Feels Like I'm Back In Psych Class

I got some questions about not using running
for "Behavior Modification" and "Aversion
Therapy" yesterday.

Kenny Sacht coaches hoops in the great frozen
Northwest and had the thrill this year of
watching his Boise State Bronco football team
make him very, very proud. With the Gators
pulling off the stunner in the national title game
too, he and I have had a lot to celebrate.

Kenny does use running to mold behavior with
his team, but does it in a way that works. Here's
what he told me:

I always tell my kids when I have them run for
behavior, it is not to punish them but to help
them remember to avoid the wrong behavior.
Just like I never spanked my kids to punish
them, but to help them remember what was
right.

Explaining this helps my players so much. I'm
always telling them "I'm doing this to help
remind you to make the cut, the pass, the pick,
the box-out..., etc."

And then they usually hear me ask "Am I
mad at you?" And their response is always
"NO". I really let them know that their
behavior or lack thereof never changes how
much I love and value them. That is a strange
concept to some kids, even here where life is
more simple and basic. If you do it though, you
can build great relationships with your kids.

I have found no way to get their attention
otherwise. I have found that if it hurts "real
good", that is when I start getting their
attention. And doing it my way seems to build
outstanding comraderie and chemistry.

Kenny, those are good ideas.

My big concern is with coaches who just blindly
have their players run, because it's traditional,
or as obvious punishment. I think that is counter-
productive.

Tomorrow courtesy of Coach Bill Brown I'll give
you some ideas how to take the team building
Kenny has been doing to another level.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Another thing that will build team unity is
having a bunch of kids who can shoot lights out.
It's not a pipedream, but many coaches don't
have the time or the experience to teach
shooting, except in very general terms.

Tom Nordland has designed his Swish 2 DVD
specifically to teach coaches and parents how
to teach shooting, or to be a resource the player
could use to teach him or herself. And Tom has
hit his goal with nothing but net. In fact, many
coaches are calling it a masterpiece.

Get your hands on Swish 2 now at:

http://www.deandelker.com/swish2.html

Make Every Shot Count