Marquette University Athletics
Terri Mitchell's Online Journal -- Entry 2 -- November 3, 2006
11/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 3, 2006
AL McGUIRE CENTER - The last two weeks of practice have been so exciting! The intensity of our players has reached a new level as they continue to learn and realize what it takes to win in the BIG EAST.
I know some of you are thinking who are going to start on November 14 against Washington. We have not settled in on a starting five and I know you guys are assuming we will just start the players from the previous year. Well, we like the freshness a new season brings and the way we approach it is that every year is new and we give each player a chance to fight for a starting position. I know competitive athletes love to start and I think starting is great, but I also think that people who come off the bench and know how to spark a team are just as important as starters are. I also believe the ones that end the game are extremely important as well because as a coach you are saying those are our best decision makers and the ones we want on the court to close out a game. I need players that if you have a lead can maintain that lead or if you are behind the five people out there are the ones that can make things happen whether it's quick scores or steals. So the message I always say is "40 minutes" and where ever you are inserted, the more that you make a difference the better off the team is going to be.
The way we approach practice is continually mixing up the teams so that everyone knows how to play with the other person. We keep switching up the lineups so everyone knows how to play with everyone at any given time.
Another big focus of ours is that we don't pigeon hole any one in any position. Everyone knows how to handle the ball. It is so easy to say, "oh your guard is going to handle the ball on the press." Well our post players handle the ball just as well so if our guards can't bring the ball up our post players know how to initiate offense. When we shoot three's we all shoot threes, when we work on post things we all work on post things together. I think it is a good way to keep everyone fresh and it is exciting when you can learn different positions. No one is left off the hook. We keep raising expectations and we are having fun on top of it.
We want our players to show emotion in practice. We want them to express themselves. We don't want people to be out there just to think I have to be what Terri wants me to be. We want personality, for people to be who they are and to be excited. Our players stop practice and ask questions if they are confused, laugh when they want to laugh and jar at each other because we are going to experience all of those things. We are going to experience stress and players getting into us, so we just want to create an environment where it is intense. We love the intensity because every day it is making you better.
Jennie Lillis and Andre Johnson are new on our staff and it has been great to see how Jennie's coaching has mixed in with Cara and Michelle's. Our practices are loud. Anyone on the concourse during practice can hear everyone's emotion. Along with Andre's enthusiasm in the office and everything he has added with his spirit; it kind of gives you a bounce in your step and that is what Division I athletics should be about. The way we are playing has integrity, its pure, it has character, its hard work and when it comes down to it, it is fun.
