Bringing the Effort

 I've spent many hours thinking about this topic over the last few days as I have had some issues with some of the effort some of my players exert during a game/practice.  As a coach it frustrates me greatly when I see a kid out on the basketball floor making no effort at all.  When I see this I always ask myself the same question "If this kid doesn't like to play then why is he wasting his time and money doing this?"  After some thought I have figured out that there are some kids that just don't understand the whole concept of effort.  They don't understand that bringing a ton of energy and effort to a practice or game will make that session so much easier to get through.  What I have to understand is that if a kid does not have this max effort ideal in his DNA I have to nurture it out of him.  I believe that just like anything else effort needs to be taught.

Think about it for a second.  For some it's easy and for others it's hard.  Some have it but don't know how to nurture it while others have it and channel it properly.  For some it's natural and for others it needs to be coached.  How do we coach effort?

• We play the way we practice - Your job on the practice floor is to teach and nurture.  Add effort to your list of items to teach and nurture.  If you push them at practice then they know what needs to be done in the games.  Have you ever heard players say that the games are easy because our coach pushes us so much harder at practice than what we see in a game.  This cliche is so true.  Use it.
• Emphasize playing fast - A player who is thinking on the floor is not moving on the floor.  This is why you should emphasize to your players that no matter what is going on out on the floor don't think just react.  I like to tell my players that when in doubt think of the following if the situation arises:
• The most important player on the floor is the man with the ball.  If he's open cover the ball handler.
• If your lost in an offense you cannot go wrong by passing and cutting.
• If you can score then go and score.
• If you can get the rebound get the rebound. 
• These basic reminders tell the players "if you're confused then just do this and talk to the coach about how to do things right at a later time."
  
• Reward effort and energy in practice and games
  
• Hardest working players pick a drill.
• Hardest working players scrimmage first.
• Hardest working players get the start in games
• Confidence is the cure all for complacency and self doubt - One of the most important jobs you have as a coach is to be the top cheerleader for your team.  Reward the good they do, correct the mistakes they make, and show them you care.  If you do this, the kids will try to run through walls for you.  I have covered this topic here, here, and here.
• Push, push, push - always remind them that they need to play fast, and hard and to leave everything out there on the floor.

Effort is so important it deserves to be emphasized over and over again.  Keep reminding players to hustle and play hard.  Remind them before, during and after practice and then keep gauging their energy during games.