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Hi all.....Just curious on how everyone approaches a pre-game team talk and any suggestions you might have for a group of 17 year olds? Thanks, Lyn
Hi Lyn,
Of course a team talk is a personal thing depending on the team, objectives and what you have been working on in training. For the pre-game team talk I would advise keeping it very positive and highlighting that your team should aim to do the basics well!! Often teams come out nervous and make unforced errors, however if your team take their time and do the basics well, scoring off your centre passes they should be up in no time.
Alternatively, give unit targets - for example the defensive unit may have a target of a certain number of turnovers per quarter, shooters may have a certain number of goals per quarter and centre court may have a certain number of successful centre passes to goal. These targets will focus your team in and ensure they are thinking about the game and their targets. However, as your athletes are 17 years olds, you may want to get them into their units and create a target for themselves that they think is achievable - you can then add an additional target yourself or simply keep the one they created.
Targets are a great way to ensure your athletes stay focused, however they must be recorded during the game - for example, shooting percentages - goals/shots taken. This will allow your players to see if they have been successful and see where they need to improve and what their targets could be next time.
Hope this helps.
Hi Lyn,
Of course a team talk is a personal thing depending on the team, objectives and what you have been working on in training. For the pre-game team talk I would advise keeping it very positive and highlighting that your team should aim to do the basics well!! Often teams come out nervous and make unforced errors, however if your team take their time and do the basics well, scoring off your centre passes they should be up in no time.
Alternatively, give unit targets - for example the defensive unit may have a target of a certain number of turnovers per quarter, shooters may have a certain number of goals per quarter and centre court may have a certain number of successful centre passes to goal. These targets will focus your team in and ensure they are thinking about the game and their targets. However, as your athletes are 17 years olds, you may want to get them into their units and create a target for themselves that they think is achievable - you can then add an additional target yourself or simply keep the one they created.
Targets are a great way to ensure your athletes stay focused, however they must be recorded during the game - for example, shooting percentages - goals/shots taken. This will allow your players to see if they have been successful and see where they need to improve and what their targets could be next time.
Hope this helps.
Iâm starting next week with pre season Iâve been thinking what to say on the first day
in more ways than one
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