October 21, 2022 | Tagged Coaching,
Unselfish Basketball
Key ways to help your team play its best when it matters most.
If you don’t get much time with the basketball, chances are you want more unselfish play from your teammates on the court. It’s rare to find leaders who are willing to give up the ball, but that is precisely the separator between good and skillful players. So why is it hard to find many unselfish teams?
First, basketball has changed dramatically from the original design of the game. In the early part of the game, passing was a significant skill. Today, however, dribbling dominates passing on the majority of teams. The shift has gone from a 5-man game to a team with 2 or 3 central star players. These star players dominate the offensive scene while the others on the court help facilitate. Though this is not the case for great teams, this is the case for many teams.
Second, the most common turnover is a bad pass. A pass equates to a greater risk of turnover. A skilled dribbler poses less liability. Teams with unevenly skilled players will naturally morph into dribble-dominated teams.
Scarcity and Fear Creates Selfishness
Basketball has only so many minutes on the court and it’s difficult to get a satisfactory number of touches with the ball. Pressure to make those possessions count can create a frenetic energy around the ball, changing the object of the game from being the “Team” who scores the most points, to being the “Person” who scores the most points. Fear of missing out on our future goals can make us live in scarcity and begin to view the world only from our own needs, goals and desires.
Redefining unselfishness
A team where only a few people shoot or pass the ball is not necessarily a selfish team. An unselfish team is a team who understands its roles in context with the success of the team. An unskilled player who is complaining about wanting more time with the ball could be the most selfish player on the court. Selfishness is living “self-filled.” A person who sees the world in context to their needs and desires. Unselfishness is the will to do what is best for the success of the team. The team’s best player should have the ball. The team should want this and encourage this. If you aren’t getting the ball as much as you want, become stronger. Be a player the team must have on the court. You don’t need the ball to prove your worth on the court. You can demonstrate how your presence on the court changes the game for good. Craving the ball to prove your importance to the team is not the answer. Shooting is not the only way to prove your worth or contribute.
About NBC Basketball
NBC Basketball began in 1971 and has grown to be in six countries. NBC stands for Nothing Beats Commitment and the mission to help athletes walk out of camp stronger players and better people. NBC Camps focus on the work necessary to be a stronger athlete and a wiser leader. For more information about NBC Basketball Camps visit www.nbccamps.com.