The Super Rat
Step One – Start Early
“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.”
If you want a shot at becoming a great player, start the process early. You miss 100% of the shots you never take, so don’t delay. Decide today that you want to become a great player and then begin taking the steps that will help you become the best you can be. Just as there is no such thing as too much practice where basketball is concerned, there is no such thing as starting too early toward working on your goal of becoming the best you can be. As hard as you work on your game there is always someone working harder.
Step Two – Attitude
“Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. “
-Lou Holtz
The Super Rat’s motto is nobody works harder. The rat know’s that hard work will take you where you want to go both on and off the court. The rat also know’s for certain that the most important key to becoming a great player is your attitude. You must learn to respect the game. Don’t cheat the game of basketball, your teammates or yourself by playing without the right attitude. Basketball is too fantastic of a sport not to give it your all every single time that your feet hit the court. It’s the understanding that having the chance to wear your team’s jersey is an honor. It’s the feeling that you want to win, not just for yourself, but also for your team and your family. It is playing with the knowledge that you’re willing to do what ever it takes to help out your team members. It means that you’ll dive for a loose ball because you’ve got the killer instincts that coaches love to see in players. Playing with the right mental attitude makes every other member of your team better. It will make you better.
If you want to assess your attitude, ask your self these questions:
Super Rat’s Attitude Test
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Am I a coachable player?
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Do I accept criticism and learn from it?
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Do I make the most of my practice sessions? Am I the first player to arrive at practice and the last player to leave?
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Is my attitude always positive?
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If one of my teammates is performing well, am I the first one to congratulate them?
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If one of my teammates is playing poorly or makes a mistake, do I offer them encouragement?
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When I play, am I seeking attention for myself or for my team?
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Do you tell your parents how much you appreciate them for all they do?
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Do you have a positive attitude on and off the court?
Step Three – Study Hard
“Goals determine what you are going to be.”
-Michael Jordan
Good study habits should be your primary goal on your journey to becoming a great player. There are so many kids that are standout players that miss the boat every year BECAUSE OF GRADES! In order to make good grades, you must develop strong study habits while you are young. If you don’t have the grades, you won’t play. It’s that simple. It will take the combination of hard work in the classroom and hard work on the court to become a great player. Earning good grades requires the same type of effort that becoming a good player does. If you put effort in your school work now, the Super Rat guarantees it will pay dividends long after you dribble your last basketball. You must learn how to “STUDY HARD!” Bring your A game to school everyday!!!
Step Four – Priorities
“Your Family”
Your priorities should be family, school, and basketball. If you are able to keep your priorities in order, you will achieve the goals that you set for yourself as a student athlete. Your family should be your number one priority, your lifeline, so to speak. As a student – student athlete who needs continual support in order to find success, you must recognize and acknowledge the importance of putting your family first. If you allow your family the opportunity, they can play a pivotal role in your success as an athlete. Your family will give you critical support you will need in life. They will help you stay focused on your goals. Your family is always the first one’s to encourage you. Your family will help you keep your dream in perspective, while helping you reach for the stars. Most importantly, though your family will be there for you when your basketball career ends. Your second priority must be your schoolwork Good grades are more then just a reflection of your mental attitude.
Step Five – Practice, Practice, Practice.
Practice makes Perfect,
Practice makes Permanent.
Everyone has heard the old saying practice makes perfect. The saying is incorrect!!!! PERFECT Practice makes perfect. Shooting around in the back yard without any purpose is a waste of time!!! You might as well go get your game boy!!! Practice with a purpose and play with passion and the Super Rat say’s you will be amazed by the results. You may not achieve perfection, but you will improve upon your fundamental basketball skills and you will move yourself one step closer to becoming the best you can be. Players who practice in the off season clearly stand out from others on the court.
Practicing and playing hard can help you overcome almost any physical limitation.
Step Six- Believe in Yourself
“It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”
-Muhammad Ali
Believe in yourself and you will find success in life and in basketball. Confidence can help you overcome the most daunting task. The super rat wants to encourage you to reach for the stars. Have high expectations of yourself. The super rat wants you to believe that dreams can come true, but ABOVE ALL ELSE the rat wants you to achieve your goal of being a great person.