HoopTactics Newsletter

The Neglected Shot
Improving Free Throw Accuracy & Confidence
Free Throw Common Errors
Practicing Free Throws
Coaching Staff Gear

Player Development: The Neglected Shot (Free Throw)

In a recent game, a NBA player shot “Air Balls” on two consecutive free throws??? In a NCAA DI conference tournament game, a player missed four straight, end of game free throws resulting in the team losing the game and its NCAA tournament bid??? On the other hand, Kentucky’s strong free throw shooting, 35 of 37 against Louisville, made them invincible in winning the NCAA Men’s Championship.

Free throw shots are unique in that the shooter has complete control of the shot. Free throws are shot from the same spot and distance from the basket with no defense to worry about. The shooter also has the choice of the type of shot to shoot. Since free throws account for approximately 25% of scoring, and a single free throw can make the difference in winning or losing, the ability to shoot free throws should be taken very seriously.

What is your current free throw percentage?

The 3 C’s – The Keys to Successful Free Throw Shooting

“Consistency, Concentration & Confidence” Anyone can be a successful free throws shooter regardless of age, sex and physical attributes. Shooting a free throw, similar to a golf swing, is a single, fluid action consisting of a minimum of moving parts. Proper free throw mechanics include stance, finger grip, wrist and elbow position, eyes focused on target with a straight release and follow through. Once the smooth, repetitive action of a free throw is learned and acquired, it becomes a natural reflex that is seldom lost. In fact, players will be able to make free throws with their eyes closed. Learn how the “3 C’s” can greatly improve free throw accuracy and success immediately – Premium Members – Click Here

Common Free Throw Errors to Avoid

Poor free throw shooting percentages are mainly the result of improper mechanics. However, not focusing and concentrating entirely on making the shot can spoil good free throw form and technique.

1. Unsure or not confident about making the shot. Probably going to miss.
2. Being distracted or having multiple thoughts rather than concentrating on a single thought of making the shot.
3. Not taking a deep breath and relaxing on every free throw.
4. Holding palm on the shooting hand on the ball. If the palm is involved you cannot hit the rim softly.
5. Holding off hand on top of ball. This will result in blocking the shot. Hold the off hand to the side of the ball.
6. Not clocking your wrist back, your shot will be flat and tend to nose dive.
7. Holding elbow out rather than under ball. Results in ball traveling a curved line to the basket rather than on a straight line.
8. Dropping arms immediately to waist rather than keeping them up high on follow through. Usually results in short or flat shot.
9. On follow through, bringing your shooting arm across your body to the opposite side rather than keeping in line with the basket.
10. Holding the ball behind the head, like a soccer pass. Hard to control and usually results in a hard sling shot.
11. Poor physical Conditioning plays an important role in shooting, especially during big play-off games. You are as only as good as your legs.
12. Changing your free throw routine during the season. Refine and reinforce the mechanics of your shot instead.
13. Not putting ample time and effort into practicing.

Premium Members to view/print Free Throw Self-Analysis Check List – – Click Here

Free Throw Shooting a Vital Part of Every Practice or Workout.

If you want to win a championship, don’t leave free throw shooting up to chance. Over 25% of the points scored come from the free throw line. Great free throw shooters are not born. They are the result of proper mechanics and eons of practice. Since free throw shooting is a repetitive, neuromuscular skill, the more you practice, the more accurate you will become.

Practicing free throws does not have to be tiresome or tedious endeavor. In fact, on the contrary, improving your free throw shooting can be challenging and a lot of fun. Premium members see: Fun drills and competition to improve your free throw accuracy – Click Here

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Advanced Basketball Defense

Importance of Setting Goals
Total Program Evaluation
Off Season Player Skill Development
Player Responsibility for Improving Skills
Value & Benefits of Playing 3-on-3

Coaching Tips: Setting Goals is a Key to Success

After a long season, coaches need to take some time off to recuperate and re‐charge their batteries. However, before doing so, while it is fresh in your mind, review, analyze and evaluate the past season. Examine exactly what was accomplished, what was successful, and what needs to be improved in the coming year. Then use this information to set goals and objectives for the coming season. Caution: Setting goals, like potential energy, is useless until action is taken to implement and achieve them.

Total Program Evaluation Invaluable to Successful Goal Setting

Basketball coaches, just like any other member of the teaching profession, need to evaluate their own program and personal performance. Personal evaluations are something that is generally disliked. However, they are vital to the improvement of any coach and basketball program, especially the self‐evaluations.

To view/print HoopTactics’  Total Program Evaluation  (Program Review, Coach Self-Evaluations, Player Evaluations, Support Staff ) forms  - Click Here

 Player Development: Off Season Training

From October to April, teams are made. From April to October, individual players are made. This is the time of the year that players must develop and improve their individual basketball skills and techniques along with their physical attributes. However, to be successful, they must first take the time to do a self‐evaluation.

Players should compile a list of the things they did well this past season, and the things they must or could improve. Things that they can do to make themsellves more solid, stronger, aggressive and intelligent when they take the court this coming season. They should also seek input and specific recommendations for off season improvement from their coaches . Then use this self‐evaluation to plan and execute their off season workouts and skill development.

 Player Development: Do It Yourself Program

Baba Watson’s recent winning of  the Masters’ Golf Tournament is a prime example of self motivation and development. He won the most prestigious professional tournament in golf without ever taking a golf lesson. He has learned and perfected the game of golf on his own initiative.

Basketball is like a savings account at a bank. What you put into it, is exactly what you will get out of it. Players must prepare for the best. They should work individually on the things they need to improve, not just their strengths. Players do not need to depend on coaches, parents or personal trainers to be successful. They must be self-motivated and rely on themselves.  Individual improvement is not all fun and games. Much of off season skill development is repetitive, monotonous and tedious. Bad habits can be practiced as well as good. However, remember: “If it’s going to be. . . It’s up to me.” – George Raveling.

Player Development: Playing Three-on-Three

Players should organize and play a lot of three-on-three half court competition during the off season. Since 3-on-3 provides for much more shooting, passing, rebounding, screening, and defensive repetitions, it is by far, the most efficient and effective use of their time in practicing and improving their fundamental skills. 

In a full court game of approximate a hour and a half, How many shots does a player take? How many rebounds do theygrab? How many passes do they make? How many screens do they set and use? How many times do they guard a player with the ball? How many times do they defend against dribble penetration? How many times do they guard a player without the ball? Compare these figures with the totals that they would receive in playing the same  1 1/2 hours of three on three half court and you will instantly see the importance and value of 3-on-3 in improving and developing individual basketball skills to their fullest. 

In addition, after a long, hard season, 3-on-3 also saves additional wear and tear of players legs. Playing full court only reinforces current abilities. It also will help eliminate burn-out.

 FREE Printable Court Diagrams

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Join the HoopTactics’ Team and Gain a Competitive Advantage

HoopTactics is a comprehensive resource designed to greatly enhance your basketball knowledge and expertise. It is comprised of a multitude of in-depth, easy to understand, graphical presentations that take you through the inner-workings of hundreds of proven strategies in great detail. Whether you are looking for new ideas or just looking to refresh your memory, you will not find a better basketball resource. Guaranteed! Learn more about Premium Membership – Click here to visit HoopTactics

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Game Winning Shots
End of Game Strategies
Not Leave Winning Close Game Up To Chance
End of Game Failures
Free Court Diagrams

Quick Tip: Winning Close Games

The vast majority of games that are decided by last shots are won on put backs ‐‐ NOT the shots. Do not watch the flight of the ball to see if the shot is successful or not. Defensively box out! Offensively go to the boards

Coaching Strategies:  End of Game Strategies

The NCAA Final Four Tournament always affords an excellent learning oportunity for end of game situations.

When Behind Late In Game

The clock is the enemy, not the opponents. Seconds are precious. Every effort should be made to prevent time from running off the clock. By proper use of time outs and fouls the last few minutes of a game can be an eternity so don’t ever give up.

• Take a charge.
• Create a five (5) second violation.
•  Steal the inbounds pass.
•  Give a foul.
•  Rebound aggressively at both ends. Putbacks and second efforts are vital.
•  Push the ball on offense. Be quick but do not hurry. Make successful passes.
•  Go strong to the basket. The opposing players usually play poor defense since they do not want to foul.

When Ahead Late In The Game

The clock is your ally. Do not stop it (unless in very serious trouble). Be sure that players know how many timeouts are remaining and if they have a foul(s) to give. Being aware of the timeout and team foul situations can make the difference in winning or losing.

• Maintain disruptive pressure without fouling.
•  Deny dribble penetration. Build cushion staying between your opponent and the basket.
•  Pressure all three point shots with both hands up high.
•  Use half court press to defend against fast breaks and slow game tempo.
•  Box out and rebound. Do not allow any second efforts.
• Take care of the ball offensively. Maintain proper spacing and use sharp accurate passes.
• Move the ball and do not allow the opponent to stop the clock by fouling.

Do Not Leave Winning Close Games Up to Chance.

 1. Save your time outs. You need a minimum of two at the end of close games. Communicate: be sure that all of your players know the timeout situation.

•  In a NBA Playoff game with three seconds to go and the game tied, a defensive player rebounded the ball and heaved it unsuccessfully the length of the floor. However, the team had a time out remaining???
• In a NCAA Championship game, trailing by two points with 11 seconds remaining, a defensive player upon obtaining a rebound immediately takes a time out. However, the team did not have any timeouts remaining, resulting in a technical foul and any chance for the championship???
• In another, crucial NCAA Final Four game, in the final seconds a team leading by one point lost the game when they could not inbounds the ball within five seconds and since they had no time outs remaining, could not take a timeout. The other team scored on the ensuing baseline out of bounds play and won the game???
• Yet another NCAA Final Four game, with 2.2 seconds remaining down two points, team elected to inbound from the endline and attempted a desperation 3/4 court shot rather then inbounding the ball into the front court and taking another time out which they had???

2. With 1-3 seconds remaining you must take a time out.

Note: Sometimes the opponent may take the time out after a made shot or free throw first. Obviously, the most difficult last shot situation is when the ball is out of bounds in the back court with only a second or two remaining. However, with a little foresight and preparation teams can execute plays that can result in a decent shot.

3. Less than four seconds, inbound to half court preferably with a pass and take a time out. It is much better to have ball at half court with 2 seconds than full court with three. It is also better to have the ball at half court with one second remaining than full court with two seconds.

4. Counter break. With 3-4 seconds remaining you can push the ball up the court after opponent scores. Most teams will celebrate and relax so take full advantage of this quick break opportunity. Also, remember that a time out will provide the opponent with an opportunity to set their defense.

5. On dribble penetration, if at all possible, the ball handler should dribble down the middle of the court and take shot straight in line with the basket rather than from a sideline.

6. Have entire bench stand and count down clock.

7. During an actual game, have someone go to scorers bench and remind the timer not to start clock until ball touches a player inbounds. It is also a good idea to remind the officials to make sure the timer does starts the clock properly.

8. Practice last shot plays from both right and left side of the court.

9. Developing and refining passing skills should play a significant role in every practice. Do not expect your players to make skip passes or baseball passes if you do not constantly work on them.

10. Develop a designated inbounds passer. Make sure that your inbounds passer can successfully execute long passes and knows the rules.

End of Game/Season Failures

A tough, season ending lost, where a single bad play or bad call made the difference of winning or losing, can be a very harrowing and devastating experience. Although a lost of an important game is certainly disappointing and frustrating, it should not be catastrophic.

If not appropriately addressed, end of game failures can result in severe traumatic, lifelong emotion injuries. Therefore, it is imperative that coaches understand the importance of comforting, consoling, and restoring a player’s confidence making sure that the player realizes that failure can be a good learning experience for things to come, not the end of the world. Don’t let the results of a single game spoil a season of accomplishments.

A great example of a coach’s recognition and appropriate response to a potentially devastating situation occurred in the North Carolina/Georgetown NCAA Championship game in 1982. In the final seconds of the game, Georgetown lost a golden opportunity to win the game and NCAA championship, when Georgetown player, Fred Brown, mistakenly passed the ball to James Worthy of North Carolina. Immediately at the conclusion of the game, Georgetown’s coach, John Thompson, went out onto the court put his arms around Fred and comforted and consoled him.

This is what coaching is all about. It is all about the players not the coach or the coach’s record. As long as players give their best effort, they will be the real winners regardless of the score. In every post-season tournament and play-offs, there is only one happy team.

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FREE Printable Court Diagrams

College/HS, NBA, International court formats. Choose from 36 different styles: Full court (12), half courts (18) and combinations (6 ). Click Here

The Importance of Defensive Stops
Protecting a Valuable Lead
Fouling & Clock Management
Free Court Diagrams

Coaching Tips: The Importance of Defensive Stops

Defensive Stops are the determining factor of any game. A Defensive Stop is a possession in which the opposing team does not score. Defensive Stops occur as result of offensive turnovers and defensive rebounds. Defensive Stops don’t just happen. They are a product of solid defensive play.

• Defensive Stops are a key element to all offensive runs. It doesn’t do much good to score, if you don’t keep your opponent from scoring. 14 to 2 and 10 to 0 blitzes are a result of combining defensive stops and scoring.
• Defensive Stops allow you to play through adversity. Defensive Stops during a game buy you critical time when your offense is performing badly and not scoring. If you should experience a four or five minute scoring drought, Defensive Stops will keep you in the game and minimize the hemorrhaging. Instead of falling behind by double digits, you may only lose 2 or 4 points.
• Defensive Stops neutralize and erase offensive mistakes. Offensive turnovers or bad shots, no matter how severe, can be simply “erased” or cancelled out just by hustling back on defense and making a defensive stop. The only turnovers that hurt are the ones that the opponent scores after.
• Defensive Stops are vital after bad calls and offensive charging fouls. A bad call by an official, no matter how bad, can be simply “erased” or cancelled out just by turning up the defensive intensity and making a defensive stop on the ensuing possession. During a game a charge/block foul can be a 50/50 call. Anytime an offensive charge is called, it can be “erased” or neutralized with a defensive stop.
• Defensive Stops are a must after allowing offensive rebounds. Increasing the defensive intensity and determination and making a defensive stop is crucial after giving up an opponent rebound. Like turnovers, the only opponent offensive rebounds that hurt are the ones that they score after.
• Defensive Stops are also crucial in catching up at the end of a game. All the scoring in the world will do you little good if you don’t keep the other team from scoring.
• Defensive Stops are also crucial protecting a hard earned lead at the end of a game. End of game leads can evaporate quickly without defensive stops. The best way to protect the lead is by making defensive stops.

 Coaching Tips: Protecting a Valuable Lead

When ahead late in the game the clock becomes your ally; however, you must use it wisely. Keep it running and do not stop it (unless in very serious trouble). Coaches may elect to spread the court on offense to take time off the clock and cut down on the number of opponent’s offensive possessions. However, if you do so, be sure to continue to make basket cuts and attack the basket. Holding the ball for the sake of trying to run time off the clock will allow the defense to get more aggressive and disruptive. You must attack the basket. Learn more about highly successful and proven spread court offenses – Click Here

End of Game: Fouling & Clock Management

Fouling plays a critical part in the out come of the game, especially when it comes playoff time. Fouls were added to the basketball rule book to penalize; however, intelligent players and teams can use fouls to their advantage. However, when it comes to fouling to gain a competitive edge do not assume that players know how and who to foul at the end of the game. If you just tell a player to go foul, they are most likely to grab or hammer an opponent, and pick up an intentional foul.

• Players need to be know how, when and who to foul.
• Players need to be taught the technique of going for the quick steal or trap, and when unsuccessful, to foul immediately.
• Players must practice this art of fouling and clock management

Learn more about fouling and clock management – Click Here

FREE Printable Court Diagrams

College/HS, NBA, International court formats. Choose from 36 different styles: Full court (12), half courts (18) and combinations (6 ). Click Here

HoopTactics Newsletter

The 4 E’s of Basketball
Sideline Out of Bounds Plays
Raising Your Level of Passing
Free Court Diagrams

Quick Tip: The 4 E’s of Basketball

Energy, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Enjoyment. Coaches must not only have to know what they are doing, but must also have an enthusiasm and enjoyment for doing it. To be successful, coaches must impart this energy to their team.

 Coaching Tips: Disrupting Baseline Out of Bounds Plays

Coaches spend considerable amounts of practice time working on offensive baseline out of bounds plays, but spend little or no time on ways to defend them. As a result, too many easy baskets are given up during the course of the game on out of bounds plays simply because teams are not prepared to stop them.

If you analyze “Out of Bound” situations, they are unique in that it is the only time during the game of basketball where the defense actually has an advantage. Because of this numerical player advantage (5 on 4), it can be difficult for the offensive team to inbound the ball, and, as a result, numerous NCAA and NBA championships have been lost because teams were not able to make successful inbound passes in the final seconds of game.

Most coaches take it for granted that their basic half court defense applies to baseline out of bounds situations. However, this is not the case. Defending the ball when it is located out of bounds behind the defense is entirely different matter than defending the ball when it is out in front of the defense. In addition, in regular half court set offenses, defenders are mostly guarding shooters moving off screens away from the basket. On baseline out of bounds, the shooters are going directly to the basket. As a result, there is no room for error. If the defense makes an error on an out of bounds play it results in an easy basket. Learn More: Four effective ways to combat the baseline out of bounds plays.
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Player Tips: Raising Your Level of Passing.

What level of passer are you?

Level One. Throws the ball to an area just to get rid of it. Common among beginning players.

Level Two. Just throws the ball toward a teammate no matter if they are ready to receive it or not. This is why players and coaches get hit by the ball during practice when just standing around.

Level Three. Surgeon. Passes to a specific target (hand or finger). Leads receivers into good shots. Rarely throws the ball away.

Level Four. Magician. A rare individual that can create open shots for teammates. Makes no look passes. Never throws the ball away.

The ability to move the basketball and hit the open man is a characteristic found in all great players and teams. In order to perfect this ability to its utmost, players must utilize and master the fundamental principles of passing. To learn more – Click Here

Player Development: The Vital Importance of a good inbounds passer

It is not so easy to inbound ball. Most players and coaches take making an inbounds pass for granted. However, in making an inbounds pass, the passer is facing a five against four defensive advantage and only has five (5) seconds in which to locate a receiver and make a successful inbounds pass. In addition, to this numerical disadvantage, by rule the inbounder cannot move, except after a made shot. This provides the defense with the opportunity to jam or smother the passer very effectively. Also, on baseline out of bound situations, the backboard comes into play and becomes a real obstacle in which that the inbounds passer has to contend.

Many of championships have been lost because teams were not able to inbound ball at end of game. Players on all levels, including the NBA and WNBA, need to know and practice the fundamental skills and concepts required in making a successful inbound pass. In additional to the physical skills involved, good inbound passers must possess a strong commitment to team play since they are taken for granted and very rarely rewarded for the efforts. However, good inbounders are vital, and a team will not win a championship without one. To learn more – Premium Members Click Here

FREE Printable Court Diagrams

College/HS, NBA, International court formats. Choose from 36 different styles: Full court (12), half courts (18) and combinations (6 ). Click Here

Looking for the perfect gift for the basketball enthusiast on your list?

How about giving them a copy of Advanced Basketball Defense? Kindle and iPad editions are now available for only $9.95. A gift that will last for years to come. Learn more about the #1 basketball book on iPad. Also, available on Amazon’s Kindle:  Click Here

 HoopTactics Newsletter

The key to building a solid offense
Hustle and Desire is what puts points on the scoreboard
Reinforcing player learning through HoopTactics
Prerequisites for successfully attacking zone defenses

Coaching Tip: Defense – The Key to Building a Successful Offense

When practicing and refining offense in a half court scrimmage (5‐on‐5) situation, have the defense switch to offense only after making five or six defensive stops (defensive rebounds and turnovers). In requiring 4 or 5 defensive stops to go to offense, it will encourage and motivate the defense to play harder. As a result, by practicing against tough defense, it will definitely help the offense better prepare for actual games.

Player Tips: Hustle and Desire is What Puts Points on the Board

Many players are under the misconception that they have to be a great shooter or shoot a lot in order to score. Still others are constantly being pressured and influenced into shooting more during a game by parents and/or so called “advisors” and personal trainers. However, in most cases, this selfish advice is given out without regard to a total team effort or to the outcome of the game. In addition, players spend countless hours working on their shooting form and individual moves. However, players should realize that to become a proficient and consistent scorer it only requires hustle, aggressiveness and determination. To learn much more:  Click Here

Player Development: Reinforcing Player Learning

Are you aware that HoopTactics.com is an excellent way to supplement and reinforce your on the court instruction? Motor skill learning is vastly improved when mental learning takes place between practice sessions. This is where HoopTactics.com can become a real tutor and help. Knowing why and when is just as important as how. Student Premium Membership is only $19.95 - Click Here

Coaching Strategies: Prerequisites for successfully attacking zone defenses

Do not ever leave attacking zones up to chance.The need for a solid zone attack is paramount on every level of the game. Attacking man to man defenses and zone defenses are two distinct endeavors. Attacking man to man defenses requires player movement and individual skills; whereas, in attacking zone defenses ball movement and a total team effort is involved. Before under taking any specific zone offense, coaches and players must first have a working knowledge of the basic principles and techniques required to successfully combat zone defenses.

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Establishing Player Roles

Sixth Person, Defensive Stopper, Designated Inbounder, Free Throw Shooter, Free Throw Squad, End of Game Substitutes, Practice Squad

Coaching Strategies: The Importance of Establishing Player Roles

The most important aspect of basketball coaching is to create and foster a total team atmosphere and commitment. Insure your players that they’re going to play in a team atmosphere. You need to guarantee players equal opportunity, but not equal playing time. You must establish significant roles and assignments for every player on the squad. If you can’t, then you should release them. The following, often times overlooked, roles are vital to a team’s success. The attitude and efforts of the players filling these roles must be recognized, fostered and supported whole heartedly by the entire coaching staff throughout the season.

6th Person(s) – The importance of the sixth person(s) role in basketball cannot be over emphasized. It is one thing all excellent teams have in common. Establishing and utilizing the sixth person role, in many ways,is a much more important coach’s decision than determining the starters. Determining and getting a player to accept the sixth person role can be a challenge since player’s and parents’ ego’s can be involved. However, by communicating the vital importance of this unselfish team role, they should be more than likely to understand and accept the role as a real honor rather than a demotion.

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Defensive Stopper - A vital but often overlooked position is that of a defensive “Stopper.” Having an outstanding defensive player, one who not only can deny or disrupt a great offensive player from receiving the ball but in addition, are masters of one on one defense is essential to any championship hopes. Like shooters, stoppers aren’t born and just don’t happen. They must be development and nourished.

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Designated Inbounder - Good inbounders are vital and a team will not win a championship without one. Many championships have been lost because teams were not able to inbound the ball at end of the game. Players on all levels, including the NBA and WNBA, need to know and practice the fundamental skills and concepts required in making a successful inbound pass. In addition to the physical skills involved, good inbound passers must possess a strong commitment to team play since they are taken for granted and very rarely rewarded for the efforts. 

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Designated Free Throw Shooter - Shooting a technical foul free throw is not an easy task. Standing in the spot light alone on the free throw line can be a intimidating and trying endeavor even for a great free throw shooter. In fact, the fear of failure is so real that it can emotionally affect a player for the rest of their life. Therefore, exceeding in this situation requires a command of the 3 C’s of free throw shooting:  Consistency, Concentration, and Confidence.

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End of Game Free Throw Shooters - Fouling when behind late in a game is a desperation tactic by the opponent founded on missed free throws. Therefore, to counter this strategy, you need to have your best free throw shooters on the court. In addition, these free throw shooters must possess the ability to move the ball and avoid being fouled. When ahead late in the game the clock becomes their ally; however, they must use it wisely keeping it running. At the defensive end of court they must have the ability to protect against three point shots and dribble penetration without fouling. Defensive rebounding is also paramount in eliminating any second efforts.

End of Game Substitutions -  Fouling plays a critical part in the out come of the game, especially when it comes playoff time. When trailing late in the game and fouling to the stop the clock, coaches should make defensive substitutions whenever possible and put players into the game that can afford to foul instead of losing their best players because of disqualification. Once a foul has been committed, stopping the clock, players in foul trouble can be reinserted back into the game. When it comes to fouling to gain a competitive edge do not assume that players know how and who to foul at the end of the game. If you just tell a player to go foul, they are most likely to grab or hammer an opponent, and pick up an intentional foul. Players need to be know how, when and who to foul.

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Practice Squad - Often times called “Twenty Point ” players since they usually only get to play in a game when a team is either 20 points ahead or behind. However, their importance to a successful season cannot be minimized. They are unique in that they come to play despite their lack of ability, skills and playing time. Their hard work and contributions during practices definitely make their teammates better and should be recognized and reinforced.  Note: In a number of women’s basketball programs, the practice squad actually consists of men.

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Pre-season Organization
Try-outs, Player Evaluation and Squad Selection
Creating Breakdown Drills
Building Your Defense First

Coaching Strategies: Pre-Season Organization

Off season, pre-season, regular season, and post season, one thing for certain is that the basketball seasons keep changing. With each new season the plan or process for success should focus on the player knowledge, skills, or abilities that need to be honed. The pre-season is the time of the year that coaches love most. It is the time of the season for teaching and preparation. The things coaches enjoy doing the most.

Pre-season preparation and organization entails planting the seeds for a highly successful season. This involves careful thought and planning. Pre-season practices should be designed with the objective of preparing a team physically, technically, and mentally for game competition. It is imperative to start building correct habits and techniques from the start. Physical habits do not change in a game. Motivate players to become better “students” of the game. It will give them a greater understanding that games are won or lost for the most part during preparation. Learn more about Coaching Prerequisites & Practice Guidelines:

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Try-Outs, Player Evaluation and Squad Selection

Do you give Try-Outs “Lip Service” or do you take them seriously? In most cases, squads are pretty much pre-determined and try-outs amount to just scrimmaging. However, there is much more involved. In conducting a highly organized try-out, it does not only allows for fair and objective player evaluations; but, more importantly, it will provide coaches with a valuable understanding of the team’s overall skill level which is a great benefit and head start in planning pre-season practices.

Since player skill development on the lower levels is of the utmost importance, player evaluation is irrelevant. With players capable of improving daily, if at all possible, coaches should not cut players. However, on the professional level, player evaluation is a high stake endeavor with millions of dollars involved. Learn more:

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 Coaching Strategies: Creating Breakdown Drills

Be creative and design your own break down drills to fit your needs and player abilities. Creating drills and plays are one of the enjoyments of coaching basketball. Break down drills not only teach proper execution and footwork, but they are also great for conditioning players. Every drill must be an intregral part of your own offensive or defensive system, not for good looks or because you saw it during a basketball clinic or a major program uses it. During the season, review the breakdown drills as needed.

Quick Tip: Teaching & Learning

Whenever possible introduce and demonstrate a skill or drill one day, and then refine it in the ensuing practices. Do not attempt to introduce and refine at the same time. Use positive reinforcement and point out successful performances rather than negative ones.

Coaching Strategies – Defense: The Key to Building a Solid Offense

Pre-Season build your defense first. You can add offense at any time. However, pre-season training is the only time during the season that provides ample time to build a fundamentally sound defense. Once the season starts, it is very difficult or impossible to install a solid defense.

In installing your defense first, it also provides offensive benefits since you want to practice against good defense. Practicing against poor or “dummy” defense will not adequately prepare players for games. To be successful, players need to practice against good, hard nose defense. Your offense will most likely struggle at first. However, players will soon learn to adjust to creating good leads, making crisp, accurate passes, etc.

Coaching Tip: When working offensively, have the defense switch to offense only after making 5 or 6 defensive stops (combination of defensive rebounds and turnovers). Requiring 5 or 6 defensive stops, will encourage and motivate the defense to play harder. As a result it will definitely help the offense better prepare for actual games.

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The Art of Teaching Basketball
Importance of Fostering a Team Atmosphere
Expectations & Demands of Player Training & Conditioning
Printable Court Diagrams: USA, NBA & FIBA (New) Formats

The Art of Teaching Basketball

If you treat a man as he would be and could be, he’ll become what he could be and would be; if you treat him as if he is, he’ll remain as he is. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Player performance is directly related to coach’s ability to teach. Therefore, before stepping out on the court, coaches should possess a solid working knowledge of the laws of learning and teaching methods. Coaches must not only possess the knowledge of the game and how to teach it, but they must also possess the enthusiasm and enjoyment for doing it and impart this energy to their teams.

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Coaching Tips: Team Atmosphere

On every level of basketball, one of the most important aspect of coaching and winning is creating and fostering a total team atmosphere and commitment. Insure your players that they’re going to play in a team atmosphere. Guarantee them that they will receive equal opportunities, but not equal playing time. Develop and establish significant roles and assignments for every player on the squad such as 6th Person, Defensive Stopper, Designated Inbounder, End of Game Free Throw Shooter, etc. If you can’t, then you should release them.

Also, inform them that you’re not going to tolerate anyone on the team that keeps other players from learning, you from coaching or any other misbehavior. Insist on a team effort at all times. No one steps on the floor without a full‐hustle attitude. Great teams are a result of the best players being the hardest workers.

Player Tips: Training Demands and Expectations

“Basketball records are a matter of great personal pride,
however, your record as a person is the most important record of all”

To be successful, each player as well as the team collectively, must be possessed with the desire and determination to develop superior physical condition. Throughout the course of the season the team will be pushed and trained hard. However, it is going to be up each player, individually, to see that their maximum physical condition is achieved and maintained.

Because of the importance of physical condition and team morals to a successful season, willful violations of training cannot be tolerated or ignored. Coaches are not policemen or mothers. It is going to be up to “team pressure” to see that training is adhered to and followed “On” and “Off” the court. Any player who breaks training not only betrays themselves, their teammates, their coaches, their followers, and everything basketball stands for, they are also cheating their Maker that gave them the ability to be a success. If any player shows disloyalty to all these and does not feel guilty, they do not belong in the basketball world, let alone on your team.

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HoopTactics: Bigger, Smarter, Better

The world’s most in-depth look into proven basketball strategies is now even better. You’ll find many more strategies than ever before, improved presentations, and easier navigation. Whether you are looking for new ideas or just looking to refresh your memory, you will not find a better basketball resource. Guaranteed.

Coaching Tips: The Real Satisfaction of Coaching

In recent years, winning has become the primary focus in sports. Coaches and programs are being evaluated by the number of games won rather than their program model and teaching abilities. Constant full court games and tournaments, especially on the lower levels, have replaced teaching and skill development. However, winning is short term. The real success and satisfaction in coaching comes with teaching and assisting ALL of your players to become the best they are capable of becoming “ON” and “OFF” the court. Have fun and enjoy this great game!
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Defensive Strategies: Transition Defense

Do you incorporate defensive transition in your practices or do you just give it lip service and just remind them not to run back on defense with their backs to the ball after they have been burnt by an over the top pass and easy lay up? When teams walk the ball up the court, they are much easier to defend because the defense is able to get its players back into positions near the basket where they can execute pressure denials and traps. However, when teams continuously push the ball up the court and flow into early offense, it can prevent or hinder the best of pre-planned defensive disruption scenarios by forcing the defense to “react” rather than “act or attack.”

Off season and pick-up games create bad defensive transition habits. In these unorganized games, players have a tendency to hang back on offense (“Cherry Pick”) rather than hustle back on defense. As a result, during the season, coaches have their work cut out in establishing good defensive transition habits. Good transition defense really starts with good offense. When players take good care of the ball and take good shots along with strong offensive rebounding and defensive balance, it makes it difficult for the opponent to push the ball. However, do not do not leave defensive transition up to chance. Learn more about transition defense:
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Player Tips: Ten Sure Ways to Improve Your Shooting

Players have a tendency to work hard on their shooting form and offensive moves. However, there is more to shooting than proper mechanics. HoopTactics shows you 10 sure ways to ehance your shooting abilities:

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 FREE Printable Court Diagrams

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