The Wolverine Culture Code

Our WOLVERINE team culture, the invisible force shaping the heartbeat of every successful TRMS sports team, is a nuanced and dynamic concept that extends far beyond the game itself. It’s the intangible essence that binds our athletes together, influencing their interactions, decisions, and collective pursuit of victory. 

The Google Slide presentation below describes our Team principles, culture, and code.    Read and Remember.

Slide 1 - Our Wolverine Culture Code 
Slide 2 - You Are Wolverine When...

Slide 3 - Russell Basketball Principles

Some Individual Basketball Drills to Try

 Do you want to take your game to the next level?

Running Basketball Drills the Right Way

The first thing to realize is that great players focus on the little things.

Too many players make the mistake of starting a basketball drill and just running through the motions.

To get better, each basketball drill needs to have a purpose and you really need to focus and work hard to improve.

Here are some individual basketball drills that you can do before practice, after practice, or anywhere you can find a basket.

NOTE: You must be logged into your school-assigned email in order to view and download the file.

4 Key Areas of Basketball Tryouts

 

The four key areas during basketball tryouts that coaches look for are skills, athleticism, action, and details. Each area is important by itself but their importance is magnified when these areas are put together to make a complete player.  

Skills

A player's skill level is going to be the first thing most coaches look at during tryouts. They'll be evaluating players on their ability to dribble, shoot, pass, and play defense. If a player is lacking in any one of these key areas, they likely to go the bottom of the list fairly quickly.

A coach can evaluate a player’s skill by having them do drills or by playing small-sided games. Both will be covered in more detail below.

Athleticism

If skills are #1, athleticism is a very, very close #2. Successful basketball teams are built on athleticism. And while the most athletic team does not always win, teams who are not very athletic tend to struggle when it comes to winning consistently. For this reason, athleticism becomes a big factor when evaluating players in tryouts. 

A player's ability to run fast and jump high isn't the only aspect though. More importantly, is how the player uses their athleticism and skills together. If a player is lightning quick but has no control of the ball when they dribble then the athleticism won't be enough to make your team competitive every time they step on the floor. 

Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ shows how well a player understands the game. A coach wants to see if a player can take their skills and athleticism and apply them when the game is live. This can be done through small-sided games - 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5 play. Players need to be able to transfer the skills they've learned and used those skills successfully in game situations. This means games will be a part of your tryout, otherwise, a coach will never know a player’s basketball IQ.

Attention To Detail

The final area to look at is how a player pays attention to the details. The two details that I pay attention to are their ability to be coached and how they treat their teammates. When a player is coachable they listen to your directions, ask questions, and try even if they aren't very good at something right away. The second detail is being a good teammate. No one wants to be on a team with someone who is selfish and isn't nice.

As mentioned above, when these four areas - skills, athleticism, game action, and attention to detail come together you have a clear picture of who will make your team better on and off the court.

More Tryout Tips

 Tryout Tips Guaranteed to Get You Noticed

Do you know exactly what the coach is looking for in tryouts? Do you know everything you need to do?

You may think that you do, but it’s highly unlikely.

Actually, what you think would help with tryouts may be the exact reason you get cut from the team. The sad thing is that many players like you make these critical mistakes over and over and over again.  Following these tips may not guarantee that you will make the team as different coaches like different things but these tips will go a long way in helping you get noticed.  Good Luck Player!

 

1. Do what you do well.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to impress the coach by doing things that are outside your skill set. This often results in a disaster for you.

If you are a good rebounder, grab every rebound.

If you are a good shooter, shoot when you are open.

If you are a good finisher, attack the basket when a lane is open.

If you are a good ball handler, make the simple passes, the simple moves.

If you are not a good 3-point shooter, don’t step out and shoot one during tryouts. I’ve seen kids literally hit the side of the backboard trying to do this.

The coach will instantly think, “Wow. This kid does not know a thing about shot selection. Maybe he’s a low IQ kid.”

Trust me... with the limited time that a coach can see you... this is not the impression you want to make. Even if you play great the rest of the time, the coach already has an impression of you and that’s hard to change.

Here is a good measure... can you make 7 out of 10 shots unguarded from a spot. Maybe 6 out of 10 for youth players. If not, don’t take the shot at tryouts.

 

2. Hustle! Hustle! Hustle!

There is no excuse for any player on this one. You just have to commit and develop that mentality.

When the ball is on the floor, dive on the floor. Box out on every shot. Sprint on the fast break. Sprint to spots on the floor on defense.

Communicate on defense and offense. Be loud and do it often.

These are things that every player can do and every player should do.

This is why you see players who aren’t skilled make the team. They’re willing to do the little things that make teams good or great.

 

3. Don’t be just one of the guys in the crowd - Make a great first impression.

Here is a great way to make a first impression.

When the coach calls everybody in at the beginning of the first tryout...

Instead of walking out there or jogging out there like every other kid.

Sprint! Sprint directly to the coach and stand right in front of him. Stand tall and keep eye contact on the coach during the entire talk.

I guarantee you’ll have the coach’s attention. This makes a difference.

 

4. Avoid the amazing play mentality. Do something that makes you stand out in a positive way.

This is not what you think. This is not making an amazing play. Remember... do what you do well.

Flashy doesn’t impress coaches. It may look cool on the playground, but that’s why you don’t see NBA guys doing streetball moves during games. It’s flash. It’s hype. It’s not effective against good players.

You should do something with substance that coaches will notice in a positive way.

Earlier, I mentioned communicating on defense.

Below is an excerpt of a conversation I had with a local college coach…

One time when I was conducting a tryout for 3rd to 8th graders, we were with the 4th grader session.

All of the sudden, across the gym, I hear a blaring yell “Screen! Screen! Screen!” It was from this little guy named Tommy.

Ten seconds later, I hear Tommy yell again, “I got ball!”

This continued the whole day. He communicated early. He communicated loudly. He communicated often. (ELO – Early Loud Often. Kevin Eastman would have been proud.)

There may have been 30 other kids communicating in the gym, but he is the only one I remembered. I didn’t know him before the tryouts, but I sure know him now. Guess what... he made the first team.

 

5. Don’t be shy – Talk to the coaches before tryouts.

Too many make the big mistake of being too shy to talk to the coach. And this can make a huge difference in making the team.

Sometimes, this simple act will elevate you in the eyes of the coaches because they know that you care and you’ll do whatever it takes to help the team.

Be specific. Tell the coach that you really want to make the team. Ask them what they need on their team.

 

6. Be a great teammate – Great attitude and sportsmanship

Every coach wants a player who is a great teammate and makes the players better around them.

You can do this by...

• Being a great practice player and challenging your teammates during practice to make the team better.
• By putting everybody in a better mood with your positive attitude. Let’s face it... we’re all humans and it’s more enjoyable to have a little fun in life. Nobody wants to be around a person with a poor attitude.
• Display great sportsmanship. When a coach sees you helping players off the floor and playing hard but clean basketball, they know that they can count on you not to lose your cool and hurt your team in a negative way at an important time.
  
  

7. Get there early / warm up properly.

Getting there early shows the coach that you care and that he can depend on you to show up on time to practices and games.

Also, make sure to warm up prior to playing, so you are playing your best as soon as the whistle blows. First impressions are very important.

 

8. Who cares if you screw up – Next play!

If you make a mistake... oh well, it happens. Everybody makes mistakes.

Always go on to the next play.

The best players react in a positive way to those mistakes and don’t let them snowball into a bunch of mistakes.

 

There are no guarantees in life. However, if you use the tips mentioned above, you will dramatically increase your chances to make the team and earn more playing time.

 

10 Tryout tips to make your school basketball team

10 TRYOUT TIPS TO MAKE YOUR SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM

Trying out for your school team this year?

Have you been cut before or are pretty nervous about trying out?

How do I make the team?

This is a question asked by thousands of kids each year…

Basketball tryouts can be very challenging and exciting. Your goal is to showcase your basketball skills to prove that you deserve a spot on the team.  With so little time to show what you’ve got, most players typically put all of their efforts into scoring.

However, this is not the only determining factor that coaches look at when deciding on who can help their team win.

Coaches evaluate you as a basketball player in a lot of ways. Remember that basketball players do not just score points. Players also need to be able to rebound, help other players score, and play exceptional defense. You also need to be a team player, showcasing good sportsmanship and a positive attitude.   

If you focus heavily on scoring alone during a basketball tryout, you might miss out on opportunities to make the team.

Here are the top 10 tryout tips that you should consider when trying out for your school team.

 

#1 Practice and Prepare

They say that practice makes perfect. This must be your goal if you want to make your school basketball team. Practice multiple times a week at home or at a gym. Diligence in practicing can help you become more focused and alert. It can also hone your skills in ball-handling, shooting, or effectively guarding your opponent.

When you practice hard, you can prepare yourself to face the pressure that comes with trying out or auditioning for anything in life.

When the time comes, no matter how nerve-wracking it may be, you know you’ve practiced diligently, and that you are prepared to take on the challenge.

#2 Be Smart and Understand the System

Every individual is unique. This does not exclude a basketball coach; hence, each coach has his or her own system on and off the court. When you are trying out to become a part of his or her team, understanding their system can help you stand out amongst the pack.

Does the coach value conservative play?

Or does he or she want to play a run and gun?

Watch the previous games that he or she has coached to get a better understanding of what the coach values. Previous games can give you insights into how the coach manages the team. It will also show the strategies that the coach likes for his team to execute on the offensive and defensive ends.

In some instances, it would be best to communicate with the coach before tryouts. Do not be shy! Directly ask the coach what he or she needs in the team. Once you know this, focus on some of those things while you train.

If you get or don’t get the answer you want, asking can be impressive and show that you are willing to do what it takes to help the team to win.

Yes, basketball involves basketball IQ as well. Some of these things mentioned can help showcase that you are more than just skill, but you can think as well.

It is imperative that you can execute the X’s and O’s or the coach can’t put you on the court.

 

#3 Do the Little Things

What does it mean to do the little things?

When talking about basketball, the first thing that may come to mind is scoring a lot of points. Everyone wants to be Steph Curry these days.

Don’t ever think that the little things do not count and won’t get you noticed. When the opportunity presents itself, take a charge, dive on the floor for a loose ball, defend the ball by moving your feet, hustle on both sides of the ball, and be a vocal leader.

You may not score one basket during tryouts, but if you can do the little things, the coach will notice.

#4 Showcase What You Do Well

When you try out for the team, your goal is to impress the coach and earn a spot. Impressing the coach does not only include knocking down shots, it means showing the coach what you can do for the team.

Always keep in mind that in basketball, every player isn’t going to be called on as a shooter.  If you are an excellent rebounder, show that you can grab every rebound. If you are a great finisher, show how you are great at attacking the basket and finishing at the rim.

If you are a pretty good ball-handler, show how you can direct the offense with your ball-handling ability and set others up to score.

In the same light, if you are not good at the long ball, do not step out and try to force a 3-point shot during a tryout. We see this all the time!

Tryouts provide limited opportunities to make a great impression. Thus, you have to make it count!  Do what you do best!

 

#5 Be a Team Player with a Great Attitude

Every coach wants a team player who can savor victory out of a good game and who can encourage the team during a bad game. A basketball player who can lift the spirits of the other players during a bad game surely deserves a spot on the team. Someone who can make each team member better around them can surely be a valuable asset to any team.

Encouraging your teammates with a positive attitude can be contagious and help the team have a positive vibe. The coach will lean on that at times to boost morale when the team has a rough game or season.

When you display good sportsmanship on and off the court, the coach and the team may see you as someone they can count on during crucial moments. Helping others get better does not mean that you will help someone else get a spot and you will give up yours.

It simply means that the team, including the coach, can always rely on you to create a positive culture amongst the players. That is an invaluable selfless skill because everyone will not do this!

 

#6 Communicate with the Team

Basketball is played as a team. You do not play alone, thus, communicating with your teammates is inevitable. While it is true that some players use signs or signals in communicating with their teammates, there are still times when you need to get loud to relay the message across.

One of the most important factors in playing a sport is your ability to communicate effectively.  

Picture a game with a roaring crowd, do you think that you can play without speaking loudly?

If there is a screen and you don’t let your teammate know, that won’t be good for anyone. Talking is a part of the game and doing it effectively and consistently is so important!

Coaches appreciate a player who can be a vocal leader amongst the team and back him or her up when needed.

In tryouts, don’t be afraid to talk amongst strangers or friends. Young players tend to shy away from talking while playing.

Go ahead and tell yourself, you are going to stand out by communicating in a positive manner on the defensive and offensive end.

 

#7 Make the Right Mistakes

You might have heard this a million times, but it helps – nobody is perfect!  This is true even in basketball. You are human and you are bound to make mistakes.

If you throw a bad pass or commit a foul, do not argue about it. Do not let your mistakes affect the rest of your game. Don’t have the compounding effect.

Don’t allow one mistake on defense compound to a mistake on the offensive end and so forth. Always have the next play mentality.

Coach Bob Mckillop teaches the next play mentality very well! He understands that if the team doesn’t score a basket on one end, they have to get a defensive stop on the other.

Coaches look want players who can positively react to mistakes and still improve their play as well as the team.

#8 Listen Well

Playing basketball is not just about executing moves, handling the ball, or shooting, it is also about listening to the coach. This is the reason why he or she is called the coach, he or she explains strategies or gives instructions for you to execute.

When the coach is talking, be sure to listen well. In an ongoing game, drill or practice, the coach will not always have time to repeat himself or herself. This is why you have to be attentive to all that he or she says.  

When the coach is saying something, make sure to maintain eye contact, if possible, and internalize what is being said. Focus so that you can execute.

 

#9 Hustle Hard

First and foremost, make sure you arrive early to your tryout. When you arrive, do not just sit and wait.

Practice your moves while you are waiting and get mentally focused on giving your best effort.

Second, hustle hard! Make sure you exhibit enthusiasm and be the first in line during drills. Try to win each sprint and move at game speed.

By hustling, you are showing that you are willing to push yourself and your potential teammates by going the extra mile.

 

#10 Stay Healthy

Basketball is a contact sport and it requires focus, power, and speed. In order for you to achieve your basketball goals, you have to maintain good health.

When trying out for your school basketball team, you have to exhibit energy and a healthy physique. A coach cannot give a spot to someone who gets exhausted easily or to someone that moves very slowly up and down the court.

Our Defensive Philosophy and Circle of 8