Winning tournaments feels exciting, but it doesn’t always mean players are developing. In fact, chasing wins at the youth level can sometimes get in the way of long-term growth. Here are some thoughts from two years of observing the youth space. A thread. 🧵

All your sports GOATs played as many sports as they could until they were 17-18 years old. I dont understand the idea of specializing your kid(s) in one singular sport too early - there’s no point. Let em play whatever they want, it’s good for them in so many ways.

Avoid the “cool guy” mistakes •Missing lay ups because your putting something “extra” on it •Turning it over because you don’t want to throw the simple pass •Missing open teammates to “get yours” •Going through the motions in warm ups to look cool in lay up lines

- from @LewisCaralla

Running a 2-3 zone in youth basketball stunts defensive and offensive growth, kills the fun, builds bad habits, and doesn’t teach kids how to actually play the game.

Congrats @HodagHoops ‼️

Dear son,

Need to Hear > Want to Hear 💯

Are you chasing excellence or avoiding criticism? You must pick one.

https://t.co/VIciNAe4ig

You can’t be negative after making mistakes in games, but you can’t be indifferent either. Be motivated to correct your mistakes and play better, but stay calm and positive at the same time.

"Don't let winning make you soft. Don't let losing make you quit. Don't let your teammates down in any situation" - Larry Bird

"To be a good leader, you have to want other guys to have success. You have to want to win more than you want to shine yourself" - John Stockton

Why talented players fail: 1. Get complacent 2. Wrong people around them 3. Uncoachable 4. ‘Too cool'

Throwback to when a retired Mike Miller fried the entire Memphis roster There are levels to this game (Via @DerekCMalloy 🎥)

Meanwhile, over at the Jim, @HodagHoops cruising over Ashland, up 47-19 with about 14 minutes to go.

Competition ≠ Winning and losing. Competition = What you do in the space between winning and losing.

How you do anything is how you do everything! 💯

Michael Jordan was once asked what he thought his best skill was. He didn’t say it was his ability to dunk from the free throw line or his scoring ability. His answer: “I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.” The easier you are to lead, the further you’ll go.

Individuals get better before and after practice. Teams get better during practice.