THE GREAT PLAYERS

GREAT POST PLAYERS Great Post Players knock down their free throws when they get to the line. Great Post Players have go-to moves with either hand to use in the paint. They also have a countermove for every move. Great Post Players enjoy banging on the interior and setting solid screens. Great Post Players are exceptional at help defense. They stop the ball when it's in the paint! Great Post Players can hedge on the perimeter and get back to their man QUICKLY. Great Post Players draw double-teams, recognize them and react quickly to get the ball to an open teammate. Great Post Players never over dribble. Great Post Players run the floor – rim to rim – on offense and defense. GREAT GUARDS Great Guards are relentless on both ends of the court. Great Guards use pump-fakes and ball fakes often. They set up the defense to go one way and pass/go the other way. Great Guards know not to telegraph their passes. They use their eyes to create deception. Great Guards welcome defensive pressure. They see it as an opportunity to score an easy bucket for their team. ·        Great Guards are patient with the basketball. They read the defense & act accordingly. ·        Great Guards facilitate every facet of the offense. ·        Great Guards don’t try to find the ball, they let the ball find them! ·        Great Guards are ALWAYS communicating with their teammates to ensure cohesiveness. ·        Great Guards hustle back on D when they get beat. They set the defensive tone! ·        Great Guards rebound their position – they don’t leave that to the ‘big guys.’ ·        Great Guards push the ball up the floor and try to find an opening in the defense for themselves or a teammate. Great Guards get everybody involved by sharing the basketball. GREAT TEAMMATES Great Teammates call out screens so their teammate doesn’t get clobbered. Great Teammates don't care whether they start or come off the bench - they just want to win! Great Teammates HYPE their team UP before the game and during halftime. Great Teammates are an extension of the coach – on and off the court. Great Teammates are positive, supportive, honest, and enthusiastic. GREAT TEAMS Great Teams dig in on defense until they get the ball or the buzzer sounds. They NEVER give in because they're tired. Great Teams listen to their coach - they understand that he/she is looking out for their best interests! Great Teams know who they want to get the ball to in the clutch - they have a game-plan. Great Teams close out games and know how to play with a lead. They also know how to fight back when they are down Great Teams are willing to share the ball on offense - they don't care who scores they just care that they score. GREAT PASSERS Great Passers make scoring easy. They put the ball where it needs to be, when it needs to be there. Great Passers can throw every type of pass – with either hand - depending on the situation. Great Passers make the simple play, not the flashy play. All they care about is a positive outcome, not how it looks. Great Passers fake a pass to make a pass. GREAT REBOUNDERS Great Rebounders are quick off the floor – they anticipate where the ball is going and go get it! Great Rebounders just don’t want the other team to get the ball - they clear out space for teammates to get the rebound. Great Rebounders assume ‘shot is taken, shot is missed.’ Great Rebounders protect the ball after the rebound. Great Rebounders attack the glass on both ends of the floor. Great Rebounders have soft hands and great body balance. Great Rebounders always think the ball belongs to them. Great Rebounders find their man when the shot goes up, make contact, block out, then pursue the ball. GREAT SCORERS Great Scorers can beat you in a myriad of ways – they are not one dimensional. Great Scorers develop exceptional concentration and focus. Great Scorers don't get discouraged if they miss a shot or two. They always think ‘my next shot is good.’ Great Scorers know how to keep the defense off-balance. Great Scorers attack their opponent's weaknesses. Great Scorers have multiple weapons and keep defenses guessing. Great Scorers finish strong, even through contact. They embrace getting fouled! Great Scorers know how to control, read and react to their defender. Great Scorers know the moves, angles and tricks to create space. Great Scorers recognize scoring opportunities and get open easily. Great Scorers practice game-like situations against tough competition. Great Scorers make great ball fakes and shot fakes. They use their eyes to deceive. Great Scorers are comfortable in the paint and can finish around the bucket. Great Scorers have confidence in their game. A bad game doesn't phase them. Great Scorers can score from all three levels. They have their 3-pt, mid-range, and interior games on lock. Great Scorers run hard on the break and get points off of offensive rebounds. They always look for ‘easy’ buckets. Great Scorers make free throws. Period. Great Scorers can get their shots off quickly, but without ‘rushing. GREAT DEFENDERS Great Defenders take pride in deflecting passes. Great Defenders have their heads on a swivel and see the entire court (always see their man and the ball). Great Defenders play the pick & roll effectively - they hedge with a purpose! Great Defenders delay the other team from getting into their offensive sets. They keep the offense out of rhythm and control the tempo. Great Defenders pay attention to the scouting report and film sessions. They know who the other team's best players are Great Defenders are CONSTANTLY talking - they relay information quickly & efficiently. Great Defenders are NOT afraid to take a charge - in fact, they embrace it. Great Defenders dive on the floor for loose balls whenever the situation presents itself. Great Defenders communicate when they are double-teaming or when a screen is coming. Great Defenders don’t gamble. They make the right play, the easy play, the smart play. Great Defenders know that THIS possession is THE most important possession of the game –regardless of time and score. Great Defenders play aggressively but intelligently. Great Defenders never take a play off. Resting is NOT in their vocabulary. Great Defenders dictate what the offense is going to do. Great Defenders approach each game thinking ‘I'm going to shut my guy down tonight.’ Great Defenders do not let the ball go to the middle of the floor on penetration. Great Defenders understand the concept of ‘ball-you-man.’ Great Defenders keep the offense uncomfortable and off balance as often as they can. Great Defenders understand that defense wins championships. If the other team can’t score, they can’t win. Great Defenders don’t commit lazy or stupid fouls.