Letting players coach

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/

Less is more

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)

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
  

Clinic notes - Renato Pasquali continued

When Coach Pasquali presented at a recent coaching clinic, he outlined a daily team practise plan (within the context of long term player development). In both percentages and minutes (based on a two hour practise), Coach Pasquali suggested the following format.

Part A - 30% or 35 mins.
Shot form, dribble start or pivot, combination (dribble, pass, shoot), defensive skills

Part B - 30% or 35 mins.
1 on 1 decision-making, 2 on 2 game situation, 3 on 3 game situation with a built-in handicap, 2 on 1 transition drill, 3 on 3 with a built-in handicap

Part C - 40% or 50 mins.
4 on 4 breakdown, 5 on 5 offensive and defensive systems, 5 on 5 scrimmage

The Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic is fast approaching - only 5 weeks away. If you're interested in learning from Dave Odom, Don Casey, and Greg Kampe then use the form on the COBA Camp site and register ASAP. Be sure to make note of the coach's social event on the first evening of the clinic - a great event for networking and sharing.

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 - what do you use?

When coaches meet, whether at a clinic or tournament or game, there is usually some tremendous sharing that takes place. Invariably, beyond the discussion of offense and defense (that sometimes involves the old school salt and pepper shakers moving around the table!), the talk turns to recent dvd's, books, or coaching tools/aids purchased. In terms of aids for teaching in practices, some good tools for your equipment bag follow:

• heavy (usually yellow) basketball to make passing and dribbling tougher
• reaction balls (have knobs at odd angles) to help with quick footwork
• agility ladders or hurdles, again to improve footwork
• dribble glasses that remove the ability to see down to the ball (promotes a good heads up dribble and better feel for the ball)
  
• lacrosse balls for footwork drills in warm up (more reaction work)
• football or rugby blocking pads for physical play and intense work in the post
• tennis balls for tossing while dribbling to promote looking up and ahead
• ropes to show help lines for defenders (between the ball and their match up) as well as the physical distance of offensive player away from the ball
• soft foam ball (from a dollar store) to use when mixing in a fun game (provide a change from usual routine)
  

Individual work with a coach - why?

So much of a coach's responsibility is team-oriented. However, there is much to be gained (toward team goals) by working individually with players. When coaches work one-on-one with a player, they:

• develop a deeper trust
• strengthen that relationship
• show an interest and make an investment in them (as a person)
• can then push them harder in team practices
• generate goodwill that can (hopefully) be counted upon later in the season
• promote the individual responsibility aspect of improvement
  

Philosophy - tools for a coach

In the ongoing development of their program's philosophy, many coaches are looking for tools that will help them emphasize certain aspects - both during the season as well as in the quieter times. With that in mind, give some thought to:

• in practice, if there are two consecutive turnovers then there should be some sort of consequence for that poor action
• no matter your style of play, and no matter how many players you want to play, the season reaches a point when you must know your top eight players and not be afraid to shorten your bench
• TEAM IS EVERYTHING - anybody that complains about another person behind their back is NOT on board (they are a drain when they need to be a fountain)
• support each other - we ALL need help
• when running scrimmages in practice, remove one ball from the available pile after every turnover - when all of the balls are gone, there should be a consequence
• recognize that not everyone is coached the same way - players need to earn the right to make mistakes (hence, each will play with a shorter or longer leash) - overall, this will help with team success both on and off the court
  

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)
  

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.

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.

Material for practice plans

Some thoughts to help with the planning of practices. The list below contains some drills or concepts to include in every practice:

• in order to get lots of shots in a simple shooting drill, go with two balls and three shooters (or 3 balls with four shooters depending upon space availability), feet always moving, rotation is space to a shot, catch and shoot, follow shot and rebound to another "shot ready" teammate, space to a new spot and quickly "prepare to shoot"
  
• in any drill, always reinforce that shot quality is greatly determined by the quality of the pass - need to emphasize quality passing in all drills
• include at least three defensive rebounding drills per day (emphasis on catching the ball above the head or above the net), with progression to box outs into fullcourt transition to simulate game conditions for the new offence and defence (want to promote handling the challenge of the quick switch between offence and defence)
  
• in any drill that results in a winning team, they should validate their win with a made free throw (depending upon philosophy or emphasis, coach can pick, losing team can pick, or winning team can select the shooter) - if free throw is missed, then the winners and losers will be conditioned together (no advantage for the win)
  
• in defensive drills, consider that most ball-handlers are likely to only take max of three dribbles in game conditions so defensive movements should mirror that scenario in practice (three slides to one side before help arrives, ball picked up, passed, or shot) - good idea to start along the imaginary centre line of the court and work to one side or the other (2 or 3 steps left or right)
  

Active learning time

I am a big proponent of ACTIVE LEARNING TIME. More learning will occur if a learner can spend more time successfully engaged in what is being learned. In simple terms, the more time your athletes spend DOING things in the RIGHT way, the better players they will become.

Several factors affect Active Learning Time - primarily teacher instruction, providing an appropriate challenge, and preparation. Why is it important to become a more effective practice time manager? Regardless of how much practice time is available to any team or coach, that practice time is extremely valuable and must not be wasted or used inefficiently. Studies undertaken indicate that EFFECTIVE Practice Management Time is when 8-12% of practice time is devoted to managing. Whereas INEFFECTIVE Practice Management Time is characterized by managing for 25-45% of any given practice session.

Coaches need to acquire skills and learn appropriate strategies in order to maximize Effective Management Time in their practices. The following are suggestions to help with development:

• Start every practice promptly
• Teach signals/routines plus their meanings
• Use prompts, hustles and enthusiasm
• Reinforce student responses with specific feedback
• Avoid slow-downs and breaks (reduces efficiency and takes away momentum)
• Reduce the number of athletes waiting in line by using more subgroups in drills
• Secure sufficient supplies and equipment so athletes do not wait
• Plan practices to minimize reformulation of groups and equipment set-up time (planned space)
• Communicate as much info as possible BEFORE practice
• Warm-up/cool down outside the scheduled practice time
• Use your assistants (very important concept of delegation - greatly benefits your athletes)