Self-Confidence (Player's Handbook Chapter)

“Confidence comes from being prepared and demonstrated ability.”
~John Wooden

You are who you are for a reason. You have value and purpose. We believe this and you should too. It is always our goal to discipline and demand without being demeaning. With that said, you also have a responsibility to yourself and this team to be coachable and establish a solid work ethic. It’s impossible to “coach” confidence without these two cornerstones. Self-confidence begins only when you objectively identify your talents, become organized, have discipline in your life, and take action. It’s not just about the coaching staff blurting out positive affirmations each time down the court. If we “chew you out”, consider it a compliment because we believe you have the ability to overcome and correct your mistake. The following Vince Lombardi story exemplifies this point perfectly:

During a practice session for the Green Bay Packers, things were not going well for Lombardi's team. Lombardi singled out one big guard for not going hard, “Son, you are a lousy football player. You're not blocking, you're not tackling, and you’re not going hard. As a matter of fact, it's all over for you today, go take a shower.” The big guard dropped his head and walked into the locker room. Forty-five minutes later, when Lombardi walked in, he saw the big guard bowed and he was sobbing quietly. He walked over to his football player and put his arm around his shoulder. “Son,” he said, “I told you the truth. You are a lousy football player. You're not doing what we ask of you. However, in all fairness to you, I should have finished the story. Inside of you, son, there is a great football player and I'm going to stick by your side until the great football player inside of you has a chance to come out and assert himself.” With these words, Jerry Kramer straightened up and felt a great deal better. He felt so much better he went on to become one of the all-time greats in football and was voted the all-time best guard in the first 50 years of professional football.

We often see things in you that you seldom see in yourself. It is our job to inspire you to maximize your God-given abilities. How this is done is often a reflection of the coach, player and situation. It is your job to rise up and answer the challenge. And when we get tough on a player, we are looking for a positive response complimented by hard work and great enthusiasm. Good players will always recognize their mistakes, admit their mistakes, learn from their mistakes, and forget their mistakes. We refer to these four action steps as “Next Play!” mentality.