Above the tactics, strategy, & technique...our attitude and our commitment to each other is more important.

Mistakes don't lose games. How we respond to the mistakes do.

It's all about how we handle those tough moments in the game. 

Here's the deal: when everything seems to be piling up against us, that's when we're in the middle of a storm. 

- Missed layup? Check. 

- Other team on a hot streak? Yep. 

- Turnover on a bad pass? Been there. 

- Fans and refs not on our side? It happens. 

Reacting to a mistake by pointing fingers or getting down on ourselves only gives the other team an advantage. It adds to the storm.

So, instead of adding to the storm, we need to see the storm for what it is – an opportunity!  

We can turn that negative energy into something POSITIVE & POWERFUL! 

Like, when they steal the ball from us, we hustle back twice as hard. 

When we miss a shot, we use it as motivation to make the next one count. 

It's all about fueling ourselves with that temporary negativity and turning it into positive energy. 

"I am a Difference Maker." Instead of dwelling on mistakes or getting caught up in the negativity, we focus on making a positive impact...we remind ourselves, I am a difference maker. That is our Response Mindset. 

As a reminder, if a teammate claps twice, we clap back twice...or if a teammate thumps their chest twice, we thump it back twice. That non verbal signal will act as a reminder for us to go out and make a difference & also a reassurance that we are together in whatever situation arises.

I AM A DIFFERENCE MAKER

Positive touches and energy - During practice, during games, on the bench, on the court...body language matters. 

• • High fives, fist bumps, pats on the back etc...these are normal & expected behaviors from our team.

  • We expect mistakes and are ok with mistakes - there is no pressure in making a mistake

  • We own the mistakes, we learn from them, we rely on our teammate to encourage us

  • We do not feel sorry for ourselves & we do not let our teammates feel sorry for themselves. This leads to complaining...we do not complain, we compete always.

  • We shake hands and thank our competition for making us better, every chance we get. Sometimes that competition is your teammate in practice, sometimes it's another team in a game. 

Communication - We want our players talking on defense and on offense...Talking is both body language & vocal.

• • On the bench we want them studying and talking about the game...what are the other team's tendencies, what adjustments should we make.

  • One goal through Spring season is having the girls start to self-identify adjustments without a coach intervention during games. This may mean changing shapes as a team offense and defense, or it may mean helping each other identify a read.

  • We are kind and honest with each other on and off the court. 

  • Coaches will communicate simply the role and job of the player.

  • The player will communicate and acknowledge back they understand.

Hustle Effort - We may not always make the best decision as we play, BUT high effort will always be expected.

• • Our players will never be yelled at for making a mistake...we much rather our players play without fear of mistakes. We definitely will coach a player up, but VERY rarely while they are playing.

  •  If we are up 100-0, we still hustle - We still show respect to the other team by hustling.

  • If we are down 100-0, we still hustle - We show respect to ourselves and our teammates by hustling.

4 Focus areas:

1) Injury prevention (dynamic and static stretching)

2) Game speed shooting (catch and shoot as well as post work)

3) Moving with the ball (dribbling under pressure and creativity to move with the ball)

4) Changing shapes on Defense and Offense 

We will make efficient use of time:

• This means we will maintain a consistent rhythm to practice

  • • Mondays typically will consist of:

      • •  5 min. dynamic stretch

        • 10 min Game/Drill 

Then we will work through 3 of the 4 below

• • • • • 20 min. shooting 

        • 20 min. dribbling

        • 20 min. post work

        • 20 min. team shapes

• • • • • 5 min. static stretch and recap

• • • Wednesdays typically will consist of:

      • 5 min. dynamic stretch

      • 5 min. self-coached tune up

      • 5 min. F/T Tracking

      • 5 min. Elbow to Elbow Tracking 

      • 5 min. Mikan Tracking 

      • 10 min. 3 Pt Competition 

      • 40 min. Competition 

• 5 min. static stretch and recap

• Communicate the practice on white board so we can flow one area of focus to the other

• Measure our growth from 13MAR - 01MAY by use of competitive games and tracking metrics

  • April 29th Invitation for a parent or 2 to come by and have their daughter coach them through one of our practices

  • May 1st Practice will be our final Tracking practice.

• If you'd like to have 1 on 1 or small group coaching outside of our Monday/Wednesday spring, through summer let me know - I am committed to helping your daughter gain confidence for the tryouts next fall. I am constantly reading, watching, and talking with other coaches to become the best I can for our girls.

Andrew / Tim did I miss anything for Spring Team?