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How to Make a Positive Impact On Your Players – 7 Aspects of Teamwork and Character We Will Focus On

November 17, 2017 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

Many years ago, when I played sports, I learned numerous valuable lessons that stuck with me. For whatever reason sports resonated with me. Looking back, I was passionate about sports. I believe that passion is primarily why sports served as a medium for me to learn so many lessons. It was important to me. I […]

Filed Under: Positive Impact

When Players Need You Most – Good Reminder During the Season

December 22, 2016 by Jeff Haefner 1 Comment

A few weeks ago I missed an opportunity to be there for one of my players. She was upset about fouling out early and having a tough game.  Maybe there was more going on — I don’t know.  But she was legitimately upset.  It was more than just a quick tear and all was fine.  I […]

Filed Under: Positive Impact

How We Came Up With Our Team Core Values This Season

January 5, 2016 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

We tried something different this year.  We let the players come up with the core values and character values that we want to emphasis this year. Here’s how we came up with them… First we had a meeting to brainstorm ideas.  BTW, this was our 10th grade boys team.   Players came up with ideas and […]

Filed Under: Positive Impact, team management

High Fives – Improve Team Chemistry, Energy, and Excitement

September 9, 2015 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

A very simple way for you to improve your team’s chemistry, team energy, and just have more fun is to encourage more high fives, chest bumps, fist bumps, and so on. I read somewhere that NBA teams whose players had the most physical contact during games early in the season were the most successful down the […]

Filed Under: 5th grade basketball, Positive Impact, Practice Strategy

Yes… I Do Play My Favorites

May 10, 2015 by Jeff Haefner 33 Comments

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 […]

Filed Under: Positive Impact

Helping Others On and Off the Court – Do You Have Any Ideas?

January 23, 2015 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

One of our team’s core values is to “help others”. As a coach, you find lots of opportunities to reinforce this core value in practice and games… You can help your teammates by passing the ball in games, you can hustle to get rebounds in drills so you partner gets more shots, you can rotate […]

Filed Under: 4th Grade Basketball, Positive Impact

Video – The Race to Nowhere in Youth Sports

October 28, 2014 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

This is a great video that all coaches and parents of athletes should watch.  I have shared the article version of this topic in the past — but the video expands on the article and is a must watch…

Filed Under: Positive Impact

The Effects of Positive Coaching

June 5, 2014 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

For those interested in brain science as it relates to coaching, here’s an interesting research finding from Case Western: http://blog.case.edu/think/2010/11/15/coaching_with_compassion_can_alight_upa_human_thoughts

Filed Under: Positive Impact, Strategy

The Race to Nowhere in Youth Sports

April 1, 2014 by Jeff Haefner Leave a Comment

Here’s a really good article about youth sports.  It’s a good read for both parents and coaches. http://changingthegameproject.com/the-race-to-nowhere-in-youth-sports/  

Filed Under: Positive Impact, Strategy

Message to Your Players – Being Selfless and Helping Others

December 21, 2013 by Jeff Haefner 1 Comment

What’s more important than teaching life lessons and helping others?  I think basketball is a great tool to teach those lessons and set a good example for players. With that in mind, I’m sharing an email I just sent to the players on our sophomore team.   I have found this is a great way […]

Filed Under: 10th Grade (Sophomore) Basketball, Positive Impact

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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...

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