PLAY HARD
Players are going to be nervous in the post season. The focus needs to be on the process, not on the outcome. No matter how nervous a player is, they can play hard.
“Playing hard” means focusing on being locked in defensively, going for loose ball, and sprinting the floor both offensively and defensively. Nerves will not affect any of these things.
A primary goal of our teams was to have everyone in the gym- our teammates, our opponents, and the fans- recognize that we played harder than our opponents.
This may seem like a cliche. The major objective in “playing together,” is to emphasize communicating. Defensively communicating. Defensively being connected- helping on the ball, defending ball screens, being in gaps.
In pressure situations remain connected. When things are tough- communicate. Stick together.
If you study the history of basketball at any level, 90% of the time the team who wins the foul line, wins the game. The simple way to shoot more free throws than your opponents is to play good defense and not foul, while on offense being strong with the ball and attacking the basket.
Throughout the history of basketball, there are stories of so many teams who are upset because they got into foul trouble. When Galesburg upset Loyola in 1999, Galesburg committed 13 fouls, while Loyola committed 21 fouls. Galesburg made 16-18 free throws, and Loyola made 6-9 free throws.
In the post season, fouling equals losing.
In post season, a five point run by your opponent seems bigger than it does in the regular season. And a five point run by your team seems bigger than it does in the regular season.
Successful post season teams stay locked in, and don’t get too high or get too low. Focus on one possession at a time.
Whatever you are as a team, stay the course. If you play a certain way offensively, and run certain actions- stay with them. Don’t panic and play hero ball. You are much more likely to succeed doing what you have practiced all year.
Years ago, we played a team in the Sectional. We lined up for the jump ball to start the game. The other team did not put anyone on the center circle, they put all four defenders back in the lane on defense. It energized our players, they recognized the other team felt they had to do something “special” to compete with us.
DRAW ON CONFIDENCE EARNED
In post season, you cannot remind players of their previous successes too much. High school players sometimes have short memories, they need to reminded of their successes. The more confident a team is, the better they will play. “We’ve been here before.”
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