Never under-estimate the power of attitude. Both the coaches attitude and the attitude of the players on the team can be the deciding factor in how the team develops and prospers.

The core of our attitude is inside, but the results of our attitude are outside. Our attitude can be our best friend, or our worst enemy. It is the characteristic that will draw people to us or turn people against us. It is the librarian of our past, the speaker of our present and the prophet of our future.

Attitude is the key to getting along with others and moving ahead in life. The player with the right attitude is more than willing to work hard to accomplish the objective of becoming a better player. The player with the right attitude will put the time and effort into becoming a better hitter, a better pitcher, a better shooter, a better rebounder, a better defender, whatever it is that the player wants to accomplish. The player with the right attitude will develop the necessary skills to become a better player with a thurst and hunger for the game that does not require constant motivation and monitoring.

The coach with the right attitude is more than willing to study the game to accomplish the objective of becoming a better coach. The coach with the right attitude will take the time and make the effort to develop the fundamental skills of all thier players not just their star players. The coach with the right attitude will make sure that all of their players get equal opportunities to develop during practice. The coach with the right attitude will focus on the positive not on the negative.

When everything else is equal or if there is any doubt, will you as the coach not pick the player with the better attitude? As a player would you not work harder for a coach with a great attitude? If your not sure what attitude you need, remember that Christ gave us a perfect example to follow. Philippians 2:3-8 reminds us of the great attitude qualities that Jesus posessed.

Selfless - ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only at your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Remember that as a teammate it's about the team not about you, as a coach it's about the players not about you.

Serving - ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
 ⁶Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.- Serve those around you, don't try to be a god, but be comfortable with your humaness.

Humility - ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! - Forget the trash talk and the in your face attitude. Have respect for all of the players, coaches and officials at the game. Try to complete the game without complaining and arguing. Come to play your best and enjoy it for what it is...a game.