Developing a Team Attitude
By Eric Littleton, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Sand Springs High School, Oklahoma
Excerpt from his book, “The Coaching Notebook”.

There is nothing more important than developing a team attitude. We have all seen those teams that have defied the odds. There were smaller, slower and weaker but they possessed that one elusive quality that all coaches talk about…chemistry. We do several very specific things in order to build this chemistry. At worst, we are creating an environment of positive, encouraging words where each player values the contributions of the other. At best, we are working to create that elusive quality of chemistry that all coaches long for. Listed below are several specific things that we will practice as a team throughout the season.

1. Always thank your teammates for the pass after the score—even if you aren’t the person who scored.
2. The bench must stand and clap as their teammates come off of the floor and to the bench regardless of whether it is a substitution or a time-out.
3. Bench should stand and cheer on baskets or good hustle plays.
4. Always sprint to help a teammate off of the floor.
5. Always huddle on dead balls (foul-outs, freethrows, etc.)
6. Always be positive on the floor.
7. Sprint to bench on time-outs.
8. Sprint to the opposite end of the floor on all dead balls unless defensive strategy dictates otherwise.
9. When a player fouls out, everyone should immediately huddle on the sideline with the coach.