Clinic notes - Renato Pasquali part 4

Another entry in the continuing series of notes from a recent clinic featuring Renato Pasquali, hosted by Ontario Basketball, facilitated by Mike MacKay of Canada Basketball. More thoughts from Coach Pasquali:

• "tactical" coaches teach game to game, teach different matchups, apply teaching to a certain player in that game on that day
• "fundamental" coaches teach longterm, teach HOW to play, apply teaching to every situation in every game
• coaches need to ask themselves the question "What kind of coach am I?"
• if your team can effectively defend screen/roll action and defend post then 70% of defensive teaching is done
• in order to know effectiveness of screen/roll defense and defending of post entries, these actions and stats need to be charted (otherwise how do you know) - use your assistants!
• "Two Dribble Rule" - don't allow the ballhandler more than two dribbles, force a pickup with strong defense otherwise shot could open up or ball could drive to the rim
• overall defensive goal should be to have the offense play in areas of discomfort (if they like to enter with a wing pass then deny that wing and force a catch well beyond the 3 point line)
• make the offense work hard, no easy catches, they must have to move in order to catch
  

Clinic notes - Renato Pasquali part 3

Some more concepts from a recent Renato Pasquali clinic hosted by Ontario Basketball, facilitated with the help of Mike MacKay from Canada Basketball. if you're looking for an upcoming clinic, the Can-Am is only three weeks away - runs June 4th-5th, features Dave Odom, Don Casey, and Greg Kampe.

• when learning, players understand 80% what they SEE, 20% what they HEAR
• coaches must incorporate different ways of learning into their teaching
• more than ever, need to get the attention of today's player, there are many distractions and players are learning in small sound bites due to shorter attention spans (adapt!)
• whole/part/whole - teach players in 5 on 5 setting to show (especially young players) how the game should look, then develop individual skills, then put back together 5 on 5
• do not coach in negatives (i.e. "don't shoot that way"), use positives with constructive feedback (i.e. "that shot had good arc but try holding the ball the way a waiter holds a tray of food")
• always strive for greater offensive effectiveness, fewer turnovers (better passing decisions), and higher FG and 3 point percentages (better shot selection)
• at all levels, coaches need to plan in a way that makes their players want to come to the gym (players need to be self-motivated but coaches can help that concept)
  

Clinic notes - Renato Pasquali

Renato Pasquali, known for his coaching expertise and international experience, is a passionate coach, especially in a clinic setting. At present, through promotion by Ontario Basketball, Canada Basketball, and the on-court help of Mike MacKay, the successful EuroLeague coach is on a clinic tour and is well worth the price of admission. Renato is one of those coaches that make you pause and think about the terms you use when coaching (such as, how do you describe the concept of 'balance'?), as well as the way in which you teach - all with great attention to detail. Here are the six points of emphasis from one of his recent sessions:

• good offense is based on spacing, cut and replace principles, making eye contact with ball and teammates
• teams need to exploit the "one second advantage" - need to create it then take advantage of it (in order to keep the defense "a second too late" all the time)
• teach the concept of attacking 2 on 1 in the half court and full court, make sure players have the attack mentality of score first, pass second
• playing 1 on 1 as a team of 5 players - play properly as a team and know how to finish a 1 on 1 matchup on your own as well as how to deliver a pass for another player's 1 on 1 opportunity
• don't stop the ball - read the defense and know what to do with the ball BEFORE catching it, concept of "anticipation is better than action/reaction"
• teach using progression - teach the skill (1 on 0), teach the read (add a guided defense), teach in active setting (go "live" with the action), teach when to use the skill (1 on 1 in a game situation)
  

Sharing ideas

In order to gain an edge in any sport today, many coaches are looking outside of their sport for ideas. Football coaches are reading about successful baseball managers, hockey coaches are looking to soccer for different agility drills, and basketball coaches are using lacrosse balls in their dynamic practice warm ups. The sharing of ideas is truly great to see. Go to a coaching clinic, such as the Can-Am On-Court, and observe coaches outside of the structured sessions - they're sharing, and their athletes will soon be improving because of that unselfishness.

Mike MacKay of Canada Basketball is a constant promoter of sharing amongst coaches and certainly leads by example. Any coach that has looked inside Mike's tickle trunk (his basketball tribute to the late Ernie Coombs) is likely a more creative coach today! Mike, with great regularity and humility, willingly sends out ideas to his email broadcast list - coaches can email him at mmackay@basketball.ca. Dave Cross, of Yes I Can Volleyball, is another example of unselfishness in coaching. He recently sent a marvelous reminder of the importance of proper practice planning in volleyball. As you read it, you will quickly discover how much the concepts described by Dave relate to basketball. For many of you, Dave's article is likely a refresher. For some, it may be a very timely reminder. For others, it may be just the help you were looking for. Regardless, the real power is in the sharing by coaches - for the sake of all of us, that needs to continue. Without it, many coaches and athletes would not be enjoying as much success as they do today. The promotion and practice of sharing is at the core of the values of our program and our Coach Development blog.