Jan 28 • Coach Collins Thoughts
MIDSEASON SURVIVAL GUIDE January Basketball: When the Grind Gets Real
MIDSEASON SURVIVAL GUIDE January Basketball: When the Grind Gets Real
Hey Coach,
We're at that point in the season.
You know the one.
The honeymoon phase is over. Early season energy has evaporated. And you're dealing with problems you didn't see coming in October.
Let me guess what's happening in your program right now...
OBSTACLE #1: "We've Lost Our Identity"
The Problem: Your team looked crisp in November. Now? Sloppy passes. Lazy closeouts. Players going through the motions.
The concepts you installed in October are breaking down. And you're not sure if it's effort, understanding, or something else.
Why This Happens: Midseason fatigue is real. But here's what most coaches miss—your players are experiencing decision fatigue, not just physical fatigue.
They've been processing your system for 8-10 weeks straight. Their brains are tired.
The Solution: Simplify. Immediately.
This week in practice:
- Cut your playbook in HALF
- Run only your 3-4 best sets
- Eliminate the "situational" stuff you rarely use
- Go back to your core defensive principles (no complex rotations)
Your best players will breathe a sigh of relief. Your role players will execute with confidence again.
The goal isn't to do MORE—it's to do LESS, better.
I've won state championships with 4 offensive sets. You don't need 15.
OBSTACLE #2: "My Best Player is Checked Out"
The Problem: Your leading scorer seems disengaged. Body language is off. Effort comes and goes. And it's starting to spread to others.
Why This Happens: Three common reasons:
- Burnout - They've been "the guy" all season and the pressure is wearing on them
- Teammates aren't holding up their end - They're frustrated carrying the load
- They're not being challenged - Practice feels repetitive and easy
The Solution: Have the conversation. Today.
Not in front of the team. One-on-one. After practice.
"I've noticed your energy is different. What's going on?"
Then shut up and listen.
Don't defend. Don't explain. Don't problem-solve immediately.
Just listen.
9 times out of 10, they'll tell you exactly what they need:
- More help from teammates
- A different role
- A day off
- A new challenge
- Just someone to acknowledge they're struggling
Once you know the real issue, you can actually solve it.
Pro tip: Sometimes your best player just needs to know you NOTICE. That alone can flip the switch.
OBSTACLE #3: "Practice is a Grind (And Not in a Good Way)"
The Problem: Practice has become joyless. Everyone's just going through the motions. The gym feels heavy.
And worst of all? YOU don't even want to be there.
Why This Happens: You've fallen into the "midseason practice trap"—running the same drills, same format, same energy every single day.
Your practices have become predictable. And predictable = boring.
The Solution: Inject competition and chaos.
Here's what I do in January to bring life back:
Monday: Traditional practice (structured, fundamental)
Tuesday: COMPETE EVERYTHING
- 1v1 King of the Court (loser runs)
- 3v3 half court (winning team stays, call your own fouls)
- Free throw golf (make it or your team loses a point)
- Make it, take it full court games to 7
Wednesday: Skill circuits with a timer (beat yesterday's time)
Thursday: Situational basketball (down 2 with 1:00 left, up 5 with 3:00 left, etc.)
Friday: Live 5v5 with consequences (losing team does post-practice conditioning)
The key? Mix structure with controlled chaos.
Let them PLAY basketball, not just drill it.
I promise you—the energy in your gym will shift immediately.
BONUS: The Midseason Reset Practice
If your team is really struggling, try this:
Day 1 - Culture Reset Practice (45 minutes max)
- 10 min: Team meeting—"What do we want the rest of this season to look like?"
- 15 min: Your 3 favorite competitive drills (high energy)
- 15 min: Live 5v5, but YOU don't coach—let them figure it out
- 5 min: Huddle up—each player says ONE thing they're committing to
No conditioning. No running. No punishment.
Just reconnection.
Then build from there.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MIDSEASON
Every team hits a wall.
The difference between teams that finish strong and teams that limp to the finish line?
The coach's willingness to adjust.
Your October plan isn't your February reality.
And that's okay.
The coaches who survive midseason are the ones who: ✓ Simplify their system ✓ Have honest conversations ✓ Make practice fun again
You've got 6-8 weeks left.
That's enough time to turn this thing around.
But you have to start TODAY.
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MIDSEASON SURVIVAL GUIDE January Basketball: When the Grind Gets Real
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