Self Directed Athletes

One of the biggest goals of the NEDA program is to create a group of girls that will end up being 12 leaders wherever they go when they finish the program. In genereal, we as coaches do WAY too much for our athletes. In order for our little birdies to fly, we have to encourage them to leave the nest every once in a while. This means they have to get out of their comfort zone and get used to leading others. It seems very few athletes these days are natural born leaders that can just step in and be the type of captiains that you want.

The need for independant thinking athletes has undeniably increased since Canada has adopted FIBA rules. The ability of your athletes to form their own plan of what needs to be done and then communicate that plan to their teammates is what will make effective leaders. Once a game starts you only get so many chances to stop everything and get your athletes back on the same page. That is why it is so crucial for all five players on the floor to be thinking and analyzing.

One of the best drills I have seen to let the players be leaders is the "Time & Score Drill". There are so many great subtle chances for the players to lead each other. It starts when the coach asks an athlete to make two even teams. That means one player gets to lead the group while the others listen. Then the coach selects one player from each team to come get the details of the time and score situation. When the athletes come over, they are given no information, they have to ask for everything. Questions like "what is the score?" or "how much time is left" come out first. Then other questions start to pop out like "who's ball is it?", "how much time is on the 24 second clock?", where is the ball being taken out?". So the athletes really have to think about what is important in a late game situation. Then they get to go back to their teams and explain the situation. Now that they know the situation they have to come up with a plan for how to attack. Do we score quick, do we press, etc. It really gives the players the responsibilty and experience necessary to grow as leaders.

Leadership is a skill that needs work just as much as shooting or ball handling. Finding creative ways to work situations where they can improve their leadership skills is crucial.

Tyler