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Inspiration is often all you need to get things going. Having a goal to motivate or some gimmick to get the mind going, setting the mood. A speech isn't always needed or a butt chewing or a
motivational genius coming in to inspire the team. Sometimes you just need a little something, a
tiny something like a word.
I came up with a word a game. I wrote about this in an earlier blog so I will just print the words we used for each game.
PREPARATION FEAR TRUTH CONFIDENCE
DESIRE SHARE HONOR TRUST CHARACTER
COMMITMENT SPIRIT ACCOUNTABLE
FAITH FORGIVENESS RESPECT HOPE
COURAGE FAMILY LOVE PASSION
These were the words for the Humbolts of 2008. I will use them again some day.
Now for our first word of 2009:
"SUCCEED"
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Challenge
A coach e-mailed a challenge to a few thousand fellow coaches earlier in the year. He asked if
you could have only three most important things on your coaching agenda, what would they be?
Wow, that would be easy and then I thought about it. It got kinda hard. I gave the idea some hard thought, slept on it and came up with my personal three.
REBOUNDS---DEFENSE---TEAMWORK
Those were my choices. To make a solid team work as a unit these meant the most to me.
Our defense was satisfactory and better than that at times during most of the season. Our
teamwork was excellent after only a few games. Only once in awhile an opponent would fluster our players into poor decisions causing turnovers. I was more than pleased with the effort.
Rebounds did not come as often as the opportunity presented itself. I did not introduce very aggressive rebound drills until later in the year. I can take part of the blame for that.
Rebounding is much more than just, bump, box-out and arms up. The position and foot work
involves athleticism and heart. Ya gotta really want the ball. We will turn our drills up another level in the spring.
I don't remember who sent this challenge. It helps focus on certain aspects of the game that needs to be addressed. Like the old saying "Jack of all trades, master of none" it would be nice
to fully demonstrate three things well and then perfect them. If we could accomplish that, move
on to other aspects of the game. I'm not saying don't teach the fundamentals of the other parts
of the game while learning the big three, I'm saying try to focus on a few things at a time.
you could have only three most important things on your coaching agenda, what would they be?
Wow, that would be easy and then I thought about it. It got kinda hard. I gave the idea some hard thought, slept on it and came up with my personal three.
REBOUNDS---DEFENSE---TEAMWORK
Those were my choices. To make a solid team work as a unit these meant the most to me.
Our defense was satisfactory and better than that at times during most of the season. Our
teamwork was excellent after only a few games. Only once in awhile an opponent would fluster our players into poor decisions causing turnovers. I was more than pleased with the effort.
Rebounds did not come as often as the opportunity presented itself. I did not introduce very aggressive rebound drills until later in the year. I can take part of the blame for that.
Rebounding is much more than just, bump, box-out and arms up. The position and foot work
involves athleticism and heart. Ya gotta really want the ball. We will turn our drills up another level in the spring.
I don't remember who sent this challenge. It helps focus on certain aspects of the game that needs to be addressed. Like the old saying "Jack of all trades, master of none" it would be nice
to fully demonstrate three things well and then perfect them. If we could accomplish that, move
on to other aspects of the game. I'm not saying don't teach the fundamentals of the other parts
of the game while learning the big three, I'm saying try to focus on a few things at a time.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Accused of Teamwork
I have been accused many times of putting together and traveling with All-stars. This has not always been the case. There have always been role players on the team and some who were in the developmental stage in the game.
Sure, I've tried to travel with solid players but I have also worked hard to develop the girls with the desire to play and learn the game.
In the past we have always done well against teams from towns with under the hundred thousand population. Sometimes winning against big city opponents.
No one looks back at the mix of players who came to play for the Humbolts who were once sitting on the bench and became the 6th man, becoming starters later on their school teams.
I've trained stars to rely and depend on others to stimulate solid teamwork. Teamwork creates loyalty. Loyalty creates support for each other on the floor. Letting everyone be creative on the court brings the best out of everyone therefore having a team that's not only fun to coach but to watch as well.
Instead of plays that are designed for the star, we utilize an offense that involves everyone. I also require everyone to shoot whenever open.
We have rules on both offense and defense. We even have a few rules on our behavior on and off the court. The players and myself are all held accountable for our actions.
In Spring we work mostly on offense and defense. Now that it is Summer we focus on strength and ball-handling skills.
I remember a few years ago I held try-outs. I advertised in the local paper two weeks in advance and put fliers out at many of the local middle schools. I think only 6 kids showed up. I was crushed. I went out and scouted some rec league teams and eventually put together a team with mixed ages. I used the older player for leadership. She took the challenge well. The rest fell into place playing on a developmental level. 6 of them are still playing basketball. One of them a senior, two are juniors, one is a sophomore and two are incoming freshman at their high schools.
10 or 11 years ago I was sitting with a friend at a game. He mentioned a coach who always told his players what not to do. He claimed that if he ever became a coach he would rather tell the players what to do instead. That statement is with me at all times. I bring it to myself whenever I get frustrated.
I work with the players building on their strengths and introducing new skills. My main goal is to make them better players for school competition, hopefully keeping interest as a student athlete. Whether they play at the next level is up to them, but by playing on an AAU team with a full teamwork atmosphere will definitely open up many doors.
Yes, I admit to teamwork.
Sure, I've tried to travel with solid players but I have also worked hard to develop the girls with the desire to play and learn the game.
In the past we have always done well against teams from towns with under the hundred thousand population. Sometimes winning against big city opponents.
No one looks back at the mix of players who came to play for the Humbolts who were once sitting on the bench and became the 6th man, becoming starters later on their school teams.
I've trained stars to rely and depend on others to stimulate solid teamwork. Teamwork creates loyalty. Loyalty creates support for each other on the floor. Letting everyone be creative on the court brings the best out of everyone therefore having a team that's not only fun to coach but to watch as well.
Instead of plays that are designed for the star, we utilize an offense that involves everyone. I also require everyone to shoot whenever open.
We have rules on both offense and defense. We even have a few rules on our behavior on and off the court. The players and myself are all held accountable for our actions.
In Spring we work mostly on offense and defense. Now that it is Summer we focus on strength and ball-handling skills.
I remember a few years ago I held try-outs. I advertised in the local paper two weeks in advance and put fliers out at many of the local middle schools. I think only 6 kids showed up. I was crushed. I went out and scouted some rec league teams and eventually put together a team with mixed ages. I used the older player for leadership. She took the challenge well. The rest fell into place playing on a developmental level. 6 of them are still playing basketball. One of them a senior, two are juniors, one is a sophomore and two are incoming freshman at their high schools.
10 or 11 years ago I was sitting with a friend at a game. He mentioned a coach who always told his players what not to do. He claimed that if he ever became a coach he would rather tell the players what to do instead. That statement is with me at all times. I bring it to myself whenever I get frustrated.
I work with the players building on their strengths and introducing new skills. My main goal is to make them better players for school competition, hopefully keeping interest as a student athlete. Whether they play at the next level is up to them, but by playing on an AAU team with a full teamwork atmosphere will definitely open up many doors.
Yes, I admit to teamwork.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Many Thanks
I would like to thank Mark Gorge for putting together this website. He and the other parents of our team secretly put it together and gave it to me to run. I was surprised, when I opened it up. The photos submitted by Joyce are awesome.
Another thanks to Joe Irvine of Cloverdale for permission to post the pics from the Petaluma tournament. Joe's Website is http://photojoe.ifp3.com/
His photography really captures the emotion of the game.
I have inserted some pictures of some past teams also. I wish I had pictures of all our past Humbolts players but I don't. Anyway, we will still have fond memories from our travels.
Another thanks to Joe Irvine of Cloverdale for permission to post the pics from the Petaluma tournament. Joe's Website is http://photojoe.ifp3.com/
His photography really captures the emotion of the game.
I have inserted some pictures of some past teams also. I wish I had pictures of all our past Humbolts players but I don't. Anyway, we will still have fond memories from our travels.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
A Great Friend
On December 5th, 2007 Humboldt County, California lost a great friend. Brad Warze passed away from a serious form of cancer. He was only 59 years old.
His contributions as a teacher and coach will always be remembered by all. Brad coached Football, Basketball and was a P.E. teacher at McKinleyville High School. The last seven years he developed a powerhouse girls basketball program. He used great vision to build a program which would eventually start at the Middle School level with solid training leading to league championships, playing in North Coast Section Tournaments and State Championship Games.
In the 70's he came here from Santa Cruz to coach Football at St. Bernard's High School. He took them to the State Championships. Later coaching Football, helping College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.
Somehow Brad remembered everyone and always had a nice story about them, sometimes humorous.
The wonderful support from his wife, Geri was always helpful in the countless hours he put in organizing fundraisers and events benefiting the Mack program. His daughters Sarah and Rachel contributed with their coaching skills and hopefully will continue to carry on the Warze legacy.
Many people take on projects beyond their knowledge. It sounds simple at first, then something comes up making and organizing an event a hardship. Many times Brad was called upon to take over these projects sometimes at very short notice. I don't think he turned any of them down. He had a knack to get people to help and had a large network to work with.
I have worked with him on many occasions, coaching with and against his teams in AAU. Our discussions on the game were sometimes lengthy, always respectful and for the most part a learning expierence.
Myself, my players past and present will truly miss this fine gentleman. As worthy placques and dedications to his memory, none could replace the love and frienship this community has for a person with such remarkable talent.
His contributions as a teacher and coach will always be remembered by all. Brad coached Football, Basketball and was a P.E. teacher at McKinleyville High School. The last seven years he developed a powerhouse girls basketball program. He used great vision to build a program which would eventually start at the Middle School level with solid training leading to league championships, playing in North Coast Section Tournaments and State Championship Games.
In the 70's he came here from Santa Cruz to coach Football at St. Bernard's High School. He took them to the State Championships. Later coaching Football, helping College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University.
Somehow Brad remembered everyone and always had a nice story about them, sometimes humorous.
The wonderful support from his wife, Geri was always helpful in the countless hours he put in organizing fundraisers and events benefiting the Mack program. His daughters Sarah and Rachel contributed with their coaching skills and hopefully will continue to carry on the Warze legacy.
Many people take on projects beyond their knowledge. It sounds simple at first, then something comes up making and organizing an event a hardship. Many times Brad was called upon to take over these projects sometimes at very short notice. I don't think he turned any of them down. He had a knack to get people to help and had a large network to work with.
I have worked with him on many occasions, coaching with and against his teams in AAU. Our discussions on the game were sometimes lengthy, always respectful and for the most part a learning expierence.
Myself, my players past and present will truly miss this fine gentleman. As worthy placques and dedications to his memory, none could replace the love and frienship this community has for a person with such remarkable talent.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
20 Games
Our Spring involved 20 games. We were 9 & 1 in league. 7 & 3 traveling. In Petaluma we lost 2 games to some solid teams.
We won the Championship in Oroville winning all three games.
In Medford, we came in second place at the Kyle Singler Tournament. That is Kyle pictured with us after recieving the second place award. He plays for Duke University and was ACC Player of the Year. Maui Invitational MVP. Rookie of the year.
This gentleman has a great skills as a player. He gave a motivational speech that moved all the players, parents and coaches who attended the events breakfast. Loosing the State Championship as a Junior in high school was great sorrow. Then winning the State Championship as a senior was total happiness. The speech was emotional to say the least. His high school coach said some wonderfull things about Kyle and his hard work ethic. He answered questions, singed some autographs and spoke about how to work hard to get what you want at the college level.
We played 3 games on a Saturday in Medford and won all three. The next day we lost to the host.
I will write about the teams we lost to in the future.
Soon we will begin our Summer Program.
We won the Championship in Oroville winning all three games.
In Medford, we came in second place at the Kyle Singler Tournament. That is Kyle pictured with us after recieving the second place award. He plays for Duke University and was ACC Player of the Year. Maui Invitational MVP. Rookie of the year.
This gentleman has a great skills as a player. He gave a motivational speech that moved all the players, parents and coaches who attended the events breakfast. Loosing the State Championship as a Junior in high school was great sorrow. Then winning the State Championship as a senior was total happiness. The speech was emotional to say the least. His high school coach said some wonderfull things about Kyle and his hard work ethic. He answered questions, singed some autographs and spoke about how to work hard to get what you want at the college level.
We played 3 games on a Saturday in Medford and won all three. The next day we lost to the host.
I will write about the teams we lost to in the future.
Soon we will begin our Summer Program.
Assistant Coach
Kayanna Walstrand is our assistant coach. She plays for College of the Redwoods. She has been with me playing and coaching for seven years since I started the team in 2002.
Kayanna knows my philosophy on the game through and through. Sometimes we are like one head working with the players. Her skill with court sense brings an atmosphere of good Ballerz Attitude on the floor. She catches all the points I miss during the teaching aspect of the game. She hits the fine details running our drills.
We run a lot of scenarios where defense meets offense and visa versa. There we find what to do explaining the how to's.
Being very supportive with the players helps and the team responds well to her instruction. I believe Kayanna will become a great coach and instructor in the future. The Humbolts would not be the same without her.
Kayanna knows my philosophy on the game through and through. Sometimes we are like one head working with the players. Her skill with court sense brings an atmosphere of good Ballerz Attitude on the floor. She catches all the points I miss during the teaching aspect of the game. She hits the fine details running our drills.
We run a lot of scenarios where defense meets offense and visa versa. There we find what to do explaining the how to's.
Being very supportive with the players helps and the team responds well to her instruction. I believe Kayanna will become a great coach and instructor in the future. The Humbolts would not be the same without her.
SPRING 2008
We started off the last week of December by request of most of the players. Some felt they were taken a step back in their school play. It showed during season. We began working on our Man to Man concept of the game. Ball-handling, shooting form and passing. Not untill 3 weeks before our first League game did we work on the offense. We scrapped many of our plays and added new sets and quick hitters.
The girls requested I give them a playbook and I did. Happy, they worked the plays hard and asked many questions on form and movement. We introduced some new out of bounds plays which worked well during the Spring Season.
The game plan for the team was a surprise to them. Our plays covered all the basic fundamentals used in the game. When we had our first game they asked what to run and I said just put it all together into a Motion Offense. Of course it was a little confusing at first but we managed since these ladies are very smart.
I will probably mention a number of times in these writings that all of our players are straight
A students. That helps teaching and getting through practices with some ease. The good sense
and athletic ability they possess created many opportunities on the court in both scoring and defense.
At first passing and spacing was an issue. Only solid playing time resolved some of spacing. The passing was and is addressed at practice where we use a heavy ball. Decision making on the court can kill any team. We came a long way in that field thrugh good spacing and teamwork.
Team goals for the season and every game are installed as to not get stale in any way. It gives us drive. We have a foundation we have built on with a motivational word printed on a Lego. Each Lego is added after every game . Our losses the Lego is turned around.
We are 16 and 4 for the season. That means 4 of our Lego's are backwards. We treat them as something in our lives that must be turned around. We will turn each one around as we meet certain goals during our Summer Session. I will print these words when our goals are met.
The girls requested I give them a playbook and I did. Happy, they worked the plays hard and asked many questions on form and movement. We introduced some new out of bounds plays which worked well during the Spring Season.
The game plan for the team was a surprise to them. Our plays covered all the basic fundamentals used in the game. When we had our first game they asked what to run and I said just put it all together into a Motion Offense. Of course it was a little confusing at first but we managed since these ladies are very smart.
I will probably mention a number of times in these writings that all of our players are straight
A students. That helps teaching and getting through practices with some ease. The good sense
and athletic ability they possess created many opportunities on the court in both scoring and defense.
At first passing and spacing was an issue. Only solid playing time resolved some of spacing. The passing was and is addressed at practice where we use a heavy ball. Decision making on the court can kill any team. We came a long way in that field thrugh good spacing and teamwork.
Team goals for the season and every game are installed as to not get stale in any way. It gives us drive. We have a foundation we have built on with a motivational word printed on a Lego. Each Lego is added after every game . Our losses the Lego is turned around.
We are 16 and 4 for the season. That means 4 of our Lego's are backwards. We treat them as something in our lives that must be turned around. We will turn each one around as we meet certain goals during our Summer Session. I will print these words when our goals are met.
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