A Tough Loss

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches, My Diary | 0 comments

Yesterday we’ve lost our first game this season by only one point. If you have ever gone through a situation like this, then you know, how the mood was right after the game. Barely anyone had something to say. This game weighed in even more than other games, as our direct competitor now had an advantage for the runner-up spot to the next league. Until now, we both hadn’t lost any games.

Today, not even 24 hours later, I still feel down and unmotivated. Out of this situation I’d like to share with you a couple of thoughts on how I will try to cope with this loss. I personally think, that you learn a lot more from a loss than by a winning game. A loss lets you rethink your attitude, your concept … basically the way you play from the ground. It gives you the chance to see, on what you should be working in the next training sessions and whether you were outplayed or out-talented.

Outplayed vs. Out-Talented

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches, For Players, Motivation & Health | 0 comments

I’ve read a great article of Wayne Goldsmith, who runs the blog The Sports Coaching Brain. He writes about the reasons why athletes and teams lose and brings it down to two basic aspects: You lose by being outplayed, rather then by being out-talented.

I like the way he sees it and puts it straight to the point. Let’s be honest: Who hasn’t said things after a tough loss like “They had better calls from the refs!” or “They had more luck than we did.” etc.

Feeling like a Loser

Posted by Eitel in Motivation & Health | 0 comments

There can be several happenings in your life as well as your basketball career that might let you down. Most of the times it could be because you did not do well during practice or that all important game. Sometimes during a game you could have had the chance to let your team win, you could have missed out on that all important 3 pointer, or you could have taken advantage of free-throws but things didn’t work out in your team’s favor. This is good enough to make you feel like you are a loser. This is exactly the time when you need the right kind of inspiration and motivation. Getting yourself motivated or inspired when you feel like a loser is what professional players do, and wallowing in your own grief will only bring in a lot of negativity and make you feel even more like a looser.

Preparing kids for their first Game

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches, For Parents | 0 comments

Dealing with youths is slightly different then dealing with a professional lot of players. Youths are fresh to the game, and while they are still competitive, they are more playing the game to make friends, be with friends, or because it’s something to do. Very rarely are youth in a league to take their team to the championship, or to go undefeated. They are there to blow off steam and have fun. Coaches need to nurture this while teaching the basics of the game without attempting to force the competitive side of the game.

Winning and Losing with Class

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches, For Parents, For Players | 0 comments

While it is fun to strut your stuff when you win, there is a line that you come to where the celebration can be excessive. The same comes on the flipside of that coin, if you lose the game, you can’t just sulk around and hide. Sore losers and sore winners can often tarnish what otherwise was a hard fought, excellent contest. This is an issue and needs to be addressed even before games so that players cannot claim they didn’t know they might have crossed some lines. It is easy to get caught up in the moment, but takes real class to know the true limits.