Coach what is a "6"?

We have been working with our small groups for a couple of weeks now. The other day in practice I was explaining what cuts we wanted to make and not make, etc. We use numbers to call our cuts. I was talking and Ashley James, a freshman, asked "Coach what is a 6?" Which was an excellent question, because I know over the last 2-3 practices I had used that number at least 10 times. With 10 returners I tend to forget that the five freshman don't know everything yet, which is why this small group work is so great. Secondly, the question showed me a little something about Ashley. First, she had the confidence to ask the question and she had the smarts to know she didn't know something. We are throwing so much at the freshman that I think sometimes they don't even know they don't know something! Kuddos to Ashley.

We completed our third challenge this morning (6:30 a.m. - ugh!) and once again everyone succeeded. ( They had to run 12 suicides on the football field. We gave them 30 minutes and Ashley James was first at 16:47 and the slowest time was 21 minutes. Nothing makes a coach happier than when players just go hard no matter what the time on the clock says.

This is the first year that we have implemented the Lone Star Conference Challenge. Like most good ideas, this was not an original. I borrowed it from UNC-Ashville. We were looking for ways to build the team concept in everything we do, including weights and conditioning. This challenge allows us to do that while we are also getting into game shape. Each week we have a new challenge that is given one of our opponents name. For example, last week we defeated ACU and today we demolished Kingsville! Let me tell you, even if you are playing pick up sticks, if one of the sticks is a Wildcat you want to beat it!!!! During the week Coach Duffell and our new graduate assistants prepare the players for "winning" these challenges against our future opponents. The day we attempt the challenge is just like a game day. They should be confident and well-prepared to beat the opponent (succeed at the challenge). This is exactly what we are attempting to do with our on court practices. Practices are much more challenging, mentally and physically, than the actual competition. When it is game time, they should be prepared and confident. That is our job. Put our players in a position to succeed!

Honestly, I haven't felt this good about a team's attitude in a couple of years. What a great feeling!

By the way, a "6" is a dribble hand off.