Preparation is a must!
Preparation lays the foundation for success. As a former basketball coach, I dedicated countless hours to preparing for each game. This involved various tasks such as scouting the opposing team, analyzing game footage, and conducting daily practices with my team. We always felt ready to face teams that were equal to or better than us, but we often found ourselves unprepared against less skilled opponents. As I grew in my coaching journey, I came to realize that sometimes, prioritizing the team’s well-being necessitates sacrificing the potential for a resounding victory.
Early in my coaching career, my sole focus was on winning and winning by a wide margin. If we were significantly superior to an opposing team, I wanted to outscore them by a significant margin. However, a pivotal moment occurred that altered my coaching philosophy. Interestingly, it wasn’t related to basketball at all.
A concerned parent approached me seeking guidance regarding her son. She explained that her son consistently arrived late to school unless she personally woke him up and supervised his morning routine. Despite being a talented basketball player, his habit of tardiness was putting his place on the team in jeopardy. Determined to help, I agreed to speak with him. Prior to our conversation, I pondered several potential solutions, but none seemed appropriate for a student who was consistently late due to his lack of interest in attending school. Personally, I believe that individuals should not be rewarded for fulfilling their basic responsibilities.
During our discussion, I noticed a similar lack of effort when it came to basketball. Whenever he wasn’t the central focus of a play, he merely went through the motions without giving his all. His dedication only surfaced when he had a chance to shine individually. Consequently, he set weak screens, and his defensive efforts lacked intensity unless he anticipated gaining the spotlight. It became clear to me that he only worked when motivated but lacked discipline. I pondered how to instill discipline in him so that he could cultivate a similar culture within our 8th grade AAU team.
My suggestion to his mother was to encourage him to prepare for the morning the night before. This entailed having him select his clothes, pack his backpack, decide on his breakfast, and so on. I also advised him to complete these preparations before engaging in leisure activities such as watching television or playing video games, signaling the winding down of his evening. Did this solution completely resolve the issue? No, it did not. He still experienced occasional lateness, and his reluctance to attend school persisted. Nevertheless, he became better equipped for each school day through improved preparation.
In essence, the solution is simple, yet its execution can be challenging. However, preparation allows for more opportunities of success. When in doubt, prepare!
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