Confidence

This week of mental training our team is focusing on confidence and what I find to be so simple is how you can build stronger confidence just by practice! The more you practice, the more time you put in, how many hundreds of shots, how many hours of ball handling is a reminder that you are prepared. So the next time you question your ability or have self doubt ask yourself if you have done everything in your control to prepare. Coach Bin

NEW vs OLD

New is often exciting, whether it's a new car, new house, new clothes, new phone. However, there is something about old that is familiar, and most of the time just better. That's how I feel about the game of basketball. When it comes to drills, plays, defenses, etc. the more familiar you are with the objective, the better performance you will see when it comes to retention and execution. I always say the less a player has to think, the better. Hopefully along the course of an entire season, she becomes better and better at making reads and the right decisions when put in familiar situations over and over again. It is challenging, however, to sustain focus and motivation throughout the lengthy season. It's an easy solution, however. Sign athletes who love to be in the gym, are competitive and who take pride in striving for perfection. There is a responsibilty of each athlete to bring their passion and love for the game to the table each and every day in order to get better. If you are trying to keep your athletes motivated with new drills and plays, your team's ability to grow will be nearly impossible. So don't throw away the old if it's working as you may find that is your best strength after all. Coach Bin

Eyes, Ears, Calm Bodies

Taken from the words of my daughter, "eyes, ears, and calm bodies" are great words of advice for the pre schoolers at the Child Development Center at Montana State University. Brooklyn tells me that's how you pay attention and listen to your teacher's instruction. I wonder how my players will respond today when I ask that of them in practice? Coach Bin

Transition Defense

Action matters! Have you ever watched a player on the court and tried to judge their personality off the court and been completely wrong? That's because the game requires you tap into parts of your personality that may or may not be natural, to perform at an elite level. Transition defense, for example, REQUIRES all five players to talk, act, be urgent, and assertive with one another. Tough, aggressive action and immediate response is all necessary to be an effective defensive unit. Very different than when I'm playing Lego's with my children! Go cats! Coach Bin

40 Days

Not nearly the challenge that Jesus faced in his 40 days of fasting, but next week begins MSU's 40 days before our first collegiate game. Next week will be fairly easy to bring the intensity and focus necessary to get better at a solid pace. The challenge is when you are about halfway and the first game still seems far away. Jesus was tested at a level none of us can comprehend. He was at his weakest point, where he hadn't eaten, had a level of fatigue and hunger that even the hardest conditioning workout couldn't match. Yet, he was prepared. He knew what was right, was so sure about it that the ultimate temptation couldn't break him. For athletes, that breaking point is where you find the most mentally tough teams and players. When you find the athlete that competes day in and day out regardless of playing time, first practice, 15th practice, injury, an official's call, opponent's actions, they are unbreakable. Those athletes and teams have a resilence because they have a mental mission that keeps them driven one play, one game, and one day at a time. The emphasis for our team this year is to CONTROL HOW WE COMPETE and HOW WE RESPOND. That will take a commitment on the court. It will also take a commitment in how we prepare off the court. To prepare for the unknown adversity aheaad is also one of the most challenging responsibilities of a coach. I am anxious for October 1st. I will be anxious for October 16th. I will also help make sure our team is anxious on all of our 30 practices before November 10th when we open up with Cal State Northridge. Go Cats! Coach Bin

You are In or Out

A friend of mine told me once when I first got into coaching that my biggest frustration as a coach would be that the players would not have the same level of passion and competitiveness as I have for the game. Today I still find that opinion to be an incredible driving force in identifying the athletes I want to represent Montana State Women's Basketball and wear the Blue & Gold uniform. The "diamond in the rough" so to speak is that unique kid that raises the level of everyone around her because she competes so hard. You either choose to fight back or you are already defeated. I have seen over the years that the ultimate challenge is having enough players with this competitive trait and passion for the game to infect the whole team. What's exciting about the Bobcats this season is I am seeing those ingredients in Ausha Cole. After a year of red shirting, there is just something in her blood about getting on the court and taking advantage of every second. As a result Lindsay is "in the ring" and next Margreet, and Kalli, as it is trickling in to every position. You are either in or you are out. The Bobcats will be in! Coach Bin

Back in Action

Our newest member Coach Coppa had his first opportunity with our guards this week and brought some great drills to the table. Our athletes were as focused as ever to Salvo's instruction to detail. Whether it was respect for Salvo's knowledge or the challenge of understanding him through his thick italian accent doesn't matter. With that being said, I have signed up Amy, Kellee, and I for a foreign language class this fall. Go Cats! Coach Bin