Exit Interview

(1) What is your essential question and answers?  What is your best answer and why?

EQ: How can a basketball player best maximize their team's chances of winning the championship?

Best Answer: A basketball player can best maximize their team's chances of winning the championships by being a good, effective leader. This is my best answer because it takes a whole team to win the championships, not just one player. And leaders establish a clear end goal which  motivates their group, team, or partners to work their hardest to reach it. Relating this back to my essential question, the end goal would be to win the championships.

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

I actually asked a lot of coaches, players, and just people in general what they thought was the best answer to my essential question. This gave me a wide view of other individuals' point of view, possible answers and it allowed me to choose or slightly modify my favorite answer.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

When we were gathering statistics for the ESA, I had a very hard time finding any sort of statistics on my first answer, which was defense. Even after I checked Cal Poly's data base for studies, I still could not find anything useful. So I went to to the NBA's website and looked up the highest ranked defensive teams, and the highest ranked overall teams. As I analyzed the two charts, I found that there was a correlation between defensive rank and overall rank. So I created my own statistic using the information provided by the NBA.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

One of the most significant sources I used to find my answer to my essential question was my mentor. He is the one that actually brought up the topic of leadership and it's effects on a team. He had lot's of experience with team's that had leaders and teams that did not. So he was very helpful with providing examples and comparing teams with and without leaders. And the other significant source is the book, Leadership: Sixth Edition, by Peter G. Northouse. This book had everything that leaders have and do to make their followers succeed. It was essential for me because there weren't many helpful online article's that were out there. This book had everything I needed to support my answer with studies, charts and examples.

Independent Component 2

LITERAL
a.) I, Diego Delgado, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.

b.) I was the assistant coach of Coach Mike Martinez who generously allowed me to help out with his teams.

d.) When I was doing my first independent component, I only saw the player side of basketball. But with this component, I got to see and understand both the player part of basketball and the coaching part of basketball. I got to teach my players my knowledge and experiences with basketball to make them better players. Since I have played the sport before, it was very easy to explain and demonstrate how and what to do for each drill or play. I also got to observe the different types of characteristics of each player. This can either be beneficial or harmful for the team. I did my best to get rid of the negative characteristics kids had so they wouldn't spread to the rest of the team. Lastly, I helped the coach keep everyone one track when we played games. Two pairs of eyes are better then one.

APPLIED
How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped

While I was helping coach during practice I noticed that when you isolate a player and speak and or work alone with them, they show better performance. For example, I got to work with the entire team as a whole, but sometimes I would work with players individually. I found that when I dedicate all my time and focus into one individual player, they would perform a lot better in the game. This was a potential answer to my essential question because an individual who seeks out help form someone who is more knowledgeable than them tend to progressively do better every game, which maximizes their team's chances of winning the championship. Unfortunately, my team did not win the championships. However, we did get second place.

INTERPRETIVE 
Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  

Here is a picture I took of the team I got to help coach for my second independent component. As an assistant coach, I got to experience what it was like having your team look for you for advice. I also got to help the three big players improve their game by giving them personal training, tips, and pointers.

In this picture, I was explaining to the two big players that the defense was leaving the post open during a time out. Coach Mike had me demonstrate how to post up an opponent shortly after. Once the game started, the they were not able to receive the ball from the point guards or the wings.

One important tactic I picked up while doing my independent component was recording games. I have never done this before for any of my games. But this was very helpful for the team. After practices, coach would show short clips of the game he liked and didn't like to the team. This helps the players know where they are doing good and where they need improvement.

Here is just a picture I took of the final score of one of our best games.

Independent Post

I've been continuing to work on my independent component and mentorship. This is a picture of the team that I'm helping coach and my mentor in the green. So far we are undefeated and looks like it'll stay that way. I usually explain the plays and shout from the sidelines when a player is lost.

Third Answer

EQ

How can a basketball player best maximize their team's chances of winning the championships?

Answer #3

A basketball player can maximize their team's chances of winning the championships by perfecting their jump shot in order to take more good shots during a game.

3 Details to support answer

Taking more good, open jump shots will increase the chances of you making it. For example, you are more likely to make a jump shot if it is open than one that is being contested.

After practicing your jump shot for a few weeks or months, you will eventually rely on your muscle memory to execute your shots which is very beneficial during a game. For example, you will no longer hesitate on the shot because you know exactly how much power and arch you need to make it. It will no longer be second nature, which increases your chances of making it.

Taking more successful jump shots will cause the defense to play tighter defense, increasing the chances of getting fouled. For example, if a you as a player continue to constantly make shots, the other team will see you as threat and want to put an end to your constant scoring. And the only way to do that is to play tighter, more aggressive defense.

Sources

"Improve Your Jump Shot and Increase Your Scoring Average." Basketball Tip, Basketball Tips, Basketball Shooting Tips, Free Basketball Tips. Basketball Success, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013. <http://www.basketballsuccess.com/basketball_jump_shot_improvement.html>.

"How to Take Your Offense to Another Level." Basketball Tip, Basketball Tips, Basketball Shooting Tips, Free Basketball Tips. Basketball Success, n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2013. <http://www.basketballsuccess.com/basketball_offense.html>.

"7 Highly Effective Tips For Improving Your Jump Shot." Basketball Tip, Basketball Tips, Basketball Shooting Tips, Free Basketball Tips. Basketball Success, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013. <http://www.basketballsuccess.com/basketball_jump_shot_tips.html>

Concluding Sentence

"Defense is just as important as offense. But if you can't score, then that doesn't really do you much good"

-Mentor, Coach Mike Martinez

Fourth Interview Questions

Fourth Interview Questions

1. How can a basketball player best maximize their teams chances of winning the championships?

2. How can a basketball motivate their teammates to perform better?

3. Specifically, what factor do you think wins games?

4. What would you say is more important, offense or defense?

5. Would you agree that good teamwork is essential to winning?

6. What is the best way for a player to prepare for a game?

7. What separates a good player from a great player?

8. How and when do you think pressing should be used in a game?

9. What can a player do to get more good shots up?

10. How can an individual player improve and the attitudes of each player?

11. What are the most important qualities for a player to have?

12. What can a player do to get to the foul line more?

13. Which would you say is more important, playing smart or playing aggressive?

14. What advice would you give a player to improve their game?

15. What are your thoughts on moving without the ball?

16. How does team morale affect the outcome of a game?

17. What do you think makes a leader? What type of qualities do they have?

18. How does having a leader benefit the team?

19. How important would you say free throws are to winning a game?

20. How does a player's level of confidence affect their performance?

New Mentor

In this month I had to find a new mentor because the basketball season where I use to do my mentorship ended. Luckily, one of my old coaches agreed to be my mentor. So now I will be doing my mentorship at the YMCA. I've already completed around thirty hours during my first mentorship so I'm almost done with the fifty hours. Also, my new mentor has agreed to let me be assistant coach for one of his teams which is what I will be doing for my independent component.

Advisory Meeting #2

EQ

How can a basketball player best maximize their team's chances of winning the championships?

Answer #2

A basketball player can best maximize their team's chances of winning the championships by being a leader and demonstrating leadership qualities.

3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)

1. Leaders set the example for their team. For example, if your team is down by a lot but you as a leader continue to fight to win and never give up on the game, that will show your team that you are willing to fight to the very end to end. Therefore, you will lead by example and motivate your team to do what you are doing.

2. Leaders increase their team's morale before, during, or after a game. Not just boosting morale but also confidence, which in turn leads to a better game. For example, they leaders can really have a positive effect on their team by giving a speech before an important game. Also, giving positive comments, such as good rebound or nice shot, or quickly discussing areas where other players could use improvement during a game can also have great impact on your team.

3. Leaders have to earn their team's respect. They are also someone the coach can always rely on to execute plays and make sure everyone is doing what they are suppose to be doing. Almost like having another coach playing on the court with you. For example, if the coach calls out a play, the leaders usually make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what they're doing and where they're going. Which creates better, more effective plays.

Sources

My main source is my new mentor Coach Mike. He really helped me come up with this answer by explaining the importance of a leader. I also have one article on leadership qualities by basketballsuccess.com.

Concluding Sentence

Leaders play a big role in making sure their team is giving one hundred percent effort at all times by setting the example, boosting team morale, and executing coach's plans.