Chicago Bulls' new coach

There really is no such thing as "an overnight success story." Need further proof? Read the following story in the Chicago Tribune about Tom Thibodeau, the new head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Yet another great coach from the Boston Celtics organization. A wonderful compliment paid to Coach Thibodeau by Joakim Noah (former Florida Gator standout), "you can tell he's somebody who made no side deals. He definitely had to earn everything he got."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-1027-bulls-chicago--20101026,0,6821312.story

University of Florida Defense Wins Championship Notes

Defense Wins Championships

Here are some notes from University of Florida assistant basketball coach Larry Shyatt on their defensive system, skills and drills. Coach Shyatt was a guest clinician at the 2009 Can-Am On-Court Coaching Clinic. He is a tremendous teacher of the game who is passionate and demanding in all the right ways.

Notes: http://www.scribd.com/doc/38747453/Defense-Wins-Championships

Letting players coach

Recognizing the valuable learning that takes place when players teach, Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers commented "it makes them think, which is good." In a weekend Boston Herald article, Coach Rivers outlined why he has allowed the players to run their scrimmages over the past few days. The concept of role reversal has worked in the coach's favour, as evidenced when he offered "they get frustrated when guys don't execute, and then I say 'yeah, that's how I feel all day.' It's a good learning tool for everyone." The complete Herald article follows:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20101024doc_rivers_allows_team_to_run_scrimmages_coach_plays_along/

Motivation

As coaches, it is important to understand why players do what they do. Sport Psychology for Coaches provides some interesting reading concerning motivation. Essentially asking, why do athletes play a sport, work hard to excel, want to be part of teams, etc. In summary, according to authors Damon Burton and Thomas D. Raedeke, athletes:

• if intrinsically motivated, play for the love of the game (enjoy mastering skills and seek pride in accomplishment)
  
• want to experience excitement (have fun)
• seek the acceptance of belonging to a group
• want to have control and autonomy
• desire the feeling of competence
• look for coaches to create activities that provide optimal challenges (stretches of their demonstrated abilities)
• need a role on the team, want to know what it is, want to help create it
• are outcome-oriented, thus can be success seekers or failure avoiders
  

Bob Knight - switch screens

In the brief clip below, legendary coach Bob Knight, reviews the defensive reads when switching a downscreen. Watch carefully as he patiently goes through the scenarios of the cutter accepting or rejecting the downscreen. Coach also gives some teaching points for if the cutter accepts then pops back from the screen (as if about to catch a pass and shoot behind that screen). Thanks to the YouTube channel of Championship Productions for the clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPd1zS-umwY&feature=channel

Hakeem teaches Dwight Howard

Known for his attention to detail of footwork in the post, Hakeem Olajuwon is absolutely qualified to teach post moves to anybody - even Dwight Howard, one of the NBA's current dynamic and powerful bigs. Simply put, this is a fantastic 8 minute tutorial regarding post footwork, positioning, counters, quickness, etc. Watch as Coach Olajuwon shares his knowledge with his younger student:

http://www.youtube.com/user/dr34mshake#p/a/u/0/mArHU1ewSog

Butler's "opposite" thinking

We have used the term "operation opposite" in the past. Why do things the same way as everybody else? Here is another example.

The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball program, led by Head Coach Brad Stevens, got back to work this past weekend. The difference between their program and many others is that they did it without the usual fanfare and celebrity event atmosphere that so many other programs adopt for Oct. 15th kickoffs. They simply, as Coach Stevens said, "wanted to spend time together and get a good, focused start to the season." Their official press release follows, as well as the story that was featured in USAToday.

http://www.butlersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/2010-11/releases/101410aab

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/horizon/2010-10-15-butler-practice_N.htm

Good advice

In The Ultimate Coaches' Career Manual, written by Pat Williams (and available at Amazon.com), over 950 leaders and coaches were asked for their advice that could then be passed on to new leaders and coaches. The material in the book is terrific, with many successful coaches offering similar advice. Here is what Andy Landers, University of Georgia Womens' Basketball Head Coach, put forth:

• be honest and NEVER hedge on the truth - all meaningful relationships are built on honesty
• set realistic goals, don't have idealistic expectations without the wherewithal to reach those expectations
• be sure everyone (trainers, managers, assistants, etc.) wants to be as good as they can be, and that they understand what that involves
• communicate, communicate - break things down to the simplest form and be sure that everyone understands what each person is saying
• identify the positive leaders in your organization and work THROUGH them, identify the negative leaders in your organization and work WITH them
  

The impact of Coach Wooden

Had he not passed away in June, Coach Wooden would have celebrated his 100th Birthday (on Thursday) this past week. Physically, he is no longer with us but he will never be forgotten. Rightly so, his seat at Pauley Pavilion (Section 103B, Row 2, Seat 1) behind the UCLA Bruins bench has been retired and will remain empty. A fitting tribute to a very special man that will indeed be missed. In the clip below (courtesy of ESPN), some coaches plus former players reflect on the coach that impacted the lives of so many:

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/ncf/news/story?id=5685680

A video on Don Meyer

Three months after having the pleasure of hosting Coach Don Meyer at the Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic in June 2008, we received horrific news - Coach Meyer had been in a terrible accident. Coach touches the lives of everybody with whom he has contact. This video, produced by ESPN for their E:60 features (narration by author Buster Olney), chronicles Coach Meyer, his outstanding impact on lives, and his recovery from his September 2008 collision - it is a "must watch":

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4068083

1400 shots every day

With a sincere belief that a country can be improved because it's citizens take action to become better people, Dave Cummings set upon a two year mission. His goal is to make one million free throws - in order to do so, he needs to average 1400 per day. His 500,000th made shot will be taken on Nov. 11th, with his millionth shot planned for just over a year from now on Veteran's Day 2011. His commitment, Hoops for Heroes, is in support of injured returning veterans.

Dave, a married father of three who works full time, makes 1400 free throws on a daily basis. Therefore athletes, regardless of age, should certainly be able to set aside the time to get in their desired amount of daily work in order to improve their skills. Links follow, including a brief video that appeared on USAToday.com:

http://www.usatoday.com/video/index.htm?bctid=628273966001#/Hoops+for+Heroes%3A+One+million+free+throws+for+vets/628273966001

http://www.hoopsforheroes.com/

http://hoopsforheroes.wordpress.com/2009/10/27/heres-where-it-started/

Coach Donovan on attitude

Coach Billy Donovan of Florida has been a successful coach for many years - success that culminated in back to back NCAA D1 titles. With thanks to Jeff House for this summary, Coach Donovan offers the following Attitude Plan:

• always making today my best day
• taking pride in a job well done
• treating others with respect
• isolating my negative thoughts
• treating tasks as opportunities
• utilizing my talents every day
• doing the job right the first time
• expecting positive outcomes daily
• speaking well of others every day
  

Kevin Eastman - perfect feet

Spend two minutes with Coach Kevin Eastman as he instructs players, when shooting a basketball, on the perfect positioning of their feet. Coach pays attention to the fine details - definitely a trademark of his teaching. Known for technical expertise and sharing, Coach Eastman is worth following online, and certainly worth seeing at a clinic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLQk6pdQhIA

More teaching from Marquette

Coach Buzz Williams at Marquette loves to teach - he does so with tremendous passion and a positive manner. Granted, practice does not always provide perfection but Coach works through that to keep his team working towards something better.

Watch the following brief glimpse (thanks to TimeWarnerSports) into 6 minutes of practice with Coach Williams and his competitive Marquette program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwk-yP3F0Es

Drill - baseline chaos

A good drill to encourage communication, leadership, and quick-thinking. You can do this at camps, tryouts, elite workouts, or every day in practice. Puts stress on players, and also shows who is paying attention (or not).

Set up is single line at the baseline so that players are fed into the drill and it is obvious who is up next. Coach gives instruction with only enough time (1-2 seconds) for players to communicate and organize and get down court. Can just go down court one direction, or down and back. Can vary the finish at each end. Want to create chaos. Some combinations (can add in your own) are:

• 4 on 0 breakout
• 3 lane passing
• 5 on 0 breakout
• 3 person weave
• 5 person weave
• 3 lane passing with 2 balls
  
• 3 on 0 breakout
• 2 on 1, or 3 on 2 (designate defenders)
  

Attacking Press Break

If you are looking for a simple Attacking Pressbreak as the new season approaches check out this one I used to run when I coached high school & club basketball. It emphasizes getting the ball to the middle of the floor as that's where most presses break down. Also it is very important that your players understand their progression of reads when they first catch the ball (1. Look up the floor, 2. Look to the middle of the floor, 3. Look Reversal, and/or Look skip pass or dribble attack). These progressions can change depending on the individual player's skills and the location of the catch.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/38895397/Cutter-Press-Break