When Players Don’t Follow Instructions
Every coach has faced it: you call the play, explain the drill, or set the defensive scheme, and one player just won’t stick to the plan. Maybe it’s lack of focus. Maybe it’s ego. Maybe it’s nerves. Whatever the cause, it creates friction in practice, frustration in games, and sometimes even cracks in team culture.
The instinct is to clamp down hard. Raise your voice, call them out, maybe even sit them. But before going straight to discipline, it helps to understand why they’re not following instructions in the first place. Not every situation is about defiance, sometimes it’s confusion, fatigue, or a mismatch in learning style.
Practical Ways Coaches Can Respond
Check for understanding. Don’t just ask, “Got it?” Instead, have the player repeat back the assignment or walk through it once more. This reveals whether the issue is comprehension or effort.
Balance firmness with teaching. If a player is consistently ignoring instructions, set a clear boundary: “If you’re on the floor, you run what we run.” But pair it with coaching, not just punishment. Show them the why behind your system.
Use peer accountability. Sometimes, teammates enforce standards better than a coach can. Encourage leaders on the floor to hold others accountable to the game plan.
Recognize personality differences. Some players need direct orders. Others respond better to encouragement. Adapting your communication style doesn’t mean lowering the standard, it means increasing the chance it sticks.
Draw the line when needed. If a player continues to resist despite clarity and chances, bench time becomes the consequence. Playing time is earned by trust, and trust is built by following instructions.
Bigger Picture
Basketball is a team game, built on trust and execution. When a player doesn’t follow instructions, it’s not just about one mistake, it impacts everyone else on the floor. Coaches who stay composed, diagnose the root cause, and set firm but fair boundaries teach something bigger than basketball: accountability.
Players who learn to follow instructions don’t just become better teammates. They become better learners, better listeners, and better prepared for challenges beyond the court.
