Teamwork and Communication

When you are coaching a team sport your most important job is not the x's and o's but rather to convince your team to play for each other and to talk to each other.  Many times this can be difficult, after all there is nothing that feels better than scoring a basket on your own.  There are a few things that you as a coach can do from the beginning of practice to make sure that your players share your vision that the team is more important than any one player and to encourage that they communicate with each other on the floor.

1. Don't be a dictator.  Encourage dialog and let the kids engage in conversation with you.  When you talk to them make it a 2 way street. By making them feel like they contribute to these conversations that will encourage them to talk to each other.
2. Beginning of the year talk.  The first team talk that you will have with your team should set the pace for the rest of the year.  It is at this point that you want to set the goals for the team and what you want to accomplish.  An emphasis on teamwork and how it is more important for the team to be successful than any one player is recommended at this point.  It should also be emphasized that everyone needs to be prepared to talk to each other on the floor.
3. At the beginning of every practice you mention the word teamwork and how the team is more important than any one individual.
4. At the end of every practice you do the same as in the beginning.
5. During practice emphasize that everyone should cheer for their teammates and pick them up when they make a poor play.
6. During the game whether you are playing or not, pay attention and cheer for your teammates on a good play or pick them up when they get down.
7. Did I mention encourage dialog with your team!!!

Keep pushing your team down the path of team success and communication and they will follow and it will benefit your team.