A good stance

When a coach yells "stance" what should the players be doing, how should they look? If you are at Villanova, being coached by one of the best - Coach Jay Wright - in D1 then the players would look as follows:

• legs low and wide, strong base of support
• weight back slightly (if shoulders over knees then too far forward)
• back is straight
• bottom is down (sit down, remember "lowest one wins")
• head is up
• head is on the ball
• distance from defender is one arm's length away (should be able to reach out and touch the ball)
• for proper balance, keep arms inside the legs (otherwise will be leaning and less reactive)
  

Clinic notes - Renato Pasquali continued

When Coach Pasquali presented at a recent coaching clinic, he outlined a daily team practise plan (within the context of long term player development). In both percentages and minutes (based on a two hour practise), Coach Pasquali suggested the following format.

Part A - 30% or 35 mins.
Shot form, dribble start or pivot, combination (dribble, pass, shoot), defensive skills

Part B - 30% or 35 mins.
1 on 1 decision-making, 2 on 2 game situation, 3 on 3 game situation with a built-in handicap, 2 on 1 transition drill, 3 on 3 with a built-in handicap

Part C - 40% or 50 mins.
4 on 4 breakdown, 5 on 5 offensive and defensive systems, 5 on 5 scrimmage

The Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic is fast approaching - only 5 weeks away. If you're interested in learning from Dave Odom, Don Casey, and Greg Kampe then use the form on the COBA Camp site and register ASAP. Be sure to make note of the coach's social event on the first evening of the clinic - a great event for networking and sharing.

How to increase practise intensity

Many coaches say that they "need to raise the level of intensity" in their practises. How do they do it? Here are some suggestions:

• keep score in drills, better yet have the players pay attention and keep the score - coach can ask the score at any time, if not known or agreed upon then there should be a consequence
• allow a mismatch or a player to exploit a weakness of another player - keeps the stronger player sharp and forces the weaker to make a decision to get better
• make sure the practise environment is competitive and not complacent - remind players that game roles are (in part) created and decided in workouts and practices
• practise competitions need to be as 'game-like' as possible, must be a time and score element so that players improve that skill set (based on stage of the game, need to actually work on knowing what to do and when)
• don't allow scrimmage for the sake of playing or shots for the sake of shooting - needs to be rewards and penalties in order to increase commitment and competition
• set the pace, demand the pace - coaches need to move teams quickly between drills (next one ready and waiting), players need to know 5 seconds wasted is 5 seconds that could have been spent on their improvement
• want active participation - if not actually in the drill then players standing in line could be doing lunges or skipping or foot speed work (just because they are not "in" does not mean they are "off")
  

Defense - Coach Dave Odom

In just five weeks (June 4-5), the following coaches will be teaching and sharing at the annual Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic in Windsor - Dave Odom, Don Casey, and Greg Kampe. As in previous years, the attending coaches (it's not too late to sign up) are in for a treat!

For yet another glimpse into the style and detail of Coach Odom, watch the clip (courtesy of sportsnationvideo) on YouTube - www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoH2a2nGoDE. Pay particular attention to his emphasis on 'early' help and recovery when setting the defense inside of 3. For those coaches interested in the entire instructional dvd, it is available online from sportsnationvideo.com (and is produced by Championship Productions).

Clinic notes - more from Can-Am

Coach Don Meyer spent a weekend in Windsor and ran multiple sessions at a recent Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic (next clinic is June 4-5). Some coaches are still talking about that particular session, MANY are still referencing the notes they took. Beyond making good plain basketball and life common sense, Coach Meyer loves to use (and offer) helpful short forms and acronyms. Here are some to ponder:

• the 3 R's (as it relates to notes) - Retrieve, Review, Reinforce
• OBC - Offensive Board Coverage (teams must have it)
• MBO - Must Block Out (do whatever it takes, fight for what is yours)
• BOPCRO - when rebounding, get a Body On a Player, Chin the ball, see the Rim, Outlet the pass AND Block Out, Pursue the ball, Chin the Rebound, Outlet
  
• SOSO - Screen Out, Seal Out (offensive system strategy in a 3 out rotation)
• H2G - players need to be Hard to Guard (team needs to help get others open)
• PHPSPT - teams need unity - Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together
• TEAMS - Tough, Effort, Attitude, Motives, Servant Leaders
  

Up 3 late, do you foul?

The debate continues. Your team is up 3, there are seconds left in the game, the opposition has the ball. To foul or not to foul, that is the question. The answers have been varied and passionate over the years. For an interesting read in The New York Times, click on the article about the much debated topic. In the end, it still comes down to time left, personnel, foul count, inbound location, etc. At the very least, the discussion is always lively and thought-provoking!

Offense - loop flare stagger

This movement begins with the first big coming back up to the ball side elbow, the trail post opposite the ball up top, and two wings near the free throw line extended. Coordinated action of the ball being pushed to the ballside wing, the ballside shooter clearing out (by looping the closest big and flaring the trail post screen), and the weakside shooter sprinting to the ballside corner. After cuts and screens, 2 now has room to work on the weakside (can curl the flare screen, from trail post 4, if chased).
On catch of the ball reversal to 2, the first big (5) dives to the new ballside. This must be a first quick look as 5 is looking to seal their matchup (with all other players outside). At same time, stagger screens are set by passer (1) and trail post (4) for the corner cutter (3) to catch and shoot at the three point arc. The two screeners must make contact on the chasing defender. Depending on personnel (and defensive reaction), there may be a look for a back door lob to 1 after they screen the corner.

Lots of shots - Dave Arseneault

Spend any amount of time with Dave Arseneault of Grinnell College, Iowa, and you'll quickly discover that his enthusiasm for his team's style of play is contagious. When Coach Arseneault worked with coaches at a recent Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic, every coach left the gym with the challenges to make practices more upbeat, take more shots, and increase the tempo (by getting out and running) in games. Coach Arseneault's philosophy includes each player taking 100 three's in every practice, shooting (in game) by the 12 second mark of each possession, and taking 60 team three's per game. Beyond that, he offered clinic attendees the following:

• coaches should develop a system that is 'player friendly' and makes kids want to come to the gym each day (takes creativity and lots of prep)
• every practice drill at Grinnell ends with a three point shot
• players need to work on getting shots off quickly (as there is very little time versus a pressure defense)
• shooters need to think in terms of fractions of time and not waste any fractions
• passing is SO important - a good pass (delivered to a shot pocket) makes a good shooter 15% more effective
• a pass on target to the shooter will allow them to no longer think of catching the ball and simply focus on the muscle memory of the shot routine
• on catch, shooters need to keep the ball high and never let it get closer to the floor
• as discussed every season at the COBA camp, "good shooters don't shoot quickly - they PREPARE to shoot quickly"
  

Program Foundations - Don Meyer

Anytime that Coach Don Meyer speaks at a clinic, he leaves quite an impression. That can certainly be said of his visit to the Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic two summers ago. Coach Meyer, beyond many pearls of basketball wisdom, laid out some of the foundation upon which he has built his basketball team programs over the years.

• everybody takes notes (players are expected to have their notebooks with them at all times)
• everybody is polite (not just around the gym, but in every situation)
• everybody picks up trash (a very humbling gesture, applies to wherever the players are)
• TEAMS - Tough, Effort, Attitude, Motives, Serve others
• players need to have an "other" focus - make other people important, find out what matters to them (that leads to personal growth)
• when passing a water fountain, players must take a drink (proper hydration is so important)
• use the Socratic method with players - ask them questions, encourage thinking, engage their brains (don't simply provide easy route of giving answers)
• play, coach, or officiate - players need to choose one, can't do two or three
  

Clinic notes - Renato Pasquali

Renato Pasquali, known for his coaching expertise and international experience, is a passionate coach, especially in a clinic setting. At present, through promotion by Ontario Basketball, Canada Basketball, and the on-court help of Mike MacKay, the successful EuroLeague coach is on a clinic tour and is well worth the price of admission. Renato is one of those coaches that make you pause and think about the terms you use when coaching (such as, how do you describe the concept of 'balance'?), as well as the way in which you teach - all with great attention to detail. Here are the six points of emphasis from one of his recent sessions:

• good offense is based on spacing, cut and replace principles, making eye contact with ball and teammates
• teams need to exploit the "one second advantage" - need to create it then take advantage of it (in order to keep the defense "a second too late" all the time)
• teach the concept of attacking 2 on 1 in the half court and full court, make sure players have the attack mentality of score first, pass second
• playing 1 on 1 as a team of 5 players - play properly as a team and know how to finish a 1 on 1 matchup on your own as well as how to deliver a pass for another player's 1 on 1 opportunity
• don't stop the ball - read the defense and know what to do with the ball BEFORE catching it, concept of "anticipation is better than action/reaction"
• teach using progression - teach the skill (1 on 0), teach the read (add a guided defense), teach in active setting (go "live" with the action), teach when to use the skill (1 on 1 in a game situation)
  

Offense - sideline triangle play

The inbounder should be a good decision maker as well as a threat to shoot a 3 if they get the ball back from their inbounds pass. Set up is a triangle, with two ball-handlers at the base, a big at the top, plus a further big capping the triangle. The bigs are the original screeners, with 4 and 5 setting a double stagger for the weakside low player to sprint a cut and receive a pass at the 3 point arc. After screening, 5 cuts straight to the ball. Based on good timing, 1 sets a cross screen for 4 (to open them up coming to the ball above the low block on ballside). Options are shot by 2, a handoff back to 3, and dump downs to 4 or 1 (if they can seal defender). Work on timing, setting solid screens.

Looking forward to Coach Kampe

The Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic is fast approaching. If you've not yet marked your calendar, you need to circle June 4th (evening) and June 5th (Saturday). Still need to register? Simply click on the clinic link, print off a form, and send it along. If you sign up with some coaching friends, you'll save even more money!

The most recent addition to the roster of three excellent presenters is Coach Greg Kampe of Oakland University. Only nine other Division I coaches have been with their school longer than Coach Kampe. After just eleven years in Division I, Coach has posted 23+ wins over the last two seasons, six years of 17+ wins, been named the National Coach of the Year, won two regular season Summit League titles, won two Summit Tourney titles, and has led Oakland to the NCAA tourney twice over the past six seasons. For more info on Coach Kampe, please visit his personal site.

Concepts for workouts and practices

Wondering how to get more out of your players and practices? Beyond the very telling phrase of "you get what you accept" consider the following:

• don't coach DOWN (to level of least skilled player), pull players UP (by coaching to level of top 2-3 players)
• team improvement is dependent upon strong individual player workouts
• player workouts are based on self-motivation (THEY have to WANT to DO them) - conflict arises when coaches have to motivate beyond player motivation
• watch scrimmages (outside of practice time) - do players compete? keep score? get rewards?
• when you are not looking, do you know what is happening in the gym or weight room? is there intensity, is there leadership, or are players goofing off?
• set the team pace of play in practice - includes quick movement between drills (have coordination so the next one is ready), effort, intensity, tempo, plenty of reps
  
• "time on task" is a concept vital to team success - many players involved in positive activity for max possible time, limit standing around or inactivity
  
• three player workouts are excellent for "time on task" - active passer, shooter, rebounder
  

Keys traits of successful coaches

At a previous Can-Am On-Court Coaching Clinic, Dave Smart (Head Coach, Carleton Ravens) worked with all of the attending coaches and shared some great insight. Coach Smart has experienced success at many levels, most notably at Carleton, and is deservedly well-respected. Beyond discussing many technical topics (such as keeping score in drills, elevating practice intensity, defensive rotations, etc - more on those in later posts), Coach Smart offered some terrific general thoughts on coaching traits. He suggested that successful coaches:

• have a team "on the same page" as the coach
• keep themselves in check and do what is in the best interest of TEAM success
• keep their plan simple, focus on it's execution
• know their philosophy, know WHAT they are doing and WHY they are doing it
  
• recognize that they will never know it all, so they keep learning
• embrace leadership - in order to coach, need to be able to lead (note that trust must be gained before players will be led)
  
• treat everybody fairly, have no problem treating people differently (respect, develop trust in individuals)
• stay within their personality and coach the way they are as people (be true to themself)
  

Brief glimpse of Coach Kampe

As mentioned recently, Coach Greg Kampe has enthusiastically agreed to present at the upcoming Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic, taking place June 4th-5th in Windsor. For a brief look in on Coach Kampe's basketball program at Oakland this past season, take two minutes to watch the following clip on YouTube.

The clinic is now only weeks away. If you've not yet sent in your registration, please do so. To download and mail a form, simply go to the clinic link at cobacamp.com.

Continued wisdom from Coach Don Meyer

Although coaching creativity is definitely encouraged, much is still to be learned from those that have paved a solid path before us. Among many successful coaches leading that way is Don Meyer. Due to his discipline, work ethic, unquestionable character, and countless attributes, Coach Meyer is to be greatly respected. He is also responsible for the following gems:

• importance of body language, he asks "how does your team sub?" - need to hustle on and off the court
• on communication, players need to "yell what they are in" - shows leadership, makes sure everybody is paying attention
• regarding confidence, players need to be strong and not worry about getting shots blocked
• importance of ball reversal, critical for getting a good shot, two or three reversals may be needed
• know how to draw fouls - get out quickly on the break, take the ball to the rim, get the ball in to the post
• on rebounding, play hard, rebound "out of your range", pursue the ball, secure it with two hands

ANOTHER great coach at Can-Am Clinic

With sincere pleasure and tremendous respect, the Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic welcomes Greg Kampe of Oakland University to it's June 4th-5th clinic roster of outstanding presenters.

For a complete bio of Coach Kampe, please visit the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies site. By way of a summary, Coach Kampe has enjoyed a successful run of 26 years at Oakland, most recently guiding his team to consecutive 23+ win seasons. Within his conference, he has been selected as "Coach of the Year" four times out of the last ten seasons, including a "National Coach of the Year" nod from CollegeInsider.com.

Coach Kampe is highly regarded as an excellent clinic coach who, like our other two presenting coaches Dave Odom and Don Casey, will provide the June clinic attendees with excellent value.

Keep it simple

Basketball is a wonderful sport, at times made better through complex systems and detailed technical teaching. However, when teams are struggling or important games are to be played, coaches remind their players that they should stick to fundamentals and keep the game simple. Teams, beyond the talent of individual players, succeed when they give strong consideration to the following:

• rebounding - on offense, fight hard for every board, be creative in pursuit
  
• rebounding - defensively, make contact and be sure to protect their hoop
• turnovers - defensively, force them then convert them in transition
• turnovers - on offense, limit (preferably eliminate) them, value the ball
  
• fouls - on offense, try and draw them and put the defense in early bonus foul trouble
• fouls - defensively, play tough and stay out of trouble
• screens - on defense, don't get hit by them, talk through them
• screens - offensively, set them low and solid, read and attack
  
• location - make opposition play offense in uncomfortable areas and ways
• location - play offense in attack areas, get passes inside the paint, get to the FT line
  

New DVD - The Street Stops Here

Much has been written about Coach Bob Hurley Sr. and his teams at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. Invariably, the stories revolve around the tremendous success achieved on and off the basketball court. Coach Hurley has developed some outstanding teams and players but, more importantly, some incredible young men and citizens. His graduation rate is excellent, his compassion is unquestionable, and his commitment knows no bounds.

Earlier this week, on many PBS affiliates, the new documentary that chronicles St. Anthony and Coach Hurley was shown in prime time. Given the impact of the film, especially considering how well it was done (Teamworks Media), it fits with the philosophy of this blog to share information on how you can see/obtain the movie. Simply click on the active links to:

• go to the St. Anthony School website to find out more about the school
• contact Kathleen Staudt to order copies of the DVD directly from the school
• watch a terrific interview on Chicago Tonight with Coach Hurley
  
• watch (on Expressvu) the documentary on the PBS East affiliate of WGBH Channel 2 on Sat. April 3rd at 6:30pm or Mon. April 5th at 2:30pm
• watch (again on Expressvu) the replay on PBS West (KCTS 9) on April 5th at 3am
• go to Amazon and order a copy online (for a reduced preview price)
• go to the Teamworks Media site to order a copy from the filmmaker
  

Stagger Play

Check out this Stagger Play from Mike Katz from the 2009 Can-Am Clinic. Katz is the head coach at the University of Toronto, and his teams run as good a set offense as any team in the CIS. They execute and run their sets hard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xE3u5kJ1R8

Offense - screener responsibilities

When screening on the ball, the screener has just as many responsibilities as the ball-handler that receives the screen. If the ball-handler needs to be patient (in the waiting and reading of the screen) then the screener needs to sprint to the screen in order to buy some time for that action to occur. As mentioned in a previous post, the screener must screen above the ball (further from the hoop) in order to cause enough of a defensive disruption. The screener must make contact with the defender and therefore needs to be low and wide enough (must take up space). A screener must have a strong basketball I.Q. - after all, they need to read both the defensive reaction as well as their ball-handler's decision. Screeners need to consider:

• opposition coaches will be instructing their defenders to NOT get hit by the screen so emphasis needs to be placed on making defender contact
• must pay attention as the action may require a re-screen (which will happen quickly) based on movement, don't assume job is done after the initial screen
• if ball-handler accepts the screen and drives defender into it, then screener will need to roll if screen defender hedges or flare away if screen defender zones off to the lane
• if ball-handler rejects the screen (because of defender leaving a drive line) then screener will need to space away opposite or step back (as a fill) into space away from defenders
• if ball-handler splits the screen and the hedging defender (because the ball defender chased behind and the hedge defender left a gap) then screener should look to flare away from the two defenders (to open space)
• if screen defender zones off the action to the lane, and ball defender goes under the screen, then the screener should read and stay as the wall for the ball-handler to shoot behind
• overall, the screen must be aggressive and the screener should be a threat and space to an area that is effective and does not draw defenders to the ball
• screeners must always be aware that teams may trap the ball-handler and therefore need to be visible to the ball on all movement out of a screen
• all of this, and much more, is covered in great detail every summer during the weeks of intense basketball instruction at COBA