Our Philosophy

Some people are blessed with height, quickness, and athleticism but hard work beats talent that doesn't work hard. 

Winning basketball is comprised of skills, attributes, basketball IQ, and experience leveraging one's skills, attributes, and IQ to produce advantages.

All players, even the naturally gifted, must work to improve their skills. Skills are developed via repetition of fundamental drills that establish muscle memory.

The vast majority of my students arrive after playing several years of basketball and still aren't very good, not because lack physical attributes or desire, but because they have been playing for a mom/dad that volunteered to coach their team rather than a real basketball coach and have been running around the court not really knowing what they are doing rather than using their basketball IQ and executing the fundamental skills they have been taught. 

After playing and coaching for 30+ years, I can very quickly identify your child's weaknesses and focus my coaching on the skills that will help them improve as quickly as possible.

Woodland Basketball teaches the player how to practice. One hour of lessons/practice a week will only make a player incrementally better; a player putting in the work on their own, away from their coach, will improve greatly. Additionally, players must take the practice they have done to their park, community center, rec league, or AAU games

Players will learn basketball's fundamental skills: dribbling, passing, footwork, layups, shooting, and defense. We also teach basketball terminology, rules, and live game strategy (IQ).

We are humble about our abilities, work diligently to eliminate our weaknesses, learn everything we can about the game, watch film, go on field trips to watch games and discuss what players and coaches are doing right and wrong, ask questions, and are grateful for every opportunity.

Coach Scott's adages:

Practice makes better (not perfect). Perfection is unattainable. Mistakes are part of the game.

Regardless of our experience, skill level, or physical gifts, we can always control our effort and attitude.

What we do on one side, we do on the other. Balance your body, your mind, and your soul.

It's only hard until you're good at it, then it's easy.

Don't play at the pace of the game, play the game at your pace.

What are you working on? Incremental improvement occurs by identifying our weaknesses and overcoming them one at a time.

Do it correctly before you do it quickly.

Referees reward control.

Coaches plays who they trust, the best teams are player led, and elite players are expected to do more than their share.

Bad plays are unavoidable; bad ways are unacceptable. 

If you discipline yourself, no one else (coaches, teachers, parents) has to.

Athlete's aren't remembered for how they feel. They are remembered for their actions. No one cares if you're tired or upset; all that matters is how you play.

Winners don't make excuses.

If you think the game, you will win the game.

Play to win every possession and the score will take care of itself.

Be kind to yourself, your teammates, coaches, and referees.

Love and respect the game and it will bring you great joy.