Powerful Tips for Coaching Basketball - Build Relationships

Let's go over a few tips for coaching basketball that will greatly improve how your players perceive their relationship with you as well as improving them as individuals. The relationship between you and your basketball players is extremely important. It's not just about teaching them the basketball drills and skills on the court. You're in a position of authority and responsibility. Your players look up to you. Ever hear professional athletes say, "I'm not a role model. I'm not responsible if some kid wants to copy what I do"? Many youth basketball coaches take their responsibilites and position lightly, also. You see, it doesn't matter what you think. It matters what those kids think. If they're not getting guidance at home or in school and they're looking at you for help, then following you is very real to them. Be responsible in your guiding role as Basketball Coach. Be sure your players know they can come to you for needs basketball related and non-basketball related. Advice you can give regarding their troubles off the court will follow them for many years. I don't remember most of the basketball drills my coaches taught me as a kid specifically, but there were a couple coaches whose "life" advice I still remember. That's powerful stuff! You have to realize that only a handful of your players will go on to star in high school. Maybe a couple will get to the college ranks. Most likely none of them will go pro. But don't forget this aspect of today's "tips for coaching basketball" - they ALL will go on with their lives. The relationship you build with them, the words of wisdom you can pass onto them; that can go a long way in whether they decide to make something with their lives or not. It can go a long way in whether they make good decisions in five, ten, fifteen years on various life issues. These kids will grow up to work in all kinds of fields with all kinds of responsibilites of their own. Hopefully their parents are guiding them properly. But we all know the reality of today's America. Too many parents leave their kids on their own, letting the TV be the one to raise them. No wonder so many kids feel lost and unloved. But as their coach, you can be a shining light. Do you look at coaching basketball as just a game to be won? Or do you look at it as a chance to help mold your players into quality human beings? I hope you take these tips for coaching basketball seriously. I hope you realize the awesome responsibility you have to your players. I hope that responsibility doesn't scare you. I hope you embrace that responsibility and run with it. I hope you build a quality relationship with your players. I hope all this for your players' sake. They need a strong basketball coaching figure. They need someone to stand up and be lovingly strict at times. They need someone to just listen sometimes without judgement. They need someone they can count on for support ALL THE TIME. Be that person. Build that relationship. Make a difference that will last a generation. Reflect on these tips for coaching basketball and use them.