Offense - team objectives

All coaches, based on their respective philosophy, have points of emphasis and objectives for their teams. As mentioned previously, those points will be based on personnel, desired style of play, and a host of other factors. On the offensive side of the ball, consider stressing the following to achieve success:

• want to get a shot EVERY possession, so we must take care of the basketball (that concept of possession value requires constant reinforcement)
• ideally want a layup or post up - if not available then need crisp ball movement (always preach and appreciate the unselfish extra pass)
  
• need to generate three point shots that come as a result of inside out passes (again the emphasis of patience after post reception and shooters moving/spacing)
• want to change sides of the floor because defense is strongest on the first entry (ball pressure and help side is in place - need to break that down and beat in recovery)
  

Offense - post play fundamentals

Post players need strong fundamentals in order to be effective close to the rim. They must put in the necessary individual work and repetitions to establish good footwork. Beyond their feet, post players must use their hands wisely, and exercise good common sense. Mentally, the challenge for players that do most of their work in the paint is that they need to play both urgently and patiently. With respect to positioning, sealing, and receiving the ball, some suggestions for post players follow:

• need to have bent knees, a wide base, and feet wider than shoulders
• arcing with your feet
• based upon where the passer gives you the ball, the passer is telling you where you are open
• must control the HIGH foot - whatever side the defender goes to, post player needs to sit on that front thigh
• if defender is fronting the post, the offensive player needs to get both arms up so they eliminate the possibility of being called for a push off
• anytime there is a post feed, the game needs to slow down - react to the post feed but emphasize patience for the post (to allow the match-up to develop)
• you can hide a lot of things in basketball but you can't hide somebody who is not a good receiver of the basketball
  

Coaching Clinic - June 2010 , Coaches Odom and Casey

With the 2010 Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaches Clinic just over four months away, it is time to share some exciting news. This summer’s clinic (once again, sponsored by cobacamp.com) promises to be one of the best ever - as always, entertaining and insightful. The presenters will deliver an impactful message, provide clinic attendees with a wealth of information, and may change how some coaches view team basketball.

As of today, Coach Don Casey and Coach Dave Odom have made an enthusiastic commitment to spend two days (June 4-5, 2010) sharing knowledge in Windsor, Ontario. Coach Casey is well known for his NBA coaching experience and his recent book (2008) entitled Own The Zone which he wrote with Ralph Pim. A master of teaching zone principles, Coach Casey has worked with some of the best coaches and teams in the sport – Paul Westhead, John Calipari, PJ Carlesimo, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, and Team USA 2008. Given his international experience and his sport leadership positions, Coach Casey provides a well rounded vision and approach to the game.

Coach Odom, highly regarded for recruiting and helping develop Tim Duncan while coaching at Wake Forest, is a four time recipient of conference (ACC and SEC) Coach of the Year honors. With Final Four experience, NCAA tournament success, and NIT championships to his credit, Coach Odom has an impressive resume of college coaching experience. Teams that have benefited from his expertise are Virginia, Wake Forest, and South Carolina (who recently handed high flying, and number one ranked, Kentucky their first loss). Presently, apart from being a clinic speaker in great demand, Coach Odom is Chairman of the popular NCAA preseason EA Sports Maui Invitational that takes place every Thanksgiving.

This year’s clinic will be held June 4^th-5^th at the University of Windsor (St. Denis Centre). For the clinic brochure, go to www.cobacamp.com/coachesClinic.html .

End of game - the comeback

We've all experienced this scenario. It's late in the game, our team is trailing by a small margin, the game is exciting, the crowd is yelling, your team is battling, the game could be decided by a single late play. This situation should be fun, and will be if you are prepared and remain poised. This is the time when the hard work and preparation in practice should shine through in your team. As for the strategy of the moment, the coach has many tools available in order to craft a win out of the opportunity. Coaches need to be mindful of the following:

• remain patient - based upon the time and score, understand how many possessions remain for your team
• in order to get into your offence quickly, have some full court quick hit plays ready
• philosophically, players must attack the rim and put themselves at the free throw line (in both the attack and the free throw, importance is just as much mental as physical)
• use your assistants - have a clear understanding of team and player foul counts for both teams
  
• to help with setting up pressure, sub players at free throws and dead balls
• in FIBA play, remember the clock stops after made baskets under two minutes
• if expecting full court defensive pressure, an option is to have a time out pre-called after being scored upon - if under two minutes in a FIBA game, your team inbounds the ball from midcourt and can enter the ball either front or back court (hence reducing pressure and advancing the ball half the distance)
• know what the other team is likely to do if they are up or down by a few points (think, what would you do if you were them?)
• do you have a plan for the scenario of having just scored to go up by 3 points - are you fouling in order to get the ball back after opposition free throws?

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.

Player Substitutions - use them wisely

It is a given that coaches have MANY responsibilities - both in the big picture as well as in a detailed sense. Paying attention to small details, beyond being good for your program, can also help you gain an advantage in games. Consider substitutions. The strategic subbing of players, if done well, can be of tremendous benefit to your team. Give some thought to:

• how do your players sub in?
• encourage them, much like free throws, to have a routine (while waiting to sub in) that helps them focus and get ready to work
  
• subs need to hustle over to you then the scorer's table when called upon
  
• players should sprint on and off the court (with enthusiasm and/or good body language each way)
• subs entering need to shake hands of teammates exiting the game, get matchups, and communicate current defensive/offensive calls
• in order to slow down tempo or set up defensive pressure, sub after a made free throw
• to disrupt opponent's matchups, sub at timeouts (preferably at the end of the TO)
• to help your first subs off the bench prepare mentally and develop a game-to-game routine, consider advising them of what time they should expect to enter the game for their first substitution
• end of game situations may require you to sub for defense or offense - be prepared, have a plan, anticipate the scenarios, and execute
  

Offense - thoughts for post players

Whether in transition or in the half court, no matter what teams run on offense, strong post play is a significant contributing factor to success. Playing in the post requires a specific mindset. In the post, every practice or game, it is a war - players must be prepared to battle. They must be tireless workers, and always be looking to gain an advantage. Just as they need good physical balance, post players also require mental balance - they need to play with both an urgency and patience at the same time. Want to be strong in the post? Consider the following:

• be aggressive, must WANT the ball
• the game slows down in the post (on catch of the ball)
  
• the lowest player is the strongest player - need to be lower, wider, longer
• do NOT worry about blocked shots - score, draw a foul, or get the ball back
• make and maintain contact (for a proper read, need to know location of defender)
• finishing school - follow through with EYES and hands
• must have a jump hook and be able to shoot that hook from an 11-12 o'clock position
• EVERY shot needs to be considered a potential rebound (eyes on the ball)
• need to have a go-to move, a counter, AND a third move - must have enough to get it done
• develop a European Post style of play - play big down low, have a three point shot, be effective with dribble drive attack
  

Quotes to use with teams

With their teams, many successful coaches use quotes to emphasize a point, inspire, motivate, focus, or pick up their teams. Some coaches post a daily quote on their board or practice plan. There are tens of thousands of terrific quotes that are applicable to basketball. Over time, many quotes will be offered in this blog. If using a quote, coaches need to ensure they pay proper respect to it's author (which also encourages players to do the same, and may provide a spark to a player that inspires them to learn even more). Some popular quotes are:

• "Morale is when your hands and feet keep on working when your head says it can't be done." (Benjamin Morrell)
• "Dreams are what get you started. Discipline is what keeps you going." (Jim Ryun)
• "Competing is like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you are tired, you quit when the gorilla is tired." (unknown)
• "I want to know what I don't know." (Kevin Eastman, Boston Celtics)
• "What really counts is not the number of hours you put in - it's what you put in those hours." (unknown)
• "Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." (Sir Winston Churchill)
• "Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out." (John Wooden)
• "The four destructive behaviours of athletes are criticizing, complaining, comparing, and condemning." (Eric Musselman)
  

Defending ballscreens

Proper defending of ballscreen action is a vital component in the success of overall team defense. The screen defense calls and reads that are made are dependent upon the team's defensive system and priorities, the skills of the individual offensive players, the skill sets of your personnel, game variables (i.e. player fouls, team fouls, time and score), offensive sets of the opposition, etc. Regardless of the plans chosen, all members of the defense MUST communicate - especially the four that are away from the ball and can clearly see the screen action. Decisions, based on team philosophies, must be made - some screen defensive strategies are more aggressive than others. Some options for defending ballscreens are:

• trap on the ballhandler by both the ball defender and screen defender
• jam by both defenders - jam up into the ballhandler by the on-ball defender as well as a jam under the screener (to prevent a roll or movement) by the screener's defender
• hedge by the screen defender and then position under the screen action by the ball defender (must read, don't assume the ballhandler is using the screen to then go a certain direction)
• hedge by the screen defender and then movement over the screen action by the ball defender (either over the hedge or through a gap between the hedge and the screener that the screen defender would then have to close on recovery to the screener)
• zone off and back (i.e. to a defensive lane position) by the screen defender with an aggressive chase over the screen action by the ball defender (to disrupt the ball and force a hurried play)
  
• the hedge by the screener's defender can, depending on system and priorities, be a hard hedge to take the ball up and away from the rim and towards midcourt or a high hedge followed by a flat hedge (90 degree screen defender pivot) in order to prevent the ball from penetrating the lane (and further help the on-ball defender)
  

Thoughts on pace, pressure, intensity

Whether on offense or defense, coaches want their teams to play at a certain pace. That tempo is based on your team, your philosophy, personnel available, the opposition, the game conditions, and several other variables. Some thoughts on intensity, tempo, and pressure follow:

• dictate tempo with defense and transition
• control tempo with offense and rebounding
• when coaches teach pressing, they need to focus on teaching rotations - once players know the fundamentals of defensive rotation, any press can then be adapted or added
• Defense = System + Attitude (must teach it and demand it)
• it is okay to set the intensity level for your team as long as your players understand that you are doing so because you want them to be successful (it is much more effective for your players to choose a high intensity level without your involvement)
• in order to teach your players to LIVE LOW (play and stay down), use ball-handling drills such as stationary figure 8 dribbles that maintain a good low player stance
• when bringing the ball up against a quick, ball-pressure, defensive point guard try and find a way to change the match-up of who defends the ball coming up the floor (i.e. have a different player bring the ball downcourt) or enter the ball early and high into your offense
  

Chat with Coach K and Coach Knight

There are many sources for additional basketball info - books, tapes, dvd's, clinics (such as the Can-Am On-Court featuring Dave Odom in June), the internet, friends, fellow coaches, etc. At our annual coaches clinic, not only do we have the pleasure of hosting a large gathering of coaches that are eager to learn, we also enjoy the company of our tremendous guest speakers. Our headline coaches always show up prepared to share their personal wealth of basketball knowledge, and they've been known to bring a story or two along with them as well. The combination of insightful info and tall tales always makes for a complete and enjoyable clinic weekend.

If you go to ESPN.com, and have twenty minutes of free time, you can essentially treat yourself to a mini personal coaches' clinic with Coach K and Coach Knight. Last night, ESPN posted a conversation between the two legendary coaches (in the hallowed Cameron Indoor Stadium). As you watch it, you may feel that you are sitting in the bleachers with them at the end of a great clinic day. Yes, there are a few tall tales, but there is also some terrific sharing of knowledge by two of the sports most successful coaches. Between them, they cover many topics such as team defense, point guard play, the importance of ball protection, the lost art of making a good pass, being an unselfish defender, and shot selection. All it will cost you is a bit of time - at the very least, you will be entertained.

Basketball Philosophy

Coaches must think about what is important to them (and why) and develop their philosophies. For most coaches, philosophies develop over time and are not made the instant that they coach their first team. The approach that a coach takes in any given season is usually based upon a mix of what is at the heart of their personal philosophy as well as the type of team that they have. Some components may be deemed essential while others may have some flexibility. For example, pushing the ball, trapping, and full court pressure may be how a coach likes to play but the type of players they have that season may play a role in the decision of how the team will actually play.

Some general suggestions and comments regarding coach philosophies and the management of teams:

• ask your team to meet without the coaches and discuss what will be necessary in order that their team can achieve success
• when coaches add, they must also subtract - it is okay to add new plays and systems but consideration should be given to removing some at the same time
• one of the greatest compliments to a coach is having one of their players coach younger athletes
• the most impressive players I have coached are the ones that are committed to excellence both on and off the court - we encourage and try to teach a commitment to excellence in academics, athletics, socially, and life in general
• you get what you accept (if a C is okay with you then a C is what you will get) - we try and get our players to work towards A's knowing that, while there is no guarantee of achieving an A, at least they will still be improving rather than settling
  

The importance of mental training

Playing the sport of basketball requires, amongst many qualities, tremendous strength and discipline. Not only physical, but mental. Being disciplined requires players to have a "present focus" (applies to coaches too). Players need to learn how to let go of mistakes as they happen so that they can then re-focus on the present moment. Here are some ideas to help your players with their discipline:

• educate them that the LAST play (or shot) does NOT affect the NEXT play - every moment in a game is independent of others
• teach your players how to "park" their negative thoughts. Letting go of, or moving beyond, negative thoughts is essential to success as an athlete
  
• watch your player's body language (make sure they are aware of the enormous difference between positive and negative signals)
  
• pay attention to your player's tone and choice of words
• help your players understand THEY are in control of their thoughts and reactions to events that involve them
  

Offence - penetration and kick

On offense, there are several keys to an effective penetration and kick attack. Coaches should emphasize:

• sprint all cuts and fill positions with a purpose (nothing easy for the defense)
• bring speed to all screens
• make use of the six perimeter spots - two each of corners, 45 degree wings, and elbow extended
• on penetration, the four players without the ball must be moving (harder for defense to react and recover - beat them on recovery from help)
• post players need to move with their hands high - cut, react, and roll
• on the weakside of the floor, the ball must always be able to see you
• teams need to work on defensive balance and offensive rebounding from day one
• after the kick out pass, pause in the lane to read the next attack and maintain proper spacing
  

Ideas and expectations for my Assistant Coaches

Philosophy

• get to know the players – coaching is all about relationships
• challenge me and ask questions
• don’t be a locker room lawyer – players complain to me
• nothing is told to you in confidence by a player – player must understand that
• everything WE talk about is in confidence
• absolutely no drinking or partying with the players
• no cell phones at practice, games, meetings, etc.
  

Practices

• breakdown drills – most will be mass taught
• during team drills, take a responsibility – defense, offense, rebound – EVERY MISSED BOX-OUT/T-UP SHOULD BE POINTED OUT
• coach/teach/communicate
  

Games

• check the scorebook
• contact news media with game results
• pick up videotape/statistics on the road and at home
• keep me informed about fouls, shot clock, time and score
• offer suggestions
• coach players when they come off the floor
• MAKE SURE I ACKNOWLEDGE IMPORTANT INFO

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.

Learning from BIG games

Big games are part of every team's schedule. You have to prepare for them. Kentucky and Louisville had a well publicized one yesterday. As much as it was not necessarily the best game ever, in a way it was - because it was real. Yesterday's big game in Lexington proved that sports are played by people, not robots. There may have been moments during the game when the two coaches wished they had robots on the court executing, but the learning and teaching of young men would not have happened.

Yesterday's much-hyped game between two historic rivals provided many lessons for coaches and players alike:

• there is no such thing as TOO MUCH work on individual fundamentals such as shots from in close, layups, footwork (offence and defence), passing, box-outs, close-outs, staying on your feet when defending up fakes, etc.
• players are NOT robots, emotions play a role in their games and those emotions need to be self-controlled (so that their coach is not forced to remove a player 8 seconds in to the game in order to have a nose to nose discussion about maintaining a cool head)
• teams can NEVER GIVE UP, whether they are down 13-1, 25-12 or any other score, there is always an opportunity to fight back and be up 42-41 after plenty of dedicated play
• teams need to always be working on small and large group concepts of spacing, talking, proper rotations, defending ballscreens, group rebounding, trapping, etc.
• given the pace of play and expended energy, proper hydration becomes even more important (to maintain energy, prevent cramps, etc.), especially for the players that will log the most minutes
  
• in order to best replicate a high stakes game versus a tough opponent/traditional rival in an away gym with an unfriendly crowd, practices must resemble chaos with multiple odds stacked against a group of five players that they must then battle through with poise
• a disruptive full court defence must be practiced - yesterday's game proved that a tough D is effective against even the most highly rated and determined point guards (in practice, it also serves to better prepare your own point guard for what they should expect to see from tough opposition - in that way, it is mutually rewarding)
• you don't always have to buy professional dvd's about certain aspects of the sport - taping an important game for your own viewing pleasure and analysis is equally, if not more, beneficial
  

Offence - high handoff

This play sets up well to provide opportunities for a big that can attack the rim after a handoff and for a wing that can shoot well off a screen. Shooters (2 and 3) are spaced to corners, ball (1) is up top with both posts wide and out. Another option is to have the rim post start low and join the action up top with the trail post opposite. 1 penetrates and kicks to 5 and then sets a flex screen (away and low) for 2 to use cutting across the lane (looking to catch and play). If no low feed materializes then 2 continues to screen away for 3 while 4 replaces the vacancy of 1 at the top.

After flashing to the weakside elbow, 1 receives a pass back from 5. 4 looks for a handoff from 1 on 4's basket cut - 4 must read the defence and cut based on how they are being defended. 5 and 2 stagger screen to open 3 for a shot on the weakside. 3 has to read both screens and cut based on the defensive reaction. 3 could receive the pass from 1 (early or late) or 4 (as a kickout from a prevented drive) and needs to space to the smart spot of the court. If no pass received (hence not a shooter), 2 looks to roll from the weakside . 5 must be aware, plus shot and rebound ready. 1 stays top as a fill for the drive by 4 or as a step-back shooter from a kickout pass by 3.

Preparation is the key

This point of the season brings many challenges. Athletes are coming back to competitive practices and games after a brief layoff. Some have been disciplined enough to maintain a level of fitness, others have perhaps let their training slide. Coaches are getting ready for conference play, the meat of their schedule, intense tournaments, the bulk of the season. One question to ask, especially long before any important challenges between the lines begin, is "are we ready?"

The journey to the ultimate tournament of any season is a collective marathon of short sprints and teams need to be ready for both aspects. Preparation is the key to successful execution. Many clinics have preached it, many coaches have written about it. Coaches need to ask themselves if their team is ready to handle the adversity that it will no doubt face. The challenges will come - physical fatigue, mental readiness, an unfriendly gym away from home court familiarity, a tough call by an official, a tight schedule, a relentless pressing defence, an unexpected travel delay, etc. The question remains, is your team ready for all that it may face? Have you limited or eliminated the risks? Have you prepared in practice using an unfair advantage to simulate extraordinary pressure? Have you allowed for extra travel time due to unpredictable weather? Has your team tried to play when it can't hear you because of incredible crowd noise? Have you provided your players with the mental training that will allow them to find cues that will keep them calm and focused? There are so many variables. As successful coaches have suggested, in order to NOT be surprised by something, your team needs to have already experienced it. The responsibility of preparation, among many, belongs to the coach. It's never too late to make an improvement.