The Championship Edge
By Shane Dreiling
Dealing with a Problem Player:
- Problem players steer their teams off course.
- Problem players must be dealt with immediately. They cannot be ignored.
- Confront problem players honestly and head on.
- Appeal to the problem players’ sense of pride and respect.
- If things progress poorly, confront the problem player in front of their teammates.
Dealing with a Star Player:
- Try to build a special relationship.
- Remind your star player that with added ability comes added pressure and expectations.
- If taught well, the star player can benefit everyone around them.
- Some practices, remind your star player to take no shots. Force a teammate to step up.
Have your Priorities in Order.
- God must be #1.
- Treat everyone with respect. Class and good character are never out of season.
- Develop your spiritual being.
- Family is #2.
- Helps develop your faith.
- Your first true team situation.
- Dwell on the positives.
- Education is #3.
- Be a well rounded member of the student body.
- Work just as hard in the classroom as you do on the basketball court.
- Education leads to an intelligent mind.
- Athletics is #4.
- If you do something for a child they can do for themselves, you weaken them.
- Develop a sense of pride and respect for your team.
Monitoring Academics
- Grade reports go out every other week. Players have two days to return the form to the basketball staff.
- Make the faculty a part of your program and allow them to give input on how to improve your operation.
- Meet with players individually to review grade reports. Make sure they know this is important to you!
- Whenever possible, have an academic advisor.