WHAT MATTERS MOST?

Size Matters

Unfortunately, there is no way to make players taller. Because tall people are closer to the basket than short people, it is easier for them to reach rebounds. Its easier for tall people to shoot over short people. Tall teams tend to intimidate small teams. All other things being equal, the taller team will likely win most of the time, proportional to the disparity in height. BUT... all things are rarely equal. As the ball moves away from the basket, the height advantage lessens. Tall teams should keep the play close to the basket - in the key area.

Unfortunately for the tall folks, the paint area only represents 7% of the playing surface. The remaining 93% belongs to the quick and the sure-handed.

Quickness Matters More

High school basketball players travel about a mile and half over the course of a full game. In a competitive situation, the pace can be constant and quick. Often the game is a footrace from end to end, with the winner getting an easy opportunity to score with the loser unable to defend at all regardless of height. The quick offensive player, with the advantage of initiative, can create enough space to go around the slower player.

For the defense, fast hands create turnovers from the unsure offensive player. Fast feet prevent the slower player from dribbling to her destination. Quick thinking enables the defense to intercept passes. The rule of thumb is that the quicker team will get more shots, primarily due to the relatively greater number of turnovers caused by the quicker team.

Conditioning Matters Most

It doesn't matter how tall or how quick you are if you cannot sustain your opponents pace for the length of a game. It is not uncommon to see a close game deteriorate in the final quarter because one team cannot keep up. Teams often score more in the fourth quarter than the earlier quarters because the defense tires out. The frequency of turnovers rises with fatigue, creating easy baskets for the better conditioned team. If you can't run, you can't win. Its that simple.

(thanks Steve Jordan)

MAKE 'EM COUNT

A basketball player’s ability to pass the ball at the right time, to the right player, with accuracy, is the sign of a great passer.

Most players of adequate skill can make passes around the perimeter of a team’s defense as this usually only involves recognizing the movement of a teammate to get open, and that teammate’s defender.

However, to pass the ball into the heart of the defense, with timing and accuracy, requires much more skill and reading. These “passes of significance”, which often lead to scores, signify the great passer, and are necessary if teams are to be successful.

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SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL

When you have the opportunity to practice and sharpen your skills, but you're tired and don't feel motivated enough to practice, or just don't want to... take a moment and think about the team you will have stepping onto the court with you this season. Not the new ones, but those that are 'battle-tested' and you know you can count on.

Think about how we will make up the 33.4 points per game we are losing.

Think about how we will make up the 20.6 rebounds per game we are losing.

Think about how we will make up the 12 steals and 7 assists per game we are losing.

Now think about who we will be playing in our first 10-12 games of the season. SL Jones, East Hill, Aletheia, Providence [ranked AL Top 10], Arnold, Wewa, Freeport, Pike [ranked AL Top 10] and Bozeman.

Which one of you... which one of your teammates, are going to step up and replace what we lost? There are only 37 days left until we start the season. Are you still tired and unmotivated?

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ANYTHING YOU ASK...

One of the primary mistakes that coaches make in team building is in believing that they have to be the sole provider of leadership.

Great teams have multiple leaders, multiple voices. A major part of building a team is discovering who those voices will be and cultivating them, making sure that their leadership is established within the group.

Before selecting the players for the Olympic team, coach K met with the prospective players trying out and immediately knew who one of the leaders would be.

During his meeting with Lebron James, LeBron leaned in closer and said, “Coach, this is a huge time for USA Basketball. We need to win now. You can ask me to do anything, and I’ll do it. Anything you ask, Coach you can count on me.”

On a team full of superstars, when the best players, the star players, are ready to submit to the overall values and vision of a team, then success is almost guaranteed.

(thanks coach Starkey)

INSIDE THE MIND OF MJ

With the NBA Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony set for this weekend honoring the best hoops player of all time, I thought it relevant to drop a few quotes from MJ. It's easy to see why he was considered the best.

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"I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win."

"I've never been afraid to fail."

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

“I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me . . . Failure always made me try harder next time.”

“I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying.”

"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartily. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results."

“There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players and

never win titles. Most of the time, those players aren't willing to

sacrifice for the greater good of the team. The funny thing is, in

the end, their unwillingness to sacrifice only makes individual

goals more difficult to achieve. One thing I believe to the fullest

is that if you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades

will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and

intelligence win championships.”

RETRO XI's SET FOR RELEASE NOV 27th

The "Space Jam" Jordan Retro XI's hit select retailers on November 27th and this coach is saving up his pennies for a pair. Maybe they'll make me run faster and jump higher.... nah... probably not! ;)D

REFUSE TO BE DENIED

"If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, work around it, or go through it."

- Michael Jordan

TODAY'S PREPARATION

"You better live your best and act your best and think your best today, for today is the sure preparation for tomorrow and all the other tomorrows that follow."

- Harriet Martineau

GOOD BALL HANDLING DRILL

A great drill to work on your handles, as well as handling defensive pressure when you have the ball, is the CHILL DRILL. I've seen different variations of it, but I really like this one.

(thanks coach Dorsey)

POEM FROM COACH SUMMITT'S PLANNER

(Katie with coach Summitt)

You can love me

but only I can make me happy.

You can teach me

but only I can do the learning.

You can lead me

but only I can walk the path.

You can promote me

but I have to succeed.

You can coach me

but I have to win the game.

You can even pity me

but I have to bear the sorrow.

For the Gift of Love

is not a food that feeds me

It is the sunshine

that nourishes that which I must

finally harvest for myself.

So if you love me

don't just sing me your song

Teach me to sing,

for when I am alone,

I will need the melody.

~~ Dan Baker ~~

TWO OF TENNESSEE'S DEFINITE DOZEN

Every successful program has a core set of values, principles that guide them in all they do. At Tennessee, Pat Summitt calls theirs the ‘Definite Dozen’ and they embody everything they want in their program.

Here are just two of the ‘Definite Dozen’ that each player should adhere to in-order to be a great teammate and to contribute in making their team the absolute best it can be.

Don't say things you wouldn't say to some one's face.

Don’t talk bad about your teammates or slam on them behind their back. It eventually gets back to them and it causes division on the team. Don’t allow your teammate to carry-on talking about another. By allowing it, you send the message that you agree with it, and that is just as bad.

Negative thinkers & talkers suck the energy out of teams.

The old expression “one bad apple spoils the whole bunch” couldn’t be truer. If you want your team to be successful, then you have to hold each other accountable. Don’t allow teammates to participate in negative talk or just be negative in general (someone that always complains about everything). Don't be afraid to confront them about it. I would be willing to bet others feel the same way you do and will probably stand with you when you confront the negative teammate.

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EFFECTIVE TEAM LEADERS

If you want to be an effective team leader, you can’t demand respect. You earn it through your actions, through your words and by your sincere desire to help those around you to succeed.

And most importantly, you have to walk it before you talk it.

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WHO ARE YOU?

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

- Mahatma Ghandi

Whether we want to accept it or not, we become the person we allow ourselves to become. And more often than not, it is a result of those we surround ourselves with.

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GOOD vs AVERAGE

Good players consistently act differently when they receive a pass than average players. Good players are always a threat to score. Their body language, their pivot, their eyes: they look aggressive.

Average players look different. They may pivot the same or make jab steps, but they do not look like threats to attack or shoot.

As a defender, you can 'read' your opponents body language on the catch and immediately tell whether they are a threat to score.

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

There will be six roster spots available this season and recent Tennessee Temple transfer, Katie Robertson, has already made it known that she wants to fill one of them.

Katie visited the team over the Thanksgiving weekend and again at the Nationals tournament in March before deciding to transfer. The offensive-minded sophomore has a scorer’s mentality and should see plenty of time at the high post.

(Hannah, Olivia, Rebecca & Katie at the NACA National Tournment in Dayton, TN)

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

For those who think size is important in basketball... have you ever been alone in a dark room with a mosquito?

Size means nothing and Sophomore guard and defensive ‘pest’ Hilliary Smith proves it by relentlessly harassing opposing ball handlers. Players may pass over her, but very few are able to dribble past her with her great footwork and quick hands.

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

The lone Senior on this years roster will be shooting guard Rebecca Farris. Her outside range and accuracy will be a legitimate threat to perimeter defenders this season.

She finished last season with a 41.7% (3FG) average and finished second (to Haley) in the All Star Weekend 3-point contest by nailing her first nine shots of the contest.

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

After having a great showing at the GC Elite Camp this Summer, Junior point guard Olivia Dew, will finally ‘take the wheel’ of the offense on a full-time basis this season.

In addition to being a solid defensive stopper, Olivia’s strength is her steady leadership and her ability to quickly recognize defensive alignments & mismatches and take advantage of them.

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

Arguably one of the physically toughest players in the conference, and on the roster this season, will be Sophomore guard Hannah Dobernig.

Hannah was a unanimous All-Conference selection last season and her determination to shut down the opponents best player is a testament to her ‘can’t get past me’ defensive attitude.

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TALENT IS NEVER ENOUGH

Great basketball players achieved greatness through inner determination and a drive to succeed. This drive and determination led to hours of practice time mastering new skills.

All the great players are notorious for their work ethic, as Magic Johnson said, "Talent is never enough. With few exceptions, the best players are the hardest workers." Larry Bird was known for his summer workouts, shooting thousands of shots every day during the summer. Michael Jordan was known for working on a weakness every off-season, perfecting a new skill and entering the next season with something new he did not possess the prior season.

"Many athletes have tremendous God-given gifts, but they don't focus on the development of those gifts. Who are these individuals? You've never heard of them -- and you never will. It's true in sports and it's true everywhere in life. Hard work is the difference. Very hard work."

- John Wooden

BUILDING CONSISTENCY

All players, especially the team leaders, should understand that practicing under game-like conditions (speed, shots, etc.) is sometimes more important than ‘what you practice.’

Because if a team isn’t consistent in the way they work, then it’s going to change with each day depending on how they feel. If you want to build consistency that remains constant in games, it starts with consistency in practices.

If your two-hour practice is hard, then four quarters of a game will be easy. 100% effort in everything you do will never let you down.

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

The Lady Lions low post weapon this season will be Sophomore Rachel Phelps. Not only is Rachel a solid defensive presence on the court, but she has the handles to go coast-to-coast when necessary.

In addition to being selected to the NACA All-Tournament team in her rookie season (as a mere 8th grader), she finished her freshman season ranked 7th on the Covenant all-time school rebound list.

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2009-10 PLAYER PREVIEW

The Lady Lions roster will get a little deeper this season at the guard spot as Sophomore All-Conference selection Lea McWilliams has been officially cleared to return to action following ACL surgery.

Lea missed the entire 2008-09 season after tearing her ACL just three weeks prior to the start of the season. Lea’s aggressive defense and mid-range jumpers will be a welcome addition!

Glad to have you back Lea!

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PUSHING THROUGH IT

"Adversity only visits the strong mind… but it moves in stays with the weak mind"

- Mark Gottfried

ARE YOU A 'JORDAN' OR A 'SKETCHERS?'

The 8 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand

No matter what part you play on your team, whether you’re a rebounder, a leader, a shooter, or even a manager, you should always be YOU and make sure everybody knows YOU are special, YOU are different than any other.

While most people tend to focus on just playing the game, many don’t take the time to evaluate their skill sets (weaknesses included) and how much of an impact they actually have on the team.

Another way of thinking about it… If you were to walk down the ice cream isle at the grocery store, there are dozens of different brands of vanilla ice cream. Yet, out of all those dozens of brands, most people have one particular brand they love more than any of the rest. Now apply that same principal to you and your basketball skills. What is your ‘brand?’ Are you just one of the many basketball players that your coach has to choose from? Or are you that favorite brand that is better than all the rest?

A ‘personal brand’ is not just some jazzy little logo that companies and high-dollar clothing or shoes have. If you are a player, then you too should develop your very own personal brand. No I don’t mean a logo, but instead you need to be known for being the best at something.

For those of you who don’t know where to begin you can start with the 8 Rules for building a successful personal brand:

1. Be Consistent

Think about who you are and who you wish to become. Make sure this is a true reflection of self and not a watered down carbon copy of someone else. Consistency will lead to recognition and ultimately this is what brands are known for.

2. Live & Breathe Your Talent

Don’t talk about it. BE about it. If you make the conscious decision to go ‘all in’ for something whether it be rebounding, scoring, ball handling, or being a good leader, etc….actually go ‘all in.’ In order for your ‘brand’ to thrive, you need to practice what you preach and soak up new knowledge about what you are doing. I know sometimes the road gets rough and your passion may get tested but realize that this is what will make you special. Separate yourself from the other ‘brands’ of players. The only thing left is to start now and never look back.

3. Sweat Equity is the Best Equity

Live the tradition the Lady Lions have established over the past few years: 100% effort in everything you do, fear no team or no player, and never surrender regardless of the score. If you believe in what you want to become, then prove it. If you aren’t investing any time into your own brand then why should someone think you are different?

4. Be Professional

You would think this would be self-explanatory but it’s not. No matter what you do, where you go, or who you talk to, always keep in mind that impressions are everything. Live by this quote, “You can’t control how you are perceived but you have 100% control over how you are presented.” Believe that! Because you never know who is watching.

5. Be Resilient

How many times have you felt like you’re not making progress over the past week? Month? Year? DON’T GIVE UP. No matter what! Yes, it’s okay to take a minute and pick yourself up off the ground and dust yourself off and get right back at it. Maybe you need to go ask a teammate for encouragement or maybe ask a coach for advice, but you can’t succeed if you give up when things get tough..

Keep grinding and never let someone else determine your future. Do not let your personal brand be affected by a third party. YOU are in control of your brand.

6. Be Transparent

Nobody expects you to be superwoman. Be real, be honest and most of all, accept that everybody makes mistakes, including you. Every once in a while let someone in on your thought process and technique so that they can give you some feedback. Don’t try to cover up when you mess up…talking about it can actually give you more insight into what went wrong in the first place and how it could have been prevented or improved upon.

7. Be Strategic, Daring and Open to Suggestions

Think about your brand and who you want to be. What do you want people to think about you? Strategically map out the things that you can do to achieve these goals. It’s imperative for you to have a plan to be the YOU you want to become. Planning is essential.

To be daring means having a plan but also leaving some room for new possibilities. Take risks in the way you do things. Most players don’t want to change the way they’ve been doing things (i.e., shooting mechanics) and be open to suggestions from others. You never know what you can learn to help make your brand better until you try.

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak,” – Epictetus

8. Develop Small OC-esque Habits

Obsessive = repetitive thoughts

Compulsive = repetitive drills

You have to be obsessed with your personal brand. You should obsess about the way you practice, the way you play, the way you lead, etc. All of these categories are important to establishing your brand. Examine your flaws and embrace them; turn them into assets. Be meticulous in the way you strive to make your brand the absolute best there is! You want people to look at YOU and talk about YOU in such a way that they see YOU as the best brand at whatever it is you do.

Magic Johnson once said… ”How you do something… is how you do everything.” So essentially, when you become known for doing things a certain way - give yourself a pat on the back because you have created an identifiable brand that is personally yours.

(thanks to Sakita Holley for the idea)