PART XXIII - The Secret Of Longevity - Avoiding Corners.

When I coach 1st-4th grade teams, the first thing almost each player does when they catch the ball is dribble as fast as they can with their head down using their dominant hand. Before they know, the defense has prevented them from going where they want to go (the basket) because they haven't looked where they're going and they end up where? Answer: In the corner.

Now they are in a tough spot. They can't go to their left or their right because they'll step out of bounds. What do they do next? Answer: They turn their back to the defense hoping the defender will maybe disappear. Kind of like throwing the covers or placing your hood over your head during a difficult moment.

When they realize that the defender is still there what's the next thing they do? Answer: They yell for help.

Coaching 1st-4th graders for twenty-plus years you see the same thing over and over.

It is fun, as a coach, teaching the young players not to place themselves in that bad spot by showing them how to change speeds and change directions - something that the good guards do. Teaching them to slow down, how to read defenses, use both hands and seeing the entire court is fun and even more rewarding when they begin to figure it out.

Naturally, like life, some will listen to you and some won't. You really want them all to listen, but it just isn't going to happen. The ones that at least try to change begin to see that "Wow, there is a whole other side of the court" which brings more opportunities to score or create opportunities versus going full speed to the corner.

The ones that don't listen tend to then get mad at you for not making the court larger, not changing the rules so they can dribble out of bounds, or not telling the defense to back off so they can go where they want to. Obviously, these are jokes, but some honestly give you that look like I want to do things my way.

As a coach, all you can do is share your experiences of what works and what doesn't work and hope that folks will listen. You coach in the hopes of not just doing something you love, but also to share your knowledge and experience(s) with those who don't know "the way" yet.

Does it get frustrating when you can clearly see the dangers, pitfalls and traps lying ahead on the road ahead and those who you work with ignore your words of advice? Answer: Yes.

Does it get frustrating when you try to correct them by sitting them on the bench until they at least try to make the adjustment but instead of support you get criticized, bad-mouthed and disparaged? Answer: Yes.

Does it get frustrating when those same ones then up and quit or leave you stating that you didn't do anything to help them improve when all you did was the exact opposite of what they're saying? Answer: Yes.

However, you can't let that frustration consume you as a coach. If you are teaching / coaching them to do the right thing, you can rest easy. If you are correcting them and they refuse to listen, so be it, move onto the next one as there is someone on your team who understands what you are trying to do for not them or each individual but also the team.

When you begin to understand that basketball is simply a reflection of life, which I have stated in several other posts, you'll look at things differently. You'll begin to understand that not everyone on your team or in your program is going to be 100% going in the same direction.

So how do you fix things or at least make it work each season?

Long term: You make your expectations clear upfront before you start the season.

Short term: You make your expectations clear upfront before you start each practice.

If folks choose to go against your expectations, they'll stand out a like a sore thumb. Then it is your responsibility to ask them in the moment if they plan on going against your season or daily expectations or if they plan on doing things that are in the best interest of the team?

Remember, all you can do is give the proper advice ahead of time on how to avoid "the corner". Some will listen and some won't. The ones who do tend to have a great experience seeing the entire court (aka "the world" in relation to life). The ones who don't, they may make it through... many times by forcing something.

You'll more than likely hear the yell of "help" after they have gone to the place (the corner) you tried to warn them ahead of time not to go. Sometimes they won't say anything because that would be an acknowledgement of you being right which A) you didn't want, need or were hoping to hear to start with, and / or B) they don't want to admit they're wrong.

Just give them the warning and either they listen or they don't. Just continue to teach and maybe they'll adjust or maybe they won't. You hope, like the 1st-4th graders, they'll listen and slow down to read "the defense" before going full speed to a destination (the goal) with their head or eyes down; or at least try to avoid the roadblocks and traps (the defense) that lie ahead.

Just don't get yourself, too, in the "mental corner" by letting those who you tried to help but refused to listen place you too ... in a corner.

Yours For Better Basketball,

Brian / Coach Robinson