Practice All-Star of the Week
The 4th grade traveling coaching staff believes that in addition to teaching the kids the X’s and O’s of the game of basketball, we should also be teaching them about always working hard, listening to and respecting adults and being good teammates. Most importantly, we believe strongly in positive recognition and want to make practice fun because basketball is after all a game. To help motivate the kids and encourage team comradery, we are implementing the Wolfpack Practice All-Star (WPAS) of the Week.
What is the WPAS?
The WPAS award will be given weekly by the coaching staff to the player on each team who we felt exemplified what it means to be a Wolfpack basketball player during that week of practice. This award will be given at the end of the last practice of that particular week. There will be two awards weekly – one for the Green team and one for the White team.
What does getting the WPAS earn?
Several pieces of positive motivation which include:
- An automatic spot in the starting lineup of the first game of that weekend’s tournament
- If the award is won on a week where there is no tournament, a starting spot will be reserved at a game during our next one.
- A special practice jersey to wear the following week as a ‘badge of honor’
- Each player who wins a WPAS will sign the jersey and note the week he won it.
- Recognition at practice in front of teammates and publicly on our team website
- A printed certificate signed by coaches
- Leading the team out to warmups and being a game captain for that weekend
What can players to do earn the WPAS?
While things like scoring and shooting are all important aspects of basketball, this special award is earned by exhibiting qualities that don’t show up in a stat line. These include but are not limited to:
- Encouraging or cheering a teammate and being a team player
- Hard work on every drill; constantly striving to improve
- Listening to and respecting all coaches
- Helping create good shots for teammates
- Taking a charge on defense or working extra hard for a defensive stop
- Picking up a teammate when they need it or helping a teammate understand a concept
How can parents help promote this award?
Talking to your sons about the value of all of the above things that we will be stressing in practice. We are ONE team and anything that can be done to further that message is always welcome. This award has nothing to do with who accumulates the most stats – it’s who works the hardest. Also congratulating any player who wins!