Why I don't like Numbers

It would be impossible for me to write anything on this blog without the influence of my mentors emerging. So much of the person and coach that I am today has been shaped by my mentors. One of my mentors always talked about how numbering a certain position puts limitations on player and their abilities. People think that the 1 (the PG) has to be the player who is the primary ball handler and the person who leads the team in assists. They assume that the 1- player is always the smallest and fastest player on the court and is restricted to the perimeter. On the contrary, people think the 5 (center) player has to be the post scorer, the leading rebounder, a poor ball handler, and stuck in the low post.

In many areas of life, people become overly-focused in a certain way of thinking and don’t allow themselves to explore great opportunities. This is extremely relevant to basketball, as some coaches become fixated on a certain style of play, or trapped in a mentality that doesn’t allow their players any freedom.

A narrow mindset also affects the way that some coaches recruit. Certain coaches refuse to recruit a 5 player unless they are 6’2”, an excellent low post scorer and lead the team in rebounding. What about the 6’2” players who can shoot the perimeter shot consistently? What about the 5’8” 2 player that has a stellar repertoire of low post moves? I don’t believe that either of these players should be restricted to playing within the confines of “their number”. I feel that a 6’2” player who can shoot the perimeter shot and the 5’8” player who is a low post scoring threat causes more match up issues for the defense and could be better for your team offensively. By relegating a player to stick to what their position is supposed to do creates a weaker and more predictable offense for opponents to play against.

We’ve experienced the power of interchangeability first hand. Two seasons ago we had a 2-guard score 31 points in a game and it was mainly in the low post. She was a strong post player at 5’8 and her opposing 2-guard defender was powerless against her strength and array of post moves. This is only one of the beauties of Idaho State basketball philosophy… flexibility. By enabling our athletes to play to their strengths, whatever they may be, allows us to adjust to our opponents weaknesses from game to game. When you’re competing against the Bengals, you just never know what to expect!

Kicking Off New Blog!

The Idaho State women's basketball program is excited to kick-off it's brand new blog! We hope you become a follower as we look to regularly update this site with fun tidbits to fill your women's basketball information cravings!