DO YOUR JOB!

I can’t remember where I heard it, but when I did, I knew I wasn't going to let it go.  It was the phrase – Do Your Job.  It has become a staple in my basketball lingo and in reality it’s a truth that touches all aspects of life – Do Your Job.  This is probably because we live in a society that says “If someone else isn't doing the job, then you do it”.  However, in most cases, we fail to realize that when we do someone else’s job, then our job doesn't get done (or done as well as it should be).  So now we have someone doing a job they aren't as good at, while the job they are good at doesn't get done as well as it should.  You have essentially robbed Peter to pay Paul – but you are no further along than where you started – and more than likely took a step back!

Players are a perfect example of this.  It is inevitable that a player tries to do the job of his teammates, either because it’s not getting done, or the player thinks he can do it better than his teammates.  All the while that player is telling the coach “I had to do it”.  If you are a player then hear this – STOP!  It’s not your job to do your teammates job.  Most sports are team sports and each member of the team has to do their job in order for the team to be successful.  Yes, I know, most times, when a player doesn't do his job it leads to points for the other team.  But, players need to remember that not doing their job in order to do a teammates job is only making the team worse – not better.  This hurts the team in 2 ways – First, the team gave up points (can’t win if the other team scores more than you); and Second, but more importantly, a player took away a teaching opportunity for the coach to help a player get better when they are failing at their job.  If a coach can’t teach a player when he makes a mistake, then that player may not get better at doing his job, and if players aren't getting better at their jobs, then you are probably going to start losing more as the year goes on.

Now, let me be clear, this doesn't apply to the help principles that coaches teach in specific offensive/defensive sets.  However, if your coach tells you to play offense on a wing, then don’t go to the post because that spot isn't filled.  And, if your coach tells you to lock down a specific player on defense, then don’t go guard someone else.  If coach tells you to be the leader, then don’t give that responsibility to someone else.  Step up, take that leadership role.  Help your teammates understand how to get better at their job by watching you do well at your job.  When each player does their job, then the team begins to build forward momentum.  With forward momentum comes greater learning and skill building, which typically results in wins.

It’s important in life to remember this principle as well.  You can’t be all things to all people.  No matter how hard you try, you will not be the answer to all problems.  Focus on what you do best, continue to get better at it, teach others how to do as good a job as you (if not better!), and you will find yourself on the road to success!

Coach CJ

Director – CHSM

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Proper Preparation for the Game

One of the greatest detriments to talented teams is proper game preparation.  Too many times players show up to games unprepared and go through warm-ups like it’s another day at the park.  Improper focus leads to talented teams being down early in games and if it’s not corrected in-game, then it leads to a BIG win for underdogs.  So how does a player prepare for a game and when should the preparation start?

Unlike what a lot of players think, game preparation does not start the day of the game.  Game preparation starts at practice and the night before the game. 

(1)      Practice – It’s important for players to have a good practice before their game as it helps them go into their game with confidence.  Players need to understand that a good hard practice will go a long way towards helping them play at another level come game time.  They must also remember that you cannot play better consistently than how you consistently practice.

(2)      The night before – Game preparation also starts with the night before the game.  Players should strive to get into bed early and get 7-8 hours of good sleep.  Too many times players stay up late the night before the game.  Not only does this take away from the rest you need, but it also leaves you open to getting into more trouble.  Just ask the college players who get sent home from bowl games or tournaments for violating curfew.  As my dad always says, “If you don’t want to fall into the Grand Canyon, then don’t get close to the edge!”  Players, get to bed early.  You’ll be healthier, you won’t get into trouble, and you’ll be prepared.

(3)      The day of – In order to be properly prepared for your game, you need to have a good day of the game.  Your body, whether you think it or now, screams for a routine.  So create one.

·         Eat well.  It's important that you try to eat good protein and stay hydrated.  Stay away from foods that can sap you of your energy or are unhealthy.  Your body needs optimum foods at optimum times in order to perform at an optimal level during the game.
·         Schedule your day of the game and stick to it.  Your mind loves it when you have a schedule and stick to it.  It gives you a sense of accomplishment and releases stress and pressure. 

·         Set an alarm for the morning of your game and get up when it goes off.  Eat a healthy breakfast. 

·         Get your school done on time. 

·         Do a light, but focused shoot –around (either individually or as a team). 

·         Pack your game bag in the morning and check it at lunch time (don’t be one of those players who shows up with 1 shoe, or forgot your jersey). 

·         Take time thru the day to think about your role on the team and how you can best do your job

·         Leave for the game on-time and get to the game early. 

·         Dress up for the game.  My first high school coach once said “You play like you dress”.  If you show up like a slob, you’ll play like a slob.  Show up decent, and you’ll play decent.

·         Take time to visualize game situations and how you will react to those situations

·         Review new plays your coach has taught you recently – again, know your job

·         Stretch in the morning, at lunch, and before the game.

·         Warm-up before the game with a purpose.  Don’t walk onto the floor and start jacking up shots.  Have a purpose when you warm-up and take your warm-up seriously.

It should also be noted that music does not help you play better.  I know, I probably just alienated half the players reading this.  But listen, no matter what you think, or how it makes you feel, music will not make you a better player.  It’s like a drug, it may help you get “high”, but at the end of the day it only impairs you and you will crash during the game when you have no music.  Don’t rely on music to prepare you for a game.  Do the right things every day in order to prepare for your game and you will be amazed at how fresh and ready you will feel at game time. 

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” – unknown

Coach CJ

Christian Homeschool Sports Ministries (CHSM)

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Attack!

I once heard a coach admonish his team to “smell blood” during a timeout.  Admittedly, I was slightly taken aback by this admonition.  Of all the years I’ve spent around the game, this was the first time I had heard that kind of comment and I didn’t know exactly how to react.  However, after thinking about it for a little while, I understood what he was trying to tell his team.  Essentially, when you know you’ve got a team cornered – when you “smell blood” – then be like a shark and attack!  It is one of the elements that make the best teams the best teams.  I didn’t understand at first, but after watching more games and listening to great coaches, I finally saw what they saw – If you let a team hang around till the 4th quarter, then your chances of losing become greater.  You have to attack at your opponent’s weakest moment.

This is a great spiritual lesson as well.  I think a lot of Christians forget what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  In order to best understand this we must realize that Jesus said “the gates of hell”.  Gates are defensive structures that are designed to keep something out.  So, if “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”, then that must mean there is offensive opponent.  Jesus points out the opponent in his preceding statement – the offensive opponent is the church.  I believe that we as Christians, the church, are so concerned about not offending non-believers that we have stopped attacking and have instead “slowed it down”, or “pulled the ball out” so to speak.  What we don’t realize is when we, the church, stop “attacking” we give our opponent (the devil) more opportunities to win the battles in our homes, careers, and our church.  The church has forgotten that we are fighting a spiritual warfare on earth.  If we think we can simply stay back and sheath our sword (the Bible), then we will give up ground, and, although the Lord will win in the end, we will lose important battles in the present.

Players and coaches need the ability to “smell blood” on the court and the courage and strength to continually stay on the attack.  The church also needs this “attacking” mentality, to go forward in faith knowing that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against us”.

Attack!

In Christ
Coach CJ

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Hold the Fork the Right Way!

While eating dinner, my 3 yr-old decided to try and hold her fork like an adult, so she asked me if I would help her.  I showed her a few times and tried to help put it correctly in her hand a couple of times.  However, she didn’t want to do it the way I showed her, so she said “Daddy, I’m going to do it my way”.  She did it her way a couple of times and got super-frustrated simply because she wasn’t holding the fork the way she was coached to.

Such is the way with a lot of players.  So many time athletes show up at practice/games and ask their coach how to “hold the fork the right way”.  Coach’s get giddy with excitement when players ask for help, but excitement quickly turns to frustration when the player decides to do it their own way.  For whatever reason, most players think they know more than their coach and so they constantly hold the fork the wrong way.  The result of this, players never get fed enough soon enough because coach’s are always having to wait on their players to “eat” what we have already given them.  This leads to frustration for both the coach and player and essentially hurts the entire team.

This attitude is a direct result of the pride in our nature.  Too many players think they know everything, and if not everything, then more than those in authority over them.  It’s easy to feel that way if you are the best player on your team, or have been to a lot of camps and clinics, or just happen to be good friends with a professional.  BUT, it’s never true.  Players never know it all and must always be in a constant state of learning.  Even the best athletes in every professional sport understand this concept and they will routinely contact the best coaches for help in their game.  In order to become the best, players must first realize that 1) they are not perfect, 2) that they need wisdom (James 1:5) , and finally 3) humble themselves (1 Peter 5:5).

Once my daughter realized that she couldn’t hold the fork the right way, she came back to me with humility and asked for help again.  This time, she listened to what I said and was able to hold the fork the proper way.  This led to great excitement as she was able to eat the rest of her dinner like a big kid and was able to get fed more food.  The same is true for athletes.  Once they admit that they don’t know everything, humble themselves, and submit to the coach’s authority then they are able to “hold the fork the right way”.  Once they start to “hold the fork the right way” they will be able to be fed more basketball food.  And just like life, the more they eat, the more they grow.  This is the desire of all of the best athletes – to grow and get better in their game.

Hold the Fork the Right Way!! 

Coach CJ

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How to Earn More Playing Time

Every player that doesn’t play the whole game is always wondering – “How do I get more time?”  Too many times parents and players think that game performance should dictate whether they (or the son/daughter) ‘deserves’ more time.  That’s very rarely the case.  There’s no doubt that game performance is important, but game performance is simply a result of preparation.  The best players are not the best players because they were born with incredible skill and IQ.  They are the best because they spend hours and hours in preparation for the game, so that they can be the best during the game.  In other words – their playing time is earned by sweat, blood, and tears outside of the actual game.  More time spent working out at home, being at all the practices, and giving 100 percent in practices results in earning the coach’s respect – and in turn – more game time.

However, it’s important to remember that practice is simply not shooting the basketball on your goal or playing 3-on-3.  Players who work their way into the game rotation are the players who are structured in their workouts – they workout with a purpose.  When they shoot around they are thinking about their footwork, form, and release points.  They push themselves to their limit at every practice and pay attention to every detail of each play and drill.  They take home what they learned at practice and work at it until it becomes a habit – a habit they perform during a game without thinking about it. 

Do you want to earn more time on the floor?  Work twice as hard at home and in practice as everyone else.  Sooner or later your coach will realize that he can’t afford to have you on the bench. 

Coach CJ

CHSM Crimson Knights

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