Selfish Teammates Put You at a Disadvantage

​When you finally realize that you don’t know everything, that is when your ability to have an impact on others in a positive manner dramatically increases. Whether engaging mentors - directly or indirectly - or continuing your lifelong learning through classes, experiences or reading posts like this, the desire to learn, grow and be better is fundamental to happiness. I have written two posts recently, A Coach Getting Coached and Tough Conversations are a Part of Coaching, that highlight the advantage of continuing to grow.
 
Recently, I received a newsletter from Coach Mac at Basketball for Coaches that I felt was a good one to share as it really hit home for me on what you are seeing in the game of basketball today. It also can be applicable to the business solace as well. Maybe not in the same physical way, but in the emotional way that people check-out or distance themselves from others. I feel my post on Expect Excellence the 2nd Pillar of Impact ties in well with Coach Mac’s reference to the “next play” mentality. 
 
The article below has been copied from Coach Mac’s newsletter with his permission.  Be sure to visit his website at www.basketballforcoaches.com to expand your perspective and to continue your learning Beyond Today.
 

Selfish players create 4-on-5 disadvantages
Thursday July 7, 2022
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Something that really grinds my gears:
When a player falls to the ground (without injury), and it takes them 5+ seconds to get back to their feet and get back in the play.
 
An example:
This happens ALL THE TIME when a player drives and doesn't get a foul call.
 
The offensive player ends up on the deck after flailing their body looking for a foul, and instead of springing back to their feet, they just sit there...
 
Throw their arms up.
Stare at the referee.
Shake their head.
 
After about 5 seconds of making sure everyone in the gym knows they were ROBBED of two free throws, they slowly get to their feet.
 
Oblivious to the fact that they just forced their teammates to defend a possession 4-on-5, which likely resulted in two easy points.
 
Selfish play if you ask me.
 
And that's why I believe every coach should have a policy similar to Shaka Smart. (Current head coach of Marquette)
 
His rule is simple:
 
"If you're down, you have one second to get up."
 
That seems like an easy-to-understand, straightforward rule to me.
 
A rule that "forces" players to have a *next play* mentality instead of allowing them to whine and sook about a call that the referee isn't going to go back in time and change their mind about.
 
So, once you have that rule in place, here's a great drill to practice getting back on D after a player goes down and springs back to their feet:
 
It's called "Corner Recovery," and you'll find full instructions for how it works on pages 27 - 28 in my "22 Small-Sided Games" booklet.
 
Which is downloadable here:
​Championship Coaching Course​
 
- Coach Mac

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