THE GOAL

Here is The Goal. This team is going to grow into THE elite basketball team in north-eastern Maryland. Boys will come, and boys will go, but the boys who stick, the boys who grow up with this team, will make up a family that comprises the best basketball talent of our region. When these boys reach their teenage years, each will be known in the community as one of the best basketball players in their county. They will be leaders on their high school teams. They will play against each other in high school games, but when the game is over, they will have a brother on the opposite team that they share a bond with from years of playing together. The boys will always have this thing, this one thing, that sets them apart and makes them special. As parents, we hope that we can give our children that little something that they can be best at, that can give them a special pride and confidence. We will work together on this team to make that hope a reality. That is The Goal.

PHILOSOPHIES

Our team is a family. We play together, we work together. We will spend time together beyond basketball. We will have team outings just for fun.

We don't learn PLAYS. We learn BEHAVIORS.

Every boy must learn to play every position. No one gets put into just one position at this age. Who knows how big or small boys will grow to be in ten years?

You earn your playing time in practice.

If it feels right and it works, keep doing it. We don't make everyone do things The Right Way on this team. If it feels right, and it works, keep it up. IF it feels wrong, OR it doesn't work, THEN you are going to have to change.

We press the ball on defense. Nobody gets to dribble against our team. Nobody on The Slam just watches. Nobody on The Slam just waits.

Always. Be. Moving.

We don't say "hands up" on defense. "Hands up" is for rec ball. Don't put your hands up. Put your hands on the basketball.

Being in the right position with your body ready is only HALF of it. Wanting the basketball is only HALF of it. You need BOTH things to succeed. You can be in the right position all day long--if you don't want the ball, you'll never get it. You can want the ball more than the whole world--if you aren't in the right position, you'll never get it. You need BOTH things to succeed.

I can teach you to be in the right position. No coach can teach you to want the ball. If you don't want the basketball, play tennis.

Play basketball every chance you can get. Play for The Slam, play in summer camps, play in recreational leagues. Play against your neighbors, your sister, your dad. Play. All basketball is good basketball.

Don't ever worry about things like "I shouldn't shoot with the wrong size ball, it'll mess up my shot" or "I shouldn't play with a lower basket, I'll get used to the wrong height. Play every chance you can get. All basketball is good basketball.

Boys who want the ball are going to get the ball. No one is going to give you the ball. Take what is yours.

Q: Whose ball?
A: My ball!
Q: Whose ball?
A: My ball!
Q: Whose ball?
A: My ball! My ball! My ball!