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A great way to maximize your upcoming season is by maximizing your team's effort every possession.

Though challenging, TJ and Sam share why it's a worthwhile endeavor and how to practically improve your team's effort and practice.

Let's get started. Welcome to the hardwood hustle here. Sam and I have got a really cool topic today,

one that I think can really make a big impact on your team. And it's really not just playing

hard, but it's the ability the coach has to teach players to play hard, knowing that playing hard is an actual skill. It's not just some players have it and some players don't. Before we get rolling, you know, if you've been a long time hardwood hustle listener or if you just joined and you really liked it, we would love to have you subscribe and rate us. It really helps us out on the show. And for those of you that have been listening for a long time, and you're ready to take the next step in your coaching career. Why don't you get signed up for PGC coaching? I promise you'll love it. We go deep and we think about how to really improve individuals as a coach in five different areas, the five key areas that are going to make a big impact in your coaching. So think about it. Is it time for you to take that next step in your coaching? We'd love to have you join us at PGC coaching and jump on some tracks where we can see your face, talk, have conversations and grow with other coaches. Sam, let's jump into today's topic. And it comes from this, T.J. McConnell with the Pacers, man, he was fun to watch

with the Paci, I know they didn't win the finals, game seven, great series, but man,

guy was just unbelievably set records. I think it was like for points, assist and rebounds for a

bench player in NBA finals history and steals too. I made a just a crazy impact on the series.

And he has a great clip that went kind of viral on, you know, how playing hard is just one of

his skills, just one of his superpower. So why don't you unpack that quote a little bit for

us, talk about that. And let's dive into not just like, man, you need your players to play harder.

But what are some ways we can actually get players to play with max effort?

Yeah, my opening thought, T.J. is definitely playing hard as a skill.

Competing is a skill.

I don't even think it's like a new thing i think that's

always been a thing you know that players who play really hard and compete at a high level do stand

out it's a skill that one can work on and develop just like a shooting is a skill, just like your passing ability, your defensive

ability.

Those are all skills.

And I think competing is a skill that you can work on and grow as a player.

Or if you're a coach, I think you can coach it.

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