Energy-Execution-Toghness
Toughness: It comes natuarally to some basketball plaers, but for others, they're skills that must be learned
Toughness has nothing to do with size, physical strength or athleticism. Some players may be born tough, but I believe that toughness is a skill, and it is a skill that can be developed and improved. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo always says, "Players play, but tough players win." He is right. Here are some of the ways true toughness is exhibited in basketball:
Toughness is battling for every rebound and diving for loose balls. It’s also starring adversity in the face and prevailing when it matters most. These are qualities that come naturally to some basketball players, but for others, they’re skills that must be learned.
Toughness is battling for every rebound and diving for loose balls. It’s also starring adversity in the face and prevailing when it matters most. These are qualities that come naturally to some basketball players, but for others, they’re skills that must be learned.
Here are five aspects of toughness that our program wants our players to apply on the court, classroom, community, and life.
Show strength in your body language: Tough players project confidence and security with their body language. They do not hang their heads, do not react negatively to a mistake of a teammate, and do not whine and complain to officials. Tough players project strength, and do not cause their teammates to worry about them. Tough players do their jobs, and their body language communicates that to their teammates -- and to their opponents.
Take and give criticism the right way: Tough players can take criticism without feeling the need to answer back or give excuses. They are open to getting better and expect to be challenged and hear tough things |
Take responsibility for your actions: Tough players make no excuses. They take responsibility for their actions.
Be hard to play against, and easy to play with: Tough players make their teammates' jobs easier, and their opponents' jobs tougher Make getting better every day your goal: Tough players come to work every day to get better, and keep their horizons short. They meet victory and defeat the same way: They get up the next day and go to work to be better than they were the day before. Tough players hate losing but are not shaken or deterred by a loss. Tough players enjoy winning but are never satisfied. For tough players, a championship or a trophy is not a goal; it is a destination. The goal is to get better every day. |
“Working together, learning together, growing together. In All Things, Team First!”