Bob Knight - switch screens

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

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

Quotes from Coach Knight

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
  

Look Opposite

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
  

Tournament strategies - apply them all season

For a basketball coach, player, or fan there simply is no better time of the season than championship tournament time! Big tournaments (at the university, college, high school, and club levels) are taking place all over the U.S. and Canada. It is always interesting to hear the messages and philosophies offered by coaches at tournament time. Some would contend that the concepts, such as those offered below, should apply ALL season, not just in the most important tourney. Ask yourself if you should be applying the following lessons all the time:

• "Focus on how you have to work, or what you have to do, to be your best right now" (John Calipari, Men's BBall HC, Kentucky)
• "It is all about matchups" (Bruce Pearl, Men's BBall HC, Tennessee)
• "You should have to beat good teams to get to where your team wants to go" (Bill Self, Men's BBall HC, Kansas)
• "He just told us to run our plays......Coach really settles us down and calls good time outs at the right time" (Cape Breton Capers player Jimmy Dorsey on Head Coach Jim Charters)
• "If you start thinking about where you are playing or who you are or what your seeding is then you are not going to last very long...simply say 'we're going to play whoever we draw and we're going to do the best we can'" (Bob Knight, ESPN analyst and former Men's BBall HC, Texas Tech, Indiana, etc)
• "The bottom line is that he gets his guys to play mentally tougher on every possession more consistently. They execute technically, compete physically, and never beat themselves" (Chris Oliver, Men's BBall HC, Windsor commenting on what distinguishes Head Coach Dave Smart and the Carleton Ravens)
• "We need to make sure we're focused in and we're playing the way we need to play...we have got to defend and rebound" (Tom Izzo, Men's BBall HC, Michigan State)

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.

Last minute gift suggestions

At this time of year, many people find themselves looking for that perfect gift for a coach, assistant, athlete, volunteer, etc. Consider a book. Learning is indeed a lifelong process. There are plenty of great basketball books (old and new) available in stores and online. Of the many titles, in no particular order, here are a few recommendations:

• The Ultimate Coaches' Career Manual by Pat Williams
• Beyond Basketball by Mike Krzyzewski
• Court Sense by John Giannini
• Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
• Wins, Losses, and Lessons by Lou Holtz
• Coaching Team Basketball by Tom Crean and Ralph Pim
• Dream Big Dreams (Jack Donohue) by Mike Hickey
• Born to Believe by Butch and Cris Carter
• The Carolina Way by Dean Smith
• Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson
• Roger's World (Roger Neilson) by Wayne Scanlan
• Beyond Winning by Gary Walton
• My Story by Bob Knight
• Basketball Basics - How to Play Like The Pros by Jay Triano
• A Coach's Life by Dean Smith
• The Miracle of St. Anthony (Bob Hurley Sr.) by Adrian Wojnarowski
• A March to Madness by John Feinstein
• You Haven't Taught Until They Have Learned (John Wooden) by Swen Nater and Ronald Gallimore

The holidays are a wonderful time to catch up on some reading. Encourage it. Share it.