Attention club players. Sometimes you are going to suck. Yes, suck. S.U.C.K. You’ll miss shots, get cooked on defense, turn it over, look tired, lose confidence, and have weekends where nothing feels right. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It usually means you’re being stretched. Courage is showing up anyway!! Perseverance is continuing to work anyway!! And parents/coaches (sadly, I’m as guilty as anyone), not every bad game needs a full “TED Talk” on the car ride home. Sometimes the lesson is simple… keep working, keep competing, keep growing.
@UWOCoachLewis My daughter has been coming to your camps and you did such as amazing job teaching these younger kids the intangibles like being a great teammate!! Good luck to you!
There’s nothing more dangerous in high school basketball than an unselfish star player.
The one who passes when they could shoot, plays defense like their scholarship depends on it, and lifts their teammates.
Talent wins games — but humility wins championships.
No comfort, no passengers.
We compete with each other to complete the team.
We don’t protect feelings; we protect standards.
That’s how talent turns into titles.
A wise coach once said, "If you have to beg them to play, you will have to beg them to stay." You don't beg a Wolf to hunt... The Standard is the standard.
Winning tournaments feels exciting, but it doesn’t always mean players are developing. In fact, chasing wins at the youth level can sometimes get in the way of long-term growth.
Here are some thoughts from two years of observing the youth space.
A thread. 🧵
As summer ends I'm reflecting on how we teach attacking space & our concepts. The focus continued being on drive direction & being simple. Make & take individual space. Process goals focus on starts/stops/pivots. Attacking space simply. The reason:
Happy Birthday in Heaven today Dad! You would be 85 today. I just want you to know we love you very much and miss you greatly every day. You are the best! Love you from the Petitgoue family and WBCA family.
Looking at the context of this — college coach wants to see possible recruits defend — I understand. It also hints at the dichotomy of summer basketball: player exposure or practicing what your team does in season. We try to be cognizant of both. Everyone plays. Be simple. Play.
It is with extreme sadness to let you know that WBCA Executive Director and former Cuba City basketball legend Jerry Petitgoue passed away this afternoon. No one had a bigger impact on the game of basketball in Wisconsin. You were truly a special person. Love you from the WBCA
What does a strong team culture look like?
1. We > Me
2. Process > Prize
3. Serving > Self-Serving
4. Learning > Knowing
5. Positivity > Negativity
6. Encouraging > Ignoring
Choose to lead.
Be a gatekeeper of your culture.