Talk Early. Talk Often. Win Together.

Communication is one of the most powerful tools a team can develop.

First and foremost, off the floor, the number one component of effective communication is listening. Teach your players, and yourself, that listening is just as important, if not more important, than talking.

Second, I firmly believe, and preached to my teams over 30 years, that on the floor you can never talk too much and you can never talk too early.

Constant chatter is intimidating. Opponents don’t like to hear an engaged team. It’s unsettling to hear “cutter, cutter!” every time they go through the lane, or “watch the shooter… shooter in your corner!” It’s almost like telling the other team, “We know what you’re doing before you do it.”

Especially on defense, talking is the key to playing five as one instead of five playing one-on-one. Communication connects each defender into one unit, all working together as a single force.

That defender guarding an All-State guard out on top doesn’t have to feel alone on an island. He or she has four teammates talking, encouraging, and communicating help if the offensive player gains an advantage. That alone allows the on-ball defender to be more aggressive and trust that support is there.

Offensively, I am still a big believer in talking out loud. Sure, the defense hears what we are saying, but what matters most is that we are connected and clear about what we want to do. If we execute properly, it won’t matter what the defense heard. In fact, that can be pretty demoralizing for them.

I also love hearing a passer encourage a teammate as the ball is on its way — “Hit that!” or “Knock it down!” That kind of communication builds confidence and reinforces belief in each other.

Off the court, communication needs to be friendly, frequent, and uplifting. The more a coach communicates positively with players, the easier it becomes to deliver difficult or corrective messages when needed.

Players receive instruction and critique much better when their emotional tank has already been filled with positive communication.

Effective communication is essential for a team to become great. It’s amazing how an average-talented team can become elite simply by communicating well. I’ve seen it time after time. Talent gaps shrink when five players communicate and play as one, instead of five disconnected players playing one-on-one.

Agree or disagree, it only matters if it works — for your team or your opponent. Learn to become a team of effective communicators this offseason.