Wednesday Wisdom
“Coaches Don’t Build Habits”
Dear Players,
One of the toughest jobs a coach has is the understanding that at it’s core – we don’t “actually do anything” when it comes to your development. Â
The clip above is from an very famous & prestigious shooting coach named Dave Love. He says “words are not magical, but they don’t change habits” and that is 100% so true.
Our coaches are going to give you suggestions and directions, but the players have to take the actions and the better players are the players who will be able to teach themselves faster and hold themselves accountable more consistently…and that’s the true secret to development.
My last article was to your parents and giving them tips for how to help you this upcoming season and beyond. In summary, those suggestions were basically “leave you alone” so that YOU can figure out how to do those 2 things: teach yourself and hold yourself accountable.
As coaches, we also are trying not to overcoach you through every single action of every single play. If we have to constantly say “step in” when you’re on defense because you keep letting someone drive by you to the basket…we are actually HURTING you because now you are just waiting for every little instruction before you decide to act. We would never be able to say enough things to teach you everything. Â
The same is true if you did something good. You followed the pattern, caught the ball, and made the drive, made the right pass, and filled the spot. We couldn’t possibly compliment you on EVERY action/decision you made for EVERY play for EVERY player…it would be madness.
Yes we know that depending on your level, you may need more “instruction” and reminders, but sometimes those things don’t stick until there is repeated failure and the player makes the decision that he’s tired of that failure and makes the change. Things coaches can do to help reinforce this would be to provide consequences like running or maybe benching. These aren’t punishments but rather ways to remind and reinforce that if what’s being requested isn’t being done, then these are the repercussions/consequences that occur.
Same way if you don’t clean your room after repeated requests by mom/dad. First time is calm and matter of fact, then the voice starts to raise, the tone changes, and if it’s still not done – now a consequence. However – if you just did it the first time and then did it EVERYTIME without having to be reminded (because you KNOW this is whats supposed to be done) then you would never see those consequences.
As coaches – we prefer to cheer you on, point out/compliment you on the things we are seeing done well consistently rather than go the other way – but again – just remember that YOU (the player) ultimately make the final decisions.
Practices are classrooms and they’re places to learn. Come ready to learn and willing to accept the challenge to control your own habits. Once you can do that – now you start to understand TRUE confidence because it comes from you!
