As the new season approaches, athletes are gearing up for fresh challenges, new goals and many different opportunities to grow ahead. To help players start their season strong, we have words of encouragement from a few of our Hardwood Hustle coaches. To support you as the season tips off, they’ve gathered their most valuable advice, practical tips, motivating reminders, and the kind of guidance that can help to make an impact on and off the court. Let’s dive into what our coaches want every athlete to know as they step back on to the court this winter season.
CEO & Coach Jaclyn Lyons:
Stay attached to what you can control, not the outcome. Worrying about making the team, earning a starting spot, or impressing a coach will create pressure that makes you overthink and play tighter than usual. Basketball is a game of instincts, rhythm, and confidence. Focus on your hustle, your decisions, and your energy. I’ve always believed the best way to show up is by showing up for your teammates and lifting each other up. Celebrate their plays, give high fives, call out their names, and hype them up. When you bring your best effort, positive energy, and support for the people around you, everything else falls into place. Don’t chase outcomes – chase being your best, helping your teammates and enjoying every moment on the court.
Coach Jenna Olson:
Don’t be afraid of failure. Be proud of giving it your best, no matter the outcome. There is no perfection in basketball. Coaches are not looking at the mistake you make as much as they are looking at your response to that mistake. Do you hang your head? Do you stop trying? Or do you jump right back up and ask to try again? As frustrating as it feels, we get better through failure. We find out what works and doesn’t work every time we make a mistake. Fail. And then learn from that failure.
Coach Ceci Reyes:
1. Be the Best Teammate & Embrace the Sisterhood
As we head into the winter season, remember that being a great teammate is one of the most powerful contributions you can make. Bring energy, communicate, and uplift the players around you. Celebrate each other’s successes, support one another through challenges, and stay connected on and off the court. Basketball gives you a unique opportunity to build real sisterhood, lean into it! The bonds you create now will make the season more meaningful and make your team stronger when it matters most.
2. Show Up Prepared
One of the simplest ways to elevate your game this season is to show up prepared every day. That means coming to practice rested, fueled, hydrated, and mentally locked in. Give yourself the best chance to succeed by arriving early, having your gear ready, and approaching each session with intention. When you take care of your body and your mindset, you’re able to learn faster, compete harder, and make the most out of every moment on the court. Prepared players improve and prepared teams win.
Coach Katrina Haddad:
Be intentional as you start your season. Be intentional about how you speak, how you workout, but most importantly how you treat your teammates and handle adversity. Adversity and losses are a part of the game, but how will you respond? The more you focus on how to be a better teammate and friend, the more things will fall for you. Don’t be afraid to speak up, but most importantly don’t forget to have fun!!!
Coach Katie Reyes:
Always remember that your worth as a player isn’t measured only by how many points you have in a game, the amount of minutes you play or your stats. Your worth is also found in your mindset and how you care for yourself each day as an athlete. There will be highs and lows, big wins and bis losses, but through it all your mental health always matters just as much as your physical health.
Take care of yourself. Give yourself grace on your challenging days. Celebrate your progress, even the small steps you take. Speak to yourself with kindness. You never have to be perfect, you just have to keep showing up. Show up each day with energy, heart, effort and belief in who you are becoming every day. Ask for support when you need it throughout the season. Strong players are the ones who show up with honesty and compassion for themselves. You are capable of doing really tough things. You are growing into a better person and player every single day. You are always enough and belong on that court.