When it comes to popularity, the sport of basketball is at an all-time high. It’s a beautiful thing to see. With that, the need for constant content is more evident than it has ever been. Basketball fans and consumers are constantly craving basketball content and it could have a huge negative impact on the youth.
As we’re in the social media era, everything is done for ‘likes’ and ‘comments’. While the sport thrives on social media, content is constantly produced to accumulate those ‘likes’ and ‘comments’. You can’t scroll down the timeline without seeing some type of basketball content.
We’ve even gotten to the point where highlight videos are being made from pick-up games.
PICK-UP GAMES!
Players and coaches are all getting involved. Whether it’s highlights, photographs, motivational videos, drills, or tutorials on moves, anything and everything that you want to see is at your fingertips.
With that being said, it’s important that the focus remains on the game. Young kids are influenced by what they are seeing everyday. They want to wear what their favorite player’s wear, do what their favorite players do, and even celebrate like the greats. I see kids doing the Stephen Curry ‘finger to the sky’, clinching their fists after every big play, and even screaming ‘and one‘ when at times, they weren’t even fouled. The youth is heavily impacted and as they are our future, it’s imperative we keep their mind focused on what’s important.
Of course with the big wave of basketball being posted on social media, the young kids want to follow suit. They want their pictures taken, highlights posted, and double taps. That’s all cool but that shouldn’t be the focus.
The focus should be on the game and the outcome. Is the player getting better? Are they contributing to their team? If you put the work in, all of those other things will come. Having your picture taken is not going to propel you to the next level. However, if you can hoop, every photographer, videographer, and recruiter (which is the main goal) will be at your doorstep.
The importance of the basketball coach is as high as it’s ever been — especially at the youth level due to all the distractions. It’s important that coaches push fundamentals while also keep their players focused on what’s going on on the court and not worrying about who’s going to make their highlight tape. The focus has to be basketball and we must keep the game, the game.
