Eric Trujillo, an outstanding basketball coach, has lead his team to victory multiple times with the way he disciplines his players. From running Terror Runs to lifting weights, he makes sure his players are in top shape. Eric Trujillo has been coaching for 21 years at Palmer High School.
Coach Trujillo likes coaching. He likes watching players learn and develop as a team. “Getting to connect with kids and watching them grow” is his favorite part of coaching.
He balances winning and losing as a way for basketball players to learn. He thinks losing is good for a player to learn. “Winning can hide player development and losing exposes it. Losing is crucial,” he claims. He watches each player and focuses on what they need to improve on. For example, he might tell a player that they need to be more confident.
His expectations for people on the team are to show up, work hard, listen, compete, and be respectful.
Coaching involves discipline and handling conflict within the team. The bad decision of the player influences the consequence that Coach Trujillo gives them, whether it’s plate pushes, running or sitting out during games. Plate pushes include a 45lb weight wrapped around a towel and you push down on the court with your hands down and back. “You have to call out the situation, confront it, get every side of the story, and find the best solution for everyone to make the team standard,” he says.
If you want to see Coach Trujillo in action, come visit Palmer’s next game against Widefield on January 30th at 7:00pm in Erps gym.
