SEE YOU AT THE MONTANA COACHES ASSOCIATION CLINIC!!!

It is a dream come true!  I am so excited to be able to announce that I have been asked to speak at the 46th Annual Montana Coaches Association Clinic in Great Falls Montana.  Click here for the brochure.  This is a clinic that I grew up attending and I learned so much from so many amazing coaches.  I am so honored to be heading to my hometown to share things that I learned over the last 15 years as a college basketball coach.  I am looking forward to seeing so many exceptional coaches - and I am really looking forward to seeing Great Falls, and being back in my hometown for the first time in more than 7 years!

I also want to let everyone know I have agreed to speak again after the MCA clinic to basketball coaches at the University of Great Falls.  My friend Bill Himmelberg who is the Head Women's Basketball Coach at UGF has agreed to open up the gym on Friday afternoon after the MCA clinic concludes and I will get more in depth on everything associated with coaching and teaching the game of basketball. Here is the information.  Looking forward to seeing you in Great Falls!

Click here for the details on the After Clinic!  See you there!!

ENJOY YOUR SHOT!!!

GRIND TIME

Tis the season!!!  Conference play is winding down across the country and teams are; gearing up for post-season runs, hoping for post-season magic, or starting to lay the foundation for next season.  Whichever you are doing it is so incredibly important to understand there is value to everything you do for the rest of the season regardless of your record or your conference standing.

It is so easy at this time of year to become complacent.  It's been a long season and repetition sometimes can lead to boredom or complacency.  Combine that with the snow melting and the sun shining and there are more distractions than usual to keep players minds out of the gym.  As coaches it is up to us to find new ways to keep your team excited and anxious to come to practice, to watch film, and to study scouting reports.  Too often the players hit the wall right now and put it on coast mode because "we've already played this team so we know what they do" or they get so excited for conference and post-season tournaments that they over look these last few weeks.  It is ABSOLUTELY your job to keep them as excited about these next few weeks as the post season for one simple reason.  Winning these "GRIND TIME" games gives you a better shot at winning in the post season.  How many times have we seen that conference leading team get upset in the last few games of the season?  It happens all the time!  And when it happens, it usually has an effect on post-season seeding for the conference tournament, potentially costing that team a first round bye!  It is also very important to know the NCAA Tournament Committee looks at a teams last 10 games.  They want to see how you are playing down the stretch.  Are you handling your business and getting better, or are you in "coast mode".  Will that "coast mode" make you a #8 or #9 seed instead of a #6 or #7?  Remember as a #8 or a #9 seed, if you win your first round game, your reward is a #1 seed!!!!  Surely you and your players would rather be a #6 or #7 and avoid the #1 seeds for as long as possible!

It doesn't take much to re-energize your program at this time of year.  A surprise day off, a movie night on the road, a day of fun at practice instead of the usual.  Use your imagination and be creative.  One of my favorite traditions is a "Whiffle Ball" game instead of practice.  There is nothing more fun than to watch All-American basketball players swing a little plastic bat.  And yes - I swing for the fences!

Whatever you do always remember the big picture - I know we get so focused on looking only to the next day and the next game.  But when you keep your team excited and focused during this "GRIND TIME" you will have a much better chance of success in March and April!

ENJOY YOUR SHOT!!

SHARED OWNERSHIP

Well - I am sorry it has taken so long for me to jump back on the keyboard and pound out some thoughts.  I do think however the wait is well worth it as I believe this topic is absolutely a cornerstone to a successful program.  A recent tweet of mine set this whole thought process in motion.  The tweet mentioned one of my favorite quotes which is, "This program is bigger than any one of us, but this program is each of us."  This quote of course alludes to the concept of SHARED OWNERSHIP.

With age comes maturity, with maturity comes patience, with patience comes understanding.  With understanding comes the simple idea that you can't do things all by yourself!!! And even in those rare instances that you can - you can always achieve greater results when you trust another person to help you.

When you surround yourself with great energetic people who are excited to achieve success, and you give them responsibilities that are unique and specific to them, you must trust them to get the job done!  And when you follow this recipe, you will be amazed with the results.  The greatest benefit from this idea is more often than not, the people you have entrusted with tasks will work harder and longer to make you proud of them.  The worst thing a person can feel is disappointment when someone gives them an assignment and they let that person down.  So often a person will work harder and longer to ensure that they get it right so you will be appreciative of their efforts.  I have been on both sides of this equation and absolutely have seen the benefits.

Whether it is a coach, trainer, support staff, player, manager, etc....... When you step back and allow them the freedom to complete their job without hovering more often than not you won't be disappointed.  They will deliver and achieve results above and beyond what you could have hoped for - which only makes you look smarter, your job easier and your program, "BIGGER THAN ANY ONE OF YOU, BUT EACH OF YOU!"

ENJOY YOUR SHOT!!