It gets frustrating sometimes watching basketball when a player makes a play they think is tough and they do something like pound their chest, scream into the sky or flex their muscles to show off their strength and prowess for that moment. It is especially frustrating when the play was all about them. In this article I want to challenge these displays of toughness and substitute them with items that as a coach I believe are true elements of what should be considered tough.
Basketball is a team sport. It is the contribution of all the members of the team that lead to the success as well as the failure of the group. Too many times we look at individual players and give them too much credit for why their team was able to succeed. Sometimes it is the sacrifice as well as contributions of other members of that team that have allowed the individual person to be able to get to where they are. When you are part of a team nobody does it alone. Here are my top elements that account for True Toughness:
6) Picking Up Teammates - When a teammate hits the ground because they were going for a lose ball or maybe got knocked over in the heat of battle. There is nothing more powerful then having their teammates hustle over and pick them up when they are down. It is a powerful acknowledgement of their sacrifice and a way to show some care to the person who was taken down. This goes for when they are defeated emotionally as well. Giving them support is critical for the success of the team. Sometimes I think it can also be powerful and tough when an opponent is taken down on a dirty play that wasn’t intentional for the player to help them up as a form of apology to say they didn’t mean to hurt them is a powerful gesture as well.
5) Boxing Out and Rebounding - Not letting an opponent get second chances when they take a shot at your basket is incredibly powerful. Making the sacrifice to put a body on someone and push them back is a very big deal. Rebounding can be a very telling statistic because typically the team that wins the rebounding war is the team that ends up being victorious at the end of the game. Boxing out and rebounding are not the most glorified parts of the game. They are the small elements that lead to the big things. There is nothing worse than when you have done your job. Put a body on someone and then one of your teammates check runs right passed you and gets the ball. Rebounding has less to do about height and has everything to do with heart. Holding your check off to get the rebound is tough.
4) Making the Extra Pass - Passing up a good shot for a great shot is critical when it comes to toughness. When you pass up “my shot” to making it “our shot” that is really where team toughness comes in. Everyone can jack up a shot that is ill-advised. Having the knowledge and the toughness to stick with your team philosophy in order to take the correct shot is so powerful.
3) Setting Great Screens - Getting teammates open by setting great screens is such a tough thing to do. Setting a timely great screen that is used at the correct time is such a tough thing to do. Often times the recipient of the screen goes too fast when it comes to using it. The rhythm of when the screen is set and then used is such an important element in basketball. Being tough enough to pass up your own glory to get someone else open to make a play is so critical to being considered tough. Also, being tough enough to tell them when to use it properly is important as well. Communicate your intentions to make your team better.
2) Finishing Plays - One of the most powerful plays in basketball is the “And 1” play. The play where you take the ball to the basket and get fouled then finish the basket anyways. This is such a momentum changer and a way to show unbelievable spirit. To get to take an extra shot at the free throw line after your shot when in when you were fouled is a big time momentum changers.
1) Taking a Charge - Out of all the tough things that can be done on the court taking a charge is a favourite. This is one of the biggest momentum changer. of all Whenever a player takes a charge it is a testament to that player’s love for their teammates. To stand there and not move while someone runs into them full speed is so powerful and is the epitome of toughness. When your teammate does that they should be given a standing ovation and applauded for their extremely selfless efforts. Players should be around them to pick them up and dust them off.
Taking time to celebrate your teammates instead of yourself is the right way to do it. Using your passion, enthusiasm and energy to give them the credit for their contributions encourages the bonds between teammates. When you do something well on either side of the court whether it is on offence or on defence it is critical to be able to get back to work on the next possession. Too many times players spend time celebrating their accomplishment just to have the other team come back and make a play while the celebration of the previous play is underway. Being tough means being aware of what is going on around you and not giving up easy plays to the other team. Celebrate when the game is over. True toughness revolves around staying engaged and remaining focused until the final buzzer sounds.
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