OState14
User
Expert Boarder
| Posts: 21 |   |
Karma: 0
|
Potential - 2007/09/12 15:51
I wanted to speak about the first topic from the newsletter on potential and why few people reach their max potential.
I've been at all 3 division levels of NCAA basketball at least for a short amount of time and I have yet to see anybody on my teams reach their full potential.
The problem at low-level D1 is that many of these kids coasted through high school because of superior athletic ability or size. It was a given that they would receive a scholarship and it was a given that they could dominate high school competition so there was no reason to outwork anybody. When they get to college, that work ethic (which really isn't there) is engrained in the athlete and they can't outwork anybody because they simply don't know how to. I believe this is far less likely to happen at higher level D1 schools but I can't be sure.
At D2, for the short time I was there, I saw that these are mostly the same type of kids who just fell through the cracks or was missing a certain aspect to their game. Guards are just as quick but maybe didn't have the connections to get a D1 scholarship. Forwards are just as athletic but were a few inches too short without a jump shot to make it to D1.
D3, where I am currently, I have actually seen the highest amount of kids coming close. This level seems to be split between kids that are playing because they got recruited and they have always played basketball in the winter so they will continue to do so, but won't put in much extra time in the offseason getting better and the kids that just love the game of basketball and regardless of whether they have a scholarship or not will try to get the most out of their potential because the best D3 players made themselves into what they are and weren't blessed with God-given talent and had to work hard to be as good as they are.
This has been what I have personally seen and I know there are the types of kids that max out their potential at every level but I can't tell you how many times I've said or heard, "what a waste of potential" about kids who get to school and want to do drugs or drink or just want to "live the college life" rather than bust their butt to be considered a great player and go on to play professionally.
Sorry for such a long post but the newsletter article gave me a chance to speak on this topic that I have talked about with many of my own coaches and teammates. I think it comes down to a love for the game that very few kids really have nowadays.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
coachmccormick
Admin
Admin
| Posts: 643 | |
Karma: 1
|
Re:Potential - 2007/09/13 23:32
I generally agree with the assessments of each level. DIII kids play because they love the game and when you love to play, you are more likely to approach your potential. A lot of DI players play because they have to pay for college or because everyone expects them to play; it becomes a job and they want to get away from the court, not dedicate more time to it.
Of course, there are exceptions at every level. One of the first kids I trained maximized his ability as a DIII All-American; I still believe that if has similar instruction as a junior in high school rather than a freshman in college he would have played DI basketball and his work ethic would have given him an opportunity at the next level. I train a kid now who will play DI and expect him to maximize his ability because of his passion for the game and his work ethic.
A lot of other kids just don't know the difference. A lot of people equate sweat with working hard, working hard with improvement and winning with development. But, it's not always the case.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
OState14
User
Expert Boarder
| Posts: 21 | |
Karma: 0
|
Re:Potential - 2007/09/15 12:11
I definitely agree that many kids find it becomes a job at the D1 level. I remember two weeks into the actual season, 2 fellow freshmen and a sophomore saying, "I don't even like basketball anymore. I'd rather just be a regular student."
I couldn't believe how little passion they had for the game that early into the season. And of course, being the kid that got lucky with a scholarship, I was always the one to tell them how lucky they were and how many kids would kill to have their spot on a D1 team.
Those that take it for granted tend to be the ones that don't improve, and those that are thankful and have a real passion make the most out of what they have.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
coachmccormick
Admin
Admin
| Posts: 643 | |
Karma: 1
|
Re:Potential - 2007/09/15 18:44
That's one of my biggest problems with the current development system. The entire system is targeted toward winning a scholarship. So, what happens when you get the scholarship?
The whole system is about the destination, not the journey. But, when you reach the destination, you have a four-year commitment. Many reached their goal and want it to be over with; they don't want to spend four years playing for someone else. Very few people can communicate these feelings, but, for many players, this is the feeling I get.
And if you were once motivated by a college scholarship, and you never developed a true passion or desire for the game, how can you switch your motivations in college? Many kids played and sacrificed because they wanted the free ride; they got that. Now what's the motivation? How many players developed or raised in this atmosphere care about vague terms like self-actualization or maximizing one's talent?
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
LakerDad252
User
Senior Boarder
| Posts: 13 | |
Karma: -1
|
Re:Potential - 2007/09/24 23:11
OState14 wrote:
I definitely agree that many kids find it becomes a job at the D1 level. I remember two weeks into the actual season, 2 fellow freshmen and a sophomore saying, "I don't even like basketball anymore. I'd rather just be a regular student."
I couldn't believe how little passion they had for the game that early into the season...
In contrast, I heard the tale of a young lady who garnered a D1 ride to a solid midwest program. The player lined up some summer classes, one of which caused her to be late to the first practice.
Apparently, the girl was told to have the summer class changed so it didn't interfere with the series of practices that were taking place. She responded by saying "I'm a student-athlete, and the 'student' comes first." She walked out of the gym, renounced her scholarship, and transferred to a D3 for the semester.
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
bruchu
User
Senior Boarder
| Posts: 10 | |
Karma: 0
|
Re:Potential - 2007/09/25 17:25
LakerDad252 wrote:
Apparently, the girl was told to have the summer class changed so it didn't interfere with the series of practices that were taking place. She responded by saying "I'm a student-athlete, and the 'student' comes first." She walked out of the gym, renounced her scholarship, and transferred to a D3 for the semester.
That's almost unbelievable considering teams aren't normally allowed to practice during the summer. And even summer workouts and open gym cannot be mandated. The girl probably should've brought it up with the NCAA so they can be sanctioned.
-------
http://coachingbball.proboards106.com/
http://coachingbetterbball.blogspot.com/
|
|
|
| | The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
