Coach Eastman wrote a recent blog entitled, ‘Characteristics of Great Players.’ It was a bulleted list of what the best players in the league do on a daily basis that makes them special.
The fascinating part is – every bullet point on his list is 100% controllable! The ‘characteristics of great players’ are things that every player at every level can do. You don’t have to be Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo to do these things.
Here is a slightly revised list of Coach Eastman’s ‘Characteristics of Great Players’:
· Great players have tremendous focus during the entire practice or game (‘Play Present’).
· Great players listen with their eyes and ears whenever a coach or teammate is speaking.
· Great players want to be coached. They crave coaching because it makes them better.
· Great players want to work out and want to practice. They know that is when they get better.
· Great players go just as hard in practice as they do in games.
· Great players stick with a drill until they get it right. They aren’t satisfied with average.
· Great players pay attention to every detail. Everything is important.
· Great players can’t stand lazy teammates (or coaches).
· Great players very rarely miss practice for any reason.
· Great players want to hear the truth – not have people ‘blow smoke.’
· Great players hold themselves accountable for everything they do. Everything.
· Great players hold their teammates accountable for everything they do. Everything.
· Great players are committed to excellence in all areas – mind, body, and spirit.
· Great players hate to lose. They want to win every drill, every sprint, and every game.
If this list describes you, can you use your leadership to positively influence your teammates?
If this list doesn’t describe you, you have no one to blame but yourself.
