Advanced Trash Talking

Little did I know yesterday there'd be an article
in the Gainesville Sun the next day on ...

You guessed it. Trash talking.

Seems I've tapped into some cosmic theme that's
in the air, so I'm going to run with it some more.

First of all most will agree it's not appropriate at
all for kids. It will be more of a temptation
around the time of middle school, and coaches
you need to have a plan for dealing with it.

Remember too for it to be effective talking trash
needs to become an art form and a skill, not a
crude bludgeoning. And it is absolutely not
baiting or taunting your opponent. That or
obscenities will (and should) get you a quick
technical.

In fact, official high school rules disapprove of
any form of speech or gesture which is
intended to embarrass, ridicule or demean
others.

And remember you don't have to do it. Star
shooter of the Florida Gators Lee Humphrey
doesn't. Humphrey is currently hitting about
70% from 3 point land in SEC play.

Humphrey says, 'If you talk trash, other people
talk trash back. If you don't, most won't
continue to.'

Even when he's on a hot streak like now other
players rarely try to intimidate or psych him
out.

If it's born out of the heat of competition
though, and respectful or humorous, many
coaches at the high school level and above
don't mind it. Florida's Coach Billy Donovan
says:

'Anytime you've got two people competing
against each other there's going to be a level
of jawing. And don't forget basketball is a
contact sport. I don't think it's anything
malicious about it.'

Senior forward Chris Richards agrees when
he says, 'I don't think it's anything personal
because once the game is over everyone is
cool and happy for each other. I think we
want to get in each other's head and try to
take each other out of our game. We just do
it out of competitiveness.'

And the good ones become adept at not
getting caught. They know how to pick their
spots.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. There are other ways to intimidate your
opponent and get into his head too.

Patrick Chylinski recommends you show your
offensive confidence as early in the game as
possible. Don't do something outside the flow
of your offense, but make it a point to show
your defender you're a force to be reckoned
with. He may still stop you at times, but he'll
know he's in for a fight. And if he's not up to
the task you're probably going to have a big
night.

That's just part of one idea. There are more
than 50 in Patrick's action-packed report on
"How To Be A Big-Time Scorer." Take
advantage of Patrick's knowledge and
experience today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

Make Every Shot Count

P.P.S. As always I don't mind you copying
installments of this blog and sharing them,
but please include each in it's entirety, and
don't spam anybody with it. Thanks much.

P.P.P.S. I also welcome feedback and
comments at dean@deandelker.com