Hello Coaches, Parents, Players; we’d like to welcome you to this week's edition of the JAM Basketball Newsletter. We have been very lucky to increase our readership with every edition put out. We hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter. If you have any questions, please call us at (303) 464-0996. We will be glad to help you with whatever you may need. This week’s thoughts involve information regarding teamwork. A productive team has players that share common goals, a common vision and have some level of interdependence that requires both verbal and physical interaction. Remember Together – Everyone – Achieves – More and that spells TEAM!!!
- Mark Sharpley
Every great team has two vital ingredients: Respect for one another and discipline. The great thing about that combination is that you don’t have to worry about discipline if you have respect. If the players really care about each other – not just for show but with a genuine respect for each other – they will play their roles properly.
After discussions with several coaches who have won the Colorado state championship about what was the most important characteristic of their championship teams. The word that popped up with each coach was UNSELFISHNESS. Players weren’t worried about their scoring stats, internet rankings, or playing time. They were concerned primarily about the team. A team of unselfish players can accomplish extraordinary things together. We believe unselfishness is the number one thing exhibited by all great teams. This is absolutely one of the most difficult things to do in today’s society. We are fragmented and individualistic. Our iPods, head phones, and personal computers isolate us into our own little worlds. It’s easy to get caught up in the thinking that it is all about “me” and not the team.
True success is achieved when our main concern is the good of others and the building up of the team. A good team player… 1) Gives 100% - 2) Shows courage off the court – 3) Eliminate mental mistakes - 4) Cares about the team above all else - 5) Demonstrates loyalty to all
It’s human nature to be competitive and territorial. On a team, players can be so focused on their own success that they celebrate when someone else on the team fails. Competition on a team for roles and playing time isn’t a negative thing; it can motivate players to work harder. But when they get so focused on themselves and fail to work for the good of the team, everyone loses. We’re all human, and we all want to feel good about ourselves. That’s why, when someone else doesn’t do well, in a perverse way it can make us feel better about ourselves. That’s an immature way of thinking, but it’s a reality. We have to work on our team skills every day.
If you do what the team needs and let your dreams and desires be shaped as you give to and support others, things will work out well for the team and for you. Teamwork is a constant balancing act between self-interest and group interest. We all have self-interest and there will always be some players who have a hard time buying into the team concept– they’re in it for themselves. If the majority of players care about the team, they can model that for the ones who don’t quite get it. But if the majority is concerned mostly about themselves, we will end up with nothing but chaos.
One thing I’ve always embraced is that you can influence people who will listen. If we could get past the issue of our differences and simply listen to each other, we’d be more likely to move forward. If people find us open and receptive, they’re apt to say, “He’s / she’s a great person; we would like to get to know him/her more. Lets see what makes him/her tick.” Being part of a team means that you have to be willing to listen if you’re ever going to be heard.
Reminders: Get your tournament write-ups in to proimagepr@earthlink.net. Register for the Halloween Bash Tournament – Register for the Dave Hopla Shooting Clinic
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