I tracked a few AAU players today. Both played 2 games. 1 took 7 shots & the other took 19. That’s not enough reps & there was a lot of empty wait time. Players need to put in real time outside AAU. If AAU is all you do 1-2x/wk & every weekend, your skill development will suffer!
Players: As we move into conference/district play, if you are too soft to take a charge, bump cutters, get through screens, dive on the floor for a loose ball & compete with physicality then you should probably help your team by sitting over on the bench where it’s nice & safe.
Jimmy Butler's Heat are such a pleasure to watch because they play SO HARD and SO TOGETHER. So mentally & physically tough. So hard to beat because they don't beat themselves. So different than, say, the 2014 Heat.
Players who’re good enough to earn a scholarship were going to be good enough regardless. It’s the PLAYERS who put in the time, effort & work. Anybody outside of the player & his/her family who tries to take credit for a players success is putting themselves before the player.
Players: You have 24 hours in a day & right now, all 24 belong to you. If you can’t find 1 hour to get in a purposeful workout, you don’t want it bad enough. No one can make you do it. You have to want to get better & put in the time. Are you making excuses or making progress?
Three things you control every day are your ATTITUDE, your EFFORT and your ACTIONS.
We can’t always control the events in our life but we can control our response. Every day you can focus on being positive, working hard and making others around you better.
Players: Every step on your journey to success, whether big or small, is still a step. Most days won’t be easy. Some will be extremely hard, but moving forward, even a little at a time, is better than not moving at all or moving backwards. Focus on the process of getting there.
Players: Know this secret: extra work will always be OPTIONAL. Whether it’s HS/College/Pro, no one is going to hold your hand to make you get better. You have to want to be great more than others will want it for you. Take responsibility for yourself, your game, your improvement.
Players: You are very fortunate to be involved in sports, but one day that will end. Will you be able to say:
I gave real, sincere effort
I was a great teammate
I was coachable
I was thankful
I made the most of every opportunity
If you can’t, you need to make some changes now.
Players: Remember, coaches DO play favorites. They play those who are tough, skilled, competitive, play hard every game, are accountable, don’t complain, accept roles/coaching, make no excuses & are capable. Ultimately, coaches play kids who give the team the best chance to WIN!
Players: Success revolves around your work ethic. Many people want the rewards, the respect & the opportunities, but don’t want to work for them. If you want to change your life, change your work ethic. It’s hard to overlook those who do extra, give more & have a great attitude.