{"id":2070,"date":"2014-10-06T13:55:05","date_gmt":"2014-10-06T21:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/?p=2070"},"modified":"2014-10-06T13:55:05","modified_gmt":"2014-10-06T21:55:05","slug":"tips-strategies-october-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/2014\/10\/tips-strategies-october-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips & Strategies – October 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h1>\n

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Try-outs, Player Evaluations & Squad Selection<\/span><\/h1>\n

\"Basketball<\/p>\n

On the professional level, player evaluation is a high stake endeavor with millions of dollars involved. Physical abilities and skills are of the utmost magnitude. However, on most levels of the game, priorities and emphasis should be on solely on\u00a0player skill development, not winning games. You will\u00a0not need to look at the scoreboard to see who is ahead, it you take the time to teach your players how to shoot, pass, rebound and play defense.<\/p>\n

Pre-season preparation and organization entails planting the seeds for a highly successful season. This involves careful thought and planning,\u00a0starting out with a highly organized try-out and squad selection. Try-out plan should include: determining a team\u2019s personnel needs, player evaluation method, and a final selection process. In\u00a0conducting a highly organized try-out, it\u00a0does not only\u00a0allows for a\u00a0fair and objective\u00a0player evaluations; but, more importantly, it will provide coaches with a valuable understanding of the team’s overall\u00a0skill level which\u00a0is a\u00a0great benefit and head start\u00a0in planning pre-season practices.<\/p>\n

Player evaluation is not easy. Expect\u00a0a wide range of skill and experience levels. Know the difference between participants and players. Participants are those players that show up to practice and games only. Participation is usually the result of parents\u2019 or peer’s decision. Players are those individuals who love the game and put in extra practice time. By providing a program of fun and individual skill development, coaches can turn participants into players. In emphasizing the importance of skill development, players\u00a0will also become better \u201cstudents\u201d of the game\u00a0and\u00a0gain a\u00a0greater understanding that competitions and games are won or lost for the most part during practice and preparation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Six Steps to Conduct Successful Try-outs and Squad Selection<\/h3>\n

| Needs | Criteria | Evaluation Form |\u00a0Organizing Tryout\u00a0|\u00a0Evaluation | Selection & Notification |<\/p>\n

With players capable of improving daily, coaches should not cut players if at all possible. Adhere to the old adage, “When in doubt, keep<\/em>.” \u00a0Also, keep and work with\u00a0the “Bigs.” Don’t expect immediate dividends. They are a future investment. All of the legendary “Hall of Fame” coaches had one thing in common. They were great teachers who worked endless hours in developing their “Bigs.”<\/p>\n

#1. Establish Team Needs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before conducting any try-outs, you first must establish the team needs. Important team factors such as determining skill needs, position needs, team chemistry, substitution strength, along with the proper number of players to keep must be considered.<\/p>\n

#2. Establish Player Evaluation Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once the team needs are determined and established, create established player evaluation criteria to best fit those needs. Coaches will need to assess the abilities of each player\u2019s quickness, speed, jumping, coordination, alertness, shooting, passing, ball handling, rebounding, and defense. Along with evaluating a player\u2019s skills, extreme importance is given to evaluating a player\u2019s characteristics of attitude, discipline, cooperation, enthusiasm, self-control, and being coachable. Determining factors include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Determine the best players\/athletes.<\/li>\n
  2. Determine the best competitors.<\/li>\n
  3. Determine the proper position for each player<\/li>\n
  4. Determine the correct combination for the strongest possible starting unit<\/li>\n
  5. Determine the first line replacements and possible realignment of positions to keep team strength<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    John Wooden’s, Legendary Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, <\/em>criteria for a perfect player: Team player, plays both offense and defense, can rebound, offensively pretty good from the outside and good from the inside, good study and work habits and is never going to be an embarrassment in any way “on or off” the court.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    #3. Create Player Evaluation Forms<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Based on evaluation criteria, an Evaluation Form should be created and used for each player. Try to limit the criteria to 10 or fewer items. However, this will vary according to the number of candidates trying out, and also the level. The higher the level, the more detailed player evaluations will be required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Important subjective characteristics<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Work ethic & Coachability<\/li>\n
    2. Competiveness<\/li>\n
    3. Positive Attitude & Appearance<\/li>\n
    4. Reliability & Dependability<\/li>\n
    5. Poise & Self control<\/li>\n
    6. Loyalty & Integrity<\/li>\n
    7. Leadership<\/li>\n
    8. Determination & Confidence<\/li>\n
    9. Experience & Years of Eligibility<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n
    		\n

    Important Physical Characteristics<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Quickness and speed<\/li>\n
    2. Size and jumping ability<\/li>\n
    3. Shooting<\/li>\n
    4. Inside Presence<\/li>\n
    5. Passing Level<\/li>\n
    6. Dribbling\/Ball Handling<\/li>\n
    7. Offensive Rebounding Ability<\/li>\n
    8. Defensive Skills<\/li>\n
    9. Def Rebounding Ability<\/li>\n
    10. Conditioning<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      \u00a0\u00a0Printable Player Evaluation Form<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

      #4 Organizing the Try-out<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Most tryouts amount to just scrimmaging and are basically a waste of time. Trying to evaluate players during an uncontrolled scrimmage is very difficult, if not impossible. The skills that are required to play organized basketball are entirely different that those required to play in unorganized scrimmages or pick up games.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Coaches’ Prerequisites:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. All coaches’ First Aid and CPR certifications are current.<\/li>\n
      2. An organized plan for automatic response to medical emergencies is in place.<\/li>\n
      3. Trainer and\/or medical kit is available.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Player Prerequisities:<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Current physical exam and health insurance<\/li>\n
        2. Filled out health record and emergency contact information<\/li>\n
        3. Signed assumption of risk form (Required my most schools and associations)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Optional:<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Physical Measurements: Height, Weight, Reach, Arm Span, Age\/Year in school<\/li>\n
          2. Pre-Testing: Vertical Jump, Standing long jump, 40 yard dash, Sitting medicine ball toss, Agility Drills, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

            Suggested Try Out Drills:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            When conducting evaluation drills, it is best to group players into drills by position and abilities. Use simple breakdown drills that will demonstrate specific or closely related skills.\u00a0Use several baskets at the same time. This will take pressure off the players and allow you to examine multiple candidates at the same time. When players are attempting an unfamiliar drill in front of peers and coaches, there is a good chance that, even, the most skilled and composed player will succumb under the pressure. You certainly do not want to miss out on a potentially great addition to your team because of a poorly organized tryout.<\/p>\n

            \n

            Wolf Drill:<\/strong> This one-on-one full court drill that will demonstrate players pursuit speed and ability to make lay-ups at top speed. View\/Print<\/a><\/p>\n

            Free Throws:<\/strong> Have players shoot 50 free throws ten at a time. Record total made. This total can also be used in setting up a free throw ladder.<\/p>\n

            Five Spots Shooting Drill:<\/strong> This is an excellent drill to check players’ form and confidence. Players shoot at close range from five spots in front of basket. Players shoot at each spot until they make 5 shots in a row where they move to the next spot. Anytime they miss they go back to beginning. Object is to make 25 in a row. Record best efforts. View\/Print<\/a><\/p>\n

            Range Finder Shooting Drill:<\/strong> This drill will establish a shooter\u2019s range on five spokes radiating out from the basket. Shooting along one spoke at a time, the shooter takes a step back (away from the basket) anytime they make three shots\u00a0in a row. If they miss three in a row a step closer to the basket. View\/Print<\/a><\/p>\n

            Pass\/Pass Passing Drill:<\/strong> Pair up facing each other at distance of 12 feet (width of lanes line). Making chest passes to each go down the court and make a lay-up. Start with\u00a0six passes to start. After going down and back reduce the number of passes to 5, then\u00a04, then 3. This will demonstrate players’ chest pass form along with the ability to lead receivers and handle the ball at high speeds. View\/Print<\/a><\/p>\n

            Baseball Pass:<\/strong> Test players’ ability to make long, accurate passes. Have them make long passes subtracting the distance to the right or left to determine their adjusted accuracy distance. View\/Print<\/a><\/p>\n

            Speed Dribbling:<\/strong> Set up a dribbling course using chairs. Players dribble to half court right handed and back to baseline left handed. Then\u00a0weave through chairs to half court and back. Finish\u00a0dribbling to half court left handed and\u00a0back to baseline right handed. If possible, set up two courses and have players race against each other. View\/Print<\/a><\/p>\n

            Speed Contest:<\/strong> Players sprint from baseline to opposite free throw Line. Pair up players and use a tournament or ladder format with winners moves up and losers moves down until you get a champion and all the places. In addition to determining each player’s acceleration and speed, the direct competition also eliminates timing and timing errors.<\/p>\n

            Scrimmaging:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            One-on-One:<\/strong>\u00a0 tournament or ladder format \u201cMake it take it.\u201d Three dribbles\/no backing end. Group players into \u201cBigs\u201d and \u201cSmalls.\u201d Use tournament format with winners moving up and losers down.<\/p>\n

            Three-on-Three (half or full court):<\/strong> Allows\u00a0for better observations and evaluation of\u00a0candidates\u2019 skills both offensively & defensively. Try to set up teams with a pivot, point guard and an outside shooter.<\/p>\n

            Five-on-Five Full Court:<\/strong> If at all possible keep statistics. This will not only improve the caliber of scrimmage, it provides for statistician training. Set up round robin play, so that candidates are matched up against multiple opponents. Rate and rank all players into groups according to round robin observations and evaluations.\u00a0Reorganized\u00a0players into to goups\u00a0according to rankings and play addition scrimmages. \u00a0\u00a0Error in rating and ranking? Give players in lower ranked groups an incentive and opportunity to move up and play\u00a0with a higher rank group if they play well.<\/p>\n

            Premium Members: Proven Scrimmage Drills<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

            <\/a>#5. Evaluating Players<\/strong><\/p>\n

            Coach Tom Newell\u2019s “Light Bulb”\u00a0Evaluation:<\/p>\n

            30 watt player<\/strong> \u2013\u00a0puts forth minimum effort, has\u00a0no real desire or passion for the game. no basketball outside practices <\/span><\/p>\n

            60 watt player<\/strong> \u2013 plays and practices hard but lacks experience, wants to get better, going to improve<\/span><\/p>\n

            90 watt player<\/strong> \u2013 has ability,\u00a0inconsistent effort, missing in action about 25% of time because lack of preparation and focus. <\/span><\/p>\n

            Halogen<\/strong> \u2013 lives and dies basketball, real competitor, makes teammates better, player coaches love.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

            Give all candidates an equal opportunity to show skills and make squad. Use every available method\u00a0for help in making\u00a0accurate\u00a0player evaluations\u00a0such as observation, testing, statistics, player interviews and self-ratings. Look for positive attributes. Find reasons to keep rather than cut. What players can do, not what they cannot do. Be alert to spot good competitors. Also, consider team spirit and morale, and get rid of the non-workers. Great teams are a result of the best players being the hardest workers.<\/p>\n

            Coaches Evaluation Process<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Each Coach fills out an evaluation form for each player. This is important for player feedback and development.<\/li>\n
            2. Conduct a coaches meeting to develop consensus evaluation. Find reasons to keep rather than cut. When in doubt keep. Let the player make decision.<\/li>\n
            3. Hold private player meetings \u2013 review evaluation & decision. Get player\u2019s input\/self evaluation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              CAUTION <\/span><\/h4>\n

              Be sure to keep a written copy of each player\u2019s composite evaluation. This is especially true if you are coaching a school team where lawsuits are becoming common place. It is also important tool to use when meeting with players and\/or parent(s) who may challenge your decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

              <\/a>#6. Final Squad Selection\/Cutting Players<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \u201cIt\u2019s all about the players, not the coach.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

              Do not ever post a list. Inform each player personally. Coaches owe this courtesy to all the candidates. Communication is the utmost importance since getting cut from a team can be a traumatic experience that can last a life time. Candidates\u2019 should never be treated as mere pawns, even on the professional levels. After all, they are human beings with feelings and were willing to contribute everything they could to you and the team.<\/p>\n

              Provide those players cut with a copy of the composite evaluation including a list of skills that they need to improve for future play. Also, ask them if they are interest in assuming other important team roles such as a team manager, statistician, video person, etc. Be sure to finish the player meeting on a positive note.<\/p>\n

              \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

              Remember Michael Jordon got cut in his sophomore year of high school!<\/span><\/h4>\n

               <\/p>\n

              COMING NEXT: Fostering a Team Attitude<\/span><\/h3>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Learn More: Visit HoopTactics.com<\/span><\/a><\/h2>\n

               <\/p>\n

              <\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Try-outs, Player Evaluations & Squad Selection On the professional level, player evaluation is a high stake endeavor with millions of dollars involved. Physical abilities and skills are of the utmost magnitude. However, on most levels of the game, priorities and emphasis should be on solely on\u00a0player skill development, not winning games. You will\u00a0not need to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[11],"tags":[30,173,164,23,165,163],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2070"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2095,"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2070\/revisions\/2095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}