Building a Team/Program

I recently accepted a coaching position for HS Girls Basketball in my school. The program is on the verge of going completely under, with only 11 girls participating. Their skill level is very low, their speed and quickness, much above average. My question is, and I'm not sure there is an answer, (other than a lot of hard work and team motivation), anyway.....If you were coming into such a program, what key elements would you look for and build upon early to begin to generate skill development? Thanks for your help ahead of time!

Coach Vicki Enyart

Coach Enyart,
I am a firm believer that you can have some success at almost any program. Programs succeed because they have knowledgeable, committed, and professional coaches, administration and staff who know the right way to work, organize, communicate, and perform compared to the wrong way. It sounds like you have some decent talent to build upon.

Your biggest obstacle will be changing their attitudes from "losing" to "winning". Losing programs carry certain expectations, where not showing up for practice is accepted, or not being punctual, or the attitude I'll work but don't ask me to stay extra or spend my summer's playing basketball. As coach, you must set the tone for your expectations and be sure your players know your goals and why these ground rules are there.

Providing discipline, demonstrating a genuine concern for your players on and off the court, being able to help them grow as people and in their skills will be positive reinforcer's toward them accepting a "winners" mentality in their efforts on the court.

I definitely would evaluate where the program has done poorly in terms of practice times and facilities, individual skills work, summer programs, athletic development, conditioning, scheduling and many other areas. You must demonstrate that "visual" changes and remain committed to those changes until your program begins to show the benefits of your efforts.

I am a firm believer that "follow" through is one of the most important words in life and in coaching teams. Just as you miss a shot because you don't follow-through, young people watch carefully what you say and what you actually do. The problem for most is "follow-through" takes persistent efforts. These days most people want the fast way to success, and to be honest there isn't one. Only organized, intelligent and persistent effort produces success. You might start with a "mission or goal statement" as a yardstick for your players to measure their efforts. I have always liked Lute Olsen's words written on their locker room wall at the University of Arizona. "No team will play hard, smarter, or more together". It's a challenging goal, but a worthy one.

Good luck and Thanks for Asking the Coach