Notice: This article was written by Steve Jordan, Coach's Notebook. Email the author at sjordan@alaskalife.net.
Players can train with weights to become stronger and quicker, but they can't induce changes in height. Size and quickness are significant advantages, but they are only tools for the basketball player. A man won't become a better carpenter by buying a bigger hammer, but he will if he studies how the hammer can be used and then practices what he learns. If he simply has a bigger hammer, his work appears foolish next to man who has mastered his craft. Physical attributes are secondary to wisdom, conditioning and personal values. Players that do not know what to do or where to be consistently hurt their team. Players that work hard to get in shape can make the most of their strength and quickness potential. If they are poorly conditioned, they won't show much of either quality. Don't be seduced by player's size or athleticism. If a player is big and fast, but will not conform to the team's mission, the relationship is mutually frustrating.
I do not believe a coach can teach a player to be significantly courageous or significantly creative. Humans are born with a predetermined mixture of characteristics. What happens in competitive basketball is that personal qualities are exposed, not taught. Certain players refuse to be intimidated, for example, while some refuse to grant themselves the confidence to fully use their abilities. Some players can react to surprising game situations with a brilliant improvisation, while others will doggedly pursue the same habit despite consistently detrimental results. The coach's responsibility is to provide each player with opportunities to test their courage and their resourcefulness. You cannot talk players into self-confidence, you can only persuade them to try and then give them a chance to succeed. Sometimes, several attempts are necessary. In an environment of opportunity, its quite possible to find inspiration in new faces and unexpected places. Its not that the coach taught the player courage or creativity, rather helped discover it. The worst thing is to deny opportunity by withholding game time. The message the benched player receives is "the coach is afraid that if I play I'll make the team lose".
Athletes who fail to meet expectations due a lack of respect for themselves or the program, or simply because they do not want to work very hard, is an old, old story. In fact, with each passing season it gets older and older. How can you build a program with players that don't pass their classes or who do not show up for practices? In a large school, the pool of players may be big enough to have the luxury of weeding out the underachievers. In a smaller setting, a coach may have few choices. How does a coach motivate undependable players, instill respect and loyalty? It takes a lot of time, work and ingenuity. The coach must exude the very characteristics needed by the player. Some athletes can't or won't be salvaged. Its not a bad thing if the coach tries to reach a player and fails. It is a wonderful thing, though, if a coach can make a positive difference in someone's life.
A basketball season is usually long enough to have a substantial effect upon player skill levels providing that practice time and facilities are available, the coaching staff understands and teaches fundamental skills, coaches insist on proper execution (sloppy performance is useless) and players try to transfer knowledge learned in practice into the games. Basketball skills, especially offensive skills, are difficult to master. It takes a lot of coordination to dribble, pass and shoot. And, in a game, there are five other people doing almost anything they can to make you fail. Add to that the pressure of performing in front of a crowd and your coaches constantly yelling out advice, its a wonder anything good happens. Players that are willing to spend hours and hours perfecting their shots and their favorite moves will have a distinct advantage under pressure. With sufficient practice, ball handling becomes instinctive and shooting with confidence becomes more than just a phrase. If you are lucky enough to have a player that has paid the dues of mastering fundamental skills, you don't need to worry about commitment or work ethics. The player has already clarified his/her priorities.
So, What is the most important quality a player can bring to a team? Obviously, a coach wants players with all these qualities (and other traits may be worthy, too). Each of the characteristics can be modified through training or experience, but not much. The list above is intentionally ranked by the amount of change that a player can effect over the course of a season, from the least to the most. But which is the most desirable?
The most desirable trait in a basketball player, and a quality that may be vastly influenced by a coach, is the ability to make advantageous decisions. Think about it before you scoff. The most dominant player on the floor may be his team's worst enemy if decision-making is reckless. Conversely, a player lacking physical advantages may have a profound positive effect on a game's outcome by making timely, intelligent decisions. Watch the video tapes of your team's games (if you are fortunate enough to have someone record them) and look at the number of times hesitancy or poor judgement compromised the team. Blatant examples are players that take low-percentage shots, forfeit defensive positioning for steals or try to block shots when the obvious result is a basket followed by a foul and free throw. Subtle examples are unplanned defensive double teams or perhaps passing the ball into a high risk area with no apparent benefit available. Critical examples are the decisions made at the end of a close game - when to foul, when to shoot, taking a 3pt shot or a 2pt shot, when to consume the remaining time, or even when to call a time out. End game scenarios must be rehearsed and the players must understand the implications of the end game situation. Poor decisions or worse, lack of decisions, can turn a hard fought game into defeat.
How does one learn to make high quality decisions? Experience is usually the best teacher. Players that have made a memorable mistake somewhere in their past often benefit in the future by adjusting their behavior in the same situation. One thing all young players have in common, though, is minimal experience. Here's where a coach can make a real difference. Teach the players to evaluate their actions. Post game critiques with video tape are great, but you can scrimmage in a practice and stop as needed to discuss what happened and review alternative actions. Player input is essential - get their creativity involved. See the topic "Risk Management" to see ways to help players understand and evaluate their decisions.