Nothing helps the home team more than having a crowd full of fans. So how do you do it? Coach C has your answer – and more

Q: During tryouts, I had to cut the good friend of one of my best players. There was no way to justify keeping him on the team. Now I can sense some tension. What’s the best way to approach this?

Coach C: As a coach, you have to be truly honest. So when there’s tension because one of his friends didn’t make the team, you have to deal with it. The way you go about this is to sit down with the player who didn’t make the team and see if he has eligibility left.

Tell him to work hard because you’re going to give him a shot to make the team next year. Tell him why he didn’t make the team so he can work on those things. Next, get with the player who’s on the team and be straight up with him. Don’t let the situation sit there. You’re never going to change somebody’s feelings. Let him know that you talked to the other player. Try to talk to both of them, but not together. And remember, these are kids. Treat them like people first; and basketball players second.

Q: My high school team continues to struggle with intensity late in the game. I’m getting about three and half good quarters, and then a sluggish effort the rest of the way. How do I correct this?

Coach C: I’ve been coaching for more than 30 years, and I’ve seen lots of teams struggle with this. I’ve watch Coach K take guys out because they just didn’t have it. It only takes one. If one player isn’t into it, it could impact the whole team. You have to take care of this early in the year. Your players must work hard. I’d play the players early on who are playing hard, so they get the idea. This is a key ingredient, especially when your team moves down the stretch. They’re tired. You’re tired. If you’re going to run your offense, run it. But get them to play hard. You have to get them to be mentally tough. Take this into practice. Make sure they are playing hard. Don’t let them get away with anything.

Q: I coach a high school team with a small student body. It would be great to see the stands full of screaming fans. How can I get more kids in the seats?

Coach C: I always go back to Duke and the fact that they are a small school. Hold a pep rally. Have it the day before the game, so that the kids can make plans to attend the game the next day. Don’t have it on the day of the game, because it doesn’t give kids enough time.  Go around and talk to the students and remind them of the game.

Have them think like the Duke students. It is so tough to play there because their fans  are very smart. They always know about something going on with the other team. For example, if the other team has a freshman in the game, they’re always chanting, “Rookie, rookie.” Let your student body get into the game. You want them to feel like they’re part of the action. Having them involved is great for the school. But you don’t want it to be nasty. You have to make sure it is clean. So as a coach, go around and let the students know when the games are.

BIO:

With more than 30 years of coaching and recruiting experience, Kevin Cantwell knows the physical and mental impact the game has on today’s players. For 16 years he served as an associate head coach for Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech. He also served as an assistant and head coach for Appalachian State University. He has coached and recruited 22 NBA players.

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