Monday, December 13, 2010

SUMPOORNA BASKETBALL SCHOOL - A UNIQUE 8 DAY BASKETBALL CAMP - 25th Dec to 1st Jan - Learning ATTITUDE, SKILLS and FITNESS.

This camp is going to be an extra-ordinary one. For one, my energy levels are very high. There are focussed inputs which I want to work with. A fusion of attitude, skills and fitness - is the objective.

A RIGHT ATTITUDE creates a deep focus for learning. All coaches aspire for perfection in their students [PLAYERS} - which never seems to arrive. There is always a finer point to be explained - SEE NBA MATCHES where the coach is trying to explain something with just 1.2 seconds left for the game to be over. But having an ATTITUDE does help and the coach must lead by example. He must make every minute count during training sessions - for there is so much to understand.

Development of skills never stops. There is always some skill waiting to be discovered and the coach must inculcate this habit of constant honing of skills by his students. Cosmetic or make believe practice will harm their learning. This desire to practice again and again SHOULD BE MONITORED AND MENTORED to its logical conclusion. Having perfected a skill brings great joy to the player too. It adds to his or her arsenal of playing a better game.

FITNESS cannot be over-emphasised. It is the foundation on which the game will be built. But to bring in right type of fitness is essential. JUST RUNNING AROUND isn't enough. Exercises which create flexibility, address specific strength areas and enhance deep reservoirs of stamina - are the ones that the coach must teach and make his players practice.

Nothing works in isolation. A player is a human being. He must be treated as a human being - allowing relaxation and joy activities too must be taught by the coach. Knowing what makes his players GREAT ON THE COURT and off it - is something the coach should learn from his students. Both need each other and the sooner this realization is arrived at the better the results will be.