Avoid These 7 Basketball Coach Pet Peeves

As basketball tryouts and the season approach it's crucial that players understand team and coach expectations. Every coach and team is different but typically coaches expect players to be on time, give 100% effort, have a positive attitude, be respectful, and be a good teammate. Not doing these things can negatively impact your team and potentially time on the court. Avoid these 7 common coach pet peeves and set your season up for success.

1. Players who don't work hard

Effort is everything. You might not be the most skilled guard or post on the team but you can always control the amount of effort you put in. If you're not giving 100% it's not fair to expect your coach to give you minutes in a game. 

Talent can only get you so far and there's always room for improvement so stay working!

2. Parents who coach from the stand

This one might be controversial but yes, coaches can get extremely frustrated with parents who coach from the stand. If a player has a coach telling them one thing and their parent telling them another it can be extremely confusing. Parents need to trust in the coaching staff and encourage them to listen and execute their game plan. 

Coaches should remain open to communicating feedback to parents about their players if they have questions. However, this should not become a line of communication for parents to complain about playing time or "coach the coach". When a parent demonstrates their trust in the program and the coach it can go a long way in building players confidence!

3. players that aren't good teammates

Every player should understand why this one is a coaches pet peeve. Games are won as a team and if players aren't being good teammates it negatively impacts the team. It's always a good idea to self evaluate before you critique or get frustrated with your teammates. Focusing on improving yourself will be easier than correcting others. 

4. players that don't execute the game plan

We know some players have learned this pet peeve the hard way. Trust in your coaches game plan and execute accordingly. Now, there are some exceptions where you need to make quick decisions without a plan but for the most part players should do their best to follow the plays as they are laid out!

5. players who don't have good communication

Communication is necessary in every sport. Coaches need to have good communication amongst staff, players, and parents. The same goes for players! If you are going to be missing practice or games for any reason it NEEDS to be communicated ahead of time. Nothing is worse than having a specific plan for practice or a game and one of the players you need doesn't show and you wait or adjust because of them. Most coaches are understanding that things happen but it's up to you to understand the best way to communicate ahead of time. 

Players also need to communicate about injuries early. Keep coaches and athletic trainers up to date on how you're feeling to avoid season-ending injuries or situations.

Lastly, communication on the court. Communication is key at all points during the game. On defense, calling out who you have, screens, switches, etc. On offense, calling out the play, an open look, etc. Every coach will have different expectations for communication on and off the court so don't be afraid to ask at the beginning of the season!

6. players who talk back to the ref

If this is you, why?! Good things don't come from talking back to the ref. That's a coaches job and even then there are times where coaches can get technical fouls. Stay focused on how you can correct the way you play to not get called on something again OR let it go and keep playing the game!

7. players who don't listen to feedback 

If there is one pet peeve you should avoid it's this one!!! Coaches are there to help you take your game to the next level. Great coaches will give positive feedback that is intended to better you as an individual and ultimately help the team be successful.

Coaches put in a lot of time in the offseason, preseason, and season prepping for the ultimate goal of winning games. Nothing is more disheartening to a coach than feedback that goes in one ear and out the other. Understand that your coaches are there because they want to be and take their feedback as an opportunity to get better!

Know any other coach pet peeves? Add them to our Twitter thread to help prep our #DrDishFam for the upcoming season!