More than a game: A New Milford girls basketball coach’s perspective
NEW MILFORD, Conn. — As both an educator and a coach, I believe there is strong connection between the two. Many of the same techniques used to teach a math class apply to coaching a basketball team. By setting clear and attainable goals students and players have a good understanding of what is expected of them. As a coach I want to instill three main qualities upon my players. Teamwork, hard work and discipline. Building the overall character of the individual is just as important as developing and perfecting the skills necessary to help my students succeed.
Teamwork is something that can bind a group during difficult games, practice sessions, or losing streaks. Everyone should feel like they have a role on the team, no matter how big or small it may be. My son Mark is a very good athlete. He excels at basketball and golf. His biggest contribution to any team that he played on was his ability to make everyone feel valued. He plays in the local recreational basketball leagues on a team named Pert Plus. This team is more fun to watch than any professional basketball team. As players, they are unselfish, connected, and highly skilled. This is due to the teamwork that they have developed over the years, as well as Mark’s influence. Growing up, he learned the value of team work by playing a variety of sports. Mark played soccer, baseball and basketball, and he acquired skills from each sport that made him a very good overall athlete. Focusing on one sport at a young age can be detrimental to a player. It can cause a player to burnout, get bored, or even quit the sport they are
best skilled to play.
There is no substitute for hard work. I apply this to everything I do in my personal life and translate it onto the basketball court. My team will work hard every practice and every game. Putting in the time and effort leads to a successful team. I have had players who would get up at 5:00 a.m. to train for an hour before school every day. Their hard work and dedication to perfecting their skills lead to a state championship in 2012 for Immaculate High School. I was the varsity assistant coach on that team. I have also watched my daughter Allyson work harder than I ever thought possible to achieve her degree in Speech Pathology. I know as a parent we want our children to be both successful and happy. We like to see them work hard and reach their full potential as adults. I feel like I witnessed that with my daughter. She was a top javelin thrower at New Milford High School and the school record holder at Stony Brook University. Her approach to athletics carried over to her studies. She was motivated to be a great
javelin thrower. Her dedication to the hard work it took to do that was transferred to her pursuit of her college degree. One of my favorite quotes is,
“Difficult things are good for you. They are good for the mind.”
A coach can build a disciplined team by ensuring that each practice session has both structure and organization. A disciplined team has players that are in the right place at the right time. Players are so well versed in each play that they don’t just get them right, but instead don’t ever execute them wrong. Every disciplined team focuses on the small details. Those little things that make an offensive play work, or ensures that a defender is in the correct spot to prevent the opponent from scoring. This is only accomplished through daily practice and repetition. Knowing what to do and how to do it will give the team confidence in the most stressful time of games. Players won’t panic in tough situations, but instead will play with poise and intelligence.
Coaching has been my passion for many years. I am proud of my past and present student athletes for their dedication to the game, as well as the trust they have in my guidance. It is my goal to put together an enthusiastic basketball team that the community can rally around. I feel that my own personal demeanor is one of calm confidence. I believe in my team, and that belief translates into self- confidence for my players. Coaching is about building connections. Helping players become outstanding adults.
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