Returning this season to LSJBA is the introduction of the weekly "Coach's Challenge" focused on developing each player into a STAR - a player who displays Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Attitude and Respect.
Each week there will be a different character building theme and the "Coach's Challenge" is to share this theme with your team either at practice or at game time.
Week 1 – How to become a basketball STAR (Sportsmanship, Teamwork, Attitude, Respect)
Challenge: Set a personal goal to a become a real basketball STAR (redefining the term STAR)
Week 2 – STAR (Respect for Authority)
Challenge: To obey your parents, coaches and teachers the first time they ask for something. Look them in the eye. Listen. Don’t make them ask twice and always do it with respect.
Week 3 – STAR (Teamwork)
Challenge: Challenge them to be the best teammate they can possibly be. Explain the difference between a team and group of individuals. Explain as a team they will do more than a group of individuals will ever do.
Week 4 – STAR (Leadership)
Challenge: To be a leader by setting a positive example for others to follow. You don’t need a title to be a leader.
Week 5– STAR (Encouragement)
Challenge: To encourage and build up your teammates and not tear them down. Building team unity.
Week 6– STAR (Integrity)
Challenge: To make good choices and do the right thing even when no one is looking. It's like putting money in the bank.
Week 7 – STAR (Attitude)
Challenge: To practice being kind, humble, controlling one’s temper and being patient.
Week 8 – STAR (Fixing mistakes)
Challenge: If you’ve done something wrong make it right. Say you are sorry, apologize, or fix what you have done wrong. Don't hang on to the mistake and carry it around.
Week 9 – STAR (Focus)
Challenge: Staying focused on the game and not getting upset with the things we cannot control (refs, other players, etc). Don't let the little things distract you from the main purpose.
Week 10 – STAR (Be Honest and develop trust)
Challenge: To always tell the truth regardless of the consequences to yourself. If you have lied to someone and they don't know, then tell the truth and let them know that you won't ever lie to them again. Teach them the importance of trust. Without trust there is no team.
Week 11 – STAR (Making the people around us feel safe)
Challenge: To always make the people around us feel safe by understanding that way we talk, look and act can be the difference in someone feeling safe or scared.
Week 12 - STAR Summary
Challenge: To implement the character traits they have learned and to ask them what kind of man they want to become and what kind of teammate they want to become. Remind them that being a real STAR has nothing to do with money and fame. Being a STAR is about implementing the positive character traits they have learned all season into their lives.