Coaches Corner

 

Coaching Philosophy

  • A good coach balances what their players need with what their players want
  • I basically have three requirements of my players:  *1) PLAY HARD   2) PLAY TOGETHER   3) PUT TEAM ABOVE SELF
  • Create unselfishness as the most important team attribute.
  • Decide 4 or 5 things that you want your team identified by, Your team will not be great at every aspect of the game. What is most important to you?
  • Some of the best strategic moves I have made as a coach have come from implementing the things that I hated playing against
  • The will to succeed is important, but what's more important is the will to prepare  Bob Knight
  • It is important that your best players are your hardest workers. They have to believe in your system of play. Other players will follow their example
  • As a coach, your high standards of performance, attention to detail and how hard you work set the stage for how your players perform  Don Shula
  • Don't accept in victory what you would not accept in defeat  Dick Bennett
  • Clarify what the expectations and roles are for your players. Then remind them regularly.
  • Build confidence in your players. Positive reinforcement will be the key with all your players. Those with lesser roles need to be encouraged more. Continue to assure them of their importance to the team. 

 

Talking Defense

 

*Defensive Transiton*

 

  • It is just as important to work on and perfect defensive transition as it is offensive transition. Think about sending multiple players back on the shot to eliminate easy baskets by your opponents. All players need to turn and find the ball when crossing half court.
  • The first one down will guard the basket and the second one the ball. Although many coaches will have the man guarding the basket take the first pass we do not want him to leave his position close to the rim... *NO LAY-UPS  *The third man down will pick up the most dangerous threat after the basket and ball are guarded. The last two pick up the unguarded players
  • It is essential to slow down our opponents fast break so we can have all five of our players back and in our half court defensive rules. Make it a priority to minimize your opponents transition baskets. Our goal is always to score 10 or more transition baskets a game and give up less than 5.

 

*Commitment to Intense Defense*

 

  • Each player needs to be sold on your system of play and willing to make the sacrifice for the team to be successful.It takes heart, mental toughness, and desire to be a great defender. 
  • Great defensive teams are great multiple effort teams
  • Always put pressure on the ball handler. Trace the ball with active hands and challenge every shot.
  • Your players should be Physical. Make the first hit. Play with body contact when neccessary. Stay connected to your man as he comes off of picks. Be willing to take charges whether you're guarding the ball or you are helping on penetration. Bump cutters, use the Arm Bar. Dive quickly for loose balls on the floor.
  • Discourage Fouling. Fouling negates hustle. Most players should not reach in on a dribbler or try to block shots. Contesting and trying to block shots are not the same. Occasionally there is a good time to foul depending on time and score and what kind of shot is they are eliminating.
  • Great rebounding results from desire and effort but we want good technique to give us the best opportunity to gain possession of the ball. Make the* *first hit.

 

Talking Offense

 

*Fast Break Offense*

 

  • We will run on misses and makes. I call it Pressure Offense. It is hard for a team to win when they depend on their half court offense to do all the scoring. 
  • It is an effective way to score easy baskets and wear your opponent down. Players love to play this way and fans love to watch it. 
  • There should be three phases of the fast break offense 1) Initial Fast Break 2) Early Offense         3) Secondary Break

1)  Fast Break - It starts with securing a rebound and making a quick outlet pass. On a made basket we will designate a man to take the ball out as quickly as   possible. Our point guard should get to a deep outlet position with his back to the sideline. We will usually release a man down the floor on the shot.  If there is a player open ahead we should always pass the ball up the floor. The first post player down the floor should run to the rim but aligned with the opposite elbow from where the ball is. Spacing is essential. We want to attack the rim whenever possible. If the lay-up is not there we will look for a perimeter shot by designated shooters.

 

2) Early Offense - *If we do not score in the initial fast break the ball handler can attack the basket to score or pass to the other 4 players spotting up for a shot. The first post player down the floor should be in the weak side short corner to allow room for penetration. The two wings should be in the deep baseline corners so it is more difficult for their defenders to help on the drive by the point guard. Once the point guard penetrates toward the elbow the wings should lift for a kick out pass.


3) Secondary Break - If we do not score in the first two phases of our fast break we will flow into our secondary break which is a pre-determined action consisting of cuts and screens attempting to free up high percentage shots. Although I have used numerous secondary breaks most of them have included low post passes, staggered double screens, pick & rolls, and ball reversals.