Motivation and Improvement

It almost always begins with a phone call: "Hello. My son (or daughter) wants to become a better basketball player. Can you work with them to help them to improve?" The caller usually then goes on and on about the accomplishments of their child, for example, how many points that they scored in their last game, and how much potential they have. I listen politely, ask a few questions, and then schedule the initial evaluation.

The collaborative process is: Evaluate the current skill level, set goals, make a plan, and work to improve. Repeat. I find that usually the players and parents are very excited, and motivated, initially. However, after they realize that this is a long-term process, and that it takes a high level of self-motivation and attention to detail, the enthusiasm wanes. I explain that this is the reality of improvement, and that I don't have a magic wand.

The players who are driven intrinsically, and who focus on the process of improvement and not the product, are the ones who stay with it. This 'stick-with-it-ness" is a key to long-term improvement, yet, it is very rare. Of course, this is exactly why so few players achieve their true potential. This has been proven again and again with research, such as the work by K. Anders Ericsson, who has written extensively about Expertise and the role of Deliberate Practice.

In the words of Coach John Wooden, "Confidence comes from being prepared." I can't give a player confidence, it has to be earned. Hard work during the off-season is the best way to improve your individual skills. Look in the mirror, make an honest self-evaluation, set some goals, make a plan and start practicing. Then, stick with it.