Coaching Strategies
What to Discover or Recall:
Discover that basketball is not a game of offenses and defenses but a game of effort and execution.
Comprehend the importance of well organized and planned practices to success.
Realize that great teams are a result of the best players being the hardest workers.
Determine to be observant and make precise corrections.
Learn to always end practice of a high note or successful achievement.
Thoughts to Consider
"It's not the play, but how you execute it that counts!"
Get coaching done prior to, not during the game.
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Practices should be designed with the objective of preparing a team physically, technically, and mentally for game competition.
If you are having problems during games, go back and work on basic fundamentals and execution. Do not change or add new plays.
Do your homework. Practices should be well organized and planned. Every drill must have value or purpose otherwise throw it out. Alternate physically tough and easy drills. Include individual work in each practice.
Emphasis should be focused on execution and hustle. Insist on proper execution at all times. No nice tries!
Physical habits do not change in a game. It is imperative to start building correct habits and techniques from the start.
Coach players not the system.
Basketball is not a game of offenses and defenses but a game of effort and execution. Insist on a team effort at all times.
KISS = "Keep it simple stupid."
Great teams are a result of the best players being the hardest workers. No one steps on the floor without full hustle attitude. Get rid of the non-workers.
Come to play. Motor skill learning and timing requires practicing at game speed.
Use the "Whole-Part-Whole" Method of Teaching
It is best to employ the "Whole-Part-Whole Method" when introducing a teaching a new offense or play. This is a basic principle of learning. The "Whole-Part-Whole" method of teaching involves introducing it, breaking it down into its components, and then executing it in its entirety. Players cannot be expected to run a play successfully without a working knowledge of its individual parts and fundamentals.
Whole
Introduce and explain the offense or play, using visual means when available. Next, on the court, walk through the offense explaining and demonstrating all of the options along with their basic defensive reads and counters. Then, on the court, have the players walk through all then reads and their counters.
Part
Break down the offense or play down into its components with the use of breakdown drills. Get your teaching done during breakdown drills, insist on proper footwork and execution. Cover only one or two of the basic reads per practice until all reads and counters have been covered.
Note: Review the breakdown drills only as needed during the rest of the season.
Whole
Go live, motor skills must be learned at game speed. You want to practice against good defense. Don't wait until game time. Motivate the defense. For example, have the defense make 5-6 stops (combination of defensive rebounds, offensive turnovers, and steals) before they can go to offense. No dummy defense! The toughest defense you face all season should be in practice. The offense will probably struggle at first. However, players will learn to adapt to the importance of creating leads and attacking defensive pressure.
Use proper coaching and teaching methods.
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Be sure to teach when and why as well as how. There are certain fundamentals every player must master, and in addition each position also has specific fundamentals to learn.
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Whenever possible introduce and demonstrate one day, practice and correct on the next day, and then review (analyze) and reinforce as needed.
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Teach using quick mental pictures. Associate a technique with a name by using one syllable words if possible ("Ball","Shot", "Down", etc.)
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Make precise corrections. Do not get caught up with lengthy explanations.
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Do not waste other players’ time to correct one individual. On first time mistakes, stop action and make everyone aware of correction. On repeated mistakes, substitute or wait for break in action to correct.
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Do not waste time. If a drill is going poorly, stop it and go onto something else. Come back to it later or next practice.
- End all practices on high note or successful achievement (made pressure free throw, shooting contest, half court shot, etc.).
The Game Within the Game
Individual offensive skill development and improvement should be an integral part of every practice. In addition to early time (before practice) work, each player should, personally, have one or two individual fundamental techniques to work on during the course of a practice. The specific skill or skills will vary from player to player and can be assigned by the coaching staff or determined by the players themselves. As a reminder, the skill(s) should be written down on a 3 X 5 card and give it to each player prior to practice.
"Successful teams play hard, play smart, and play together."
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