Montrose-ism #6: One Possession

 

Coach Vetter has a player read this poem aloud to the team before the start of every season.  Yes, it is a tad corny, but it does send a very important message of how important every possession is.

 

It was only one possession,

Why must my coach scream?

My poor defense caused a basket,

But what can one hoop mean?

As the pass comes my direction,

And I fumble it into the stands,

My coach’s voice rings loud and clear,

“Catch with your eyes and hands!”

C’mon coach, its one possession,

Our team will be OK,

It’s just the first two minutes,

I mean damn, we’ve got all day!

 

In the beginning of the 2^nd quarter,

Their center is strong and stout,

He gets a put back for two, quite simply due,

From my failure to block out.

It was only one possession,

I didn’t commit a crime,

My team is ahead and I’m playing well,

And there’s still plenty of time!

 

As the halftime buzzer sounds,

I watch the ball bank in,

I know I will hear it from my coach,

Asking why I don’t defend.

But it was only one possession,

Coach – don’t have a heart attack,

We’re only down by one and we’re having fun,

I know we’ll get the lead back!

 

The 2^nd half is much the same,

So it is really no big deal,

That my lazy pass on the perimeter,

Results in an easy steal.

I quickly sink a jumper,

I’m greeted by high fives and slaps,

But the next time down, I give up a lay-up,

While suffering a mental lapse.

 

It’s only one possession,

C’mon coach just chill out!

It’s crazy to see you so mad,

As you consistently scream and shout:

“Victory favors the team,

Making the fewest mistakes.

Singles possessions are the key,

And will cut down on their fast breaks.”

 

I step to the line for a one and one,

The game is in my hands,

I can’t believe I miss it short,

And hear cheers from the other team’s fans.

After the game I sit at my locker,

Wondering what more I could have done,

Only to realize the value of one possession,

What a shame we lost by one.

 

In two weeks I will post a full preview of the 2009-2010 Montrose basketball team.

 

If you have questions about the Montrose program, please email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com. I will respond as quickly as possible!

 

Train hard.  Train smart.

 

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

Montrose-ism #5: What’s A Good Shot?

 

With pre-season in full effect your players are probably playing organized pick-up during open gym several times a week… our players at Montrose sure are.  And while you can’t really add too much structure, now is the best time to start reiterating and reinforcing what a “good” shot is versus a “bad” shot.  No sense in having players consistently shooting bad shots between now and when practice starts!  If you aren’t allowed to be there because of pre-season coaching restrictions, I suggest you review this with your captains and have them inforce!

 

Here is a list of what constitutes a good shot.  We give this list to our players in their team handbook as well as discuss it as often as necessary.  The most important concept for players to understand is the definition of a good shot varies from player to player.  A good shot for your point guard might not be a good shot for your 4-man.

 

1)    A good shot is one that is expected by your teammates.

 

2)    A good shot is one that you are ready to shoot (on balance, square to the basket, etc.).

 

3)    A good shot is one that you shoot a high percentage on in drills and practice (in your range)

 

4)    A good shot is one that can be rebounded by at least two of your teammates.

 

5)    A good shot is one that you can recover and play defense from if it is missed.

 

6)    A good shot is one that is appropriate given the time and the score.

 

7)    A good shot is one that is taken when you are not closely guarded (except for shots around the basket).

 

Along the lines of pick-up games and open gym, here are three things we do at Montrose to make our games as productive as possible:

 

1)    All 10 players must be in the front court when a basket is scored (to encourage running the floor, getting back on defense, and eliminate “cherry picking.”).  If an offensive player is not over the half court line when a basket is scored; the basket doesn’t count and it is a turnover.  If a defensive player isn’t back over half court when the basket is scored, the point counts and the offensive teams keeps possession.

 

2)    With the exception of an intentional foul (which we don’t allow and highly discourage), our players do not call any fouls during pick-up. They must play through it and learn to play hard and maintain composure during brutal contact.  This keeps the game moving and eliminates arguing about fouls.  This is not done to promote fouling or cause chaos… so implement appropriately.  It takes mature and responsible players to do this.

 

3)    We keep record of wins and losses of every pick-up game.  We change the teams every day but each player gets one point when they win.  You will start to see which players are winners regardless of what team they are on.  These are the players you will want playing this winter!

 

If you have questions about the Montrose program, please email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com. I will respond as quickly as possible!

 

Train hard.  Train smart.

 

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

Montrose-ism #4: Habits

 

Here is another page out of the Montrose team handbook.  We are always talking to our players about creating good habits; in the classroom and on the court. We share these concepts with our players all of the time!

 

Champions do not become champions on the court. They become recognized on the court.  They become champions because of their daily routine and daily commitment to excellence. Players do not decide their future; they decide their habits and their habits decide their future!

 

All of this starts with how you think and what you think. 

Your thoughts become your words. 

Your words become your actions. 

Your actions become your habits. 

Your habits become your character. 

Your character becomes your destiny.

 

Therefore, being successful at anything is determined by your daily choices and habits.

 

If you have questions about the Montrose program, please email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com. I will respond as quickly as possible!

 

Train hard.  Train smart.

 

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

Montrose-ism #3: What Winners Do

 

Winning is a habit.  Unfortunately so is losing.

 

Winners are confident. Losers have doubt.

 

Winners hustle. Losers loaf.

 

Winners praise others. Losers complain.

 

Winners listen. Losers talk.

 

Winners are accountable. Losers point the finger.

 

Winners are enthusiastic. Lowers lack passion.

 

Winners are great teammates. Losers are selfish.

 

Winners never quit.  Losers give up.

 

Winners have focus. Losers are disheveled.

 

Winners have discipline. Losers are weak.

 

Winners are loyal. Losers are self centered.

 

Winners have urgency. Losers put things off.

 

Winners have pride. Losers don’t care.

 

Winners are coachable. Losers already know it all.

 

Winners prepare their minds and bodies to win on a daily basis.  Winners do what losers don’t want to do. At Montrose we work hard to create a winning culture.  We only want winners in our program.

 

Are you a winner?

 

If you have questions about the Montrose program, please email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com. I will respond as quickly as possible!

 

Train hard.  Train smart.

 

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

Here is a standard questionnaire we give our players before every season to see if they have what it takes to be a part of our program.

 

Montrose-ism #2: Do You Qualify?

 

1)    Are you a good person?

 

2)    Are you an intelligent person?

 

3)    Are you a student-athlete?

 

4)    Are you a team player?

 

5)    Do you take care of your body?

 

6)    Do you listen with your eyes and ears?

 

7)    Do you ask questions?

 

8)    Are you a leader?

 

9)    Can you accept criticism and discipline?

 

10)  Do you truly care about your school, your coaches, and your teammates?

 

11)  Do you do the little things to be successful (both on and off the court)?

 

12)  Can you play through minor aches and pains?

 

13)  Are you mentally tough (comfortable being uncomfortable)?

 

14)  Are you committed to being the absolute best player (and person) you can be?

 

15)  Are you truly thankful for everything you have?

 

If you answered “YES” to all of these questions then you qualify to be a part of one of the best high school basketball programs in the country.  You qualify to be a part of Montrose Basketball.  Don’t take this for granted.  The journey starts now; let’s get to work.

 

If you have questions about the Montrose program, please email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com. I will respond as quickly as possible!

 

Train hard.  Train smart.

 

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com