• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jeff Haefner's Coaching Blog

Unique ideas, solutions, and perspectives for basketball coaches...

  • Home
  • About Me
  • About this Blog
  • Contact
  • Free Shooting Workouts
  • 72 Practice Drills

Yes… I Do Play My Favorites

May 10, 2015 by Jeff Haefner 33 Comments

5476278057_7561a07388_b

Photo credit: DSC_1480 via photopin (license)

After reading the article I Do Have Favorites, written by an unknown author, I was inspired to write my own version…

I’ll bet every coach has been accused of playing their favorites!

I have yet to be directly accused of this by a parent.  But I’m certain a few parents think that I do.

Well, they are right…

I do play my favorites.

My favorite players show enthusiasm, look at me when I talk, hustle, show up on time, put in extra effort, always do what I ask, help teammates, tell the truth, never say the word “can’t”, never give up, have no fear of making mistakes, maintain a positive attitude at all times, say “thank you”, show respect, routinely show acts of kindness, commit to excellence, lead by example, treat others the way they want to be treated, enjoy practices, show character on the court, show character off the court, and so on.

Those are my favorites and I play them more.  And I should.

If I didn’t, I would be reinforcing bad behavior.

I, of course, want every single player to improve, have fun, and learn life lessons.

So I try very hard to get every player PLENTY of opportunities and help every player develop those positive qualities.

But if a parent or player accuses me of playing favorites, they are right.  I do.  And I should.

I will constantly try to encourage the intangibles.  The positive character traits.   One way to do that is through playing time and by communicating with players.

This is not the only factor when it comes to playing time but it certainly is a factor.  And my players should know that — otherwise I’m not doing my job.

Filed Under: Positive Impact

About Jeff Haefner

I’m a basketball coach, skill development trainer, and Co-Owner of Breakthrough Basketball. I currently live in Marion, Iowa with my wife, two kids, and our golden retriever (Izzy). Right now I am coaching two teams. I will be coaching... Read More...

Primary Sidebar

About Me

I’m a basketball coach, skill development trainer, and Co-Owner of Breakthrough Basketball. I currently live in Marion, Iowa with my wife, two kids, and our golden retriever (Izzy).

Right now I am coaching two teams. I will be coaching... Read More...

Follow Coach Haefner…

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Menu

  • 10th Grade (Sophomore) Basketball (13)
    • Practice Plans (3)
  • 3rd Grade Basketball (7)
  • 4th Grade Basketball (11)
  • 5th grade basketball (10)
  • 7th grade basketball (2)
  • Athletic Development (1)
  • Coaching (44)
    • Motivation (1)
    • Positive Impact (11)
    • Practice Strategy (16)
    • Stats (3)
    • Strategy (11)
    • Team Building (1)
    • team management (3)
    • Tools (4)
  • Defense (2)
  • Drills (22)
  • News (3)
  • Offense (11)
    • Transition (2)
  • Player Development (16)

Social Media



Follow @CoachHaefner

Most Popular Articles

  • 15 Basketball Tryout Drills for Efficiently Evaluating Players
  • Dynamic Warm Up For Basketball – Strength, Athleticism, and Injury Prevention
  • What We Did With Our 4th Grade Youth Basketball Team – Offense, Defense, Skills and More…
  • Week 1 Basketball Practice Plans and Drills – 7th Grade
  • What We Did With Our 5th Grade Girls Team – Offense, Defense, Drills and Plays
  • Coaching Youth Basketball – What We Did With Our 3rd Grade Team and Ideas that Might Help You

Copyright © 2019 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in