2.19.18

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Quote of the Week

Drill of the Week

Bulldog Drill

Drill from Skylar Diggins - This drill helps players develop dribbling skills while running at high speed, such as on a fast break. It requires players to keep their heads up when they dribble, which is essential during a game when looking for an open teammate.

How to Perform

- The coach chooses one or two players as bulldogs, and they stand in the middle of half court.

- All the other players line up on the baseline.

- The players have 10 seconds to advance past half court while maintaining their dribble.

- The bulldogs try to knock the ball out of the hands of the other players while also maintaining their dribble.

- If a player has the ball stolen from him/her or knocked away, he or she becomes a bulldog.

- The game continues until only one player is left.

- The player who wins becomes a bulldog for the next game.

Coaching Points

- Keep your head up.

- Change dribbling hands.

- Change directions and speed.

Message from Coach Thompson

Be Ready So You Don’t Have to Get Ready

It’s that time of the year again. The draw happens and now coaches around the state are prepping for the next two weeks. My job these next couple of weeks is much easier because of the great job that my assistant coaches do throughout the year in their assignments on our Sectional opponents. We have an assistant assigned to each team and he has everything broken down. We are ready so we don’t have to get ready.

Several years ago, while listening to a devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah, I heard him say, “Be ready so you don’t have to get ready.” We want our players to be prepared for just about anything that could happen in a game. We want our players to be ready and have vision on defense so they can dictate the situation or play.

That quote has stuck with me and I utilize it with everything that I do professionally, however his quote was really aimed at our faith. In our walk with the Lord we should always be a constant state of readiness. We never know when our time here in this life is going to expire. We should be ready for that. Are you ready? Are you prepared? Luke 25:13 tells us that we should be, "Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.”

As Christian coaches it is important to prepare our teams for the tournament, for special situations, and have them ready when the time comes to make a play or an adjustment. As spiritual leaders for our team it is also important that our players see that we are vigilant in being ready in our walks with the Lord. Matthew 24:42-43 tells us we should be ready and be alert for the Lord’s return. "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

As we go through this last week of the regular season and into Sectional play, remember to keep our focus on Him as we lead our teams. May we prepare to play and honor Him, but remember to keep taking the small steps every single day that keep you on the edge with your preparation so when the time comes you don’t have to get ready - you are ready.

Message from Jason Brand & Billy Holder, Southwest Indiana FCA

Connected?

READY

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” — John 15:5

SET

I’m not sure if this verse is true, I thought at first. After all, I had accomplished things in life long before I had trusted in Christ. Yet Jesus was clear: “You can do nothing without Me.” Those are hard words. In fact, there are many coaches who don’t believe in Christ, and they have been able to help players become better players and people. Many of them are coaches at prominent schools; they have great jobs, an abundance of material possessions, a terrific athletic program, and championship trophies. So what did Jesus mean when he said we can do nothing apart from him?

In order to grasp Jesus’ meaning, we must think about this verse in context with what else He said during this conversation with His disciples. “I chose you,” He said. “I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (Jn 15:16). Jesus was talking about matters of eternal significance. So what really lasts? Do houses or cars or trophies? I have yet to find someone who knows where their grandfather’s trophies are. So what really lasts? The gospel lasts, and the joys of life in God’s kingdom. Anyone living apart from that is missing out on lasting treasure.

Is your coaching bearing fruit that will last? Are you modeling a life changed by Christ? Do you look for opportunities to tell others about the greatest story ever told? If not, it’s not too late. The first step is to evaluate if you are “remaining in Him.” We stay connected through the ongoing reading of His Word, prayer, church attendance, fellowship with other believers, and witnessing about our faith to others. As we abide in Him, the more we will be used by Him to bear everlasting fruit.

GO

1. Are you involved in a local church, one that is helping you to remain in Christ?
2. Are you studying His Word?
3. How could you help bear fruit that will last?

WORKOUT

Extra Reading: Matthew 6:19–21; John 6:47; John 15

OVERTIME

Lord, help me remain in You. Help me be disciplined to spend time in Your Word and talk to You in prayer. Help me bear fruit for You that will last. Amen.

Contact Us

Coach Thompson - coachthompson44@gmail.com - @coachthompson44
Luke Zeller - lukezeller@distinxion.org - @lukezeller40 and @distinxion
Nick Bartlett - nick@drdishbasketball.com
Dave Hudson - dhudson@fca.org
Jason Brand - jbrand@fca.org