What’s up guys,
I hope everyone’s season is off to an incredible start! All the hard work from the off season is now paying off. Yes, there will be some ups and downs. It’s a long season, so expect that. But you have done the hard part. You got better when other’s weren’t. You sweat when other’s were swimming. Time to make all of your 2011-12 season dreams a reality.

There is more to the game than just shooting jumpers and dribbling the ball. The players that think the game have a massive advantage over those who just play it. Check out the 5 “Be’s” that you must improve on this season…

1. Be more focused
It’s easy to be focused at the beginning of the game. You’re all hyped and ready to go. You’re zoned in to what you need to do. Emotions are running high. But what happens after you miss a few shots and the air in your lungs become more scarce? Are you mentally disciplined to stay focused? Or do you let your emotions get the best of you. When you are in the huddle and the coach is speaking to the team, where are you eyes. Where is your attention. I want you to try something. In your next game, or practice for that matter, when the coach is speaking, look him directly in the eye, the entire time. Most of the time, eyes will be wandering, which means focus is wandering. And truth be told, most players are just waiting for the timeout to be over so they can get back to playing. Instead of taking this road, zone in to the eyes, focus at a different level. You will be amazed at the difference in your game.
It will translate to the court. Your mind will be more in tune with where you need to be on the court for each specific play. If you train your mind to focus more, your body will follow suit. Give it a shot…

2. Be more patient
This one may strike you as a bit odd, but it is vital. Patient? How…
Ever had a shot open up that you took quickly, yet, if you were slightly more patient, a better, more efficient shot opened up right after that? Happens all the time. How about you’re running a play and the first option is sorta there, and you take it. Yet if you were patient, the second option would be wiiiiddddeeeee open.

How about more patient with yourself. This a big one. As players, we want to do everything perfectly. Make every shot, never turn the ball over, make every correct decision. But the reality of the game is different. We don’t make every shot, we do turn the ball over, and we do make bad decisions. The trick is to not compound these mistakes with additional mistakes. The natural tendency is to try to erase those mistakes with immediate, great plays. So we force a shot, or a pass and end up in a worse spot. Just remember, you can’t erase a mistake, it is what it is. Be patient with yourself to trust your abilities that over the course of the rest of the game, you will make more good plays than bad, that your game will rise above your mistakes. Just like in baseball, if there’s nobody on base, you can’t hit a 3 run home run. Well in basketball, there’s no 5 point play. So focus on the play at hand, and be patient with the game and with yourself.

3. Be more vocal
Communication is a vastly underrated key to this game (funny how the game immitates life isn’t it?). Too often the only sounds coming from the court is the squeak of sneakers. There should always be 3 overwhelming sounds during the game. The bounce of the ball, the squeaking of sneakers, and the voice of the players! Most players are just taught to communicate on defense. But offensive communication is just as key. Here is the difference. Defensive communication is mostly verbal. HOWEVER, offensive communication can take many forms. Verbal, yes. But also non-verbal, as in eye contact, or a quick wave of the hand. The more in tune you are with your teammates, the less offensive verbal communication you will need, but the more non-verbal communication you will utilize.
Who should be talking on defense? Everyone! Big guys in the back directing traffic because they can see everything and everyone. Little guys up top. Players on the wings. Anywhere and everywhere. Calling out screens, calling out where your man is going, calling out where other players are cutting to. In transition. You name a basketball situation, and it will somehow, someway, require communication. Don’t be shy. Be LOUD, be HEARD. Show me a team that communicates, and I’ll show you a team that wins.

4. Be more passionate
Passion is a tricky thing. It can bring out the best in us. It can bring out the worst in us. It can be your best quality. It can be your worst quality. But channelled properly, it can take your game to a whole new level. Imagine if you never took a play off. If you wanted to win so badly that you literally gave your all. Not your all that you think you’re giving, but honestly and truly your all. Imagine if you dove for every lose ball as if your life depended on your coming up with it. Imagine going after every rebound as if it’s the last rebound you will ever be allowed to get. Passion does not just mean being a crazy, emotional player. There are plently of those. And all too often, those players are out of control. I’m speaking of something different. A controlled, yet raging passion that will not allow you to give up under any circumstance. In fact, the more dire the situation, the more your passion emerges.

Allow your passion to burn like an inferno, but control it as to use it to your advantage. This also take focus (shocking, they all work together 🙂 ).

5. Be a better teammate

The 5th and final “Be” encompasses the previous 4. Be a better teammate. Oh man, that’s easy. Is it? Are you sure? Let’s find out…

-Do you encourage your teammates?

-Do you lift up your teammates verbally when they are down or make a bad play?

-Do you rush over to help your teammate off the floor?

-Do you admit when you made a mistake and accept responsibility for it?

-Are you on time for practice?

-Do you play 100%?

-D0 you help out a teammate who doesn’t quite know where to be on a specific play, or do you just hide and think… thank goodness coach isn’t yelling at me?

-Do you thank them verbally or non-verbally for a great pass that set you up for a basket?

-Do you work on being the type of teammate that your teammates enjoy playing with?

-Are you enthusiastic?

-Do you practice like you play?

-Are you positive even when circumstances look quite the opposite?

-Do you always focus on the negative?

-Do you talk badly about your teammates and coaches behind their backs?

My guess is that some of these you can answer positively and some, well, not so much. Becoming a better teammate entails you being accountable for all of your actions, having a strong work ethic because your teammates are counting on you giving it your everything, and fostering an atmosphere amongst your teammates that you are there to win and will do whatever it takes for you all to succeed as a group and a unit. There is no better teammate than the teammate that has your back no matter what.

There you go… the 5 “Be’s”

Be more focused

Be more patient

Be more vocal

Be more passionate

Be a better teammate

Where do you stand on this checklist? Take a good honest look. Make the proper adjustments. It will make for a much more successful season.

bt