Is there a secret to our successful practices?

I feel that Uptempo Hoops practices are very productive, successful.  Boys are running the court, the coaches are yelling supportively and our families are having a good time.  But why are the practices successful?  Is it the coaching staff?  Well, a great coaching staff is a given or else we wouldn't be here.  We're blessed with the coaching staff which we have.  Is it the gym?  It is a very nice 3 court gym which is well maintained.  But nope, don't think it's that either.  The true success is the dedication of our players.  If I could just take a moment to give props to the players, the heart of our organization. 

These boys come to play at every practice, they come to work hard.  Maybe it's the fear of looking bad or the fear of failure or the fear of getting yelled at and doing push ups.  Whatever the motivation, these boys are a joy to watch.  On any given night, there are the common noises of squeaking shoes, bouncing balls and the swish of the net.  On any given night at UH, there is laughter, yelling and encouragement.  These are groups of boys who may not ever have met, meet here twice a week and together, work to create a winning team.

Here's a picture of our newly created seventh grade team.  They came from different schools, different backgrounds and different races and religions.  However, here at the gym, they are the same.  They are gifted in their ball handling, quick in their speed and high in spirit.  Most of the team are strangers to eachother, having little to no AAU experience.  These were gems and we are so lucky to have stumbled upon these treasures.  To see them mesh together from day one and be blown away by how well they played together, pure amazement.  What makes this team worth watching?  Besides how well they get along, each player has a high basketball IQ.  Each player understands his role and position.  There is no ball hogging or show boating here, just pure team mentality:  what makes the team work.

The younger teams have players who played together last year or in CYO mixed with some new faces.  Just like the older players, each peg fell into place.  The youngest team, the 4th grade are always laughing with eachother.  The 5th grade shouts supportive commands.  The sixth grade "oohing" and "aahing" in unison.  This goes back to my earlier point.  What makes a successful practice?

Without these players attitudes and determination, there is no success.  If the child comes in with a half hearted attitude, negativity or unwillingness to try, or better known as "uncoachable", there is no recipe for success.  There is just gym time wasted.  After practicing with UH, a parent may ask "what am I paying for?"...take a minute to watch, really watch what's going on.  From what I've seen, my money is buying lifelong skills and quite possible, lifelong friends. 

The true success of an organization, of any team, is the child who we invest in.  When that child can do a move, which they never were able to and in confidence, that's success.  When the coaches come together and speak highly and proudly of a new player, that's success.  When a mother smiles through tears of joy and shouts "that's my baby!!" at an AAU tournament, that's success.  Winning a game is secondary. 

Why are our practices so successful?  Because the hopes and dreams of our players demand success. 

"Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it"  ~Winston Churchill