Hill City High School

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Philosophy

RANGER BASKETBALL

“AIMING FOR GOALS HIGHER THAN 10 FEET”

 

2018-19 SEASON

Trademarks/Expectations of OUR program

You represent your family, your school, and your community

I respect your desire for individuality, yet remember these rules promote a sense of team-ism.  You are part of something bigger than yourself!

  1. Attendance- There is no substitute for being at practice and with your teammates.  There will be times when you need to miss (Church, School, Family, or illness) and we will create an alternative workout to make up for the absence.  Otherwise, we expect you to be at practice every day.
  2. Locker room will be kept clean at all times, if it is not clean the Coach will inform the team (warning) and the next instance will result in extra conditioning.  After practice and games make sure the trash is picked up and equipment is in lockers.  Leave things better than we find them.
  3. Tardiness- Consequences will result from tardiness.  Plan ahead and be on time.  If you can’t be on time, then be there 15 minutes early!
  4. Profanity, lying, or moral mistake- Athlete will clean the locker room, gym, or perform a public service: DISCIPLINE YOURSELF SO OTHERS DON’T HAVE TO
  5. Look good- We represent Hill City
  1. We will dress nice for both home and away games. Away games we will wear collared shirt and tie.  If you do not have ties, I will have some in my office.  We do this because you represent Hill City.  We are the front porch of the school, which means we are we are the part that people see and they will make judgments accordingly.
  2. Hair is appropriate length. I like short hair. It looks better and is not an issue on the BB court.  Make sure it is out of your eyes and doesn’t hurt your game.  Don’t want you to constantly be brushing hair out of your eyes.
  3. Training rules- Any violation falls under the South Dakota High School Activities Association. Please do not put yourself in bad situations.  You are guilty by association.
  4. Anything not listed above will be considered by the coaches and a consequence will be administered. The coaches have the potential to assign conditioning, suspensions, and removal from the team.

*Athletes are expected to shower after practice and games. Showering is a health and hygiene issue

* All other rules have been addressed in the player consent forms according to the school policy

~Have fun and represent Hill City in a positive manner!!!!~Put the team above yourself and love your teammates

 

 

RANGER BASKETBALL

“AIMING FOR GOALS HIGHER THAN 10 FEET”

 

Things to consider:

 

  1.       We will work very hard this year.  That should not scare you or intimidate you; but should be a badge of honor…Every time we take the court you will know that you are the hardest working team in the Black Hills.  Practices will be challenging so that games will be easy.  We want to win the 4th
  2.       Don’t complain about what you tolerate- Coach and I will be very active in correcting mistakes and working to improve things.  If we are offering you a lot of feedback it is not a bad thing; it means we care and see ways for you to improve.  We want to show growth from now until the end of the season.  My dad used to tell me; when coaches quit talking to you is when you should be worried; because it means they have given up on you.
  3.       Team above Self. It’s the million dollar question, but can you be happy with our team winning even if you didn’t play well or play at all?  Are you challenging your teammates every day in practice.  Remember that playing time is EARNED not GIVEN.  Nobody is entitled to play in high school sports so go out and prove yourself.
  4.       Have fun. Basketball is a fun sport.  I love to see you guys having fun and I truly believe that you play better and your team chemistry is better when you have fun.  While practice is very structured in the Ranger system, it still allows for time to have fun and be a kid.
  5.       I love you. This is a phrase you will hear a lot this year as I truly think of you guys as little brothers.  I want to see you succeed, improve, and do your best.  I want to be a positive role model in your life.  This does not necessarily mean I want to be the friend that you gossip with (we both have enough of those), but I want you to know that I am here for you.  Once you play basketball with us you are part of the Ranger Basketball family.  I still keep in touch with those players that have completed their senior year with us.  We all are a part of something bigger than ourselves.  Just remember that.

 

 

WE MUST ACT LIKE CHAMPIONS EVERYDAY; IF WE WISH TO BE CHAMPIONS SOMEDAY

 

 

"Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming." – John Wooden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANGER BASKETBALL

“AIMING FOR GOALS HIGHER THAN 10 FEET”

 

THINGS TO ACHIEVE THIS YEAR

  1.       OUTWORK- I am very proud that over the years, very few teams have out worked us.  I feel like we play very hard and we maximize our potential by hustling for every loose ball, playing fundamental defense, diving on the floor, taking charges, etc.  We attempt to make our practices as ‘game like’ as possible.  They are intense and fast paced.  We want to be the best conditioned team in every game.
  2.       BELIEVE IN OUR ABILITY- We want to go into every game knowing that we are prepared and that we are capable of winning if we play well.  We want to respect all of our opponents, yet fear none of them.  I have confidence in our players and I hope they have confidence in themselves as well.  We have played many out of season games and will be prepared.  We are good enough to compete; if we play hard and execute; we can win any game.  I believe in you!
  3.      TOUGNNESS- We want to be able to handle adversity and overcome adversity.  We tell our players, “you are only as good as your next play”.  Many mistakes are made during a game and we want to have mental toughness to make the next play the best play.  We will coach our players very hard and we want them to be able to respond.  We also want to embody physical toughness by being conditioned.  A tired body leads to a tired mind; we want to avoid mental mistakes by being physically conditioned.  Our opponent should never see us tired, injured, displaying negative body language!  We will always be the tougher team.
  4.       EXECUTE THE GAME PLAN- Going into every game our athletes will receive scouting reports with goals, opponent strategy, our strategy, and player attributes.  We want to take the blue print from paper to the court.  I believe that if we are prepared and execute the game plan we will be able to compete with ANY team we play.
  5.        RANGER BB FAMILY- Sports are a great vehicle for our athletes to learn how to interact with one another.  All the members of the team are like brothers.  We want to care for each other and understand that if we play together then we will all be successful.  We must challenge our teammates but support and get along with each other.  During the season we will spend approximately 200 hours together.  We want to put the team above ourselves.  Each player will have a role and we need to execute those roles.  One of the reasons we don’t want players to wear headbands, wrist bands, tights, etc is to promote team unity.  We want to share the ball on offense, help teammates up if they dive on the floor, and high five teammates as they come off the floor.  Basketball should be fun and the best part about it should be your brothers!

 

2018-19 Keys for Success

~Play hard, Play Smart, Play Together

1,Turnover Margin- Value the ball and make every possession count

2.Rebounding- Must relentlessly pursue the ball- This was our greatest weakness last season

3.FG Attempt/ %- Get more shots/ make more shots- Share the ball and have good shot selection

4.FT Attempt/ %-Get more free throws/ make more free throws

5.Force one bad shot and box out-  The identity of our entire program! Must be better on defense

6.Never allow a player to score over 20-this takes pride and toughness

7.Win Special Situations- Jump Balls, Hustle Plays, Points in Transition

8.Play your Best Every Day- Get better every day, every game, every possession

 

Ranger Basketball Philosophy – 10 Key areas!

  1. Defense – Builds character and PRIDE!  Give your team consistency.  Enables you to beat better ball clubs.  We use a variety of defenses – pressure man to man being our primary.
  2. Fundamentally Sound – Basketball is a game which is too often over-coach and under taught.  We want to teach and emphasize sound fundamentals.  (Balance, footwork, stance)
  3. Rebounding- Position and timing are the keys.  Block out.  Must rebound at both ends.        Effort, heart, and desire mean more than height and size.
  4. Intelligence – We need players who think – eliminate unnecessary mistakes.  Along with quickness and great attitudes - Intelligence is a real important factor.  BASKETBALL IQ
  5. Offensive execution – Handling the basketball with care, thinking on the floor, playing under control, working as a team, taking Ranger shots. (Team shot, not individual shot)
  6. Transition – (Conversion) Don’t give up any cheap baskets – get back on defense.  Offensively – take advantage of a team that is slow in transition, get some over the tops, run the floor.
  7. Free Throws – (shooting) – Free throws will normally decide 7 games a year.  Must put in the time – stressing the fundamental of form shooting – Make more than our opponent attempt.
  8. Dictate the tempo –In a ballgame try to control the tempo based on strengths and weaknesses of OUR team and our opponents. Take into account the flow of the actual game.
  9. Conditioning – Have to be in GREAT SHAPE!  Don’t try to be in better shape than other teams, just be in the best shape you are capable of being.
  10. Special Situations – Be prepared! Be ready for special defense as well as delay game, out of bounds, jump balls, last second shots, etc.  Preparation is essential in the outcome.
 
 

 

 

Coaching Philosophy

  1. Our main goal is to model appropriate behavior in success and adversity.  We want our athletes to represent our team, our school, and our town. 
  2. Our 2nd goal is to help our athletes become better students.   We want our athletes to be leaders in the classroom.  They are student-athletes.  We will be making sure our athletes take care of school work first.
  3. Our 3rd goal is to make sure we have the best TEAM on the floor we can.  We want to be playing our best basketball come Region and State tournament time. 

 

Practice Guidelines

  1. Be on time: Being on time is 5 minutes early.
  2. Hustle from drill to drill!
  3. No swearing
  4. Promote Teamism: Shouldn’t wear headbands, elbow/leg sleeves (unless medical), outrageous socks, etc.
  5. Take care of our equipment: tuck in your jerseys, respect our floor, pick up trash in the locker, and gym.
  6. Give your best effort at ALL times: Practice as if it is your last.
  7. Make your teammates better: Making a teammate better is making our team better.
  8. Personal hygiene: clean yourself, shower, use deodorant, take care of your feet, wash your jerseys, and wear new socks every day.

 

THINGS YOU WILL HEAR THIS SEASON

~Your only as good as your next play (NBA- Next best action)

~Its not who you play, its how you play

~Play hard, play smart, play together

~Control the Controllables, (Don’t stress about things you can’t control- refs, fans, etc)

~Team above Self

~Game shots, from game spots, at game speed

~Fake a pass, make a pass

~Rim, post, action

~Aiming for goals higher than 10 feet

~I love you

 

RANGER BASKETBALL

“Aiming For Goals Higher Than 10 Feet”

 

Before-During-After Games

 

Home Games: Arrive at gym at least an hour before we are scheduled to play

            If JV/C team is playing the entire team will be at those games

 

Road Games: Be at the bus 30 minutes early.

            Double check to make sure you have everything (Jersey, warm up, shoes, etc)

            Bus ride should be quiet.  Prepare yourself mentally for the game

 

Exit the Bus: Always pick up trash, bus should be clean

            Tell the bus driver “Thank you”

 

Prior to Game: Run out of locker room to take floor before game and half time (one of my pet   peeves is when teams walk out)

            Get a good warm-up.

 

During Game:  Jersey will be tucked in at all times

            If a teammate makes a hustle play, sprint over and help them up

            Positive leadership, coaches will do correcting, you just be encouraging

            Positive body language (no eye rolls, clown faces, or shoulder shrugs will be tolerated)

            You will raise hand when you foul

            When exiting the game, slap five with teammate and tell them who you are guarding

            Sit in the seat closest to the coaches for any feedback

            Look coaches in the eye when they talk to you…Be coachable

 

After Game: Pick up the bench area.  No cups/warm ups/etc

Do not start undressing until after coaches have spoken to you

            Locker room should be clean – no tape, clothes, trash, etc

            I PREFER if you ride you home the bus – If you need to get home; parent must sign out

 

Represent Hill City in a positive way- We are the front porch of the school.  Some people know nothing about Hill City and will formulate an opinion based upon the way you behave on and off the court….

 

Story 1: Stopped at a place to eat after a game.  Before we left, the person taking the food order told me it was the nicest group of young men he had ever been around.  Everyone used please and thank you and was well behaved.

 

Story 2: An athletic director from a conference school told me that we were her favorite team because we were positive, showed good sportsmanship, and always cleaned the bench area and locker rooms after the games.