You Want Intensity...Then Bring It

Melrose hosts Reading in a battle of unbeatens Tuesday. We can try to teach you a lot of skills, but we can't teach intensity.

"If you want to run with the big dogs, you gotta get off of the porch."

Principles

Click video to play.

I've created a smaller video with some illustrative clips from the 2006 highlight video...the point isn't the players involved but the actions portrayed.

Some people learn more through 'visual' learning, and these videos will help them 'see' what we are preparing you for.

1) Post defense with steal and pass to guard Shey Peddy to start the break...Paula follows with a cleanup rebound, and note the jump shot with high release and guide hand staying with the shot

2) Lynley drives (one dribble) from the top of the key in Boston Garden

3) Paula with a reverse direction bounce pass to Karen for an easy two

4) Shey with the greatest play in Melrose basketball history, a strip steal from behind, goes behind the back, and drives in for a layup...should have been a foul as well

5) Shey again drives hard to the basket...gets bumped and lays it in (underhand)

6) Shey hits Meg Kirwan with excellent body control for the layup

7) Shey hits Karen (note where the pass is received) for two.

8) Karen with the face up, "swim move" from the elbow in Boston Garden.

9) Shey with the strip steal on the crossover, and goes hard to the basket for two...and a foul...note the layup technique

10) Paula goes hard for two.

11) Cara Lynch cuts hard from the wing and gets rewarded for a layup.

12) Lynley, again with great body control, pausing for a moment before getting the layin.

13) Paula with a one-dribble move to the hoop from the corner.

14) Cara hits Paula cutting to the basket with a bounce pass through traffic.

15) Paula with a jump shot from three-point land, note the release, jump, and follow-through.

16) Shey gets her 1000th point. These are the memories teams can keep forever.

17) Shey gets a steal, doubling down in the low post, and goes coast to coast in the D2 North championship game.

18) Lynley gets rewarded for a hard drive to the bucket.

19) Shey goes to basket and gets fouled. Note the layup technique.

Progress Made, Victory Not

The team traveled to Westford's Stony Brook School for a River Valley 'A' tilt and lost an exciting game 29-25.

Before the game, the coaches reviewed the important concepts of "jumping" into the passing lanes to prevent the 'give and go' as well as another emphasis on "help" defense.

Melrose got off to a slow start, trailing 8-0 early and 14-9 at halftime.

The second half saw another slow start, with the team falling behind 21-9, before an exciting comeback knotted the score at 23 late. With the score tied at 25 in the final minute, Westford got a steal and a layup, followed by a late hoop to seal the win.

The coaches continue to note individual and team progress, with better ball movement and willingness to take the ball to the hoop.

Sunday's activities were cancelled because of inclement weather.

The coaches will devote the entire practice Monday to specialty offensive work.

Drowned in the River Valley

Melrose lost 37-28 in a midweek tilt with Andover. The Warriors got off to a quick 8-0 lead and led 21-8 at the break.

Melrose rallied behind better defense and more intensity, closing to within three on multiple occasions before Andover assumed control in the final minutes.

What went right?

• The rebounding on the offensive boards came alive at times.
• The kids didn't quit when facing adversity.
• The defensive switching improved.
• Overall the intensity ramped up.
• Several individuals showed the capacity for on-the-ball defense, a must to succeed in the Melrose system.

Next up, Westford. As coach Belichick would say, we have to coach better.

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

After a morning win yesterday, the girls had a disappointing Saturday afternoon River Valley contest, dropping a 28-18 loss to North Reading.

Playing in the River Valley League presents challenges that these young players haven't experienced, and the coaches understand that understanding the game takes time, and we'll look for gradual improvement. Consistency is needed to:

• Protect the ball
• See the floor
• Defend the pick and roll

Today, the girls won the third game of the weekend, in a Middlesex League contest. They played better, but Somerville is behind where the girls are right now. The players attacked the basket better and worked on proper shooting technique to the point that gains are obvious.

All of the players continue to work hard, and the team record stands at 5-2.

Weekend off to a Good Start

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow's a mystery. Today is a gift, that's why the call it the present."

The fifth grade travel team continued their season with a 32-28 victory over Waltham.

Melrose got off to a slow start, trailing by as much as eight, but rallied behind increased team defense to move to 4-1. Improved help defense down the stretch enabled the girls to hold onto the lead.

This afternoon, they travel to North Reading.

Drawing Board

Melrose hosted Billerica Wednesday, and the River Valley League power showed the locals that they needed plenty of practice. Billerica had superior movement to the hoop and defensive technique en route to a 35-5 rout.

Melrose had difficult working out of the set offense, with switching, and with getting to the basket.

The good news? Billerica had beaten their previous opponent 56-3.

It's back to the drawing board.

Experience without Tuition

"Experience is the best teacher, but sometimes the tuition is high."

Melrose hosted its first home game of the season and narrowly escaped Watertown 23-21. Watertown was very well coached and played tough, physical basketball. The visitors also had "the big girl", about a 5' 9" shot-blocking force in the paint who had at least a dozen blocks and influenced other shots, as well as leading Watertown with a dozen points.

After Melrose got off to a 10-6 lead, Watertown stormed back to take a 15-14 lead. The second half was tightly contested with the teams trading leads until late when Melrose hung on as a Watertown close-in shot went awry in the final seconds.

What went well?

• The team hung in their first tightly-contested game.
  
• The defense held Watertown to six second half points, with pressure on Watertown's guards and better defense in the post.
  
• The number of three seconds violations shrank after pre-game emphasis.
• The team got valuable experience playing against 'height'.

What needs improvement?

• In-bounds and sidelines plays remain missed opportunities.
• Triggering the fast break with the outlet pass continues to be elusive.
  
• Spacing broke down more than the coaches would like.
• Foul-shooting (a challenge at this age) needs a lot of work.
  

Today's contest should help prepare the team for its first "River Valley" game Wednesday night at home, as the girls will see consistent tough competition.

Progress and Another Win

Melrose traveled to Revere with an emphasis on improving execution of fundamental basketball with special attention to help defense and improved transition. Building on a 15-6 halftime edge, Melrose prevailed 39-16.

Significant gains included:

• Defensive rotation to reduce easy opportunities
• Better rebounding
• Fewer turnovers
• A successful pick and roll

Areas needing more attention:

• Dribbling with the head up to identify open players down court
• Identification of guards off the defensive rebound to start transition...with the initial pass from the fours and fives to start the break
• Emphasis on individual defensive positioning
• Running the set offenses

The next game (weather permitting) is tomorrow (Sunday) at the Marcoux Gymnasium at 8:15 a.m. This will be the first home game for the girls.

Opening Day Success

Melrose ran out to a quick 10-2 lead and defeated host Wakefield 35-12 at the Galvin Middle School.

The coaches were pleased at the effort, but note plenty of areas needing improvement:

• Rebounding positioning and blocking out
• Running the lanes on the fast break
• Advancing the ball with court vision to see breaking teammates
• Avoidance of traveling off the dribble when stopping to shoot or pass

The next practice is Monday night at the Lincoln school.

The next game is next Saturday at Revere at the Beachmont Middle School at 2 p.m.

Anonymous quote of the day: "I watch more basketball than Doc Rivers."

Opening Day

The fifth grade travel basketball team has prepared assiduously for the season, and open Saturday at 9:00 A.M. at Wakefield's Galvin Middle School on Main Street. On with the show, this is it.

Opening Game Vs. Wakefield, Saturday

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." - John Wooden

The girls continue to work hard preparing for their opening game at Wakefield on Saturday. In addition to ball handling, running, and defensive drills that are staples, the team continued to work:

• Sideline plays
• Out of bounds plays
  
• Press breakers
  
• Offensive sets (lines on a page) designed to promote spacing

Tips and Drills

Training Tips

Practice technique and quickness.
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More drills.

Practice Reminder

Sunday, November 8th 2009

11:00 A.M. at the Common

Always bring a sweatshirt and water!

Take Home Lesson

Shooting Drills and Program

Taking It to the Next Level

By Ron Sen, MD

From time to time, we'll put up some information for reference. Coaches don't make you a player, you do.

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Becoming a talented offensive player requires many different skills, including ball handling, passing, moving without the ball, creating separation from defenders, and shooting. None require more individual practice than shooting. Shooting is the LEAST TAUGHT part of basketball. Included is a program developed from years of personal experience, coaching, and videotape review of premier college players, specifically Indiana’s Steve Alford. I’ve also copied some directly from the National Association of Basketball Coaches Manual. I got a lot of my instruction and beliefs from Sonny Lane, who is in the Wakefield High School Hall of Fame and Massachusetts Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

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Basketball is a voluntary activity. If you want to improve at basketball, studying, chess, checkers, or cooking, there’s only one way: PRACTICE.

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First, you have to understand that proper technique WILL NOT FEEL RIGHT to you at the beginning and RESULTS WON’T COME IMMEDIATELY. That’s okay.

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Shooting basics. The player must be in balanced shooting position, feet about shoulder width apart (the dominant foot is aligned with the basket), square to the basket, with the shoulder, elbow, and hand aligned to the basket. If the elbow flies out, the power of the shot will vary tremendously, causing shots to be either short or long. The opposite (guide) hand helps stabilize the ball. Basketball is played with the ball on the fingers, not the palm, and shots are released from the finger tips. The ball must be released with backspin.

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Ideally, preparatory for the shot the player will already be getting body positioned for the shot, AND receive the pass about shoulder high from which the shot can be released high with appropriate follow through.

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First, some words on free throws, from Paul Westhead, about the importance of mental imagery in sports.

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1. Shoot five – physical practice
2. Picture five – mental practice
3. Close eyes picture five – mental practice
4. Close eyes and shoot five – physical/mental practice
5. Open eyes five – physical practice.

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I used to have the twins practice shooting free throws eyes closed…it works!

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General Shooting Background and Drills

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Here is a diagram of spots around the key for use in the shooting drills and shooting games. I believe that the most important shots in basketball and layups and free throws, which should offer HIGH PERCENTAGE scoring chances. However, competing at a high level requires skill from all areas. In practice settings we have to be able to make 70-75 percent of open shots from A through E, 7, 8, and 9. If we cannot make them in practice, it isn’t realistic to expect to make them in pressured situations.

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Drills and games:

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1. Warmup: one-handed shooting. Stand in position 1 or 3 and make six consecutive one-handed shots with proper technique. Move to spots 4 and 6 and do the same. These should be made off the backboard using the square as a target.
2. Around the World. In sequence, shoot from spots 1 through 10, and make the shot. If you miss, you can ‘challenge’ one time, and if you make, you continue. If you miss, you restart at one. When you complete ‘10’ you restart from ‘10’ and work backwards. The idea is to complete ‘The World’ in 20 shots and take as few shots as possible. Impossible? I’ve done it hundreds of times.
3. Blind man’s bluff. Stand with your back to the basket, at A through E. Throw the ball over your head. When you hear the ball hit the ground, turn, catch, and fire!
4. Bill Bradley: From positions A through E. You compete against “Bill Bradley” one of the great shooters of all-time. You get one point for each basket and Bill gets three when you miss. You have to make 11 and miss only 3 to beat Bill.
5. Elbow Room. Setup a chair or trash can (defender) at each elbow. Have your partner pass you the ball at 7 (or 9) the elbows behind the defender…take 10 from each spot as quickly as you can – alternating side to side. Again the idea is to develop quickness, accuracy, conditioning, and confidence.
6. H-O-R-S-E. You know the drill.
7. ‘21’. Similarly, you know the game.

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Alford shooting workout. Best done with a partner. Develop quickness, accuracy and confidence.

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1. Shooting in the key. 15 jump shots inside the painted area.
2. 10 free throws. Make as many as you can.
3. Shooting off the glass. 10 jump shots from 10-15 feet off the glass from the side of the painted area.
4. 10 free throws.
5. Outside shots – 15 jump shots from 15 feet
6. 10 free throws
7. Creative shots – 15 shots, create your own, off balance, off-the-dribble
8. 10 free throws

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National Association of Basketball Coaches

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1. Hustle shots. Layup. Sprint to foul line. Back to ball. Shoot. Back to ball. Repeat.
2. Layups. Start at elbow. Power drive (one dribble) to basket on right. Layup. Speed dribble to opposite elbow. Power drive (left) for left-handed layup. Repeat on right.
3. Wing-to-wing. (with partner)…Shoot from wing (B or D). Partner rebounds and passes to shooter at opposite wing (conditioning and shooting drill)

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This isn’t meant to be a complete or comprehensive guide to shooting drills, but we have to start somewhere if we want to get to the next level. Remember, the fun begins with skill mastery.

Team Roster

The girls have worked hard on developing fundamental skills:

• Ball handling
• Passing
• Creating separation off both the dribble and the catch
• Layups
  
• Fundamentals of defensive positioning
• Rebounding

We haven't emphasized either scrimmaging or shooting at this point. Incorporating fundamentals into coordinated team play will be an ongoing process over years.

Currently, we anticipate a base 42 game schedule, 26 in the Middlesex League and 16 in the River Valley 'A' League.

The Team

Chrysta Barbaro
Colleen Denning
Katie Donovan
Bella Federico
Leonora Ivers
Shannon Jones
Kaitlyn MacInnes
Gabrielle McDonnell
Anne Morrison
Caroline Nolan
Erin Reardon
Michaela Short
Catherine Torpey

- The best bloopers are a click away

Introduction

Dear Basketball Parents:

We look forward to working with your daughters to help them successfully develop as student-athletes. In basketball, success comes through preparation, effort, and attitude to maximize skill, athleticism, and knowledge of basketball.

We will emphasize development of fundamental offensive and defensive basketball skills, intersecting physical training underscoring the DNA of Melrose basketball: the running game. These skills will serve them well as they prepare to compete in both the Middlesex League and the River Valley 'A' League, one of the best youth leagues around.

The program of instruction is not about the coaches or the parents, but about your daughters, helping them to achieve success through competition. When you are pleased with the progress of your children, let them know. When frustrations occur, let us know.

Travel basketball presents a journey, not a destination. Basketball has a role in your child's life, but it comes after family obligations and school. When accommodations are necessary, please let us know. In addition to meeting school and practice obligations, your children need to get adequate rest and dress properly for the cold weather basketball season. We encourage players to wear hats and gloves whenever the weather necessitates it.

Your daughters are a special group of young athletes who have the potential to succeed in all of their endeavors. We will help however we can to make that happen.

Sincerely,

Ralph Labella
Mark Pearson
Ron Sen

When I have a complete list of email addresses I will generate an email list for the group. This may help facilitate communication, ride sharing, etc.

Early Season Activity Underway

The Melrose Recreation Department creates a framework for competitive youth basketball. The goals include team and player skill development. The emphasis is on development, teaching offensive and defensive fundamentals and "situational basketball".

The team plans to compete in the Middlesex League schedule and in the River Valley 'A' League in order to play against some of the top area teams.

The team will begin practicing in early November with the tentative plans for:

• Monday practices 6:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Lincoln School
• Wednesday practices 7:00 - 8:15 P.M. at the Middle School

Some 'themes' that the coaches preach:

• A team playing great team basketball can defeat better players playing individual basketball.

• The running game (transition from defense to offense and offense to defense) is the DNA (building block) of Melrose basketball. We will help you get in great shape to run.

• Defense and rebounding decide who wins. Offense determines by how much.

• The “ball is gold”. Great defense and rebounding give us back the ball. Fewer turnovers give us more chances to score.

• Offense is about creating separation from defenders, using individual moves and team coordination (pass and cut, pick and roll, moving without the ball.

• Defense is about preventing easy opportunities and limiting separation.

• Great team defense begins with great individual defense.

• Great players and great teams understand “situational basketball”. At times players and teams need to speed up or slow down the game.

• The only way to improve is to use the skills you practice during actual competition (games)

• Proper technique produces better results. “Form creates function.” For example, we will constantly remind you to dribble with your head up and 'see the floor'.

• Praise and criticism are directed toward all players to make everyone better. “There is no 'I' in TEAM.” Everyone makes mistakes and our goal is to reduce them and improve all players.

• Everyone is special but your skills are not equal. Most people prefer to practice what they are good at and where they feel comfortable. Great players work on their weaknesses. For example, you must learn to dribble with both hands.