Some people today would argue that are society has turned into one that is apathetic about everything. “I don’t want to do it”, and “I don’t care.” are two commonly used phrases that would signify that are society has become just that, apathetic. Apathy is not caring about doing things the correct way, or not wanting to do something, or wanting to be somewhere. But as our video presenter suggested life is too short for apathy. Which brings the question how do you motivate a society that is drowning in apathy? I myself as a coach try to motivate, and maximize the talents of my players through psychosocial variables such as bringing passion, and enthusiasm everyday to practice and games. Moreover, I try to create a climate that promotes attempt, and reduces fear of mistakes. As our video speaker noted a motivated individual is a self-starter, and motivation is not genetic. Which means it can be learned, and it can be taught. Motivation much like many things can be modeled to show our learner what it looks like. You can also use direct instruction, teach, and talk about it. You are to assume your students know nothing. You can use books, movies, role playing, and motivational speakers, among other things. However what is motivation? Motivation is what gets you started, and self-discipline is what you need to get the job done, Discipline help creates the habits, and in turn those habits create the person you are. Thus your habits can either lead you to failure, or success. Moreover, our video speaker presented us with the formula motivation equals expectations times climate times value. The formula insinuates that when expectations, climate, and value collide motivation can be created. And for me, I always love to set high expectations, and I have been guilty of setting goals to high in the past, of which I have learned from. I have always believed in aiming high, and missing high, and while I still ask my players, and students to do the same, I have focused much less on results, and mostly on the effort put forth. Thus, I have a high set of expectations set for the type of effort and concentration I would like to see everyday. I rarely, if at all spend any time talking about end results such as league championships, beating teams, and what have you. What I do spend time explaining are the things that make us successful. Toughness, Defense, and effort. I am always trying to push my players in those three areas. I always reiterate to my players that I understand mistakes happen in a game, and that a box score is never going to be empty of turnovers, and missed shots. However, there is very few excuses for not giving great effort, playing tough, and hard on defense. And even though the expectations are high, I feel they are appropriate, because not everyone can make shots, or make amazing plays but everyone can give great effort, and play hard. And that is something that I try to re instill in my players on a weekly basis. Our speaker also brought up climate, is the climate a positive one that they will want to do it? is it a negative climate, and or demeaning? And I feel without a doubt, that my coaching style is very demanding, and face paced. However, it is very positive, and safe. The climate I have created for my practices is one that is highly demanding, high energy, that involves constant moving, participation and communication from all players. However, it is very positive, I am always using preventive discipline by trying to catch my players doing behaviors I want to see. Martens (2004), states that by recognizing and rewarding appropriate behaviors, and reinforced behaviors are more likely to occur. And this is exactly what I try to do everyday in practice, and in games as well. Moreover, I always tell my players to not be afraid to make a mistake, especially in practice. As long as their is not a lapse in our effort, or concentration, mistakes are welcomed, and are almost encouraged. And when I do correct behavior, I do not scream, or yell obscenities at the player. According to Martens (2004), positive discipline is an attitude toward coaching players that is constructive, and not destructive. And I feel thats how I teach my players, for example if a player makes an error in practice I would firmly tell them what the error was, and afterwords I always tell them to learn from it, and be better from it from now on. I also would ask them what they can do next time to prevent it, because usually it is a something very fundamental that cause them to make the error. However, I never demean, or berate my players for a mistake. There are times when I do yell, or where I am firm and that is when a guy does not sprint back in transition, or has bad body language, or gets beat very easily off the dribble. However, if I feel that I was hard on a player I will always follow-up during, or after practice by putting my arm around his shoulder and explaining to him what he needs to do the next time, and to look at it as a learning experience, and that he is going to be a better player because of it. Lastly, our speaker brought up the issue of physical variables in which I believe the physical variables I have in place with the teams I am working with are appropriate. At Hope International, and Yorba Linda HS we have fairly new facilities which are outstanding. The players can walk into either gym and feel that they belong to a first class run program with a great gym to play in. Before every practice we sweep, and wet mop the floor. And at the end of practice we make sure we have everything in the gym picked up, and try to leave it better than when we first go there. Moreover, our players get new team gear at the start of every year. Additionally we get new basketballs every fall and we get our basketball floors cleaned right before the start of the season. I think this all adds value to each program. Thus, I have always felt that my strength as a coach has always been to motivate players into maximizing their talents. I feel that I have provided a safe climate, that allows players to play looser than what they are typically used to. I try to take out the fear of mistakes, to speed up the learning curve, and development. When players are fearful I believe we stunt their development, and hinder the climate. Moreover, my expectations are not result oriented but instead effort oriented. My goals for my players are never to win CIF, or a state championship but instead are on focusing on improving, and giving great effort everyday. These expectations are appropriate because everyone can give a great effort, but not everyone can make plays, and make shots. And I am only asking my players to do what they are all capable of. I also find that the physical variables of our great facilities provide a work place that makes our players excited about coming to practice, and games. Lastly, I believe my players find value in the relationships that are developed over the course of a season. I believe the in my program that players are given opportunities to succeed in which in others they would not have gotten the chance. The climate is so positive, and fearless that players are able to develop at a faster rate, and enjoy themselves. I think they find value in our relationship because I ask about their lives outside of basketball, I have relationships with their parents, brothers, and sisters and because I am always pushing them to be better as a basketball player, a person, and a student. In conclusion, life is to short for apathy and that is what I tell my players often. “If you want to be here, then be here, if not, no one is holding you hostage, the doors are over there, leave, and put your heart into something else, because if you are going to be here you are going to work your tail off and give it all you got.”

References
Martens R. (2004). Successful Coaching. Champaign, IL. Human Kinetics.
Video Presentation.(?).