Wisdom from Bob Hurley

Coach Hurley, 15 years ago, co-wrote a book called Divided Loyalties: The Diary of a Basketball Father (copies still available on Amazon.com). So much of what he wrote at that time is still applicable today. On the topic of attitudes of winners versus losers, he offered his Ten Commandments (thanks to Coach Chovan for the reminder of the list). A few of those gems follow:

• a winner goes through a problem, a loser goes around it and never past it
• a winner says "I'm good, but not as good as I ought to be", a loser says "I'm not as bad as a lot of other people"
• a winner feels responsible for more than his job, a loser says "I only work here"
• a winner works harder than a loser and has more time, a loser is always too busy to do what is necessary
• a winner shows that he is sorry by making up for it, a loser says "I'm sorry" but does the same thing next time
  

A comment about Don Meyer

In the book Playing for Coach Meyer, author (and former Northern State player) Steve Smiley asked for feedback from other former players - short messages that would help him share with readers just how truly influential Coach Meyer had been in their lives. The book is still available on Amazon.com. The following comment from Rob Browne (a former player at David Lipscomb University) spoke volumes about Coach Don Meyer. By former players, many coaches likely hope that the same is said of them some day:

"To know him as Coach had its challenges. To know him as Teacher has its rewards. To know him as Friend is the biggest blessing of all."

Strong coaches do this

Look around the sport of basketball, at many different levels, and you will readily notice several commonalities of the quality programs run by strong coaches. Some features include:

• teaching - they believe that players need to be taught, not simply told, not just sport skills but team culture and life
  
• sharing - personal and program growth develops from sharing, encouraging communication
  
• promoting - through networking and community-building, programs realize great gains (get the message out!)
  
• inclusion - being open, bringing people together, adding talented assistants and people-connectors is invaluable
• passion - when others may have run out, leaders still have plenty left and do what others may not
  
• positives - leading by example, maintaining focus, never being satisfied with average, not allowing letdowns
  

Relationships with players

Head Coach Buzz Williams and his Marquette program continue to offer great insight into their practices, philosophies, and their program. In a recent clip (courtesy of the Marquette Athletics YouTube channel and 3 Penny Films), Coach Williams works with his players in order to make connections.

Two excellent statements jump out for coaches - 1) "I've got to count on the people I'm supposed to count on" and 2) I love our players based on their heart, toughness, and mentality (not based on their talent). Enjoy the brief clip:

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

Coach K - Duke film

Thanks again to ESPN for another superb all-access segment, this time inside the Duke program. Watch as Coach K spends time breaking down some key elements of film, emphasizing how Duke wants to play.

Within the clip, Coach K asks his players "should I be upset about this? You're darn right I'm going to be upset about it. The fact is though, it won't change unless YOU get upset about it." He then goes on to teach further and explain a Duke standard. Solid teaching from a successful coach.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/91475/duke-all-access-film-room

Teach differently

To best demonstrate to their team that players need to have an open mind, and try new techniques, coaches should be acting in the same manner. As coaches, one of many responsibilities is to truly practice what we preach - we also need to seek to grow in the game.

Watch the following clip (thanks to Coach Pat) that shows a different way of teaching the shell drill. You will note the emphasis is on the hands, but the subtle focus is that the feet end up doing the work - fantastic. In order to emphasize the hand and arm positioning, some coaches have suggested using a skipping rope stretched behind the heads of defensive players. Others have offered that players put their thumbs in their arm pits and point their elbows at the ball and their player. This clip uses towels. The end result is that defenders have their hands up, thumbs in, palms out, and are pointing at the ball and their check.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CoachPat30#p/u/10/PUnY_EkLZ9o

Good body language saves money

Just ask Mark Sanchez, quarterback of the New York Jets. Sanchez was struggling to overcome negativity and wanted to improve his body language whenever he faced adversity or inferior performance. He reached out to his team for the help and support that could make him a better player. His team has responded. For practices (let's face it, that is when it matters because behaviors can be corrected), there is now a system of fines in place if Sanchez shows poor body language.

Positive body language will clearly save Mark Sanchez money this season. NY Jets Offensive Coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, when asked if last season would have been costly for Sanchez (if the system was in place) quipped "as much money as he has, he'd be broke with all the body language he had last year." As coaches, we constantly preach the importance of good body language. With the support of his team, Mark Sanchez is taking strides toward personal improvement and has made himself financially accountable for that growth. Select the link for the complete story:

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2010/11/jets_institute_body_language_f.html

Can-Am Clinic's Don Meyer

The Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic had the distinct pleasure of hosting Coach Don Meyer two years ago. It was indeed an honor to present such a successful coach and engaging speaker to our attending coaches.

November 9th is a special day for Coach Meyer. Today marks the release of Buster Olney's book, entitled How Lucky You Can Be, (available at Amazon.com) that chronicles the life of Coach Meyer. He portrays the highs (graduating players, plus most wins) as well as the lows (the horrific car crash, discovery of cancer) of Coach's life and career. With the holidays coming, this book may be the perfect gift for somebody (even you)! Regardless, congratulations to Mr. Olney and Coach Meyer for their collaboration.

Can-Am Clinic's Dave Odom

This past June, Coach Dave Odom taught with great passion at the most recent Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic. Coach gave the attending coaches plenty to think about, and did so with tremendous energy. We remain grateful for his efforts and sharing. For ongoing teaching as well as early info on next year's clinic, go to the Can-Am clinic's Facebook page.

As the college basketball season heats up, Coach Odom now finds his days full with preparations for the annual EA Sports Maui Invitational. In his second season as Tournament Chairman, Coach Odom is looking forward to this year's strong field - one that includes Michigan State and Kentucky. Next year, the field expands with additions of teams and game locations (see the ESPN article). Just as he did at our clinic in Windsor, Coach Odom has made a positive impact on the annual Maui event.

TALK on defense

Communicate! Talk! Speak to the ball! Go to a gym, especially at the higher levels of the game, and you will hear coaches imploring their team to talk on defense. The old axiom is that a loud gym is a winning gym - in both practices and games. Teams, especially on defense, need to TALK:

T - Tell your team what you are doing, what you see, how you are helping.
A - Accept your responsibility in team defense - your player, the ball, your help, be unselfish.
L - Listen to your coach, and for how your teammates are helping you.
K - Keep talking - the moment you stop, others think they can do the same.

Kevin Eastman defensive teaching

Thanks to Coach Rich Stoner for the reminder of these excellent points from Kevin Eastman (Boston Celtics Asst. Coach). At a recent coaches' clinic, Coach Eastman outlined some pertinent thoughts regarding transition defense. As one of the premier teachers in the game today, Coach Eastman emphasizes the following components of transition defense:

• TALK, TALK, TALK
• get back and get set
• apply intelligent pressure
• keep the ball out of the paint
• only give up a contested two point attempt
• GANG REBOUND
• take care of the paint, the ball, and 3 point attempts
• be a "hit first" team
• close out properly and help (SPRINT to both)
  

Celtics' Doc Rivers speaks about team unity

The Celtics, in what we now know was their championship season, needed a concept that would bring them together - something that would bond 9 new players plus 6 existing players into 1 team. That philosophy was captured in one word - Ubuntu. Think of a rope - it is made strong because the individual twine is woven together as one.

Watch the interview (thanks to Marquette Magazine) with Boston Celtics' Head Coach Doc Rivers and Stephanie Russell (Exec. Director for Mission and Identity). Concerning teams, two quotes really stand out - 1) "a person is a person through other persons" and 2) "being a coach, the way you introduce something the first time is the most important time."

http://www.marquette.edu/magazine/recent.php?subaction=showfull&id=1223391536&archive=&start_from=&ucat=12&

Defending screens

In previous posts, the defending of ballscreens has been covered. This post covers defending screens away from the ball, specifically a down screen and a baseline screen. Points to consider:

• with either a down screen or baseline screen, especially if the screen is set by a big, the defense must avoid separation from the screener
• screeners will look to a seal and post up defenders as soon as they have space to do so (can establish and win a foot fight on or near the lane)
• therefore, screen defenders should hold close to the screen and defenders of cutters should chase on down screens or baseline screens
  
• chasing off a down screen is more aggressive, avoids defenders getting jammed in the lane, and does not allow a reception and step back shot by cutter
• chasing a baseline screen is again more aggressive and avoids a middle jam of a defender going over the top, plus does not allow the cutter to fade off the screen to an uncontested shot (along the baseline)
  
• chasing cutters means that the screen and cutter defenders stay with their respective responsibilities (defensively much more aggressive)
  
• to further improve the action, the three defenders not involved in the screen need to help it in every way possible (jam cutter, bluff coverage, see it, talk, etc.)