No Possessions Off.... Every One Of Them Count!!!!

It was only one possession, Why does my coach scream?
My poor ‘D’ allowed a basket, But what does one hoop mean?
As the pass comes my direction, I fumble it into the stands,
My coach’s voice rings loud and clear, “Always use both hands!”
C’mon coach, its one possession, Our team will be OK,
It’s just the first two minutes, I mean damn, we’ve got all day!
In the beginning of the 2nd quarter, Their center is strong and stout.
He scores an easy two, quite simply due, From my failure to block out.
It was only one possession, I didn’t commit a crime,
My team is ahead and I’m playing well, And there’s still plenty of time!
As the halftime buzzer sounds, I watch the ball bank in,
I know I will hear it from my coach, Asking why I don’t defend.
But it was only one possession, Coach – don’t have a heart attack,
We’re only down one and we’re having fun, I know we’ll get it back!
The 2nd half is much the same, So it is really no big deal,
That my lazy and careless pass, Results in an easy steal.
I quickly sink a jumper, I’m greeted by high fives and slaps,
But the next time down, I give up a lay-up, While suffering a mental lapse.
It’s only one possession, C’mon coach just chill out!
It’s crazy to see you so mad, As you consistently scream and shout:
“Victory favors the team, Making the fewest mistakes.
Singles possessions are the key, And will cut down their fast breaks.”
I step to the line for a one and one, The game is in my hands.
I can’t believe I missed it short, And hear cheers from their fans.
After the game I pouted, Knowing what I could have done,
Realizing the value of each possession, Damn, we lost by one.
by: Alan Stein

~Coach T
#DoMore
#BleedBlue

Practice What You Preach...

Players dont want to be motivated, they want to be inspired. They want to see the rewards from working hard and see that it is possible to make it all the way to the top. When they inspire to be great, they take the initative to make it happen. They take the proper path in search for greatness. I had a conversation with a friend of mine the other nite, who just got a promotion from coaching the defensive line for Louisville football to now coaching the defensive line for the Chicago Bears. We discussed his path to success and what it took to get to where he is today. The little steps that he took to get there was what inspired me. Sending letters and emails to coaches and also going to different camps and always learning and finding different ways to become better at what it is he does. I found myself thinking about the steps that I have been taking to become a basketball coach. From being a volunteer varsity assistant to being a varsity assistant to being the head coach of junior varsity, the little sacrifices that I have made, the way that I can reach the kids and relate to them is what I thought about the most. I thought about how kids come to me or send me a text wanting to get in the gym to get better, wanting to work on their craft, wanting to learn more and ask questions and pick my brain. That means the world to me. I had a 9th grader just last nite send me a text on facebook asking me for my opinion on what I think he needs to do in order to play Division I basketball and my answer was pretty simple. Number one thing and the most important thing is to maintain his grades and keep them at an 80% and higher. That takes a lot of effort and dedication in itself. If a player can commit to that, then from there its all about your will. How much work do you want to put in? How bad do you want it? Players need to work on any and all weaknesses they have in their game. Ball handling, footwork, strength, even confidence. A lot of players just feel like they need to work on shooting and getting that perfect jump shot but in reality, they need to study film. Learn proper footwork. See where to be on the floor during certain plays or where the ball should go on certain possessions. Things like that are big. Basketball IQ is missing these days but all it takes is a little understanding. Teach them the right way and not just the individual way. There is a lot to know and learn about this game but you must take the time out to get the knowledge. Im still learning and will continue to learn and lead by example. I have a lot of work to do. But soon enough, I will see that its well worth it. Back to work.

~Coach T
#DoMore

Year number 2.... Lets get back to work!!!

Basketball Dreams Skills & Conditioning Training service is committed to coaching youth about basketball, sportsmanship, hard work and dedication; teaching fundamentals of the sport, teamwork, and character, and providing them with the tools to become successful and productive citizens. This training offers an in-depth approach to effectively prepare players to compete at a high level on their select or school team. Coach Terry Nowden (Gates Chili Junior Varsity Boys Head Basketball Coach.) is the instructor for all skill sessions which are held at any available facility that has a safe and controlled enviorment for the youth. Ball-handling, shooting, offensive moves, post moves and defensive skills are some of the areas covered in the skills sessions. This year, we are also including plyometrics and agility into the training sessions so that we can maximize each players skill set and also boost confidence and strength. Coach T also trains in life Skills, education and college preparation and can guide them in these areas as well. We do accept all ages, male or female. Please feel free to call or email Coach T to set up your training   session today. Pricing is one flat rate of $50 per player for the whole off season. Dates and times will be posted soon so please, continue to check in with Basketball Dreams 78. Feel free to email me at coachtnowden78@gmail.com or call (585) 353-0945. DO MORE>

~Coach T

#DoMore

#BleedBlue

@coachtnowden_78   

Ambition...

Ambition

You are the fellow who has to decide
Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside.
You are the fellow who makes up your mind
Whether you’ll lead or linger behind
­Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s afar
Or be content to stay where you are.
Take it or leave it; here’s something to do,
Just think it over; it’s all up to you!
What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good man who’s willing to work,
Scorned for a loafer or praised by your chief,
Rich man or poor man or beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day,
Honest or crooked? It’s you who must say!
Whether you’ll shirk it or give it your best.

~Coach T
#DoMore

I Can Feel It In The Air...

A new season is upon us. The summer days are coming to an end and cooler air is passing through. All the off season workouts are behind you and now during workouts, you are envisioning your opponent in front of you. I was at my daughters training session earlier and began to reflect on last season and was thinking of new ideas for this upcoming season. I know for me , my main focus is going to be on fundamental skill sets. Shooting, passing, dribbling and defense. The little things that a lot of people overlook. The importance of the fundamentals of the game has been ignored by most players and coaches. And us coaches expect players to already be able to do some of the things that we ask them to do. But during the offseason, a lot of the kids are not being taught that and it tends to be an "out of sight, out of mind" mindset. Last year, our varsity team was not a good shooting team. Quite frankly, we were a terrible shooting team. Our opponents would play us zone all game and dare us to shoot, and we fell right into that trap. We couldn't shoot the ball. They would pack the paint and  we would force the ball inside. Without an inside presence, you know how that ended. And if you don't know, well it ended in another loss. This year, I plan on working on those fundamental skills everyday. Getting lots of shots up before, during and after practice. Creating muscle memory. We as coaches need to get back to teaching the kids the game of basketball. Where to be on the court, what to do in certain situations. How to make the proper cut at the proper time. Making the smart pass to the open player and not shooting the ball just to shoot it but shoot to make. I like to use the term, "play smarter, not harder". Whats funny is, I was watching this training session and the instructor was saying that he likes to develop point guards. So he was doing a 5 on 5 drill and as im watching his drill, I was asking myself, "If he is building point guards, then why is the point guard dribbling with his head down and looking for his shot first?" It baffled me. I thought a point guards job was to see the floor. Be a floor general. Make plays for your teammates. Make sure they are where they need to be, not dribble, dribble, dribble until you see a shot you like. It all starts there.  Teach the kids the game properly. Some kids have natural ability but don't have the knowledge of the game. Others that may have the knowledge , may not have the skill set. It is what it is but if we teach them the right things, they will prosper. So think back to your off season workouts, the shooting, the sweat, the hard work, because very shortly, it will all come into play. Are you ready?????? Me?, I CANT WAIT!!!!!

#DoMore
~Coach T

What are you made of???

Defense, loose balls, taking charges, making that EXTRA pass to an open teammate, are the little things that can take a player and his/her team a long way. The game is won, inch by inch. Each second is valuable. The game of basketball is all about runs and more times than not, the team with the momentum or the team that goes on that run at the right time, is usually the team that wins the game. As mentioned before, those little things can be a spark to get that run started for your team. Not many players these days take pride in doing the little things that are necessary to win and the ones that do, are probably hard workers, blue collar players. They are the ones spending endless hours in the gym during the off season, doing drills, extra conditioning, extra work, period. Working on the little things and strengthing the skills they have to become a better player. Most people call them "Gym rats" but I call them "Players". A coaches job is about teaching and putting players in a position to be successful, and making sure the players understand [the game] and make the game as easy as possible for the players. But the players job is to use those tools and thru repetition, have those things become second nature. You practice to create habits that will make you successful at the end of the season. Some people want it to happen, others wish it would happen and then there are those specials ones that make it happen. The sport of basketball doesnt only build character but it reveals it. What are you made of???

#DoMore
~Coach T

What is your "Y"????

      What drives you to do what it is you do? Whatever it maybe that you are passionate about doing, why are you doing it?  What is your motivation behind it? Is it for the love of it, is it just for fun, is it for someone who believed in you at one point in time that is no longer around or no longer living? Ask yourself these questions, what is your passion? what is your purpose.????? Think about it. It could be the answer that your looking for.

#DoMore
~Coach T