Be Humble

Robert Bernard
Dec 12, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Dec 15, 2024

A Davidian Lesson by Coach Robert

TYPE: Skill

The 3 Types of Lessons: Skills, Maneuvers, & Tools

What is Skill in basketball?

Skill is knowledge that allows you to solve a problem.

What are Maneuvers in basketball?

Physical actions that serve a purpose on the court (i.e. hesitate or counter uphill/downhill).

What are Tools in basketball?

A skill and maneuver combined

The Davidian Process:

Instructions: Follow the 3 Tenets and complete the Davidian Worksheet at the bottom of this lesson.

(click the red terms to jump to each tenet):

LEARN | PRACTICE | APPLY

~ LEARN ~

1st Tenet: Identify the problem

The Problem:

You may think David was weak—a mere shepherd boy, a humble student willing to learn. Sounds feeble compared to the mighty warrior Goliath, doesn’t it? At Be Like David Basketball, we challenge that perspective. We recognize the true Goliath in basketball and life alike: the unwillingness to learn.

I urge you to reconsider your stance on humility (or lack thereof), ego, and the status quo. Be willing to trade arrogance for growth. Strive to be like David. Yes, David defeated Goliath, but not by conforming to what was popular or revered. He wielded a slingshot, a simple yet precise tool, against a giant armed with a sword and shield.

Humility in Basketball

This parallels basketball beautifully. There are players who think they’ve already reached greatness, and there are students—those who acknowledge they are not masters and approach the game with humility and a desire to grow.

"A player of the game, like Goliath, means being unwilling to learn."

The spirit of Goliath within a player may bring short-term glory but guarantees eventual defeat. I’ve seen it repeatedly: talented athletes plateau because they believe they’ve arrived. They shun wisdom, cling to temporary victories, and dismiss the discipline of learning.

The remedy? Humility. Be like David.

David’s Sling and the Parabolic Shot

Many scoff at David’s sling, calling it a child’s toy. But that “child’s toy” toppled Goliath and changed history. Likewise, in basketball, the humble tools of learning can be more powerful than flashy moves or short-lived accolades.

Take Coach Robert’s parabolic shot, for instance. It differs from traditional form shooting—its strength lies in its mental nature. Like David’s slingshot, the parabolic shot is unconventional, precise, and devastatingly effective. David didn’t only face Goliath; he conquered lions and bears before him. The soldiers with swords who fell to Goliath didn’t stand a chance.

David’s secret wasn’t just his skill—it was his humility and willingness to learn. He knew that mastery wasn’t in the tool but in how it was wielded. The same principle applies in basketball. A humble student doesn’t fear the truth or competition. They embrace it, learning from every opportunity to grow stronger.

"A humble student of the game, like David, means being willing to learn."

Choose the Long Road

The path of humility is not glamorous. It’s often quiet and painstakingly long, but it leads to enduring success. Pride and complacency, by contrast, are seductive shortcuts. But those who choose humility, who refuse to stop learning, are the ones who ultimately conquer giants.

David didn’t just win a battle. He embodied a principle: the triumph of humility over arrogance, discipline over showmanship, and learning over stagnation. The same principle can elevate your game beyond what you ever imagined.

So, are you ready to wield your slingshot? Ready to embrace the path of the humble student? If you doubt its power, let’s meet on the court. Let’s see whose weapon endures.

Shalom.

More Insight on Learning

At BLD, Learn means identifying problems either on the court or in your own game. This is something players are unwilling to do. On the other hand, learning is a student's desire.

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~ PRACTICE ~

2nd Tenet: Study the knowledge

Still think David's Sling was silly? Take a look here and see why it was more than enough to stop Goliath.

More Insight on Practicing this Skill

At BLD, Practice means studying or rehearsing knowledge that will help you solve the problem you have identified on the court or in your own game. Only a sincere student will cross this bridge.

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~ APPLY ~

3rd Tenet: Use the knowledge to solve the problem

Slow down. Look for the problem. Slow down. Be watchful of the problem. Be vigilant in solving it!

The Moment of Application:

Lack of humility shows itself in those critical moments when a player presents themselves as beyond or "too good" for the information being shared. In reality, the player, the coach (a messenger of the game), and even the teacher (the game itself) all know a deeper truth: no one is beyond learning. Everyone is in need of it—desperately.

Even the greats, like Kobe Bryant, understood this. Despite his legendary status, Kobe continued to refine his shot, improve his dribbling, and sharpen his mental clarity. Why? Because learning is never complete. It’s an ongoing process, integral not just to basketball but to life itself.

To adopt the spirit of Goliath—on or off the court—is the gravest mistake a player can make. Arrogance may feel powerful in the moment, but the coach, the game, and the experiences that follow will inevitably humble that player. And until they let go of their pride and become a student, they will remain stagnant.

Growth demands humility. Learning requires openness. And the game of basketball, much like life, will reward those who are willing to embrace these truths.

So, be like David. Humble yourself, listen, and learn. Only then can you truly grow.

More Insight on Applying this Skill

At BLD, Apply means being willing to solve the problem you have identified either on the court or in your own game. A player will shy away from this, but a student of the game relishes the moment.