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From the Clipboard

"TOUGHNESS"

IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAM WORK!!

Tough players thrive on the following:  They make NO excuses.  They take responsibility for their play and their actions on and off the court.  They believe in preparation with a purpose.  They fight the distractions and temptations that will interfere with the team’s goals. 

Tough players are coachable and buy into the system.  They are team motivated and help their teammates in the areas of time commitments, training policies and they help support attitudes and egos.

A tough player will improve as a person and player on a daily basis. They want to be coached and want to get better. They compete on a daily basis in practice, not only in games.  They are the team’s best practice players.  They don’t pout and sulk when things don’t go their way.  Tough players are winners!  TPW…Tough Players Win!!

Tough players believe in TEAM defense and constantly want stops.  They play hard and are in constant defensive stance and are talking and communicating effectively with their teammates.  They jump to the ball when it is passed and are always denying one pass away.  Tough players always are in a defensive mode—believing and executing the following:

1)     Not getting screened

2)    Being strong, under control on close-outs

3)    Jumping to the ball and fronting/bumping cutters

4)    Not getting beat over top foot

5)    They get on the floor for loose balls

6)    Play with feet, deflect with hands

7)    BOX OUT!

Tough players play with a “street fighter” mentality on the defensive end of the floor.  There are NO easy baskets.  We are always in every game when we have this mentality.

Tough players BOX OUT and go to the glass every possession.  They are disciplined and know the importance of securing the ball.     They understand that the defensive possession is not over until we secure the rebound.  Offensive rebounding is also a tough challenge.  They work hard on every shot by a teammate to hit the offensive glass to get the Lightning another scoring opportunity.  Tough players get the job done on the boards.

Tough players value each possession on offense and make good decisions with the basketball.  Tough programs know the importance of having great possessions throughout the game.  Tough players know they don’t have to be fancy to get the job done. 

Tough players work constantly for team unity and cohesiveness on the offensive end of the floor.  Tough players accept and relish in their role on the team.  However, they strive each day in practice to expand their role. They know the importance of footwork, screening, taking quality shots and filling their role.  Tough players run the offense with precision and are always looking to score on the fastbreak.

Tough Programs win with core values.  Culture and core values are as important as X’s and O’s at Eastview High School.  Tough players accept and relish in their role on the team.  However, they strive each day in practice to expand their role. Tough players believe that everything matters on a daily basis.  Eastview Boys Basketball believes that work ethic, discipline (on and off the court), execution and team togetherness are the cornerstones to success!!  Nobody cares about excuses. Tough players don’t make excuses and are accountable for their actions.  They are able to live beyond themselves and always have a team first attitude. 

It is extremely difficult to win a conference, region and state title…but if we focus on being a “Tough Program with Tough players” then it will be a win-win situation for each individual involved.