| Most of us have to take what we get, but if you have | | | | of this, is a small sophomore whom I had several |
| a choice, and you have enough boys out so that you | | | | years ago. I watched him play one day and remarked |
| have to cut the squad, select your personnel as | | | | to our sophomore coach, "That kid certainly can shoot, |
| follows: | | | | but he can't do anything else. I doubt if he ever plays |
| (1) Size (2) Speed (3) Shooting (4) Intelligence (5) | | | | for me." Nine games after the season opened the boy |
| Competitive spirit. | | | | moved up to the varsity, captured a starting position |
| This is the era of the "big" man in basketball. Most of | | | | with his shooting, and played regular for me the |
| the successful teams in the country, both on a | | | | remainder of the three years. He captained the team |
| collegiate, as well as high school level, have had the tall | | | | during his senior year. He had a funny looking side-arm |
| boys helping them. However, the place is still available | | | | jump shot, but it went through the hoop. That is all you |
| for the little man in this era of giants, if he can get the | | | | ever strive for; just find someone who can get the ball |
| job done. He can do this by playing big, that is, | | | | through the hoop. You can help them develop the |
| mastering the fundamentals of shooting, dribbling, | | | | other skills. |
| passing, and having that competitive fire that enables | | | | I like to see some intelligent boys on the squad. They |
| him to earn his place on the court. As I said, it is true | | | | don't have to be the 125 to 135 I. Q. boys, but your |
| that most of the good teams have big men, it is also | | | | coaching job is naturally much easier when you get |
| true that over the years most of the outstanding | | | | boys who grasp your instructions quickly. The best |
| teams have had at least one good little man. The U. of | | | | students in the classroom, with equal physical |
| Kentucky is a good case in point. Year after year | | | | endowments, will make your outstanding athletes. The |
| Kentucky has a little guard to spark them. | | | | tendency is also for an intelligent boy to keep his head |
| On a high school level, I can point out any number of | | | | better and make the right decisions in a tight situation. |
| good little men in Illinois who have left their mark on the | | | | Your worries about eligibility are lessened considerably |
| hardwoods. There are many players who are "small" | | | | with boys of this caliber. |
| physically, but whom earn their place on the basketball | | | | Competitive spirit is an intangible that is one of the |
| floor, because they play big. | | | | most important traits a boy can possess. I feel that |
| Regardless of the style of play used, the player must | | | | you can add to the competitive fire of a boy but if he |
| have speed, and know how to control it. Just to run | | | | doesn't possess some native competitive spirit when |
| with reckless abandon does us no good, he must have | | | | you get him, then I don't feel it can be instilled by the |
| control of his footwork, be able to feint, and acquire | | | | coach. I have a motto that hangs in our varsity room, |
| the ability to start, and stop quickly. | | | | "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." The |
| Regardless of what you do well, to be successful at | | | | boy with the fierce competitive desire to win will "bow |
| this game you must put the ball through the hoop. Long | | | | his neck" and give it his "best shot" when the |
| hours must be spent with the boys helping them | | | | competition grows keen. A boy with this spirit, although |
| develop into good shooters. If I find a boy who can hit | | | | maybe lacking in innate ability, deserves a place |
| the "hoop" with any consistency at all, he is on the | | | | someplace on the squad. He will "pay for his keep" by |
| squad; I'll teach him the other things. A good example | | | | helping you win a tough game some time. |