Build a Better Player

Attitude, Criticism, and Effort

Part 1: Attitude

What is a good player made of? Most coaches will say that attitude is probably the most important aspect of a good player's game. It is easy to have a good attitude when things are going the way we want them to, we are the stars of our team, and we are winning. But what about when things aren't going the way we want them to? What about when you are losing, when your coach is yelling at you, when your teammates won't pass you the ball, when the refs are making terrible calls, or even worse, when you are sitting on the bench? This is when the true colors of your attitude shine through.

A good attitude is something you have to decide consciously to have. In bed at night, visualize yourself being the player you want to be under all circumstances. Picture yourself being calm under pressure, encouraging teammates even when the coach in practice is being particularly negative, and requiring of yourself your peak performance at all times -- which means actually touching the line (not almost touching it) when your coach says to run to midcourt and back. A good attitude is seeing yourself in advance, with your eyes closed, performing to your utmost under all sorts of adverse circumstances, and actually doing that when those circumstances arise.

Can you picture yourself in practice being screamed at by your coach for something that you know was not your fault, and simply accepting it, thinking over the point he is trying to make and merely reaffirm to yourself that you will never make that mistake? Can you accept his screaming as a reminder instead of getting angry and losing your concentration? Not many players can do that. Not even a lot of the great ones. But it IS possible. The players who can do that are special, a joy to coach, great to have as teammates, and helpful in creating winning teams.

A good attitude is very simple. It is doing your best at all times, keeping your concentration on your job, on the things you have to do to play well. It is easy to write down, but a lot more difficult to do.

Can you make yourself hustle when you're out of breath and your legs are lead weights? Can you keep encouraging your teammates even though you think some of them are ball hogs or lazy? Can you accept your coach's criticism and listen to what he is saying and think that maybe, just maybe, YOU could be wrong? Can you give your best under all circumstances -- or are there dozens of things that cause you to lose your temper or hustle or concentration?

What is YOUR vision of the ideal player and the ideal attitude? What is your vision of YOU? Close your eyes . . .


| Home Page | Basketball | Return to Previous Topics |