There are many traits that can make an athlete great it can be their height, explosiveness, agility, shooting, reaction time and so on. Sometimes it is their competitive spirit, their drive, their ability to find a way to score or play unbelievable defence at the most critical times. There are so many skills that come easily and naturally to each athlete depending on their skill set. These are the intangibles that make them who they are. There are also other attributes when engaged and developed can be real difference makers to the success of an athlete. These are things that have nothing to do with physical gifts a player possesses and have everything to do with maximizing potential. One of these skills is the ability to listen to feedback and apply it.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with some incredibly gifted athletes whether they were already playing college basketball, pushing to get to that level or still in high school playing for the provincial or national teams. The higher I got up through the ranks to find these players the more I noticed this was a common attribute to those that were in elite circles. The players at the highest levels are often the most eager to take feedback and continue learn. They are the most willing to listen to the message and apply the information given from their coaches. They know that if they don’t it is the difference between them getting an opportunity to play or someone else taking their spot. These players just want to get better and they are hungry to continue to learn and improve. They see coaches as their allies and use what they tell them to improve.
When I first noticed this it was about 12 years ago I was working with some college players in the US. I got to run a practice and the guys were incredibly coachable. They asked for help and were eager to follow my direction. At first I thought it must just be this particular group of guys because surely not all elite players could be like this. I wasn’t much older than them at the time and wasn’t very experienced in coaching plus being a woman I thought they would be really resisting my leadership. I really didn’t think they would be as willing to let me be in charge as they were. They were great and I really enjoyed working with them. As I continued to work with more and more high level players I realized this was a common characteristic. I also found that elite players would not only listen to the feedback given but they would also ask questions to be sure they understood the message completely.
This was a really eye opening observation for me. I was surprised when working with less skilled and less experienced players I would get push back when coaching them. Many of them had an ego, thought they would do it their way or had a guard up not wanting to be helped. Being that type of player is completely your decision and in essence will end up limiting your opportunities because other players who are willing to be coachable will take the information and use it to their advantage.
Out of all the basketball skills that a player can have one of the ones that can guarantee success. In the book Michael Jordan The Life by Roland Lazenby he said “This ability to listen was among [Michael Jordan’s] most precious gifts. To his coaches his capacity to be coached was his single most impressive attribute, beyond even the eighteen-year-old’s spectacular physical gifts. Dean Smith asserted, “I had never seen a player listen so closely to what the coaches said and then go and do it.” Michael Jordan added “My greatest skill was being teachable. I was like a sponge. Even if I thought my coaches were wrong, I tried to listen and learn something.”
According to that book this ability to learn was something that imitators of Jordan would often overlook. They apparently believed their great skills and physical gifts elevated the above the game. This wasn’t ever the assumption Jordan made and it was what made him great.
So, what are some things you can work on to make yourself great?
Rule #1 Pay attention to the message not the tone
Sometimes coaches have to deal with things directly and openly. Your coach doesn’t have time to sugar coat things or make it feel better they might have to say bluntly because there might be little time to make the adjustment. Get to the message not the tone and try your best not to take comments personally.
Rule #2 - Listen to the last part of the message
I can’t tell you how many times this happens where a new drill is being explained or a team is in a time out. Before the explanation is finished the players start walking away from the huddle with incomplete information. I know when I was younger I was terrible at this. Often times the last thing the coach says is the most important. Stick around to hear the end.
Rule #3 - Say Yes Coach
Simply learning to say “Yes Coach” will put you in a different class of player. Coaches are more open to helping people that want to be helped. If you don’t listen you will limit your upward growth. Don’t argue, complain or blame because honestly coaches don’t want to hear it. Learn to take the feedback and if you really feel passionate about something pick your battles. If every single time you get called out for something you blame someone else, argue or complain it doesn’t look good on you regardless of who is right or wrong. Your need to be right as a player will impact team chemistry as well. A way to work on this is at home with your family. When you are asked to do something or give you feedback just do it without fighting back. It’s the mature thing to do and excellent practice.
Rule #4 - Ask questions if you don’t understand
If you don’t understand what your coach is saying you may have to ask for clarification. Too many times athletes just nod even though they don't completely get it. Your coach knows you don’t understand especially if you keep making the same mistake. Please be advised that right that moment may not be the best timing to ask though. You may have to wait until after the game, practice or during a break. Gauge whether it is a good time to ask at that moment because asking your coach a question at the wrong time may make matters worse so clarify at the right time.
Rule #5 - Realize coaches make mistakes
Understand that it is your coaches job to organize multiple people and they may not see every single thing. They are going to make mistakes sometimes and you may get in trouble for something that isn’t necessarily your fault. There are times you have to just take one for the team as they say. If you come at it with an attitude of appreciation that your coach is trying to make you better it will help. Also, if your teammates see you doing that as well they will be more likely to follow suit. This makes for a better atmosphere overall.
No comments:
Post a Comment