Stuff Good Players Should Know

I have been a coach at the JV/Varsity level now for eleven years and while I feel like I have been through a lot, I am finding that my knowledge of the game and how I teach it, is still growing and improving everyday.  I have since been turned onto a new read that isn't that new at all.  The book, STUFF Good Players Should Know by Dick Devenzio.  A current player has turned me onto this A-Z book of knowledge that every "player" should know.  What I am finding out is that this book has been around since my days as a high school/aspiring college player.  Needless to say, this book would have been helpful then and is extremely helpful today as a coach.  I am proud that one of my players is improving his game on a mental level and seeking an advantage.  It is my hope to share with you some of those ideas that I find fascinating, obvious, and critical to being a good player.  I will do my best to do it justice, but will certainly not be able to cover all the great aspects of this wonderful book.

My top 5 of The A's...

Ahead at the end of the game on defense- the main goal here is to play without fouling.  In our program we do our best to be a strong positional team that has the ability to play great on ball defense, with great support from our teammates, and doing it without fouling.  We try to do this every game, throughout the entire game, but late in the game it is very important to "play clean" and "play with your feet" to put the maximum pressure on the defense.

Ahead at the end of the game on offense- the main goal here is to have a plan for what shots you feel are good shots.  In our program we say, "Right shots, right spots, right times, by right guys."  So for us what a good shot might be in the first quarter is not necessarily the right shot in the fourth quarter.  I recently heard Coach Bob Knight talk about his philosophy that included the mindset of being up a certain amount with a certain amount of time left and the ball needs to be driven to the basket or a clean jumpshot late in the clock.  I completely agree, and actually need to emphasize this more in future years.  When you have a game in control you must stay aggressive, but that doesn't mean make it easy on the defense.  Make them play defense and look for a great shot within the offense.

Alibis- Good players are leaders that accept blame for team failures.  They expect obstacles and look to solve them rather than complain and excuse them away.  It is about being accountable for your actions and those things that you feel strongly about.  I truly believe that if every person in the world held themselves accountable for their actions many of the problems of this world would take care of themselves.  If you make a mistake, own it, correct it, and move on.

Attitude- Do you come with a positive, persistent, passionate attitude everyday?  Can you handle criticism and defeat in a positive way... as fuel for your next set of work?  The great ones do and I don't just mean athletes!

Availability- In our program we say "Don't run away from the ball!"  If you are being pressed or if your man leaves to go trap, you have to constantly make yourself available for the ball.  Good players are always ready to step into the action and help a teammate under pressure.  Good players want the ball and are naturally seeing ways to get themselves to the ball in appropriate spots.

These are some of the best tips that this book has to offer.  I can not wait to get into the B's and find out how I can make my athletes become players.