COBA Coaching Development Blog

6th Annual COBA Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic

2011-04-18T11:50:00.000-04:00

6th Annual COBA Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic

It is that time of year for the

6th Annual COBA Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic

in Windsor, Ontario. This year's clinic features

Del Harris

and

Pete Gillen

. The clinic takes places June 3-4, 2011 at the St Denis Centre on campus at the University of Windsor.

CLICK HERE

for a clinic brochure.

NEW

this year if you cannot make the clinic dates contact

Coach Oliver

today to find out more information about how you can access the clinic video.

WHY THIS CLINIC?

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Most clinics focus on providing you with a variety of speakers for a very short time. At the COBA Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaches Clinic we want to take you more in depth into the minds of some of the best coaches in North America. Our clinic will feature multiple sessions with each speaker so that each can provide a complete picture of their topic.

On-court demonstrations and progressions will be used to teach you their offensive and defensive systems. More importantly, you will get more of an opportunity to interact with the clinicians through question and answer periods.

Watch video of past clinicians here by clicking any of the names: Chris Oliver, Dave Odom, Greg Kampe, Mike Katz, Larry Shyatt, 2008 Clinic Compilation

ABOUT OUR CLINICIANS

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Del Harris is one of the most sought after clinicians in the world. He was an NBA head coach for the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Lakers. He also served assistant coach for the NBA's New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Mavericks. Harris has been a part of the NBA Playoffs 26 times as an assistant and head coach. During his for four seasons (1994-1998) as the head coach of the Lose Angeles Lakers Harris compiled an impressive 218-110 (.665) record, highlighted by the 1997-98 season's 61-21 mark, the best record ever for a Harris-led club. He joins Pat Riley and Phil Jackson as the only coaches in L.A. franchise history to register three consecutive 50-plus wins in a season. He was named the 1995 NBA Coach of the Year with the Lakers. prior to his stint with the Lakers, Harris coached in Milwaukee (from 1987-88 through the first part of 1991-92). Harris was an assistant coach under Rudy Tomjanovich with the US national team in the 1998 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal.Harris also served as coach of the Chinese national men's team, where he coached NBA All-Star center Yao Ming and led China to a surprising upset victory over Serbia and Montenegro in the 2004 Athens Olympic basketball tournament. Prior to becoming the Lakers' head coach Harris was also a special consultant of Canadian national men's basketball team and their then head coach Ken Shields.

Pete Gillen has a vast coaching background. Helaunched his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at the University of Hawaii with Rick Pitino. Gillen followed that with assistant coaching stints at Virginia Military Institute, Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame. He was head basketball coach at Xavier University from 1985 to 1994, Providence College from 1994 to 1998, and the University of Virginia from 1998 to 2005. At Xavier, Gillen compiled an impressive record, taking the Musketeers to the NCAA tournament seven times and to the NIT tournament once (1994). Gillen is still the most successful coach in school history at Xavier, having won 202 games in the third-longest tenure ever for a XU coach. Following his success coaching success, Gillen has worked for Westwood One and CBS College Sports Network.

CLICK ON THE QUICK LINKS TO...

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FOLLOW COACH OLIVER ON TWITTER
FOLLOW COBA CAN-AM CLINIC ON FACEBOOK
HOLIDAY INN HOST HOTEL INFO (To reserve space - CAN AM COACHING CLINIC. Group code is COH)
CLINIC BROCHURE

CONTACT INFO

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Chris Oliver | 519-253-3000 ext. 4047 | coliver@uwindsor.ca

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COMPLETE Understanding

2011-02-20T14:39:00.005-05:00

As he shared with our coaching staff in the past, at the beginning of every season, Coach Don Meyer would hand out a slip of paper to each player and staff member. On it, were three simple words - Coach, Player, and Official. Each person in Coach Meyer's program was asked to circle ONE choice on the paper - they could only be either a coach, player, or official. That meant the OTHER two duties had to be left to others. Makes sense. Drives home a very important point to all involved.

However, in order to have a COMPLETE understanding of one's own role, it helps to understand the roles of others - "walk a mile" in their shoes, see the world through their eyes, it will make you better. Know how it feels to BE another person, and then you will have a better idea of how to interact with them.

Coach - benefit from being a parent or communicating with parents, listen and learn about what issues players face in their lives (school, work, etc.), spend time talking to officials (away from the game) in order to determine what officials are looking for/experience in games (even BE an official - volunteer or otherwise - very humbling)
Player - go to a coaching clinic or read coaching blogs/books/articles in order to understand why coaches approach player development the way they do, communicate with officials (away from games) to better understand how refs view contact plays/footwork faults/player advantages (again, volunteer to be an official for a younger age group), speak to parents so that the player truly grasps the sacrifices that parents make so that kids can participate in sports
Official - either speak to or be a parent so that they know why parents want the best for their kids (and may be passionate in the stands), talk to players to fully understand what happens on court in games (the speed of the game, the challenges, rules interpretations, inconsistencies, etc), and finally coach at any level to comprehend what is involved with being a leader on the sidelines
Parent - communicate with coaches in areas of philosophy, skill development, nutrition, fitness, etc. (don't assume that coaches are not approachable, don't judge them) - even better, try being a coach in order to completely understand the joys and pressures of the role - talk to players and learn, as athletes, what challenges they face, and either learn the rules of the sport (in order to best appreciate what is happening on the court), ask for the help of an official, or BE an official

A DAY IN THE LIFE: COACH BEILEIN & THE WOLVERINES

2011-02-14T13:15:00.004-05:00

Somebody sent me this article outlining a day in the life of John Beilein at Michigan. There is so much to do in a day but only so many hours – and those hours seem to fly by so it is not surprising to see that his days are full.

In reading the article it brought to mind a recent article in the Globe and Mail that outlined the evils of multi-tasking that argues multitasking doesn't save time. In fact the only benefit of it might be that it provides a sense of accomplishment. For coaches and teachers the lesson is clear and that is to focus on the task at hand. This is often difficult with the phone ringing and your email buzzing but I have found that if I create times of the day devoted to video, phone calls and emails that I am much more efficient, not to mention much more relaxed, in getting the necessary tasks done. This is sometimes easier said than done I admit. One of the biggest challenges is disciplining yourself to focus only on one task. This requires priority setting and an understanding that "the other things" will get done in time. I can say with conviction however that this process helps me get everything done. My goal is always that when I return home at night after practices or games that my work day is done and I can now focus on family and relaxation.

An inspiration for me was the book the 4-Hour Work Week. The concept of a four hour work week is highly implausible in my mind but some of the concepts do hit home. The first is that time is valuable. After reading this book I’ve started to value my time more. If I am reading something and it is not relevant or interesting than I will stop reading it. Simple really – don’t waste time on things that aren’t important to you. Time away from activities that bring me pleasure and from loved ones needs to be justified. I’m no longer willing to spend all of my time on work. There needs to be more to life. There are simply some tasks that are either really time consuming or we just don’t want to engage in. I learned from this book also that outsourcing can be done at almost every level. The benefit to all of this outsourcing is that you have more time to focus on your business or to do whatever it is that you enjoy doing. I have tried to find more ways to outsource or eliminate some tasks that take me away from what I value and enjoy.

Click here for the full article A DAY IN THE LIFE: COACH BEILEIN

3 examples of unselfishness

2011-02-13T16:10:00.005-05:00

Putting others first, ahead of yourself. Truly being unselfish. Recognizing you are a part of a team. Realizing that you will need help from others in order to achieve your goals. These thoughts have appeared in this blog before, but three shining examples came to light this past week.

The "Tradition" of Windsor Men's Basketball was on display and celebrated by so many people - all of whom, we are fortunate to hold close to the heart of our program. Last Saturday, our program was pleased and proud to host its annual Past, Present, and Future reception. To gather together, celebrate, and be reminded of the ways in which so many have selflessly contributed to a common purpose, was very humbling. We remain grateful to each and every one of our program's many supporters.
Jerry Sloan, the longtime, successful coach of the Utah Jazz, retired this week. Coach Sloan is an outstanding example of a person being steadfastly committed to doing things the right way. His discipline, his purposeful approach, and unselfish commitment to making other people better are to be commended. He has improved the lives and careers of so many - in basketball, and beyond.
This is not a political statement - merely an observation. A truly historic event took place in a unique part of the world. The citizens of a region may have indeed changed their future by putting others ahead of themselves, realizing they were one small part of a large team, and knowing that the help of others would be needed in order to achieve their own personal goals.

All-Access with Oakland U Basketball

2011-02-10T09:52:00.004-05:00

Oakland University head basketball coach Greg Kampe is a past speaker at the COBA Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic - Here are some of his clips: 1-4 Ballscreen Stagger Set and 1-4 Ballscreen Set (Note: This year's clinic is June 3-4, 2011 in Windsor, ON and includes Pete Gillen)

This video provides an inside look at Coach Kampe and his basketball program. Coach Kampe is an excellent teacher. I have had the chance to watch his team's practice. They are very organized and he is demanding without being demeaning. His team is currently 17-9 and in 1st place in the Summit League. They have a great chance to do some damage in the NCAA tournament as they have already beaten Tennessee and had a close game vs. Michigan State.

Watch the All-Access with Oakland University

Transform Versus Conform

2011-02-06T14:52:00.007-05:00

In order to fully have an 'others' focus, players need to differentiate between TRANSform and CONform. I will explain. So that they can grow and develop, people need to realize that they will need the help of others to help get them to where they want to go. I have reinforced this concept with recent tweets at twitter.com/Chris__Oliver (or @Chris__Oliver).

If players (and coaches) recognize that help from others is needed, then they also need to have an 'others' focus so that they develop the proper unselfish mindset themselves - another example of balance. In order for that to happen, those same players need to change their thinking away from "my teammates and coaches need to CONform to my style of play." If teams are going to succeed, the unselfish mindset of "I need to use my skills and adjust my attitude to TRANSform to my team's goals and style of play" needs to prevail.

On paper, this is all wonderful and good. In reality, this is only accomplished through personal maturity, a true unselfish approach, and a genuine desire to make others around us better. Individuals on successful teams transform - they do not expect team members to conform. The difference is enormous, the results are obvious.

COBA Player Development

2011-02-04T08:15:00.003-05:00

Wondering what COBA is all about? Here is a video highlighting some of the drills/skills and basketball specific athletic development that takes place during COBA skill development sessions. CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO. Better basketball players and coaches are developed during the off‐season. However, it is common for players and coaches to put many hours into developing without maximizing their returns. Our development sessions will help you become a better basketball player and coach by developing and refining your basketball‐specific skills, athletic ability and knowledge. There are two types of COBA camps:
2 DAY COBA PLAYER/COACH DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS which combine player development sessions with a coaching clinic as we show you how to teach the drills and skills we use to develop our players.
5-Day COBA PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP which combine on and off court basketball specific player development skills and drills.

Butler and Brad Stevens: What we can learn

2011-01-27T10:40:00.001-05:00

A recent ESPN.COM article examines Butler and its coach Brad Stevens a year after its national final loss to Duke - Butler and Cindrella, a season later.

The article makes two main observations: (1) Stevens is well-adjusted and extraordinarily grounded, more so than just about any other Division I coach you'll ever meet, let alone one in just his third year on the job; and (2) this 2010-11 season -- the season after -- could've turned into a joyless, six-month slog if Stevens wasn't as sane and smart as he is.

Perhaps the most relevant part of the article is how Butler has become every opponent's biggest game. They now have a "target on their back" that comes with the responsibility of being good. All of their losses get magnified because of the expectations for the program. The advice for coaches dealing with expectations is that our teams must learn how "enjoy the process." As Stevens says 'Look, you've gotta enjoy this process and enjoy the fight to win. And when you do win? Never take it for granted. You've gotta enjoy that, too. I'm not saying jump on the scorer's table and wave towels and yell. But hug each other. Enjoy each other. Enjoy all of it. Never "expect" it.'"

Pops 4 on 0 Fullcourt Drill

2011-01-24T10:54:00.007-05:00

We are big fans of having game-like drills. While I have nothing against a 3-man weave full-court I find it hard sometimes to recognize the translation to a competitive situation. It certainly works on fundamentals (Passsing/catching/running/teamwork etc) but we prefer drills that have more of a transfer of skills to game situations. In this 4 on 0 Drill (Click Here) we got from Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs we use a full-court passing drill that combines outlets, hit ahead passes and our fastbreak principles (run the wing wide, sprint to half and don't look back until you get there, look over your inside shoulder with your butt facing the sideline etc). Obviously the drill is simple but you can create your own modifications. For example on return trips we will have them come back into a 4-0 offensive breakdown sequence.

The masters of the left corner

2011-01-21T15:11:00.001-05:00

Nearly every player on the New York Knicks' roster operates with one rallying cry repeated daily by coaches: "If you're open, shoot it." The left corner on the floor has become the Knicks' Promised Land. According to the article - The Masters of the Left Corner - the Knicks' have made 49% of their 112 3-point shots from the left corner. The league average on all 3-pointers is just 35.9%.

The left corner is the prime real estate for a number of Knicks: five players shoot at least 50 percent from there, including Mr. Felton's 80%, Shawne Williams, 73.3% and 50% from Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari.

What makes the left corner so effective? D'Antoni's philosophy is based on his belief that 3-point shooting skills are inherent in nearly every NBA-caliber athlete. His staff immediately started preaching the corner 3-pointer for the floor space it creates for other players to drive to the basket and for the increased reward it produces on the scoreboard. The article also discusses the impact of Raymond Felton and Amare Stoudemire's pick n' roll game that creates open shots. Different than traditional pick n' rolls D'Antonio has always run spread pick n' rolls.

Some excellent lessons for the advantages of 3-point shooting and the use of pick n' rolls to create advantage situations.

Building a winning program

2011-01-19T10:24:00.000-05:00

Mike Carey, who has turned around women's college programs at Salem College and now West Virginia shares some ideas about his success in turning around losing programs: Mike Carey has turned program into winner. Some of his ideas are super lessons for all of us in coaching or business interested in creating a winning culture:

1. The players excepted the coach's personality - Coach Carey is intense and competitive and his player's took on that personality
2. He convinced his players that it was in their best interest to accept that he would never let up n them and push them constantly to get better - "He stays on us constantly," said sophomore center Asya Bussie. "On the court, he won't stop yelling, he'll never stop. He wants us to be perfect."

The lesson is clear. Coach to your personality. And get your players to buy in to that personality by explaining why and how it will help them improve as individuals and a team.

Finishing School Drill

2011-01-17T07:33:00.002-05:00

We work a lot in our program on finishing around the rim. Here is one of the drills we use that we call Curls. Players curl around the big block, catch and finish. We shoot 2-foot hooks/push shots, 1-foot hooks/push shots, shot fakes, step through shots and 2-foot fades. We also encourage our players to be creative - different arc, release points and targets. A big emphasis is for our players to follow through, not just with their shooting motion, but also their eyes by keeping them on the target through the release. We also add a defender to disrupt vision. Check out the drill here from the 2010 COBA Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic: Finishing School - Curls

Confidence in coaching

2011-01-14T12:33:00.003-05:00

When you hear Raheem Morris, the young Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, speak you hear a person with incredible confidence. As coaches, we know that confidence in players develops from demonstrated ability. Coach Morris is an example from whom we can all learn.

Currently, ESPN is running a series of profiles in promotion of "Content of Character" - a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. (this year is the 25th Anniversary of MLK Day). In the profile of Coach Morris, his friends and players (including veterans) commend him for his passion, commitment, dedication, and a little bit of swagger. He endears himself to his players because he really tries to understand what is happening in their lives, and he works hard to connect with each of them. One of the best lines in the commentary is a quote from Coach Morris, one that clearly demonstrates his confidence, focus on being positive and believing - "in order for there to be a reality, there must be a mentality."

San Antonio Spurs "Pounding the Rock" Philosophy

2011-01-11T10:14:00.004-05:00

Greg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, was asked recently about the Minnesota Timberwolves. His comments were interesting. He said despite Minnesota's losing record their players play like winners - Spurs coach believes Wolves aren't far off

Popovich cites a quote by Danish-American social reformer Jacob Riis that's posted in several languages around the team's locker room and has become synonymous with Spurs basketball. "We call it 'pounding on the rock,' that saying we have in the hallway down there," Popovich said Sunday night.

"It's a perseverance, a belief that the game really is 48 minutes and you keep doing your job for 48 and see how it breaks. They're mature. They believe if they stick together and believe in each other, some good things can happen.

The Wolves, in contrast, are what Popovich calls "very talented," but they are also young and unsure. If San Antonio plays 48 minutes knowing something good eventually will happen, the Wolves at this point in their development might just play suspecting exactly the opposite.

What we can gather as coaches is that our team's must believe that whatever happens in a game something good will happen eventually because your team does things the right way on a daily basis.

First Time Coach Learning Lessons

2011-01-11T09:48:00.004-05:00

Fred Hoiberg, hired by Iowa State with no prior coaching experience, has found some early success and this article from the Wall Street Journal examines some of the factors Is this guy Hoiberg for real? Hoiberg said he learned much from his former coaches - Larry Bird with the Indiana Pacers and Kevin McHale with the Minnesota Timberwolves -who took their first coaching jobs with no prior experience. "Neither of those guys had experience, but they were great at communication and surrounded themselves with the right people," says Mr. Hoiberg. Hoiberg hired former Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz who offered this advice - how to "tell people 'no' from time to time" in order to balance his coaching, recruiting, public speaking, administrative and family responsibilities; and when to play the tough guy. Some excellent lessons for all of us coaches.

Defense Wins Championships

2011-01-11T09:38:00.003-05:00

Larry Shyatt, assistant coach at the University of Florida, spoke at the 2009 COBA Can-Am On-Court Coaching Clinic, and these were his detailed notes about his defensive system. The detailed notes can be found here. Coach Shyatt was an excellent teacher. His language was precise and his intensity and passion was evident during every drill. Here is Coach Shyatt teaching a Ballscreen Shooting drill so you can see his passionate teaching. We are excited about this year's clinic as it is always wonderful to be around such excellent teacher's of the game.

Clever and simple language

2011-01-01T13:27:00.004-05:00

In coaching, clear communication is essential. The English language sometimes offers some clever word connections that coaches can use to their advantage. One such twist is the word listen. When speaking to players, and demanding attention, coaches may want to point out that listen contains the same letters as the word silent. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Next steps

2010-12-31T10:27:00.004-05:00

First of all, Happy New Year to all of you that read this ongoing blog, attend COBA camps, make an annual trip to the Can-Am coaches clinic, as well as support our team.

At an average of one blog entry every two days, this has certainly been an active year of sharing and growth. As coaches do with their teams, we are focussed on the journey of this blog, not just making it a destination. With that in mind, we welcome your feedback. If you have enjoyed it, let us know (cobacamp@hotmail.com). If you have questions, thoughts, or suggestions then please do share a quick email.

As we look ahead to 2011, this blog will continue to evolve. COBA player development camps will grow to meet new challenges and demands (look for updates very soon). The Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic (June 3-4) will once again provide coaches and players with superior value - announcements confirming speakers will be forthcoming. True learning develops through teaching.

Stats to support coaches

2010-12-30T10:34:00.003-05:00

Enter any gym and watch a practice. You will see and hear points of coaching emphasis. That emphasis often relates to defending, rebounding, protecting the ball, etc. - all are stats that are then measured within games. That said, a quick look at some stats (thanks to Minnesota Duluth Newsletter) from the 2010 NCAA basketball tourney proves the points that many coaches make to their players. The 64 games (that took place this past tournament) provided the following results:

52 winners had higher FG percentages
42 winners had more rebounds
44 winners committed fewer fouls
45 winners attempted more free throws
42 winners shot a better free throw percentage
40 winners had higher 3 point shooting percentage
33 winners had fewer turnovers (given there were 7 ties, stat is 33 of 57)

A different type of adversity

2010-12-29T23:24:00.002-05:00

Coaches and teams have to deal with many types of adversity. Previously, we have discussed such topics as travel and weather delays, changes in schedule, strange gyms, etc. The following clip illustrates a type of adversity that some coaches and teams may have never faced. Watch, as an annual tradition called "Silent Night" plays out at Taylor University. As coaches, our responsibility is to make sure that we would have our teams prepared for such an event so as to minimize its impact. Thanks to Taylor Athletics for their clip and story:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csjydRx750k&feature=player_embedded

Video Breakdown

2010-12-27T09:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Holidays everyone. As always, we try to only share the relevant and interesting, so here is an in-depth article on how the University of Vermont men's basketball coaching staff breaks down video and uses it for specific opponent game preparation. Most university programs do this in a similar way.

Some of the key thoughts:
- Digestible individualized instructions for each player and the team is the goal
- Even with technology it takes considerable time to prepare a scout
- Most programs outside of D1 and some top level D2/D3/NAIA don't have the resources to have 3-4 assistants and video coordinators to help with the process so it all falls on the 1 or 2 full-time coaches
- “You have to walk that line with how much information you give them, how much they’ll digest,” Becker said. “You don’t want them over-thinking.”
- No matter how much time we put in as coaches, the key is to get your players to buy in to its value

Check out the whole article here UVM basketball coaches break down preparation process

Teaching by asking questions

2010-12-10T09:29:00.005-05:00

One of the greatest aspects of coaching is discovering the unselfishness of other coaches. So many are willing to share, and that is a powerful dynamic. This morning, Coach Greg Brown (Assoc. HC, Univ. of Central Florida Women's BBall) shared a passage from William Safire's Lend Me Your Ears (available on Amazon.com) and it bears repeating in this blog. In previous posts, we have highlighted Socratic teaching methods, asking questions to facilitate learning. William Safire's paragraph is a perfect illustration.

"The greatest teacher makes a few simple points. The powerful teacher leaves one or two fundamental truths. And the memorable makes the point not by telling, but by helping the students discover on their own. Learning takes place through discovery, not when you are told something, but when you figure it out for yourself. All a really fine teacher does is to make suggestions, point out problems, above all, ask questions, and more questions and more questions......teaching encourages not only discovery but initiative."

Wisdom from Bob Hurley

2010-11-24T23:03:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-22T16:30:00.005-05:00

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

2010-11-21T15:14:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-17T08:35:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-16T08:14:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-11T08:18:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-10T11:12:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-09T12:21:00.005-05:00

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

2010-11-08T08:24:00.004-05:00

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

2010-11-06T10:57:00.004-04:00

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

2010-11-05T10:50:00.003-04:00

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

2010-11-03T09:37:00.003-04:00

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

2010-11-01T11:28:00.004-04:00

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.)

Chicago Bulls' new coach

2010-10-29T09:06:00.005-04:00

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

2010-10-28T05:58:00.006-04:00

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

2010-10-25T08:58:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-24T10:40:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-18T20:44:00.003-04:00

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

2010-10-18T17:11:00.005-04:00

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

2010-10-18T07:53:00.006-04:00

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

2010-10-17T14:55:00.006-04:00

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

2010-10-16T10:58:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-15T10:54:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-13T07:34:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-12T21:49:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-12T08:05:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-09T11:11:00.004-04:00

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

2010-10-09T10:32:00.006-04:00

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

2010-10-07T11:36:00.003-04:00

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

Side ballscreen teaching points

2010-09-27T11:22:00.004-04:00

Some good reinforcement, especially given current popularity, on teaching side ballscreen. Presenters at this past weekend's UDM coach clinic provided solid reminders and instruction:

angle of the screen is ALWAYS important, think where the ball is going next (get to the paint)
space is required for the screen action, ball needs room to work all directions
location of the screen is ideally foul line extended, between elbow and 3 point line
awareness of not screening too far out, don't want ballhandler to step out of bounds with a pivot
screener needs room to work too, must be able to flare, roll, step back, or pop
other 3 players need to be spaced (and ready) far enough away that screen has room to execute

Quick hits at the UDM clinic

2010-09-26T14:10:00.003-04:00

Some brief insights from featured coaches at Saturday's University of Detroit Mercy clinic (thanks again to Coach McCallum and his staff for hosting our coaches, plus allowing our players to work with coaches Sullivan, Sampson, and Coles):

"on out of bounds plays, Coach Dean Smith taught that action was initiated by the ref handing the ball to our player - slapping the ball was a loss of valuable time" (Pat Sullivan, Detroit Pistons Asst. Coach)
"bringing energy to practice, and never having an 'off day', three people need to be on the same page - point guard, best player, head coach" (Kelvin Sampson, Milwaukee Bucks Asst. Coach)
"always have cutters finish their cuts beyond the 3 point line - don't live in 'no man's land', don't clog up middle" (Fran Fraschilla, ESPN analyst)
"positive body language is essential - show coaches you are ready to play, show teammates you want the ball, give others energy from your energy" (John Kuester, Detroit Pistons Head Coach)
"do you use assistants to track different stats such as ball touches - not simply a tip or deflection of pass, also a hand on an offensive rebound?" (Kelvin Sampson, Milwaukee Bucks Asst. Coach)

Basketball, football alike

2010-09-26T12:09:00.005-04:00

Driving back from University of Detroit Mercy coaching clinic (hosted by Coaches Ray McCallum, Jay Smith and staff - thanks again!), the Arkansas vs. Alabama football game was on ESPN radio. Listening to the game, it became crystal clear how much football is like basketball. Some parallels:

countless hours of scripting and game planning go into the preparation of each game
especially in an away game in adverse conditions, teams try to maintain calm and give themselves an opportunity to succeed
on the court or field, body language needs to display confidence and poise
on the sidelines, show no panic, act like you have been in a difficult game before
leaders need to prove their worth and "walk their talk" while support players need to find a way to contribute and make plays
the game will be decided by defense disrupting opposition, creating energy, making stops
as they have practiced, offense will be required to execute with efficiency

Ask questions, make players think

2010-09-23T14:40:00.004-04:00

Understanding language and terms is essential. As mentioned before, teach team-specific language, and make sure everyone is "on the same page." All too often, coaches use terms but may not check to ensure that players truly grasp what is meant. So, ask them. Make the wheels turn. Ask questions such as:

what is meant by the concept of balance? how is your body positioned when you are balanced? (thanks to Coach Renato Pasquali for that one)
why do we tell you to run wide on the wings? What are four reasons for doing so?
what are you looking at when you are told to "see the rim" - how many things?
when coach says "chin the ball", apart from your chin location, what is the rest of your body doing?
what does "shot fake" actually mean? what mechanics are involved?

Traits of good coaches

2010-09-22T08:23:00.005-04:00

What makes some coaches better than others? Why are they appreciated more than others? As you'll see in the article that recently appeared in the Sporting News, players commented on aspects such as "work ethic, preparation, disciplined and fair but stern attitude, takes care of his players, etc." Read on:

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-09/sns-top-nfl-coaches/story/sideline-to-sideline-whos-the-best-nfl-coach

Quotes from Coach Knight

2010-09-21T22:02:00.004-04:00

Some quotes from Bob Knight, accomplished coach, current analyst, passionate teacher - they may have been spoken years ago, but they still apply today:

you build winning teams on character, NOT characters
victory favours the team that makes the fewest mistakes
my goal with any player who's ever come here, is to have their parent come up to me after our last game and say "thank you"
I try to win basketball games and, at the same time, prepare my players for the rest of their lives
a coach must remember that he is a teacher, and therefore must prepare his team for every possible situation that may develop
the will to prepare to win is more important than the will to win

Set Play for Post Up

2010-09-21T15:23:00.004-04:00

ANGLE

Here is a set play to get the ball in the post with simple counters if post feed is not available

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37883083/Angle

Celebrate "Sports Day"

2010-09-18T09:08:00.005-04:00

An active lifestyle is vitally important - regardless of age, ability level, or amount of commitment. September 18th is Sports Day. Encourage somebody to get involved, be more active, or volunteer. For more info, go to cbc.ca or click the link:

http://www.participaction.com/en-us/SportsDayinCanada/SportsDayInCanada.aspx

Life Lessons at Marquette

2010-09-16T14:36:00.007-04:00

Not much explanation needed with this one. If you want an inside look at how Marquette develops its program and its people, watch the following clip - powerful message, passionate teacher, Head Coach Buzz Williams. Thanks to Marquette Basketball and Authentic Films for the access:

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/083110aaa.html

Renewal

2010-09-14T21:18:00.003-04:00

This time of the year and season, if you are open to it, can be a tremendous source of positive energy for coaches. It can be a time of renewed spirit, enthusiasm, and fresh approaches.

Students have a fresh start built in to every new school year and semester, and therefore have an energy boost - their interest is refreshed. Teachers have a fresh start with a new group of students, new classroom, or new course - their subject gets new energy.

Coaches have the very same opportunity. Use what you've learned over the summer (based on what you've read or watched), use knowledge gained from coaching clinics (such as the Can-Am), and apply a fresh approach to the opportunities presented by the upcoming season. Mix in some new drills. Do something different to build team unity. Breathe in the crisp fall air and embrace the renewal of your passion to coach. Find positives, make this a year that you will look back upon with great fondness. Enjoy the journey.

Basketball math

2010-08-31T14:35:00.003-04:00

Coaches preach it with great regularity - student is the first word in the term "student-athlete." Coaches are also students, always learning. Read on to learn some math that supports what most coaches already know. The simple question is "when your team has the ball, and the game is tied, should you call a timeout?" Doing so, allows the defense to "set" and takes away the chaotic element of offensive attack. The following article, again thanks to Eamonn Brennan of ESPN.com, uses math to support that an attack WITHOUT a pause produces a score more often as well as higher points per possession. Enjoy the quick read:

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/14774/more-late-game-situational-statistics

To foul or not to foul?

2010-08-27T08:08:00.005-04:00

Ah, the debate continues. What to do when you are up three, a few seconds left to play, and your opponent has the ball? Foul or not? The debate continues but now has some recent stats to provide context to the answer. Thanks to Eamonn Brennan of ESPN.com for providing the latest info. Click on the story, then you can be the judge:

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/14648/foul-when-up-three-you-make-the-call

Hill Training Program

2010-08-26T09:21:00.005-04:00

Treat like sprint training:

Allow for some flat approach to the hill in order to develop speed/momentum through acceleration. (ie 10-15m before slope)
Run team in shuttles ie; groups of 5, 1st in line sprints to top of hill/desired distance> 2nd in line goes and so on. This builds in significant rest/work ratio needed for hill training.

Best scenario:

Start with 5-10 sprints Half-way up hill (Walking down slowly and under control)
Water Break (2-5 minutes)
Then 5-10 sprints to Top of hill (Walking down each time)

Training Protocol:

After each sprint complete (all team members have gone), reduce the flat approach to the hill (speed/momentum) so that by the last sprint they are starting on an incline (no speed/momentum to approach).

After each team member has completed roughly 20 sprints each do some team relays for fun/competition, have some sort of reward/punishment built in.

(Thanks to COBA Athletic Development Coach Jay Johnston for this contribution)

Keep on learning

2010-08-15T09:11:00.006-04:00

The summer sessions of COBA camp may have ended but the learning continues - for campers and instructors. The last two weeks have been fantastic and intense. Basketball boot camp is challenging, both physically and mentally. The planning for next year has already begun. Bookmark the COBA site and watch for updates and details. In the meantime, amongst many topics, players are reminded to work on the following skills:

first step footwork
shot fakes (remember it is "a shot not taken")
offensive ballscreen reads (have patience)
high post series
ball handling (get the work done but also be creative)
perimeter attack series
low post footwork (start from the proper area)
ball tough stance (varies based on location on the court)
spacing off of ballscreen and dribble drive action

Downscreen into a Ballscreen

2010-08-08T19:13:00.001-04:00

Goal of the screener on a ballscreen is to arrive before the hedge arrives - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afsWkgsZEfw - Consider distorting the action that leads to the ballscreen - One way is to create two actions (downscreen into a ballscreen) because it is difficult for the defense to stop two things at once.

Less is more

2010-08-05T12:20:00.005-04:00

This summer, as basketball camps like COBA make their annual impression on young athletes that want to improve, some camp directors have reported attendance numbers are slightly lower. The main reason seems to be that families are spending more time together as opposed to sending kids to camp for as many weeks. That is a good scenario. Regardless, coaches need to remain positive and provide strong leadership. Some positives of lower attendance:

economically speaking, it is a good lesson to have to do more with less - forces creativity and deeper thinking
if staffing maintained, the coach to player ratios improve (good PR)
easier logistics due to moving fewer groups of people around
station work becomes more meaningful because of targeted instruction
fewer potential distractions - better effective management time
greater enjoyment due to the freshness of coaching a different size of group
further review of daily practice plans will likely lead to new approaches (energizing)

Get more from camp

2010-08-02T16:28:00.007-04:00

Summer and basketball camps go together like lemonade and ice. The COBA player development series of camps is continuing this week. Once again, players are enjoying a high level experience and are being stretched from their comfort zones. In general, coaches owe it to their players to help them get the most out of camp experiences. Some tips regarding camps:

research camps, near and far, and always have updated camp resources - match the intensity and demands to the goals of the camper
take two pairs of court shoes (whether indoor or out) in order to alternate and dry
bring OTHER shoes (i.e. sandals) to give feet a break from basketball footwear (put on asap after sessions)
take more socks than any other item of clothing
pack a water bottle (proper and regular hydration is essential)
maximize learning - bring a notebook and pen and, for future development, take notes after each session
be outgoing, make new friends, work smart, and ENJOY the week

Floppy Cross Screen Action

2010-07-29T10:35:00.005-04:00

Here is a Floppy Cross screen action by Barcelona - Variations on simple concepts such as a cross screen action can disguise a simple action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6NlMB2jPWA
When designing your plays consider adding sequences together to disguise the intent. This will confuse the defense and present the defense with multiple things to defend. Remember also to not complicate things too much as simplicity is sometimes the best option when it comes to getting your best match-up the scoring opportunity.

Understanding Athletes

2010-07-28T06:30:00.005-04:00

Coaches, as this blog has mentioned previously, need to embrace the new media - especially when considering the social and communication behavior of their athletes. This weekend, an interesting discussion was repeated from an earlier broadcast of Spark on cbc.ca - the link follows. Essentially, it covered how people of all ages now view friendships, contacts, rank people, along with how they communicate and what is important to them. If nothing else, the discussion is thought-provoking, especially for coaches attempting to cross generation gaps:

http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2010/02/full-interview-danah-boyd-and-william-deresiewicz-on-friendship/

To view an article that goes into further detail, go to:

http://chronicle.com/article/Faux-Friendship/49308/

Defending Screens - Dave Odom

2010-07-26T06:59:00.002-04:00

Dave Odom talks about how he defends screens on defense. He is all about disruption of offensive player movements. He suggests you should bump the screener off their path to disrupt the timing and placement of the screen. Check it out at http://cobacampblog.blogspot.com/

Making a difference

2010-07-25T09:58:00.002-04:00

The concept that coaches "get what they accept" is so simple and so true. At the peak of any season, beyond a team sharing the ball and making their shots, coaches often comment that championships come down to aspects such as defense, rebounding, and ball protection.

That said, why are players allowed to come in to the gym and not work with a purpose, even if they are in for extra/leisure time? The small changes will make the big difference. Granted, the sport needs to be fun but consider the following:

if a player walks in to an empty gym and sees a ball they will likely pick it up and dribble it - they would be more effective going through a short series of dribble moves
if a player is simply taking shots, get them to move to new spots, move laterally or inside/outside, chart their progress, take a set number, don't just shoot
emphasize footwork, don't simply shoot close to the rim, self-pass to imitate a post reception and then work on various moves to each shoulder
throw the ball off the backboard, work on rebounds, catch above the head with two hands, protect the ball at the chin, work on strong wide pivots with a look downcourt
pass the ball off a wall, practice good pass reception to strong ball protection - applies to post players and perimeter players, vary the body location of the catch (chin, overhead, hip, etc)
work on slides, digs, loose balls, close-outs - these can be done without a partner

Why they play

2010-07-24T23:40:00.005-04:00

Never lose sight of why people, the very young to the quite old, play sports. In general, there are three main reasons that vary in importance during a sport career - enjoy the sport, spend time with friends, improve in the sport. Coaches need to be mindful of why athletes participate. For a child, they may be trying the sport for sheer enjoyment purposes. For a teenage or varsity athlete, they may be trying to increase skill sets in order to reach a next level. For adults, sport may offer a regular gathering of friends with like interests.

That said, a coach or leader is entrusted with many important responsibilities, some of which are listed below:

provide a safe environment
make the sport appealing to their audience, even if the athlete is paid
improve the ability of the athlete through appropriate instruction and challenges
understand the participant's goals and help them towards achievement
make the sport experience positive so that participation continues and it is looked back upon with fondness

Post Defense Strategy

2010-07-23T07:08:00.003-04:00

An example of a defender digging on the post to disrupt the offensive player's post move Digging on the post is a great way to disrupt the offensive post player without committing 100% to a double team. How to execute a dig: The closest ballside defender faces the baseline or top (depending on your preference of positioning. When the ball is entered into the post, the ballside wing defender moves into position halfway between the post and their check. On the post offensive players dribble they attack the ball for a second and recover to their check.

Program Humility

2010-07-20T20:38:00.004-04:00

Coaches should seek to remind their players that they are privileged and should be grateful. Some ways to help players grow and build humility in to programs:

volunteer at schools, read for kids, teach them games and skills (players will quickly see the positive impact in the lives of youth, teachers will be thankful for the generosity and help, fans will be fostered)
serve meals for the less fortunate at a soup kitchen (team meals and per diems will no longer be taken for granted or be unappreciated)
help the elderly in care facilities or assist at a hospital (will remind players that good health is not a given and needs to be maintained)
travel as a team, whether close or far, to other cities and gyms (it will reinforce the importance of togetherness, the value of the home gym and locker room, plus the ease of the local routine versus the displacement and sometimes inconvenience of travel)
assist in times of crisis or local emergencies, such as weather-related events like floods or storms (reminds of calm, focus, and dedication to task in the face of adversity)
overall, an "other" focus will lead to player and team growth

Look Opposite

2010-07-19T16:25:00.006-04:00

Sometimes, in order to truly grasp a concept, players need to look at the opposite of what is requested or required. What does that mean? Essentially, they need to BE the type of player that they do NOT like to play against. This theory has been promoted by successful coaches (Knight, Hurley, etc) over the decades. Examples:

if a guard struggles against an aggressive defender that gives them no space to work then that guard should defend that way when they don't have the ball
if a post player does not like to take a beating when working in the attack areas close to the rim then they should be a punishing post defender themselves
if a perimeter defender feels that they play good close-out defense but still manage to be late versus a quick shooter then they need to improve their own quick shot release
defensively, if a player does not like to defend versus big, quick, strong attackers that are constantly working then they should be that way when they are on offense
offensively, if a player does not like to be punished by a defender that makes plenty of contact, gives no space, and seems to react properly to every move then they themselves need to defend in that manner

Communication

2010-07-18T12:40:00.005-04:00

That communication is important is certainly an understatement. Need a reminder? Try getting your point across to somebody that does not speak your language. What tools do you have in that situation? Cues, both verbal and non, play a role. Some thoughts to consider and reinforce for a new season:

recognize how you receive communication and it will help with how you send (if YOU don't listen when somebody rambles then DON'T be long-winded yourself)
use cues with your players so that they can better establish what you mean/want (put your hand in the air when you say "hold" then they will understand the command when just the hand signal is used)
understand that today's players are fundamentally very different from the previous generation and need different communication as a result (if you need evidence, volunteer to work at a camp of teenage players - they speak a unique language)
embrace the new ways of communicating - the entire world is using sound bites, not long documentary pieces, you need to do the same
utilize social media to your advantage - there is a reason that brief text messages and tweets are more popular than email and articles (some people want you to get your message across in 140 characters or you may lose their attention)
timeouts are moments of communication with increased importance - use the brief time to get across two short messages (don't try to tell them all you know about the sport PLUS do remember that players may only recall the LAST thing you told them anyway)

Creativity in the off-season

2010-07-16T08:10:00.006-04:00

To achieve different or better results, the same actions can't be taken. We've all heard the famous quote about insanity. All too often, coaches don't take advantage of their off-season in order to be creative with new approaches in the next season. To challenge yourself and change the way you see things, consider trying the following:

read a different style of book (i.e. not just bball drills, but an adventure mystery when you would normally read a biography)
try puzzles - word search, crossword, sudoku, brain teasers
go to a practice or game and close your eyes for a short while and just listen to the game - what do you hear?
watch a practice or game with the sound off - what do you focus on? how does the experience help you view the game differently?
as a coach you are supposed to be a model and example - ask if that is how you lead and actually live when it comes to health, nutrition, exercise - what do people see?
watch another sport (i.e. recently soccer on the world stage or football), pay attention to what works in that sport that will help your team (emphasis on footwork, spacing, fakes, etc) - reinforce/apply the lessons to bball

High INT Offensive Rebounding Drill

2010-07-12T09:04:00.005-04:00

This drill works on offensive rebounding intensity and competitiveness. Starting practice with short high intensity drills can set the right tone for the type of practice you want on a particular day. Developing rebounding skill is essentially an emphasis more than a technique. This means that you must emphasize rebounding in all your drills/competitive situations and not just in a specific rebounding drill. But a drill like this one can help set the tone for the intensity required to be a successful rebounding player and team.

Can-Am 2010 Clinic Footage - Greg Kampe Set Play

2010-07-07T10:15:00.005-04:00

Set play - 1-4 Ballscreen from Greg Kampe (Oakland Univ) at Can-Am 2010 Coaching Clinic. Coach Kampe provides some of the options and in additional footage he went through the counters for the play.

Interested in getting a copy of the Can-Am 2010 Coaching Clinic hosted at the University of Windsor? Clinic sessions for Greg Kampe (2), Dave Odom (3) and Chris Oliver (1) are available at a cost $30 for 2 DVD's and include shipping/handling (Please note the clinic footage is not professional quality but the audio and video are more than sufficient for learning from the coaches). Contact cobacamp@hotmail.com for more info or to order today.

Horns Ballscreen Action

2010-07-06T09:19:00.008-04:00

The horns action is a simple double high ballscreen play that is run by many teams. The difference here is how Barcelona distorts the screening angle and position by moving the screeners prior to the point guard using the ballscreen. If you do run a lot of ballscreen consider changing the angle and position by using 1. Late Pivots (screener changes the angle at the last possible second), 2. Sprint to Screen (screener sprints to screen to disrupt the hedge defender), 3. Screen to Screen (The screener is screened before they go to set the ballscreen, again with the goal of disrupting the hedge) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSTrD8PtBA0

Fun Serious Skill Development

2010-07-05T08:46:00.003-04:00

Serious skill development in a fun way - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hPu8c6UIIs - Different and in a foreign language but give it a chance as conceptually it is a pretty cool way of training. It appears to be a training academy as there are a few more videos and organization is called MusicBasket.

Reading Screens

2010-06-30T10:14:00.005-04:00

When reading screens, look at the defender, not the ball - you know where the ball is already. Watch CSK execute a simple single-single baseline screen play. The defender goes over top and the cutter makes the correct read and success follows - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tl6pn86kJE

Horns into Crossscreen Set

2010-06-21T07:31:00.002-04:00

Below is an offensive set run by Barcelona at the 2010 Euroleague Basketball Championships. This set shows how you can combine offensive sequences to create a set. Barcelona runs a ballscreen horns action (which isn't as effective as it could be because the ballhandler does not get to the shoulder of the screen) into a basic crossscreen downscreen sequence. In this case Barcelona forces the switch on the crossscreen so now a guard is covering a post at the rim.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e04m38_JBXE

Team Building Lessons from NBA Playoffs

2010-06-18T09:43:00.003-04:00

Congrats to the Lakers and Celtics for a great series. Here is a an article highlighting 5 Team-Building Lessons from the NBA Playoffs. The 5 lessons are 1. Experience Matters, 2. Managing Seasoned Teams Takes a Deft Touch, 3. Build a Deep Bench, 4. Strive to Reduce Turnover and 5. Compete Hard and Follow Through

http://www.inc.com/ss/5-team-building-lessons-nba-playoffs?slide=0#1

Larry Brown Pre-Draft Workout

2010-06-17T06:06:00.004-04:00

In the spirit of the time of year here is an NBA Pre-Draft Workout by Larry Brown of the Charlotte Bobcats. Unlike some of the other individual workouts I have seen where they focus only on individual skills by running them through game-like shooting and ballhandling drills (and some 2 on 2 or 3 on 3, Larry Brown has some of their potential draftees running some offensive sequences (Transition ballscreen, flare into wing ballscreen). I am guessing he wants to see how the players learn and pick up concepts as I know from recruiting at our level this is one of the toughest most important things to evaluate - how do players learn? That is why I like to watch players in a practice or developmental environment and not just a game situation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giOC6udzTy0

Individual Workout

2010-06-15T17:32:00.003-04:00

Santa Clara Basketball Spring Workout - Watch their individuals - http://tinyurl.com/2ejupqw
- Some great drills and ideas to inspire your team's individual player development
- This is the time of year where you earn your players trust and respect because of the extra time and energy you put into helping them improve

Learning from other sports

2010-06-13T09:09:00.003-04:00

Especially at the highest levels, there are many lessons provided by watching other sports. A football reference was already tweeted (22 players, only one has the ball, what are other 21 doing?), great to cross reference. If open to it, you can learn from other areas and then apply/reinforce the teaching to basketball. At the moment, soccer is on the world stage - what does it teach us?

be visible to the ball (don't get "three in a row")
importance of spacing (don't allow one defender to cover two offensive players)
be unselfish, set a screen for a teammate and you'll be rewarded
simple concept of "give and go" works, even at the highest levels
defend by seeing the ball, your check, plus other players
play with toughness, pick yourself up and get back to help your team
whining at officials will not help your team
play hard and smart (be efficient with energy, don't just run around)
footwork is very important (must be worked on to succeed)
"fake it to make it" (sell it well in order to create an advantage)
good things happen when you get to the net

Phil Jackson on Player's In-Game Responsibilities

2010-06-12T13:57:00.007-04:00

Some excellent insight on how Phil Jackson foster independence in his players from a June 9 interview by Kevin Ding in the OCREGSTER.COM

It is not about empowering as much as developing the mindset that your players are responsible for helping to determine what is effective and what is not in the flow of a game.

Q. That two man game that Kobe and Derek were running last night, is that a wrinkle of the triangle offense or some of their improvise drawn up on their own?

PHIL JACKSON: No, it’s just the most basic format we have, based on strong side fill and get the ball moving and what happens. But in the process of a couple actions that went on prior to that, they recommended that this is a place where we can go that’ll make a difference. They don’t want to come off Kobe to have to deal with it.

So, you know, we can take advantage of this, and we did.

Q. Is that something that you empower the players to be able to come to you and suggest that type of thing?

PHIL JACKSON: It’s really their responsibility, it’s not even empowering. It’s their responsibility to understand how they’re being played inside and what we do and recommend those things and make the adjustments on court. That’s what they’re to do, the veterans.

A visit with Coach Wooden

2010-06-08T08:00:00.004-04:00

Many books have been written by, and about, the late Coach John Wooden. His accomplishments are well-documented. His quotes and teachings are legendary. Watching the following will give you pause to reflect. The link below will take you to a 2001 presentation (thanks to Ted.com) by Coach - it is worth watching again and again, especially with a pen and paper nearby.

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/john_wooden_on_the_difference_between_winning_and_success.html

How Ray Allen Got Open in Game 2

2010-06-07T17:32:00.005-04:00

CAN-AM On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic Can-Am 2010 is in the books - please send me any feedback. It was a great clinic as Kampe, Odom and Casey were all excellent with their presentations. Notes, tweets and video will be available shortly.

Till then enjoy this look by TrueHoop at how Ray Allen got open last night in Game 2 of the NBA finals:
http://espn.go....com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/16522/how-ray-allen-gets-open #

Can-Am coaching clinic a success

2010-06-06T13:18:00.004-04:00

Following in the success and tradition of previous Can-Am coaching clinics, the 2010 clinic has now wrapped up, been enjoyed and appreciated by plenty of coaches. Special thanks to ALL of the attending coaches, especially those that brought friends and traveled great distances! Once again, we are grateful to the many friends and supporters that promoted the clinic and reinforced the values of sharing.

This years guest presenters, coaches Dave Odom, Don Casey, and Greg Kampe, gave all of the coaches tremendous content, shared several stories (illustrating examples of what is required to be a better player at any level), and demonstrated their expertise with wonderful passion. Thanks again to all three of them for their support and willingness to share. When combined with Coach Oliver's session of practice drills and individual workouts, the overall clinic provided a fantastic opportunity for learning. Stay tuned to the blog, Twitter, and Facebook fan pages for continued learning from the clinic.

Final thanks are owed to the University of Windsor Athletic Dept. and staff, valued clinic sponsors, COBA, host hotel (Holiday Inn Select, Windsor), Windsor Lancer coaches and players (the men and women that worked very hard on court both days), drivers of the guest coaches, and countless volunteers that helped along the way. Next year's clinic is only 12 months away, and the work has already begun!

Player Development Camp - Shooting

2010-06-02T20:57:00.010-04:00

Elite Shooting Camp presented by COBA/Windsor Basketball

Date: June 25-26
Ages: 8 to 16, Male and Female Players
Cost: $80

Time: 8 hours of instruction

Session 1 - Friday, 6:00-9:00pm
Session 2 - Saturday, 9:00am-12:00pm
Session 3 - Saturday, 1:00-3:00pm

COBA/Windsor Basketball Elite Shooting Camp
Pure shooters are made, not born. Pure shooting is a learned behavior. Learn and practice the fundamentals of shooting, working towards shooting excellence. Drills and programs will emphasize footwork and the mental aspect of shooting, to help maximize execution from the perimeter and to improve consistency in different offensive situations. Instruction will be led by Coach Chris Oliver plus a staff of university players and coaches.

DURING ELITE SHOOTING CAMP

Develop a confident mindset and elimination of fear
Knowledge and understanding of the bio-mechanics of the shot
Identification, cause, and correction of the most common shooting errors
Knowledge of the skills necessary to catch and shoot, dribble and shoot
Instruction necessary to do an analysis of a person shooting a basketball

Go to https://web4.uwindsor.ca/units/athletics/scforms.nsf/Registration?OpenForm to register online or contact Coach Oliver directly at coliver@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext.4047.

Communication Ideas

2010-06-02T13:09:00.005-04:00

We would all rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism
Brutal Truth / Must have credibility
Kids today don’t know the difference between criticism & instruction – Larry Brown
If all I can do is stand up and clap then that is how I contribute
Whisper criticism & yell praise
Everyone is reached in a different way

Don Meyer Thoughts & Wisdoms

2010-06-02T13:05:00.003-04:00

Best locker room sign / “If you are going to bite butts with a bear you better get the 1st bite” / Being aggressive
Better keep the quality of shots down for opponents
Know who you are what are you comfortable with / not just what someone else had success with
Vomit Offense – Come down and throw it up
Can’t coach idiots / better have guys that we can teach / want to learn
Talking on the edge of reckless abandon with our communicating
Pressure the ball as much as possible without allowing penetration or fouling
Wooden to his leaders - Must be our hardest workers / Price of Greatness is responsibility
Take care of stuff off the floor / Invest time with teammates. Get everyone included and let the coaches take care of everything else
Pat Riley would spend 1.5 hours for a 10 minute talk / Preparation

Player Development Camp - Perimeter Skills

2010-06-01T21:34:00.027-04:00

Elite Perimeter Skills Camp presented by COBA/Windsor Basketball

Date: June 18-19
Ages: 8 to 16, Male and Female Players
Cost: $80

Time: 8 hours of instruction

Session 1 - Friday, 6:00-9:00pm
Session 2 - Saturday, 9:00am-12:00pm
Session 3 - Saturday, 1:00-3:00pm

COBA/Windsor Basketball Elite Perimeter Skills Camp
This is a special camp to improve your offensive skills. Taught by Coach Chris Oliver plus his staff of university players and coaches, this camp focuses on only one thing - offensive basketball! Designed for both female and male basketball players, this is a unique opportunity to learn about aggressive offensive skills. Your entire camp experience will be tailored to shooting, passing, ball-handling, moving without the basketball, and one-on-one moves. This is all about YOUR offensive skills, so no full-court games will be played (just one-on-one, two-on-two, plus three-on-three in order to practice what will be taught).

DURING ELITE PERIMETER SKILLS CAMP

Develop a confident attacking mindset
Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of offensive basketball
Identification, cause, and correction of the most common fundamental errors
Knowledge of the skills necessary to catch, shoot, dribble, and attack on offense
Game-like understanding of the application of offensive perimeter skills

Go to https://web4.uwindsor.ca/units/athletics/scforms.nsf/Registration?OpenForm to register online or contact Coach Oliver directly at coliver@uwindsor.ca or 519-253-3000, ext.4047.

Zone Offense Concepts

2010-06-01T07:59:00.003-04:00

To prepare you for Don Casey's topic at the 2010 Can-Am Coaching Clinic - The Temple of Zones - we wanted to present some past clinic zone offense notes from Don Meyer.

Zone Offense:
1. Beat it down the floor
2. Rebound
3. Get ball in the pocket with players that can make plays looking Rim, Post & Opposite
4. Screen out, Seal out / Forward guarding guy, passes to top & makes cut off screen into pocket. Post then seals out on forward on catch
5. Throw back into 3 or 4 players / Loop Flash. Cut thru on baseline with 4-man off post screen. Loop shooter to top & flash opposite wing. Same action
6. Loop Skip / Post up the next defender. Make defender go over the top of the screen in to allow pass to baseline to post

Also here is a commonly used overload set play vs. a 2-3 Zone in video format:

Elbow Shooting Drill

2010-05-31T07:15:00.007-04:00

This is the week. Finally the Can-Am Coaching clinic is here. Registration is open all week. Hope to see you there.

Here is another play from our library of Can-Am Coaching Clinic footage. University of Florida assistant coach, Larry Shyatt, shows you how to run an elbow shooting drill. Shyatt adds some twists to the traditional drill to make it more competitive and game-like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_H7MPClvw4&feature=related

Playing big in BIG games

2010-05-29T12:45:00.006-04:00

Interesting that, beyond all the game planning, matching up, special sets, and other details, games are often decided by a commitment to fundamentals. When coaches talk about players playing big in big games (more importantly playing big LATE in big games), they don't usually use the word 'fundamentals' but they certainly know it is implied.

Take Game 5 of the current NBA Western Conference final - it is a perfect example in many ways. An LA player, instead of doing the fundamentally proper move of using up some shot clock after getting another chance on offense (when up 3), puts up an ill-advised hurried 3 point attempt. Enter the mental side of the game. Need to always be thinking 'time and score' - of which that player was reminded by fans, teammates, and coaches alike. A missed box out allowed Phoenix a 3 point attempt, which they then made. Tie game under 4 seconds to go.

Finally, a sideline inbound that was obviously going to LA's hot shooter. Defensive focus was on that player. Shot goes up, but falls short. Fundamentals now play the role. Instead of finding LA players and making contact with them (hit and sit with a solid box out), the defenders are slow to the ball - focussed only on the ball. As is often the case, the aggressive weakside offensive rebounder (who sees the entire play in front of him, as well as the adjustment of the defense) charges to the ball and beats the defender. No contact was made, offensive rebound, put back off glass, clock expires, game over, two point loss. In just two seconds, a potential series lead turns into a deficit - all because of fundamentals.

End result is that a player (who mentally could have lost focus) erases the recent poor decision play from his mind, plays in the moment, uses proper fundamentals, makes a play, and changes a series. Kobe Bryant said it best. "It comes down to just fundamental things," Bryant said. "They knocked down a 3-pointer because we didn't box out. They wind up losing the game because they didn't box out. It's just the little things like that that are the difference between winning big playoff games and losing them."

Coaches are ready to teach

2010-05-28T07:37:00.008-04:00

Final preparations for the Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic have been completed. One week from today, the fun begins - Friday June 4th at 5pm. To say the three clinicians - coaches Dave Odom, Don Casey, Greg Kampe - are ready to go is an understatement. They are pumped, and looking forward to sharing as much as possible.

Imagine how keen Coach Don Casey (Temple of Zones) is right now! He's watching Phoenix cause LA all sorts of difficulty because they are playing great zone D. As Coach Casey said yesterday, "the stars are aligned" perfectly, it's a great time to teach concepts and principles of zone defense. He went on to say that "regardless of the outcome of the series, Phoenix has shown that zone defense should be part of the defensive package for all teams."

Clinic attendance is growing daily. Coaches are signing up with friends and saving money. If you plan to attend, go to the clinic site to see details, and get the form. Given the timing, please just bring your form and payment with you but email cobacamp@hotmail.com so that your name is on the advance list (for prizes, free lunch, etc). Looking forward to seeing you!