Compete

At the start of every basketball practice, in the middle of every basketball practice and at the end of every basketball practice, I talk to my young team about the word 'compete.'

That is the central theme of our team.  I want them to know that we might not always be the best, we might not always win, but we will always give ourselves a chance by competing.  

We talk about what the word compete means, what it looks like in n practice, and how we can compete with ourselves and others today.

We self-assess and talk about our level of competition in practice.  We talk about areas that we competed hard in, and we talk about areas where we could have competed harder.

I tell them that when a team plays against us, they need to know that it will be a tough game and that they will have to play hard and well to beat us.

We talk about how important it is to compete with and against their teammates every drill because iron sharpens iron.  We also talk about how to appreciate our teammates for competing with us and making us better and how to come together at the end of practice and how to have strong relationships with your teammates.  We don't want to leave practice upset with our teammates on a personal level because of competition and because we were pushing each other.

We talk about how important it is to compete with themselves and to give their all every drill.  I tell them about Kobe Bryant and how it was a goal of his to overachieve by competing with himself to be the best that he can be.

- Be the first to the ball.
- Win the loose balls.
- Grab and secure rebounds.
- Touch every line.
- Run through every line.  Don't stop early.
- Beat your man down the court.
- Cut your girl off.
- Rotate and help.
- Don't make excuses; find solutions.
- Be early and prepared to work.

Compete.