Win More Games in Three Simple Steps

Great basketball teams consist of players who have unique chemistry. Many think of chemistry or culture as something that occurs naturally by some mysterious alignment of fate. Those events are much more in our control than many realize.

Good things happen when you have an intentional approach. Nothing surprising will happen when a team has a happenstance approach.
I have traveled across the Nation and worked with hundreds of high-school basketball programs. I’ve seen the kind of chemistry that builds great teams, and I’ve seen great teams build chemistry.

Here are three simple habits great basketball teams and special players do to win more games:

1. PERFECT PRACTICE

Champion teams know that they cannot have a lackadaisical approach to individual repetition in practice. They are ruthless about each cut, catch and finish. They perfect their footwork in every move. They take pride in practicing each basketball drill perfectly, no matter how small it may seem, because to them, there are no small things.

The legendary John Wooden would spend hours planning his practices. To him, they were a work of art, planned down to the most specific details. He would even plan where the ball racks would be positioned in order to maximize each second of time.

2. ACCOUNTABILITY

I had the chance to observe Team USA prepare for the Olympics in Rio. What was stunning was the level of accountability between the stars on the team. They immediately recognized that in order to achieve a special goal, they had to urge each other on to greater effort and precision.

Champions hold their teammates accountable to putting forth maximum effort. A championship-level team will win everything – win the day, win the drill, win the bus ride…. They compete. They care. They have a culture of holding each other up when that level falls below the line. When an individual’s will may fail, a team’s will can overcome.

3. TOUCH

Positive touch–high fives, chest bumps, back slaps–is a staple of successful basketball teams. These teams often communicate more, share the ball and provide more help on defense. Why is that? Because these kinds of positive touches bond basketball players and build team chemistry. Average teams will only create this culture of touch when they are successful. But teams that want to manufacture energy and success will also manufacture positive touches when they don’t feel like it.

Perfect practice, accountability and touch – these things are easily understood but often difficult to do CONSISTENTLY. Become a champion for these concepts. Fight for them every day. Make them a priority. It won’t be easy at first, but it is these simple things that, when done consistently, will become an easy way to win more games.

To unlock a new mindset to deal with adversity and overcome any challenge, join us at a PGC camp near you.

– Tyler