Coaching Strategies

Coach

The HoopTactics' Coaching Strategies are not only intended to increase your coaching knowledge and expertise, but just as importantly, to inspire you to better analyze, refine, and teach the skills and techniques that make for a highly successful season and career. Coaching Strategies are divided into: Coaching Prerequisites, The Art of Teaching Basketball, Practice Guidelines, Game Preparation, Game Time Decisions, Winning Close Games, and Post Game Analysis. Select desired subject below to view details and click away!

| Prerequisites | Art of Teaching | Printable Coaching Forms | Practice Guidelines | Printable Drills for Skills | Game Preparation | Game Decisions | Winning Close Games | Post Game Analysis | Season Review |

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Coaching Prerequisites

Coaching is all about the players and not the coach. Being a coach carries awesome power & responsibility. Before you step out onto the court, be sure that you understand the ramifications of the responsibilities and liabilities that go along with coaching.

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Coaching Prerequisites

Coaching is all about the players and not the coach.

Being a coach carries awesome power & responsibility. It requires a real commitment of time and dedication. Before you step out onto the court, be sure that you understand the responsibilities and liabilities that go along with coaching. They include proper supervision, adequate instruction, injury prevention & player safety, prompt medical care, keeping written records, and reporting harassment (bullying) and sexual misconduct.

Insure your players that they are going to play in a team atmosphere. On every level of basketball, one of the most important aspects of coaching is creating and fostering a total team atmosphere and commitment. It is the difference between success and failure. The real success in coaching does not come from winning. It comes with the teaching and assisting your players to become the best they are capable of becoming “On” and “Off” the court. Make sure that the time that ALL of your players spend with you is a lifelong, rewarding and positive experience. Too many players are having bad experiences with coaches.

Click on the desired subject below to view details

View  Basketball Basics: An Introductory Guide to Basketball

View Coaching Prerequisites: Before You Step Onto the Court

Video: Walk the Talk (4 min)

View Personal Liabilities & Responsibilities Inherited with Coaching

View Medical Emergency Preparation

Printable Emergency Phone Numbers Form

View The Vital Importance of a Medical Emergency Action Plan

Printable Emergency Response Form

View Injury Prevention: 12 Tips to Prevent Basketball Injuries

View First Aid for Basketball Related Injuries

 

View Time Management: Getting More Done in Less Time with Less Stress

View How to Read & Interpret Basketball Play Diagrams

Printable Court Diagrams (USA, NBA & FIBA Formats)

 

Apple

The Art of Teaching Basketball

Player performance is directly related to coach’s ability to teach. Therefore, 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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The Art of Teaching Basketball - The Real Satisfaction of Coaching

"Coaching lasts for a single day. Teaching lasts forever."
--- Pete Newell, Hall Of Fame Coach

In recent years, winning has become the primary focus in sports. This is even true on the collegiate and high school levels where the emphasis should be on education and learning. Coaches and programs are being evaluated by the number of games won rather than their program model and teaching abilities. Unfortunately, along with this increased importance being placed on winning, there has been a significant slippage in coaches’ teaching skills and 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 in coaching comes with teaching and assisting players to become the best they are capable of becoming “on” and “off” the court. Too many players are having bad experiences with coaches. Please make sure that the time that all of your players spend with you is a rewarding and positive experience.

 

View The Importance of Creating & Fostering a Team Atmosphere

View Motivation: Most Important Factor in Learning & Perfecting Basketball Skills

View Basic Factors of Motor Skill Learning

Video: One Degree of Extra Effort (4 Min)

View Teaching Thoughts to Consider

View Whole-Part-Whole Teaching Method

Printable Basketball Coaching Forms

View The Importance of Goal Setting to Success

View Basketball is a Game of Habits

View The Utmost Importance of Keeping the Hands Up

View Luck vs Skill

View Mastering the Fundamentals of the Game

View Various Types of Offenses

View 10 Principles for a Sound Offense

View Individual Offensive Skills & Techniques

 

View Various Types of Defenses

View Building a Sound Defense

View Teaching Post Defense

View Teaching Individual Defensive Skills - 5 Day (10 Sessions) Plan

View Defensive Player Skill Development

 

 

Practice Schedule

Printable Coaching Forms, Diagrams & Charts

General, Checklists, Medical, Court Diagrams, Player Forms, Practice Forms, Game Charts, Scouting Forms, Worksheets, Program Review, and much more.

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Practice

Practice Guidelines

Since most programs do not have a lot of practice time, it is imperative that coaches organize their time wisely. This requires careful planning and thought. The practice of planning in advance not only assures a well organized and efficient practice, but also makes it possible to get more accomplished.

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Practice Guidelines

Get your coaching done prior to, not during the game!

Practices should be designed with the objective of preparing a team physically, technically, and mentally for game competition. Pay attention to detail. Precise execution and footwork are vital. It is imperative to start building correct habits and techniques from the start. Physical habits do not change in a game. Practice makes perfect is only true if the proper mechanics are being employed. No nice tries! Insist on proper execution at all times.

 

View Essential Practice Thoughts to Consider

View Practice Organization - A Blue Print for Success

View Daily Practice Planning - Do Not Ever Take the Practice Court Unprepared

Printable Practice Schedule Form

Printable Practice Cards

Printable Court Diagrams (USA,NBA & FIBA Formats)

 

View Try-Outs, Player Evaluation & Squad Selection

Printable Player Evaluation Form

 

View Prepractice Early Time (ET) - Setting the Tone For a Successful Practice

View Proper Warm-up & Its Effect on Player Performance & Health

View Importance of Cooling Down After a Successful Workout

 

View Magnitude of a Well Planned & Executed Training Program

View Physical Conditioning - "Players Are Only As Good As Their legs."

View Brain Boosting Benefits of Cardio Exercise

 

View/Print Drills for Skills: Refining & Reinforcing Individual Fundamentals

View/Print Conditioning Drills

View/Print  Defensive Fundamentals Drills: Building Blocks to a Successful Defense

View Scrimmaging: Important Thoughts to Consider

 

Defensive Drill

Printable Drills for Skills

Basketball, more than any other sport, requires integration of individual talent and skills into unselfish team play. Therefore, individual player improvement is vital to any team's success. However, developing and mastering basketball skills and team play is not easy task. It is a never ending process requiring countless hours of practice and refinement.

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Practice

Game Preparation

You must prepare to win. Get your coaching done prior to, not during the game. Practices should prepare a team physically, technically, and mentally for game competition. Emphasis should focus on execution and effort. Players must also learn to develop the habit of working and playing hard at all times. Great teams are a result of the best players being the hardest workers.

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Game Preparation

Jump Ball

Be prepared and do your home work. During a game, you cannot expect players to execute anything that has not been covered in practice. Be sure to develop specialists, and never take an opponent for granted or go into a game "Blind."  Amass as much information as you can from other coaches, game and season statistics, video and live scouting.

Offensive Preparation

View Flight Time" - Key To Rebounding

View Setting & Using Off-Ball Screens

View Proper Execution of On-Ball Screens

View Guidelines for Successful Out of Bounds Plays

Printable Proven Out of Bounds Plays

View Principles for Attacking Zone Defenses

View Zones - Basic Reads & Counters

View Proven Zone Offenses

Defensive Preparation

View Improving Individual Defensive Skills - 5 Day (10 Sessions) Plan

View Successfully Disrupting Off-Ball Screens

View Attacking On-Ball Screens

View Defending Out of Bounds Plays

View  Defensive Free Throw Situations

View Defending the Super Star

View Defending the Footer

Game Preparation

View Establishing Significant Player Roles

View Vital Importance of 6th Person(s) Role

View Developing a Defensive Stopper

View Developing a Strong Inbounds Passer

View Designated Free Throw Shooter(s)

View Winning Jump Ball Situations

View Know Your Enemy - Professional Scouting

 

Game Coaching

Game Time Decisions

In executing a well thought out game plan, realize that it's not what the coaches know, but what their players know that counts. Each player should be prepared and confident in meeting whatever offenses and defenses the opponent may utilize. During a game, do not expect your players to execute anything that has not been covered in practice. Do your homework.

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Executing a Well Thought Out Game Plan

Scoreboard

Game Time Decisions

"It's not what the coaches know, but what their players know that counts."

In executing a well thought out game plan, realize that it's not what the coaches know, but what their players know that counts. Each player should be prepared and confident in meeting whatever offenses and defenses the opponent may utilize. Do your homework. During a game, do not expect your players to execute anything that has not been covered in practice.

Click on the desired subject below to view details

View Importance of Making Defensive Stops

View Real Competitors

View Really Big Plays (RBP's)

View Player Performance - Playing Through Adversity

View Making Sound Substitutions

View Using Time Outs Wisely

View Halftime Adjustments

 

Winning Close Games

Winning Close Games

Discover that winning of "BIG" games and championships are not a matter of chance. They are a result of being prepared down to the smallest detailed. End of game situations and clock management really become paramount late in the season when a single shot can determine a team’s playoff fate.

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Last Shot

Winning Close Games

"You must be prepared to be a winner." -- John Wooden

Winning of "BIG" games and championships are not a matter of chance. They are a result of being prepared down to the smallest detailed. Be sure to use the scoreboard clock to include offensive and defensive end of game situations in your practices. Do not ever expect your players to execute anything during a game that you have not covered in practice.


Click on the desired presentation below to view details

View End of Game Strategies

View Importance of Defensive Stops

View Clock Management and Fouling

View   Protecting a Hard Earned Lead (Spread Offenses)

View End of Game Substitutions

View Critical End of Game Timeouts

  

View Last Shot Situations

View Last Shot Strategies

View Why Hold for Last Shot?

View Last Shot Guidelines

View Proven Last Shot Full Court Out of Bounds Plays

  

View Defending Against the Last Shot

View Protecting a Lead Against Three Point Shots

  

View End of Game Nightmares to Avoid

 

Statistician

Post Game Analysis

Successful coaches learn much more from a game than their opponent. This is the result of putting in the time and effort after the game to evaluate and to analyze the team and individual player performance. The final score is still paramount. However, how that score is achieved is now of the utmost importance for future play.

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Post Game Analysis

Evaluating Game & Player Performance

Successful coaches learn much more from a game than their opponent. This is the result of putting in the time and effort after the game to evaluate and to analyze the team and individual players performance. In this post game evaluation, it is important to look for and stress things that were done well not just negative factors.

Computers have now taken the huge burden and responsibility of game statistics off the coaches’ back, while providing them a wealth of information that coaches only a decade ago dreamed about. However, to be of value this information must be presented in a meaningful and usable manner. This is where software programs like CyberSports for basketball excel. These software programs not only compile statistics with a click of the mouse, but they also generate reports that present this information in a form that coaches can quickly understand and use.

View Why Keep Stats? The importance for Future Play

View Using Stats Effectively - Coaches' Metamorphosis

View Taking Preparation to the Next Level - Available Game Reports

View  Know Yourself & Tendencies - Available Season Reports

View More Than Just Stats - What the Reports Really Tell

View  Cybersports for Basketball Software

View  Hallie King - 2011 Naismith Sportsmanship Award recipient

Staff Meeting

Post Season Review

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. Total program reviews are a must to setting goals and laying a solid foundation for the next season's play.

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Program Review: A Key to Future Success

Examine exactly what was accomplished, what was successful, what was unsuccessful, what needs to be improved in the coming year, what was outside of your control and how can it be prevented in the future? To improve you must ask and answer hard questions. Then use this information to set goals and objectives for the coming season. Remember, if you are not improving, your opponents are!

Communication

Staff Communication
Player Communication
Parent Communication
Teaching Methods

Master Plan & Playbook

Offense: What work and what did not work. Why?
Defenses: What work and what did not work. Why?
Situations: What work and what did not work. Why?
Player Development: What work and what needs improvement?
Schedule

Player Personnel

Goal is to replace every player. Note: Players can replace themselves with improvement.
Returning Players? Needs?
Off season player development program
Organization & leadership of feeder programs.

Preseason Preparation & Practices

Tryouts & Squad Selection
Establishing Player Roles
What needs to be taught better?
In-Season player development

Game preparation

Statistical Analysis
Video Review
Scouting

Game Adjustments

Rotations & Substitutions
Time outs
Clock Management
Coaching through adversity

Self Improvement

Organizing all of your drills along with your offensive and defensive schemes in writing.
Conferring with successful coaches especially on your level of coaching
Attending Clinics, Seminars, & basketball camps
Learning more about teaching methods and learning
Going online to websites such as HoopTactics

View/Print Total Program Review Form 

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.

View/Print  Coach Self-Evaluation Form

Player and Staff reviews are vital to a total program review.

View/Print  Player Self-Evaluation Form

View/Print  Support Staff Review Form

 


5 Stars

Program Reviews are Essential to Successful Goal Setting

Success is not by chance or luck. Successful people have learned the value of setting specific goals and focusing their efforts toward achieving them. “Goals are the bridges that allow you to cross from DREAMS to REALITY.” A program and coach “without goals is like a ship without a rudder.” Goals are what give direction to physical and mental training and improvement. They are the basis of self-motivation and the foundation of all achievements. However, goals must be personal. Something that you as a coach, personally, want and have a strong desire to pursue and achieve. It is because of this intense, personal desire to reach goals that will push you through adversity to success.

Accomplishing goals and making dreams come true is incredibly satisfying. However, it is the journey, not the destination, that is the most important and rewarding part of dreams. You must never stop improving and making it a goal to get better each and every day in some small way. Daily improvements eventually add up to huge gains. You should always keep moving forward setting new goals and dreaming new dreams. You may never reach their ultimate, long term dream. However, this is irrelevant. The important thing is that you will become like your dreams.

Have high ambitions, not expectations. High expectations can only lead to big disappointments. While, on the other hand, high ambitions never get disappointed and are the basis to all success. You must stay ambitious, making every day the best it can be. One day at a time. The best and most productive place to be is in the present. Too much time thinking about the past causes regret. Too much thinking about the future causes worry.