the aggregation of marginal gains

Let’s talk about the aggregation of marginal gains. I know, the what what what??? That’s a mouthful, but to put it into simpler words small improvements in multiple areas that add up together to something worthwhile.

With it being New Years, we are likely to set goals, which is a great thing, but sometimes we have trouble knowing how to get to those goals, which is like saying we’re going to go to the ocean, but not own a map. It’s unlikely you’ll get to any goal without a map.

Sometimes, change can feel daunting and athletes can get stuck. We aren’t sure what to work on next. Taking the focus off of big changes and onto small changes can often get us rolling toward the ocean again.

Players, do you watch film of your games? What about your practice and training. Do you execute movements in front of a mirror? Observing your habits and movements can help you see small changes you can implement today that can add up to big improvements overall. In addition, learning to see with a discerning eye and learning how to “draw maps” to destinations will help you with lifelong goal setting and accomplishment.

Do you know what excellent shot form looks like? Do you know why it is considered excellent? Do you understand ball rotation, and the why’s of how this helps the ball go into the basket or be predictable in its bounce off if a miss? This is part of the science of sport and exciting to learn! These details can be researched or discussed with someone educated and passionate about basketball. Now you can take this knowledge and apply it to what you observe. Does your shooting hand have good follow through or is is skewed outward? Was your movement fluid? How was your feet spacing? Each small aspect you observe and are then able to make a small improvement to add up to big changes. What about your layups? Your attitude toward your coaches and fellow players? Your defense on an inbounds play under the basket? Your effort? Your fitness? In basketball there are practically endless details to hone in on and thus improve. Sometimes we can’t fix everything at once, but when we break it down into tiny observations and adjustments and rewrite our habits and thus muscle memory, we reap huge improvements in our performance…the aggregation of marginal gains!

Qualified trainers and coaches are there to educate you and help you along your way. Take advantage of their knowledge and expertise, but know that you must also absorb that knowledge and expertise and then apply it for true change.

Give your passion for basketball and avenue for improvement, and it’ll reward you every time!

We have openings in small session training if you’d like to join us and spring and summer teams will be forming soon!

How many coaches does it take to change a lightbulb?

I don’t know the punchline to this joke, but if you notice in these pictures, if it takes quite a few, we should be good to go! Yes, there are FOUR coaches on the bench in this game. No, it isn’t a finals game, or a team that always wins, or parents (not a single one)…just a Saturday morning AAO game,
and we have four coaches (one of which is the director) present and ready to help these kids learn and grow.

Player (and coach) development is at the forefront of OnPoint Playmaker basketball. Learning about basketball and life happens in varied ways, but in the moment conversations can be impactful. Being present is also a form of bonding and investment into the player.

“They don’t care what you know until they know that you care”

We were reminded recently by a seasoned basketball coach that just because a phrase is cliche doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. Summer basketball can be a whirlwind, and working to make those connections is important in order to create an atmosphere for learning.

But what if I’m not GOOD at basketball?

We believe being good at things is not the point of doing them. Don’t get us wrong, we love to help your child get better, we love to succeed, we love to win…but is that the REASON we do things?

No.

We believe in doing things for the experience. And through those experiences, we develop skills and insight and depth and become a more interesting person. We sometimes find our passion. We make friends. We make memories. We test ourselves. We grow.

And *maybe we get good.

As I (Luke) got further into basketball, I wasn’t the most talented player on the college court. But I LOVED basketball, and my friendships and experiences through the sport are invaluable. It gave me passion and purpose in my life, and I found what I was VERY good at…training and coaching and inspiring players, and also leading and entrepreneurship.

Had I stopped basketball when I stopped being the best, I would have a totally different life, and I don’t even want to imagine how unhappy that life likely would have been.

So, for your training and playing…

We will teach you.

We are going to work with you and teach you solid, fundamental skills and continue to develop you as you grow. Out team has the talent and training to continue to work with you into your advanced level, and if we don’t have a solution, we’ll seek answers until we do. We’ll be honest with our assessment of your abilities and future in basketball, and work with you in achieving your goals.

We will be devoted to your growth.

But your success isn’t measured in your win loss record, or whether you are one of the best. Or even if you’re good. It’s in your growth as a human, your positive experience, your pleasure in your activities.

Basketball isn’t just for the best. There is a place for everyone who loves the game.