Good advice

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

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

Drill - baseline chaos

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

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

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

Creativity in the off-season

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
  

Quotes - leadership

Plenty of discussion usually takes place when somebody says "that player deserves to be the captain of the team, they are a true leader." If you find yourself in one of those discussions, step up and be Socrates - ask the pertinent questions of "what is leadership" and "what makes a good leader?" Some thought-provoking quotes concerning leadership:

• "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
• "As a leader, you should always start with where people ARE before you try to take them to where you want them to GO." (Jim Rohn)
• "Leaders make decisions that create the future they desire." (Mike Murdock)
• "The ability to summon positive emotions during periods of intense stress lies at the heart of effective leadership." (Jim Loehr)
• "To be able to lead others, you must be willing to go forward alone." (Harry Truman)
• "The best example of leadership is leadership by example." (Jerry McClain)
• "I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, NOT more followers." (Ralph Nader)
• "No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit for doing it." (Andrew Carnegie)
  

Gregg Popovich - emphasis in drills

Coach Popovich pays great attention to detail and places emphasis on doing the right things the right way. If he is listed as a presenter at a clinic, that clinic is definitely worth attending. Who knows, maybe he'll be a headline coach at a Can-Am Basketball clinic (next one is June 4-5) in years to come? On the topic of drills, Coach emphasizes:

• be strong on the fundamentals of the game (footwork, hands, body positioning)
• work on being perfect before fast - do it properly, then be quick enough to be uncomfortable
• drills need to provide enough of a challenge for your team that your leaders will rise up and talk, lead, get others doing properly
• want adversity, want players to have to think and talk
• give a change command to the next group in the drill but only give just enough time that they have to communicate and organize quickly
• transition within a drill or between drills should be done without delay, want chaos
• if a group is playing too slow or not correctly then give a point to the other team and boot the poor performers out of the drill
• look to test mental strength of players, important to know who gives up too early, who battles to the end
  

Concepts for workouts and practices

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

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

Coaches Toolbox - Twitter

There are many terrific sources of information for coaches - books, dvd's, clinics, other coaches, watching games, online resources, blogs, etc. Add Twitter to that long list. Twitter is yet another avenue where coaches who want to learn can connect with coaches and leaders that like to share.

Getting started is easy. Finding resources is easy. Staying connected is easy. The rest is then up to you. If you wish, simply follow people that offer material that interests you - whether on nutrition, quotes and phrases, physical development, mental training, x's and o's, motivation, leadership, coaching resources, the list is endless. If you want to share, then that is available too - who knows, you may develop a list of learners that want to follow you.

Regardless, it is yet another great tool in your box. The best part of all is that the information comes to you - after you set up the list of people from who you'd like to learn, they automatically teach and share with you on a regular basis. Unlike books, dvd's, and watching games, you don't have to go looking for this information - it comes to you. Going to http://twitter.com/ will get you started.

MSU thinks outside the box, sleeps inside the gym

Be creative. Think differently. Make memories. See the game another way. Foster leadership in your players. These are all wonderful ideals. Go to the link below and read the story that outlines some creative thinking by the men's basketball program at Michigan State.

http://www.greenandwhite.com/article/20100302/GW0201/3020334/1026/GW0201

Essentially, they needed to change things up, bring in something fresh to replace a stale atmosphere, improve communication, and develop a better cohesion and chemistry. How did they do it? A sleepover at mid-court - they camped out on the floor of their home gym. Not only that but it took place the night before an important game. For now, it seems to have been a good idea. In a few weeks, if they win it all, it will be a legendary idea. Regardless, they embraced a change. The best part of all, as described by Head Coach Tom Izzo, is that "it was a player decision" and showed initiative. His players took responsibility, offered a solution, and put it into action.

Random thoughts for this time of year

At this point in the season, more than ever, some components of play are crucial to team success. In no particular order, attention should be paid to the following:

• with a fastbreak emphasis, guards MUST get rebounds - first steps after a missed shot (or a score) are very important
• on a transition wing pass ahead on the break, emphasize an attack to the middle to put basket pressure on the defense
• on penetration, the emphasis must be placed on sprinting cuts, making the proper read, and shooters spaced in positions where the ball can see them (don't get three in a row with ball and defender)
• every practice, an assistant should meet with each point guard and review their checklist - turnovers, rebounds, effectiveness, leadership
• reinforce the use of concentration cues in timeouts in order to gain focus - allow players 15 seconds for water and settling, then cue them for priorities with a "listen up"
• as the late Jim Valvano said, "never give up" - no matter how the quarter or half is going, the next one can always be better (if your team is willing to work and play to it's strengths)
  

In appreciation of mentors

Once again, as the world joins together for the highest in winter athletic competition, wonderful and positive stories have emerged. Beyond the skill and excellence currently taking place in the arenas and on the slopes, some of the best stories have long been written and are now being shared.

When time allows, do a search using words such as "inspirational coach" and "coach mentor" and you will uncover a host of great examples of coaches that lent a helping hand at an important time in an athlete's development. Go to the following bio for an example - www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=12150.html#hansen+profile+olympic+difference+makers. The stories underscore and reinforce what many coaches already knew - that they can make a difference. If nothing else, the current games should be re-energizing for coaches. Yes, there are many ups and downs in the journey of any coach. However, coaches should never underestimate the positive difference that they can make in the journey of each and every athlete. Many of the stories being shared of late are those of a coach simply offering their time, showing that they care, providing help with no expectation of compensation or reward - good and true values. Be proud to be a coach and remind yourself that you are in a position to make a positive contribution in the life of every young athlete.

Point guard - profile of success

Successful point guards possess many talents - perhaps the greatest among them is the ability to make their teammates better. When discussing the best at the PG position, Jason Kidd's name should definitely be a part of the conversation. Watch the following profile. Listen to the attributes. Pay attention to the eyes. See the entire larger play plus the fine smaller details - just as Jason Kidd sees them.

Link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh1DalWSuAc&feature=player_embedded#

Perhaps the most pertinent line in the commentary is "Playing the point isn't about threading the needle through a handful of defenders. It's about finding your scorers and placing the ball exactly where THEY want to catch it." With thanks to Rob Mahoney, The Two Man Game, Jason Kidd, the Dallas Mavericks, and the NBA.

Travelling with teams

Regardless of the ages of your athletes, when traveling with your team you need to expect the unexpected. Prepare for the worst. Hope for the best. At all times, as much as coaches are watching OVER their players, coaches must also remember that they are being watched BY their players. Leadership, especially when facing adversity, will be expected of everybody - coaches and players alike. People are best measured when they are greatly tested. To teach your team to work in harmony with life's circumstances, there is nothing better than the challenges brought about by airports and flights. Many events happen beyond a team's control - in airports, as in sport. In order to build a strong team bond, it is important to face challenges in a unified and harmonious way.

Of equal importance is what takes place after trips. Coaches need to ask their players what they liked best, as well as what they learned. If players are younger, ask the oft-used 'apples and onions' question. This encourages players to reflect on their experiences. Unless prompted, some players may not naturally grasp the value or cost of an experience. Some may take the effort, planning, and preparation for granted. We want them to appreciate the experience. When players reflect, they are able to gain an appreciation for things that previously went unnoticed.