When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 

When the funds are low, and the debts are high, 

and you want to smile, but you have to sigh. 

When care is pressing you down a bit, 

Rest if you must, but don't you quit. 

Life is queer with its twist and turns 

As every one of us sometimes learns, 

And many a failure turns about, 

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up though the pace seems slow, 

You may succeed with another blow. 

Success is failure turned inside out, 

the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 

and you never can tell how close you are, 

It may be near when it seems so far; 

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, 

It's when things seem worst, 

that you must not quit.  

-unknown

• Responding to how you feel vs. what they need
  
• Bad shot, bad pass, bad defensive positioning: Keep negative reactions to a minimum because they are watching you 
  
• Reaction substitutions: it is okay to be mad at a player. Just don't make a emotional substitution that can cost you the game
  

• Saying one thing then doing another, or saying different things can damage a program
  
• Develop a culture and standards, and live by them
  
• Live up to clearly defined standards or don't define them
  
• It's not bad to make mistakes just explain them
  

• Uncomfortable conversations are better than none
  
• Let others know what you want
  
• It's okay not to not always have all the answers.  Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" while you figure them out.
  
• Must find a balance so everyone is on the page
  

• Don't assume your staff knows what you want or need
  
• Some things may be bit "elementary" and players should know certain things at a certain level. Don't assume your players know things you have not taught (think back to the bad coaches/managers you've had)
• Don't assume, perform
  

• More times than not the smart, tough and SIMPLE get overlooked.  When you expect you forget to appreciate.
  
• When things are going bad the focus is usually on the bad.  Take a second everyday and look at the positives in your life and program.

• If it's not okay for a manager it shouldn't be okay for the star
  
• Does your 'best player' get the same consequences as the last guy on the bench
  
• Talent shouldn't affect the the culture
  

Although it was almost six years ago, it seems like just yesterday when I met Jayare on the couch of our dorm common room at Trine University.  Our first conversation ever we discussed our goals and plans for the future.  I told him about how I wanted to be a basketball coach, and be a positive role model and influence on kids from my neighborhood.  He told me about his plans to start a clothing line with a goal to help people in need.  

I am happy to say not only are we both doing what we talked about over five years later we are also helping each other along the way.  I am the the assistant coach at Cincinnati Christian University, and founder of SHA, and he has given away over $25,000 through the sale of T-shirts, and is now re-branding and working to take the new line nationwide.  Thanks to cell phones and the internet, we are able to maintain our friendship.  We are still able to talk almost daily and are very much involved in each others projects.  

The mission of Equange is to make people AWARE of the fixable problems in this world, INSPIRE them to change those problems for the better, and to HELP those who are less fortunate than most.  The vision is to CHANGE the world or AWARE + INSPIRE + HELP = CHANGE.  This is called the "equation for change."    

From the sale of clothing and accessories and promoting the core values of the business Jayare is raising money through Equange to put together kits for underprivileged and homeless Americans.  These kits can have anything from blankets and clothes, to toiletries and food.  The Equange website has been officially launched and products will be available soon.  Like, follow, and share Equange's website and social media for for information, updates and more!

Instagram/Twitter: @Equation4Change
Facebook: Wuo Wear (the name will be changing to "Equange" April 7)
Website: www.equange.com

This topic is one I hope to never experience again (from losing). I have coached at a variety of levels from junior high, high school, college and aau. Last summer was probably the toughest team I've ever coached; a group of 8th grade girls that only had one player that ever played aau. It was a fun, but rough summer for me. I learned a lot from that group of girls and would not trade that experience is for anything. Winning teams usually have no problems with motivation but the old saying of… losing teams have team meetings. We stayed away from that philosophy because I felt it brought the wrong focus.



Players are aware of all the games they've won and lost, they don't need to be reminded. When motivating this group of young ladies I chose to focus on what motivates the individual to see the 'big picture' and why they were playing basketball.



One of the girls always stepped up and her words that day were " we are paying to play, let's not waste our parents money and get the most out of it."



When I heard this statement it made me think. Some of my thoughts included:

1. Attention to realistic events around us

2. Variety in all we do

3. Team chemistry on and off the court

4. Compete with a purpose

5. Positive attitudes are contagious

6. Enjoy each day and each member of the team



I can and will elaborate on each topic (later) as I am sure many people have the same issues. I can say that everyday was a good day after that despite losing 95% of our games that summer. As I stated earlier, it was huge learning experience for a young coach like myself.  Now that I look back on it, it was actually quite satisfying in a strange way.  If any of my aau parents from last season read this… thank you for your patience!