Know Your Role

by Alan Stein

Does every player in your program know what their role is? Are you sure?

A major factor in your team’s success is getting every player to:

· Know their role

· Accept their role

· Have pride in their role

Coach Jones takes a unique approach. Prior to our first game, he conducts a 15 minute meeting with every player and their parents. He offers his thoughts on their first 3 weeks of practice, he clearly defines their role on the team, he estimates how much playing time they will get, and he outlines his expectations.

He encourages each player to speak freely and voice any concerns. The parents are included to make sure nothing is lost in translation. The meeting isn’t adjourned until everyone is on the same page.

Coach Jones’ honesty, sincerity, and inclusion of the parents make this approach extremely effective.

Here is another useful exercise to try with your team:

Have every player write down the number of minutes they would like to play in each game. Collect everyone’s number and total them up.

In a standard high school game there are160 playable minutes available (32 minutes of game time x 5 players on the court at all times).

I guarantee the number you total will far exceed 160 minutes. In many cases, it will be double.

What does that mean? It means that most of the players want to play more minutes than they actually will (or are even possible!). They may have written down 20 minutes… yet realistically will play significantly less than that.

Discrepancies in playing time can become a major distraction if not handled appropriately.

While things can certainly change, it is important to clearly define each player’s role (including an honest estimate of playing time) to reduce the chance of it becoming an issue later in the season. Grumblings at the “end of the bench” can become a cancer to the team.

Team’s that keep high morale and great attitudes at the “end of the bench”… are teams that will maximize their potential. They epitomize the word “team.”

While every player wants to start and wants to score points… that is not everyone’s role. There are so many ways players can positively impact a game… in limited minutes… that don’t make the newspaper.

Villanova’s men’s basketball program records the following on a board called “Attitude Club” after every game:

· Extra pass (a pass that sets up an assist)

· Screen assist (a screen that leads to an immediate score)

· Tap backs (tapping a loose ball or rebound to teammate to gain position)

· Quick outlets (getting the ball to a guard immediately after a rebound)

· Shot contests (high hand on all shots)

· Dives (getting on the floor for loose balls)

· Deflections (disrupting the offense’s flow by getting a hand on the ball)

· Paint passes (working the ball inside; hitting cutters and feeding the post)

Players that play limited minutes can still score highly in these areas. Players that don’t play at all can still do these things in practice (which will help earn time in the future).

Whether you play 30 minutes a game, 3 minutes a game, or don’t play at all… make the most of every opportunity you have (even if it is in practice) and find a way within your role to contribute and make your team better.

Make Time

by Alan Stein

As a basketball player or coach, you may start to feel overwhelmed now that the season has begun. It can be tough to balance school, practice, games, and quality time with your family and friends. It may seem difficult to fit everything in and live a balanced life.

Know this - you will never find time for anything during the hectic season. You have to make time for the things that are important to you. If you truly love something; you will make the time for it. Time is never the problem… after all… each of us gets 24 hours in a day. Lack of passion and focus is the real problem!

When a player or coach tells me they “don’t have time” to do something… I know they don’t want it bad enough. Whether it’s reading a motivational book, getting in an in-season strength workout, having a nice dinner with your family, or getting up an extra 250 shots after practice… you have to make the time. “Not enough time” is just a convenient excuse.

Great players and great coaches get more out of their 24 hours than their competition does.

If you want to maximize each practice, I highly recommend you make the time to go through a thorough warm-up and get mentally and physically prepared to compete. Believe me, it is time very well invested.

Check it out!!!

www.TeamFuryBasketball.com

*** NEW Website Coming Soon! ***

A new Team Fury website will be available in the coming week!

Steps of Success

1. Build your self esteem
2. Set demanding goals
3. Always be positive
4. Establish good habits
5. Master the art of communication
6. Learn from good role models
7. Thrive on Pressure
8. Be ferociously persistent
9. Learn from adversity
10. Survive your own success

Preparing for College

College and Recruiting
NCAA Eligibility Center – Prospective Student-Athletes: In order to participate in athletics and receive athletically-based financial aid, high school students must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and meet academic and amateurism eligibility standards.

NCAA Student-Athlete Eligibility and Recruiting: Learn about the NCAA’s bylaws to compete in intercollegiate athletics, including information on what high school students must do to be eligible to compete their first year in college, as well as guidelines that coaches and prospective student-athletes must follow during the recruiting process.

Preparing Your Child for College: Numerous exercises, checklists and charts for parents of a prospective college student.

Testing
The College Board: Connecting college students and college opportunity, the College Board — the official home of the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT — provides a wealth of testing assistance and helpful tidbits on all colleges.

ACT, Inc. – A Student Site for ACT Test Takers: The official site of the ACT Test, which features registration dates, testing locations and preparatory assistance.

SAT Exam Prep: Free study guides and practice exams to help you maximize your SAT score — and bolster your college application.

Student Aid
College.gov

WIAA Great Lakes Shootout 2010 Wrap-up

Team Dubuque Fury -- 2010 overall record (12 - 11)

This weekend was a ton of fun! It was full of emotions and we went toe-toe with some of the best Minnesota and Wisconsin had to offer. I'm very proud, once again, with how this Team competes and how they feed off each others enthusiasm.

Everything from the great competition and the lazer tag beat down I handed out. (we'll forget about the questionable/shady go-kart race!) I couldn't have asked for a better weekend and Season.

It was a great learning and bonding experience that I hope each of our players will remember.


"Once you take action, you've made an investment. The more time/energy you invest; the more you'll be motivated to finish!"

Thank you for a Fantastic AAU Season!!!
Coach Bowman

WIAA Great Lakes Shootout 2010

Team Check-In -- Friday 5:19pm @ UW-Stout Johnson Fieldhouse

Pool Play -- Friday & Saturday
Friday July 9
6:00pm -- vs. Minnesota Comets 17 @ UW-Stout Johnson Fieldhouse (Court # 2)
Saturday July 10
1:30pm -- NCAA Mandatory Video Meeting @ UW-Stout Johnson Fieldhouse (Rm 247B)
2:45pm -- vs. Team Wisconsin JR Lee @ UW-Stout Johnson Fieldhouse (Court # 1)
5:15pm -- vs. Minnesota Finishers South @ Menomonie Middle School (Court # 8)

Bracket Play -- Sunday July 11
Top 1 & 2 Teams in each Pool play in bracket A
Bottom 3 & 4 Teams in each Pool play in bracket B

"Success: You have to visualize it, feel it, and believe it before you can make it happen for yourself!"

MAYB Cedar Falls 2010 Tournament Wrap-up

One word..."Adversity"

ad·ver·si·ty
n. pl. ad·ver·si·ties
1. A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune.
2. A calamitous event

We all had high expectations going into this weekend. Especially after the success we had the weekend before. I am still very proud of the way this Team competed, the roll and the bounce didn't go our way very often, but this Team never quit.

We must continue to stay Hungry & Humble and understand that this is a process. We should enjoy this process and learn everything we can from it. As our experience, maturity and skill level develop, weekends like this will start to become far and few between.

This was a very valuable weekend and one I believe has prepared us for the tough competition we will face at the WIAA Great Lakes Shootout in just a couple weeks.

Practice and Preparation are key!

"If you want to see the beauty and mystic of a Rainbow; you have to put up with the Rain!"

Sincerely,
Coach Bowman

MAYB Cedar Falls 2010 Tournament

Team Check-In -- 8:21am @ (UNI WRC)

Pool Play -- Saturday, June 26
9:00am -- vs. Iowa Lightning Black @ (WRC Court #4 )
1:00pm -- vs. Iowa Lightning Red @ (WRC Court #3 )
3:00pm -- vs. Carroll Knights @ (WRC Court #3 )
5:00pm -- vs. North Metro Aftershock @ (WRC Court #2 )

Bracket Play -- Sunday, June 27
Top 2 teams from pool play results will play in Bracket A
Bottom 3 teams from pool play results will play in Bracket B

MAYB Iowa City 2010 Tournament Wrap-up

3rd Place Champs -- Record ( 4 - 2 )

What a fantastic weekend of basketball!

This Team continues to take positive steps forward and their work ethic is outstanding. The best thing to watch with this group is witnessing our toughness and determination. I Love watching our players get after it on every possesion. That right there is the difference between 4 - 2 and 2 - 4 for the weekend.

Our Confidence is growing and the Team chemistry is really showing.

We must continue to Prepare and show this Competitive toughness every weekend!

"Do your best in everything you do; the rest will take care of its self!"

Well Done Fury! Well Done!

Coach Bowman

MAYB Iowa City 2010 Tournament

Team Check-In -- 8:19am @ (Robert A. Lee Gym)

Pool Play -- Saturday, June 19
9:00am -- vs. Iowa Gators @ (Robert A. Lee Gym)
11:00am -- vs. Iowa City West Thunder @ (Robert A. Lee Gym)
1:00pm -- vs. Iowa Lightning Black @ (Robert A. Lee Gym)
5:00pm -- vs. Iowa Cobras @ (Scanlon Court #2)

Bracket Play -- Sunday, June 20
Top 2 teams from pool play results will play in Bracket A
Bottom 3 teams from pool play results will play in Bracket B

The Harder We Work, the Harder It Will be to Surrender!

NAYS Crystal Lake 2010 Tournament Wrap-up

Another character building tournament weekend, no question. A one point loss with a chance to win in the semis is a hard thing to swallow. We didn't come away with medals this time, but there is no question in my mind that we could have won this tournament.

I felt we had our opportunities down the stretch, but the roll and the bounce just didn't go our way when we needed it to. I think we must remember the opportunities were there to win and to forget the things we have no control over.

This Team is coming together and there is a lot to be excited about with this group!

As a coach, I always reflect back after a tough loss like this and ask myself; "Where there opportunities to put us in a better position to win?"... Its easy for me to play Monday morning quarterback and list all the "shoulda coulda" items. No doubt I'm my toughest critic.

We'll continue to find ways to improve and we won't accept excuses!

I want to leave you with a favorite quote of mine....

"People do not differ in their desire to win;....they differ in the price they are willing to pay to win."

MAYB Iowa City here we come!!!!

Lets continue to prepare and pay the price!

Sincerely,
Coach Bowman

We Play Like We Practice

One thing as a coach I have always believed regarding teams is that “We Play Like We Practice”. Going hand in hand with that thought is “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”(The 5 P’s).

Those of you who are putting individual time into your game are helping your team’s performance plus you are moving forward as a basketball player.

Are you serious about taking your game forward? We Play Like We Practice.

-- Coach Bowman

"John Wooden" Wisdom

I'm currently reading the book "Wooden" by Steve Jamison and from time to time I'd like to share some of the things I'm reading that I feel are insightfull and important life skills....

Are you looking for the Right Things?

"There's an old story about a fellow who went to a small town in Indiana with the thought of possibly moving his family there. "What kind of people live around?" he asked the attendant at the local filling station.

"Well", the attendant replied as he checked the oil, "what kind of people live back where you're from?" The visitor took a swallow of his cherry soda and replied, "They're ornery, mean and dishonest!" The attendant looked up and answered, "Mister, you'll find them about like that around here, too."

A few weeks later, another gentlemen stopped by the gas station on a muggy July afternoon with the same question. "Excuse me," he said as he mopped off his brow. "I'm thinking of moving to your town with my family. What kind of people live around these parts?"

Again the attendant asked, "Well, what kind of people live back where you're from?"

The stranger thought for a moment and replied, "I find them to be kind, decent and honest folks." The gas station attendant looked up and said, "Mister, you'll find them about like that around here, too."

Its so true. You often find what you're looking for"

--John Wooden

Nike Championship Basketball Clinic 2010 wrap-up

The past weekend I attended the Nike Championship Basketball clinic hosted at Chula Vista Resort Wisconsin Dells. This was probably one of the most informative clinics I have attended during my coaching career. I was in the presence of great coaches from all across the midwest. Including Bobby Knight (900+ wins & Hall of Famer), Bruce Weber (Illinios), Vivian Stringer (Rutgers), Alan Stein (Nike Strength & Agility), Dana Altman (Creighton/Oregon) and others.

Each coach covered specific areas of the game...Full Court Defense, Attacking the Zone, Transition Offense, Individual Position development and Winning Philosophy.

I can assure you that after listening to these great coaches, the skills we stress in our program on a daily basis, are the same skills that are stressed at the most elite levels of basketball.

This was an awesome experience and I plan to incorporate much of what I picked up into Team Dubuque Fury.

Coach Bowman

"John Wooden" Wisdom

"My father had what he called his "two sets of threes." They were direct and simple rules aimed at how he felt we should conduct ourselves in life. The first set was about honesty:

Never Lie.
Never Cheat.
Never Steal.

It required no explanation. My brothers and I knew what it meant and that he expected us to abide by it.

The second set of threes was about dealing with adversity:

Don't Whine.
Don't Complain.
Don't make Excuses.

Some people today may think these are naive or kind of corny. But think a moment about what they mean and who you become if you abide by them. That isn't naive. You don't become corny.

Dad's two sets of threes were a compass for me in trying to do the right thing and behaving in a proper manner."
-- Coach John Wooden

Pizza Ranch Tip-Night!

Tuesday, April 27 from 5:00 - 8:00pm

Grab some food and help support Team Dubuque Fury!!!

The Pizza Ranch
2020 Radford Road
Dubuque, IA 52002

NAYS Dubuque 2010 Tournament Champs!

Congratulations Team!!!

Wow! How exciting was that!!! What a great way to start off our 2010 AAU season. I'm so proud of the grit and determination in which we played with this past weekend. This group came to Win and the tone was set right away. I received so many great compliments from other Coaches, Officials and Parents. The universal observation was how "Tough" we were mentally and physically.

Championship Game - What a battle! This is why we play the game, to have opportunities like this! The adversity down to the closing seconds speaks volumes of their desire to compete at a high level. We made the plays we had to and at the most critical times. My hat goes off to both Teams, composure displayed on both sides and not wanting to accept defeat will make this game one to remember.

I witnessed a group of girls this weekend that really wanted to compete. The attitude was Positive and Outstanding. Given the limited amount of practice time thus far, I'm very pleased with how we performed.

The momentum we generated this weekend will only help prepare us even more for our next Tournament. The competition will continue to get tougher as we go along this Spring/Summer.

Our practice dedication and preparation will be vital in order to continue to achieve results like we had this weekend. "To Finish First; you've got to Run like your in Second"

Coach Bowman
Team Dubuque Fury