Building Dawgs! Finding the balance between discipline and competitive fire

For the past four years, I’ve coached a group of kids who have grown into skilled, disciplined players. From day one, I set the expectation that our practices would be built on respect—no trash talk, no arrogance, no belittling teammates. I wanted to create a culture where players pushed each other to get better without tearing each other down.

Now, as they’ve grown older, I see the results of that approach. I have a team full of coachable, respectful athletes who execute the game the right way. They listen, work hard, and never challenge authority. But there’s a problem—I don’t have dawgs. I don’t have that one player who gets pissed when they’re losing, who takes it personally when an opponent scores on them, who steps up in the biggest moments because they refuse to be outworked. Instead, I have a group of “yes sir” players—talented, but missing that raw edge that separates the good from the great.

The Fine Line Between Discipline and Dog Mentality

Looking back, I wonder if my emphasis on respect unintentionally suppressed their competitive fire. By eliminating negative behaviors like trash talk and arrogance, did I also strip away some of the natural fight that makes a player hungry?

Because the truth is, basketball isn’t just about skill and fundamentals—it’s about mentality. The best players have a balance of both. They respect the game, their teammates, and their coaches, but they also have an inner fire that refuses to let them be outplayed.

I don’t regret the culture I built. Discipline and respect will always be core values in my program. But now, I realize there’s a gap I need to bridge: how do I bring out that dog in them without sacrificing the structure we’ve worked so hard to build?

Teaching Controlled Aggression

Being a dawg isn’t about talking—it’s about competing. It’s about urgency. It’s about a mindset that says, I won’t let you outwork me. I won’t let you take what’s mine.

So how do I help my players tap into that? It starts in practice:

• More one-on-one battles – Letting them fight for everything, creating environments where losing should sting.

• Encouraging emotion – It’s okay to get mad when you’re getting beat. It’s okay to feel frustration. The key is using that energy to fuel a response.

• Holding them accountable – Not just for mistakes, but for effort. If they’re coasting, they need to hear about it.

• Emphasizing competitive pride – Make them understand that every rep, every drill, every possession is an opportunity to prove something.

I want my players to be great people and great competitors. That means keeping their character intact while also unlocking that next level of intensity. They need to be able to flip the switch—to go from composed and respectful to relentless and ruthless when the game is on the line.

The Next Step

As a coach, my job isn’t just to develop skills—it’s to develop mindsets. I wouldn’t trade the discipline and respect my team has for anything. But now, it’s time to help them find their edge. The greats don’t just play the game—they own it. And that’s the mentality I want to build. It starts now