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.