My Buddy in Our Foxhole

Our B Div team plays an ALL-OUT, UPTEMPO, HIGH-PRESSURE-DEFENSE game. We used it to beat Guangyang by 69-24 last Friday.

(We have no choice - that's the only way to make up for comparative lack in offensive talent)

Besides commitment and hardwork, which is a given if any team wants to play good defense, the real building block for such a playing style is TRUST.

Trust among the teammates. Trust that:

• when I am busting my back closing down the ball, you are not exposing me by slacking
• when I race 15m down the court to cover you, you are doing your best to hold up so they don;t score before I reach
• when no one is monitoring you, you are not cheating on PT just as I am giving all out (because team defense is only as strong as the weakest guy)
• when I scream out loud for the interest of the team, you will give the benefit of doubt even if I do not say it perfectly

Trust takes time to build - hard to accumulate, easily destroyed.

Destroyed by careless words, lack of communication and choosing not to clarify when there is a negative thought. And insisting that "I am right and you are wrong".

(because then we declare that my personal reputation and "being right" is more important than team unity)

We will collapse this season if we do not major on defense. We will collapse this season if we do not make effort to trust and to improve trust.

How far can we go? Very far. There is nothing impossible for a united team.