How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

by Robin Potera-Haskins

How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

While some teams contain players that naturally drive their teammates to play their best all the time, the responsibility to inspire the team often lies with the coach. Dedication, development of rapport, and the fostering of leadership characteristics among your players can provide major sources of inspiration for your team.

How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

It is vital to remember that none of your players will play enthusiastically if you do not radiate excitement yourself. Come to every practice prepared with more activities than you think you need, in case you get through some things faster than expected. Stay engaged with the team at all times; do not simply let the players work independently, because they should use their own practice time for that. Get worked up so that the players see your energy at all times.

How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

In addition, give some thought to your interpersonal style. In order to develop real connections with players, you will need to be genuine, so do not try to put on an act while you coach. If you are outgoing and like to tell jokes, make that the basis of your style. If you are the cool and collected type, that works, too. You want your players to know you care about the team and about them as individuals, so avoid giving off the impression that you are just faking it.

How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

Leadership among players is equally important. Appoint a few team captains, once you know your players well enough, and have a one-on-one discussion with each. Assign them duties, both on the court and off, that will help to bring the team together. These can be as simple as encouraging other players or setting up extracurricular practices. Such leadership will help to build morale and inspiration among the players.

How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

Finally, employ exercises that encourage competition, which is really just a form of self-inspiration. Some players are naturally competitive, while others will need to be encouraged. The key to finding competitiveness is to raise the stakes for that player. Isolate some kind of motivation that makes the player want to give his or her best. One good way to do this involves rewarding risk-taking and placing responsibility on less competitive players.

How to Inspire Your Basketball Team

Coach Robin Potera-Haskins has led many successful women’s basketball teams over the course of her career, from the high school level to NCAA Division I. She has a history of helping teams achieve their fullest potential.