Fundamentals

There are many different definitions for Fundamentals. I like this one.

Fundamental - Something that is an essential or necessary part of a system or object.

Let's talk sports. (why not?) - In order to play a sport, you need to learn the skill of the game. You also need to learn competitiveness, strategy, and rules of play.

But, in order to be good, even more, to be great, you need fundamentals.

You heard the saying, you must crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. This is also true in sport.

I was coaching lacrosse one year, and I will never forget this. A beloved parent came to me and asked "Why is my son not on the powerplay". Now for all coaches out there you can appreciate my answer. I said "Your son, is doing so well. I really am seeing some improvement, and with some more work, perhaps he will get an opportunity down the line".  Now that is "Coaching 101" and usually gets you by. Now I would like to give you the answer I really wanted to give the parent. Try this on.
"Why is your kid not on the powerplay? He can't catch. Simple as that....oh, and he can't throw the ball either. Shall I go on"?  You get the idea.

Athletes want to be great. We all have dreams of making the Big Play one day, scoring the big goal, having our moment in the sun. So here is my advice to young players of any sport, and of course to all you parents and coaches who impact the kids directly.

Take the time to "Learn your Sport". Be a student of the very basics of the game. Learn the proper form of a jump shot in basketball. Learn how to swing a golf club properly. Find a wall, and throw the lacrosse ball off of that wall, over and over......and over an over. And tomorrow, do it again. Check this great YouTube of Joe Walters doing a little wall ball. This is what I call working on fundamentals.

We are in an era now that old time athletes like myself can hardly believe. At your fingertips you can google anything....youtube, facebook, twitter and beyond. If you don't know how to do something, you can usually find an instruction manual or video in about 30 seconds. Really amazing. This is all really great, BUT, don't forget one thing. You do not get better online. Put down your iphone or Blackberry and get away from your computer and get out to the gym, the court, the course, the wall, the floor, the rink, the trail.....whatever it is....get out and do it. "Practice makes Perfect" (old saying but still true)

Coaches - if you have 8 players that can pass and catch at a high level, and 5 that cannot...what can you do. Some would say, work with the "good" players while the others practice, and I guess this can work. But i think that you need to get the whole team on board with helping the weaker players to get better. Find ways to work on fundamentals as a team - All Year. - Before the playoffs begin, go back to some basics. How to pick up the ball, how to throw, how to catch. We need to repeat these habits over and over....and everybody will get better.

In order for a great play to work for a coach is simple. You draw up the play. everybody runs the correct cuts, it is perfect. However, this is a fact, the play will only work with a great fundamental pass, and catch of the ball.

Fundamentals - Time to get to work.

Check out this kid working on fundamentals.