Earlier this morning I sent out a text to the boys in our high school basketball program, informing them that I would be away from practice for a bit to address some issues I’m having with my 60-year-old body. I’ve learned from experience that I’m about one quick pivot or reaction away from landing in an orthopedic surgeon’s office on a consult, so I’m attempting to walk in some wisdom here.
I soon received several responses from players that made me smile, but also gave me some inspiration for this post.
ONE NIGHT LAST SEASON…
One-night last year before practice began, I gathered the players around and held up my cellphone and slowly spun around showing each player a couple pictures of large and expensive homes. As I turned to each player, I asked them, “Tell me, what do you see?” Players responded with answers of, a swimming pool, huge windows, a mansion, etc. Little did they know but they were playing right into the point I wanted to make.
After each player responded, I asked if they could identify the most important part of any house. I believe one or two players responded with, “the foundation!” I then showed the players the same pictures of those large “mansions” again asking if any could spot the foundation in the pictures. If I remember correctly, due to camera angles and landscaping, it was not possible to see any portion of the foundation.
FUNDAMENTALS
After that illustration, I began to talk with the players about how building a ballplayer is like building a house, the house is only as good as the foundation. We talked about how fundamentals like ball-handling, conditioning, and proper footwork are foundational to building a good ballplayer. Unfortunately, the average spectator fails to notice these qualities in a game, but they will certainly see the result when those qualities are lacking.
I created this mini lecture before that practice because we were about ready to begin some very basic (and fundamental) basketball drills, and I needed the guys to understand how important these drills were to the larger vision of becoming a winning team…nothing fun or exciting at all, but absolutely required if these guys wanted to improve.
SO, BACK TO THE TEXT
So…what kind of responses did I get today from my text message to the guys?
- “It’s all about the foundation…”
- “Never forget about the foundation…”
Yeah…laugh all you want guys, but you and I both know you remember that illustration from last year…and hopefully you will remember it well into your adult life because no matter what house you’re building, the foundation is vital to the success of the house. And one other thing, you will always be dealing with fundamental drills in your life…those basic and boring drills you must master to excel in whatever arena you compete in.
LOOKING THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR
I ended my text message to the players with this reminder: “Most importantly, prepare in such a way that you look back on everything you do with no regrets.”
Wait…am I talking about practice tonight? this week? this season? this year? their high school years? their lives? Yeah…that’s what I’m talking about.
See, the season begins in 2 days for these guys. They start with three consecutive games this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday…and before they know it, they’ll be graduating.
So, my message to the guys today was really about living with no regrets. At some point, the season ends and unless you’re on that team that won the state championship, you’re sitting in a pile of emotions that doesn’t feel good to be in. As a player, you begin thinking about “that play”, “that game”, “that situation” where “if only the outcome was a bit different.” What I would say in those moments would be this:
- “Did you leave it all on the court?”
- “Did you do everything you could to put yourself in a position to win?”
- “Is there anything you can learn from this?”
SENIORS…
Like I said earlier, I’m 60 years old, but I can remember the experience 42 years ago sitting in Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis after my last game as a senior. There was no “wait till next year” for me. While some of the underclassmen consoled each other and half-heartedly talked about off-season workout plans, my final chapter had been written and there was nothing I could do to change the outcome…the cement had dried.
The questions drifted in slowly…had I prepared to the best of my ability? Did I put myself in the best possible position? If I could do anything over again…, would I? Sadly, I looked into the rearview mirror with many regrets, and those experiences are what drive me today when I challenge players I coach. Those same thoughts drove me as a probation officer when I talked with guys about their dreams and life changes they desperately needed to make. Were they going to learn from their setbacks or were they going to repeat the cycle over again…am I going to learn from my experiences, or will I repeat the cycle over again?
IN A LOCKER ROOM IN EASTERN COLORADO
The memory of that day in 1980 came back to me last March as I stood in the locker-room after our final game. I found myself looking at the seniors and wondering what was going through their minds. I remember looking at each of the 4 seniors on that 2020-21 team…one sat on the floor against the lockers and just stared up toward the ceiling, one quietly got his gear packed up not talking to anyone, one had a football scholarship out ahead of him so perhaps he dealt with it differently, but he was still a competitor. Each senior had their own way of processing the experience.
There’s something about taking that uniform off for the last time, competing on:
- that field
- that court
- that diamond
for the last time.
- …okay wrestlers…”that mat”
BACK TO THE REARVIEW MIRROR TO END THIS POST
We’re all going to look back in the rearview mirror from time to time in our lives, and at some point in the future, “TODAY” will be one of those days in our rearview mirror.
The text response from the players this morning brought a smile to my heart, but it also served as a reminder to me of what is “foundational” in my own life. What game am I competing in today? What am I attempting to accomplish?
For some of us, we may need a reminder of the dreams that once stirred us. We may have taken ourselves out of the game and are now sitting on the bench while others compete.
- Perhaps it’s time to get back into the game…
- Maybe it’s time to return to those boring fundamental drills required to establish the foundation you and I need to build the house we want to live in…
I’ll say it to my players, but I need to say it to myself as well…don’t live this life with any regrets, leave it all on the court and walk off with the satisfaction you gave your all to what was important to you.
I’ve got some old dreams to think about now…..