Motivating Your Basketball Team

Basketball is one of America's favorite games. All around the country many kids and teenagers all over are having fun playing this great game. However, if you are a coach you must learn how to motivate your team in order for them to be effective when it comes to the game time situation. We're going to talk about ways to motivate your basketball team and to get it on track to winning.

One thing that you must understand is with practice you must take it very seriously. The whole point of practice is to be productive and to learn what to do in game time. The problem is that a lot of people who play the game play around and joke too much, which causes a complete lack of productivity. It is the coach's job to be a leader and keep the team focused on the task at hand. It is okay to have some fun but remember to be the best you will have to practice like the best.

Another thing that you have to understand is that there will be unmotivated team members no matter what. Worst case scenario: you give them an ultimatum. "Want to be here? Then act like you want to be here." There is nothing worse for a team than having an unmotivated individual playing for the team. Everyone must all be on the same page to stay motivated and to get a winning spirit.

Make sure to reward your team for the good things they do. Positive reinforcement is very important when it comes to team sports. When your players have a good practice and they stay motivated, take it a little easy on them sometimes. This may be put in place by skipping wind sprints one day or maybe getting out of practice 20 minutes earlier than usual. This keeps the team motivated and allows them to look forward to something in the long run.

And last but not least, remember to make practice fun. There is nothing more unproductive than a boring practice. Always remember to change things up every now and again and surprise your team with different evolutions. By making practice fun it allows the teammates to want to be at practice therefore helping them stay focused. This in turn will allow them learn faster and play harder. Also, a great practice will bring the team closer together and prepare them better for game time. These steps are a great formula that can help motivate a winning team.

(by Tristan Perry)