Had to fire Devon... for his own sake.

Thursday of last week was not a good day for Devon (real name is kept for privacy reasons). It was tough on me too. But I had to let him go. Because we could not keep going this way.

Devon and I know each other for about 6 monthes. He got to me through a referral and when I checked about him - heard only good things, on and off the court. Beyond that, have to say that we had a great connection. We bonded around common life events and hurdles that we faced in the past and got out of stronger.

Devon is a devoted baller. He works out and looks to improve his game and work on his craft.

I always tell my guys - it is the hard work you do in private that gets you recognized in public. And he implemented that. You need to work your game, you need to hit the gym and change for the better…it will not show all of a sudden by itself. You have to go and get it. Make it happen.

And so did Devon.

Came early to each practice, finished workouts hard. Always asked - what should I focus on until we meet again.

And that made me happy. Because he really was looking to improve. Really looking to do my second key for player development improvement: Implementation. Implement in your game whatever that we are working on.

What is that the first key you ask (so I hope;-) )?

It is being present.

Here and now, fully focused. That will get you in the zone. If you are really present you have better odds to get in the zone. And it is like a good habit, the more you do it the better you get at it. Getting in the zone, that is.

Thats it. 2 keys which work every time. Improve every player, upgrade every athlete.

Some need a long warm up to “show up” mentally as well as physically at the gym.

Others stretch. Some make lay ups, others shoot the free throw. Whatever your ritual is and it works - stick to it.

I had a crazy dude who used to take showers BEFORE every practice, every workout, every game. Some guys on the team ridiculed him for that. I told him - I love it. If that is your ritual to “get in the zone” and leave the world behind while competing? So be it.

Back to Devon - As I said, the guy is as devoted as they come. To his craft, to his team. Part of the second key (presence, focus) we have a clear rule. Cells are to be

in the locker room or be off so deep in the bag, I don’t even know they are there. Loud clear no exceptions. For me too, btw.

So couple of weeks ago during water break I see him take a pick at the phone. I say to myself;”ok, never before, probably never again”.

Wrong.

Next practice again. Twice.

So I tell him nicely - “hey we have 2 keys in this this agreement which we are both obligated to, remember?”

And as a result - in order to be present the phone should be in the locker room or so deep in your gym bag, I don’t even know it is there.

“Yea, I know, sorry coach, will not happen again” he said.

Sure enough it did. This time he was texting too. Not just taking a pick at it.

Look, you don’t need to tell me how important social media is in our lives. If you read this - the odds are you have found me (or I found you?) on some sort of social media. I am all for it.

But when I am writing, you don’t see me shooting. When I am coaching you don’t see me blogging, right. As player as coach. We have our mutual respect. And we should follow the ground rules we agreed on.

Focus at what is that you are doing. Don’t be one of those who do things half way.

It would get you half results,

Half the fun,

Half the outcome that you are after.

Commit and be fully present.

Until Devon will be fully present I will not work with him.

Because I like him and this is something I do for him. For his own good.

And I share it with you today for just the slight chance that you are doing this behind your coach’s back - make sure you don’t.

This is for you. Not for him/her.

This is to help you stay focus, stay present and get in the zone. Often.

Until we meet again, remember - practice is nothing but

a recipe for the game. Work it to perfection.