.

The grand scheme at that very moment wasn't to emerge with a victory at night's end; looking that far ahead would have blurred our focus on the gradual progress that comprises every comeback.

The goal was to get within 20 points as quickly as possible.  To do that, we concentrated on three things: using our press to create turnovers, fouling the two shaky free throw shooters LSU had on the floor, and getting high-percentage shots.

All three worked, and the turnaround actually happened faster than expected.  In about five minutes of clock time, we'd shockingly chopped the deficit from 31 to 14.  Our frantic style of play helped -- speeding up the game and increasing the possessions for both teams gave us more chances to rally.

Stubbornly, we kept whittling away at LSU's lead, as the celebrating crowd turned more and more nervous.  Every timeout Tigers' coach Dale Brown called in an attempt to slow our momentum actually raised our spirits.  We knew we had them rattled; we knew we had a chance.

Walter McCarty dropped in a three-point shot with 19 seconds left and we took the lead, 96-95, and went on to win 99-95.  To this day, it remains the biggest comeback in college basketball history on the road.”

The game was certainly memorable, but it was no miracle.  It didn't take divine intervention to win that game; it took an unbreakable optimism, and a plan for coming back.

Comebacks begin with positive energy on the floor, on the bench, and in the team huddles.

They began with a belief that things would get better if we persevered through adversity, trusted each other and worked together.

They began with a conviction that consistent effort, even against long odds, inevitably would turn the tide.   They began with a reliance on the fundamentals that made us a successful team to begin with, and we didn't desert them in a crisis.

They began with a single good play, and a certainty that one good play would lead to another and another and another until the deficit was gone and the game was won.

When it comes to team dynamics on a basketball court -- maintaining a positive atmosphere is crucial.  Being relentlessly positive can be the only way to come back and defeat towering negativity.

4:13

PULL THE PLUG

I'm not sure how many of you realize just how close we came last night to allowing RF Munroe a chance to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

I know I preach "run-run-run" at every opportunity (which is our strength), but there are also times when we need to slow it down and burn as much clock as we can.  The final four minutes of last night's game was one of those times.

One of the parents made the comment that the team seemed so amped up and ready to run that you almost have to pull the plug to get them to stop. 

I agree.

The most difficult thing to master in an emotionally charged game is "self-discipline."  We have to be able to control our thoughts and our actions, even when it seems irresistable, like the 3-pointer from the top of the key last night after I had called for spreading it out and burning clock five or six different times.  Had that shot missed and Munroe got the rebound I would have probably gone ballistic.

Basketball is one of the few sports where momentum can change in a heartbeat.  We only won by 9 points and a good team can easily score 9 points inside of 60 seconds.  I know because we've done it on more than one occasion.

RF Munroe is a good team, regardless of the way they played last night.  Their late game rally of six unanswered points against our defense is testament to that.

Know when to run...and know when to show some self-discipline.

4:13

OUR VERY OWN ERKLE

After entertaining the team in the locker room with a very convincing impression of a female Erkle, Haley gave Rutherford a very convincing impression of what a baller does on the court.  She dropped 39 points on the Rams.

4:13

SKIRMISH ON DEFENSE

One of the biggest mistakes that most defensive players make (off the ball) is to just "react" to what happens...rather than try and control and manipulate future events.  If you just react to what happens, you're probably too late.

However, if you will use your skirmish (fake and threaten) you will constantly make the offense perceive you as a threat to what they want to do...you are then manipulating the offense, slowing them down and making them second guess what they want to do.

4:13 

TWO ON ONE FASTBREAK

Passing back and forth is the best way to score on the two-on-one break because it never allows the defender to act.  The defender is forced to REact to each pass.

If you are defending the two-on-one, you want to stay away from the ball, preventing a pass, and force the ball to be dribbled into the basket while you fake and try to get the dribbler to pick up her dribble or make a pass that you are prepared to intercept.

At the last second, you can try to distract the shot or get into the dribbler's way to disrupt her rhythm.  The important thing is to stay near one player and keep the ball in the other player's hands, preferrably on the left side (weak side).  With the ball on the left side, you fake and threaten at the last second.

4:13

MENTAL TOUGHNESS = NO STRESS

Mental toughness is not something you have on game day.  It is a habit of mind that becomes a part of your pride and your self image.  It is something you carry with you everywhere -- it’s a quality of mind.

What do you care if you are fouled going for a shot?  What do you care if the court isn’t very good or the lighting isn’t very good.  Or the referees aren’t very good?  There are thousands of potential complaints, and there is a certain nobility associated with knowing that YOUR game won’t be affected by all the little things, the minor problems or childish complaints.

Develop a noble quality of mind.  Learn to do your best quietly, methodically, and without regard for tiny problems, inconveniences or adverse conditions.  There are players that ignore all the negatives and give every game, every practice, everything they do their best effort.  THAT is what mental toughness is.  

Nothing should be able to derail you from being at your best.

4:13    

IMMEDIATELY OR NOT AT ALL

This concept is very simple to understand, but few good players understand the importance of it.

If you decide to go one-on-one, do it IMMEDIATELY after you catch the ball, or don't do it at all.  There is a very good reason for this.  The longer you hold the ball and look around, the more time the defense has to get in good help-position to stop you and clog the paint.

If there is an opening to go one-on-one, your best chance for success is immediately, not after you hold the ball for several seconds.

The same concept applies to a shot from outside.  Anytime you have stood there deciding, decide not to shoot.  Why?  Because tentative shooters are poor shooters.  If something about the situation causes your instincts to delay, then something about your instincts is likely to disrupt the smooth flow of the shooting motion.

When in doubt, pass.

4:13

Don't Hide From the Ball

One of the biggest complaints from most players is that they do not get the ball enough.  However, one of the biggest faults of most players is their failure to come to the ball against pressure.  

Coaches call it “Hiding” and most players tend to do it without ever realizing it.  They get twenty-five to forty feet away and stand waiting on the ball to be thrown to them.  Sometimes they wave their hand frantically, but whether they know it or not, they are hiding.

If the ball is being double-teamed, or if your teammate has picked up her dribble and the defender is all over her…if you aren’t ten feet from the ball and clearly visible to receive the pass, then you are hiding.

A player being pressured by two defenders (or even one good defender) cannot be expected to look twenty-five to forty feet down court for someone to throw the ball to.  ALWAYS ask yourself, am I in a position right now to get the ball without a problem?

4:13

IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST TALENT

We hear the word talent used over and over again in sports, yet talent isn’t what makes you successful.  It’s the little things that make up your character like values, behaviors and goals that provide the real foundation for success.  "Too many talented people who start with an advantage over others lose that advantage because they rest on their talent instead of raising it.  They assume talent will keep them out front."

- John Maxwell

Here are Maxwell's 13 keys to maximizing talent:

1.  Belief lifts my talent.

2.  Passion energizes my talent.

3.  Initiative activates my talent.

4.  Focus directs my talent.

5.  Preparation positions my talent.

6.  Practice sharpens my talent.

7.  Perseverance sustains my talent.

8.  Courage tests my talent.

9.  Teachability expands my talent.

10. Character protects my talent.

11. Relationships influence my talent.

12. Responsibility strengthens my talent.

13. Teamwork multiplies my talent.

4:13

THERE ARE NO LIMITATIONS

As some of you can probably tell by my numerous entries, I’m a Bruce Lee fan.  I have been since I was a young 10-year old and saw “Enter the Dragon” for the first time.  I walked out of the theater that day and did not hesitate to beat up any trash can or bicycle that looked at me in the wrong way.

Even though he’s been dead for 37 years, Lee continues to inspire because of his philosophy of pursuit of personal perfection.  

In the world of kung fu, there are different styles of fighting.  If you’ve seen Kung Fu Panda you may not have realized it, but the Tiger, Snake and Monkey are all traditional forms of kung fu based on a particular style of attack.  Most traditional martial artists adopted a particular style of fighting that was set in stone - they gave a fixed set of moves.

What set Lee apart from other martial artists was his understanding of the human dynamics of change.   Lee on the other hand had much simpler philosophy that bypassed the ritualistically practiced fixed forms that most fighters adhered to.  Lee boiled it down to this: The martial artist must ask two questions.  1) What is it that I want to accomplish?  2) What is the quickest, most efficient and effective way to reach my objective?  His answer was basically to use what worked best from all the styles and ignore the rest. 

Lee took an objective look at his life, and his art, and sought to improve himself.  His success owed to his philosophy in that his growth was not thwarted by the strict rules of a fixed list of moves.  Other martial artists might improve themselves to the standards of a fixed style, but Lee measured himself to the standards of human potential.

As a player, you should seek to become the best player you can possibly become without setting limitations on what you will be able to accomplish.  There are no limitations to what you can accomplish.

“I do not fear the man that has practiced 10,000 kicks one time.  I fear the man that has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”

-Bruce Lee

(Thanks  Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Instructor & Jeremy Condick)