Melrose Lady Raiders Basketball

Melrose volleyball coach Scott Celli has a saying "just because you're a year older doesn't mean you're better." As a player or a coach, you have to ask yourself regularly, "how do I get better?"

The first part of improving is recognizing where your needs are. We recognize the "best" players as such because they make those around them better. Valuable players may not be the best player on the team, but contribute in roles, whether that be playing relentless defense, or aggressive rebounding, setting screens, and so forth.

You can never be a better player than you believe you are. In other words, even an athletic, fundamentally solid player will not get the most from her ability without confidence. Confidence, composure, and concentration add immeasurably to your game but can be ephemeral.

Colvin talks of the four E's, energy, the ability to energize, edge (decisiveness), and execution. Some players with less ability, have other qualities, e.g. energy that help them overcome limitations. Coaches recognize this and playing time ("minutes") flow to players who make things happen.

If you want time on the floor, you have to show why you deserve it. Are you a shutdown defender, a relentless rebounder, or an all-around skilled player? Does your 'self-image' of how you play match up with what the coaches see?

It's all about the TEAM. What do you bring?

If you want to be an impact player, you have to bring intensity every day, whether you feel like it or not. Your coaches see a lot more than you might think, the players who work tireless both for themselves and for the team.

The quickest path to improvement is better understanding of what is happening and why. Some of the topics we talked about yesterday include:

• Off the ball screens
• Proper close outs
• Understanding the situation
• Having a "go to" move
• Proper shooting form, "squeezing the elbows in", staying with the shot with the guide hand, and following through
• "First job" defensively, jumping the ball and denying the return pass (give and go) to the basket

Geoff Colvin's "Talent Is Overrated" stirs the pot on the elements of success. What really matters?

http://www.melrosegirlsbasketball.com/blog/2011/07/09/the-4e-club-can-you-be-part-of-it/

Is basketball no more than a metaphor for life?

Volleyball coach Scott Celli appears on this week's "Let's Talk Sports". Embedded within each show's programming is the CATZ Training Tip. In this week show, just after 30 minutes with some exercises that apply equally to basketball and volleyball.