Kobe Bryant on Mentality

FALL EVALUATION IS HERE!
The game is simple, do not overcomplicate, play your game, and the result will take care of itself!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH3p5m4RpX0

Develop the Mentality

The separation between good and great players is MENTALITY!  As a collegiate coach we would describe players as having the "it factor"  "the beast mode mentality", the "eat or get eaten" mentality. This mentality is simply defined as it is either me or you, and it will not be me. This mentality is what coaches desire and need for their team to go the distance. And its either you have it or you don't. When I stepped away from coaching a lot of trainers/skill developers believe the "it factor" can be taught.  They believe through intense workouts it can be duplicated, but I am still investigating that idea. I am curious to discover why the separation is so high between elite top tier players and the next level of players who can be really good, but needs to be developed. There are a lot of great players that either were not recruited or drafted very high, but they  turned out to be very successful, and their are players who were drafted very high and turned out to be very successful. Tom Brady and Steph Curry are two current examples who defines the very meaning of what hard work, a competitive drive, and a determined mentality look like. My question is what is separating you from having the "it factor"? Skill or Mentality?

Rockstar life as a collegiate athlete

I read an article recently about the WNBA, and the decline in support and attendance since it first started in 1997. After reading this article I realized as a student athlete this is your opportunity to be a celebrity. Your four years of college for a small percentage of athletes will be your taste of how a professional athlete lives. At Louisiana State University we chartered flights,  were given a stipend, gear, shoes, clothes, everyone knew who we were, etc. This was my rockstar life. I saw a video from the players tribune and there were some WNBA players explaining their experience and transition from a college player to a professional player. After I watched the video, I became a little concerned about the future of our sport and the development necessary to generate more support. But my major concern is the amount of players that will choose a college, without all the information needed to create the rockstar lifestyle you deserve as a collegiate athlete. During this contact period make sure you have the information you need to become the player you need to be, the rockstar life you want.


http://www.theplayerstribune.com/liberty-wnba-video-female-athlete/

Diana Taurasi (A girl from Chino)

Great advice about what it takes to be the player you want to be, and also her change in mentality to become the player she is now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBV32SLiVV0

Fall Evaluations

Has your training helped you reach the evaluation you deserve? What is your goal/commitment for this evaluation period? How important is this evaluation period? The truth is your next shot does not determine whether you get that scholarship you want. It's everything included its how you interact with your teammates, coaches, parents, etc. It's how you play defense, how you hustle, how good of a teammate you are.  Coaches are coming to see you because they are checking on their merchandise. They are coming to feel good about there decision to give you that scholarship. In women's basketball the truth is there are very few special elite female athletes, and because of that you are awarded an opportunity to be a special player in more than one aspect of the game of basketball; such as a great defender, great rebounder, great hustler, great free throw shooter, great finisher, great shooter. There are so many aspects of the game that needs to be filled. During this fall evaluation period; make a commitment to showcase some aspects of your game, snd get better at a attribute that your high school or future collegiate coach would like.

The importance of details in college basketball

Details are what defines the coaches offense and philosophy. As a collegiate player the details of your skill and development becomes more and more important. Your coaches are recruiting players that can either make you better or they are better players than you. Your attention has to raise a significant amount. Film becomes more important to understand what your strengths and weaknesses are not only in the offense but also your skill. It is your responsibility to be open and honest regarding where you are, and the player you need to be in order to receive the playing time you want, the scoring average you want, rebounding, steals and so on. Today start a habit of recognizing one area you can improve on to become a better player. 

5 Keys to Maximizing basketball skill development

Here is an interesting article about maximizing skill development:

Here are a few details from the article:
-First, focus on hard skill development. Hard skills are acquired through intentional focus and repetition such as shooting, ball handling and offensive skills.

- Second focus should be on soft skill development, specifically understanding the game and learning the nuances to react. This is best accomplished in a very competitive and intensive setting which allows for many opportunities to get the ball. Find a good gym or a group of competitive players and play lots of one-on-one and three-on-three

-Third, develop a specific physical training plan such as building strength, quickness and vertical jump.

-Fourth, develop a mental plan working on confidence, personal faith, and mental toughness. This is a crucial separator between good and great athletes.

-Finally, find a mentor who can help with planning and provide accountability to goals.

http://www.ussportscamps.com/tips/basketball/5-keys-to-maximizing-basketball-skill-development. 

Have a good Friday