There's a big difference between controlled speed and aggression, and reckless, thoughtless activity. It's the difference between operating a race car at 220 mph and winning a race, and driving the same car without any skill right off a cliff.
There's a design and organized chaos to what we do in 7 Seconds or Less. That means each player knows his role at that moment and sticks to it for the success of the team. If that means you come off the bench, hit open 3-points and hustle on defense, that's a nice role. If that means you play in the low post, grab 10 rebounds, make 10 layups and protect the basket on defense, that's a huge role. Whether your value is in getting the ball inbounded to our point guard in less than 2 seconds or in dogging the other team's ballhandler on the press, every job is crucial.
If all 5 guys on the court aren't doing their jobs, we aren't a team. Keep this in mind when we're on the court, whether it's a game or practice. What you do at practice will certainly happen in a game, all the good and all the bad. So fill your mind and train yourself to work in EXCELLENCE at all times, because your mind doesn't filter out good from bad. It absorbs everything, just like a computer hard drive. Fill it with positive work that derives from your inner drive. It can have a lasting effect on your teammates.
As we continue to improve day by day, I'm always on the lookout for that kind of attitude, the one that builds toward success. I'm also watching for the habits and attitudes that diminish our team. No one person is bigger than the team, and if anybody holds back the progress of our team, I'm not going to hesitate to remove that cancer.
You guys are young, but you're also mature enough to know what I'm talking about. For the sake of the team's improvement, I'll pull anybody who is lazy, not listening and generally disobedient. Doesn't mean I don't like you as a person, but everybody is working hard. Almost everybody, actually. And it would be my fault as a coach if I didn't ensure that everyone has the best possible environment at practice to keep improving.
So get with it, those of you who can't stay focused for more than a few minutes. The game is not about you. It's about getting better for your team. Sharing success. Enjoying the spirit of teamwork. Keep thinking only of yourself and you'll find yourself exactly where you belong: at the end of the bench without a friend to turn to. In the end, men with work ethic respect one another.
Dare yourself to be one of those men.
Note: Mahalo to Coach John for washing the jerseys after practice today!
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, 4:00 pm, Practice, Makiki Park. We'll finish at about 6:15. Lots of shooting and ballhandling work to be done.
Thursday, 4:00 pm, Practice, Makiki Park. Finish around 6:15.
Friday, 8:00 pm, 17U Thunder game, Kilauea Gym. Be there by 7:15. Coach Larry and Coach John will be in charge.
Saturday, 10:00 am, Practice, Makiki Park. Shooting and ballhandling. (Time changed from 1:00 pm because Roosevelt has an afternoon fundraiser.)
Sunday, 10:40 am, 15U Thunder vs. Blue Devils, McKinley Gym. Be there by 10:00 am.
Sunday 2:00 pm, 17U Thunder, Palolo Gym, be there by 1:00. NJB starts all games early if the previous game ends early.
Monday-Thursday, 4:00 practice.
Watch the way Grinnell sets screens on the low post, at mid-range baseline and the wing. All the action is away from the ball to set up 3-point shooters.
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