Elite Coaching in Basketball
"The PSYCHOLOGY of Basketball"

A number of years ago as a young basketball coach in Oregon, I was invited to attend a political gathering to support the election of George Bush, Sr.  As I mingled back stage I'll never forget watching President Bush put his hand on the shoulder of the governor and say, "Its all about psychology.  They understood, psychology drives everything from politics, to the economy, and furthermore the motivation of athletes.

Fast forward to today, we need to realize that our athletes are not some abstract entity separate from the coach. The athlete is us. You and I are the athlete. OUR thoughts, behaviors, actions, and mood collectively create the TEAM. Many people can try to manipulate the team with media, finances, and other actions--but in a nutshell WE are the TEAM.  Our collective mood, productivity, innovation and positive energy determines whether or not the TEAM is thriving or in a recession. Understanding your TEAM. Developing a productive athlete. Replacing our psychology of fear with that of trust helps the TEAM.

We are meant to stop listening to those who judge, suck our energy, and instead have faith in the athlete and the TEAM. As coaches we are meant to trust in our approach, not the opinions of outsiders.  Coaches must realize that true power is not in what seems big and secure, but what is silent and unseen. This is where 'success' lives.

Every practice stay positive, do your best to succeed and have faith in a brighter and better future.  I believe this is the antidote to fear and is the true kind of trust that your athletes and TEAM need right now.

For the Love of the Game,
Coach F. Mac McKinnis