North Andover Tournament

We have received confirmation for entry into the North Andover tournament the weekend after next. Coach Labella will solicit input from the parents about where we proceed after the season. We encourage the girls to participate in other sports and other activities important to the maturation of student-athletes.

The Road to Success

The Road to Success has unavoidable off-ramps through Disappointment and Frustration. Our primary goal will always be to promote skill development and teamwork, with the integrated effect of playing well more often and playing at the highest level from time to time. In other words, our secondary goal after a player's individual development is creating an environment where "playing well" becomes the norm. Winning becomes a secondary benefit. 


"Where nothing is forced, nothing is left undone." - Eastern Proverb


Basketball, like life in general requires balance - work (defense) and play (offense), preparation and rest. 


All our players have gifts, but the gifts aren't the same. Some have extraordinary athleticism, others a better understanding of basketball principles, and a few special competitive drive. All have succeeded in adding value to the team, but in different ways. 


The highest level of achievement cannot be obtained without mistakes. The coaches made mistakes as players, and continue to make coaching errors. 

• Babe Ruth struck out 1330 times.
• Peyton Manning has thrown 188 interceptions.
• Michael Jordan had 2924 turnovers in his NBA career, and missed over 12,000 shots and over 1,400 free throws

What matters most is what we achieve, not what we do not. We say that we can control only two things on the basketball court, our effort and our focus. What we can control before a game or a test is our preparation.

“It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.” - Bear Bryant

"Never let what you cannot do stand in the way of what you can." - John Wooden

Screens: The Door to Score

Excellence comes from repetition. Remember our goals: conditioning, skills, teamwork.


I've used the trash barrels as props, as well as step ladders, and folding chairs.
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We always teach 'read and react' to what the defense is doing.

More Opinions

Some additional information from a former professional coach


Basic positional defense, stance, vision, reaction

This is part of the "core information" that we expect all players to absorb and transfer into their skill set. This is part of our central theme of CONDITIONING, FUNDAMENTALS, and TEAMWORK from the Pyramid of Success.

Lessons Learned

From a college coach.

Worthy aspirations.

Nothing is Impossible

If you want to develop skills, there's only one way: practice.

Bias

Last night we played like fifth grade girls. We lost. Sometimes you lose something bigger, perspective, as in "you're never as good as you look when you win or as bad as you look when you lose."

The Good:

• I told one player that despite "a million" turnovers, she played well enough in the context of seeing what was there and trying to make that happen. Errors of COMMISSION we understand. Errors of NO MISSION must be eliminated.
• The team continues to be very supportive of each other. They've surely tired of hearing us tell them to advance the ball with their head up and play "possession by possession".
• The girls did not quit, slicing a ten point deficit with about 1:30 to go to four points.
• Individual improvement, always variable player to player, week to week. 
• Ongoing great support from the parents. 

The Needs Improvement:

• Turnovers. "The ball is gold."
• Individual defense.
• The coaching. ATTRIBUTION BIAS says, blame everything else, the conditions, the officials, et cetera. If the individual defense isn't good enough, maybe we haven't taught them enough.
• Rebounding. Position and desire define rebounding. We're not getting enough rebounds, and those who can improve their rebounding and/or become shutdown defenders will add great value to the team. 

Frustration defines normal in competitive sports. But our long range goals for our players remain to help them become a team that can achieve special accomplishments. And we know that we will have to encourage them to play hard at all times to get there. 

Hybrid Attack

Click diagram to enlarge.

We are about teaching the game of basketball, with the goals to instruct the players in proper transition basketball, and when not available, the half court attack.

In phase one left, one possible scenario creates a wing-initiated attack, with spacing, player and ball movement, floor balance and adequate rebounding. Plays can be run to either side, with the goal of involving all five players in the offense.

After the initial passes in this particular sequence, the high post has pass options to a cutter from the weak side, and the post player having rolled low.

If the low receivers are not open, then the ball can be swung to the weak side to either the one or the two cutting back out, after which the posts can exchange.

The goals are clear: establish high percentage shots with a combination of good ball movement and player movement.

Simple Truths

Simple Truths

Board Review

Tonight we talked about and demonstrated some "old fashioned" rebounding drills.

Here are some more.

Slide and jump
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Establish a low 'center of gravity'
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This is a must for our "bigs"

Another Example of Versatile Sets

Yesterday, I sent examples of a versatile set offense, and here's another view from another site.

Post isolation play using double screens.

Continuation Play

The coaches are very pleased with the team's progress, not only from the results but especially because the team is playing better basketball, particularly looking to pass.

Naturally better basketball translates into better success.

Yesterday the team traveled to Belmont and played one of the Belmont teams and came away with a 31-7 win. Today, the team won 38-23 against a very good Burlington team. The team played considerably better from an efficiency standpoint.

Today's suggested public domain drills.

More Post Drills

Nice video with some drop step and jump hook moves for post players.

Daily Tips

Today's review: another aspect of post defense

The key points here:

• Timing
• Body position
• Ideally the shot is deflected to a teammate
• Staying "vertical" is critical; slapping down often causes officials to call fouls
• Ideally right hand shots are blocked with the left hand
• Never foul a player shooting a 3 point shot

"Post"er Child

We will spend a lot more time in the off-season helping to develop low post and wing moves. We have had some preliminary success for a few players, but we will help players develop an array of offensive weapons with which to attack the defense.

The FIVE basketball (with the ball) skills to develop:

• Pass 
• Shoot
• Dribble 
• Rebound
• PIVOT

This video emphasizes the deception, the pivot, and the finish that our bigs need to have in their quiver. 

Be Quick But Don't Hurry

The coaches' assessment of game performance relates not so much to victory or defeat but really to how the game was played. As we have said many times, coaches want their team's performance to reflect their coaching philosophy.

Our philosophy will always include:

• Teamwork
• Aggressive individual defense
• Help and recover team defense
• Transition offense (fast break, favored by players and fans)
• Player and ball movement

Among the reasons we coach is our love of the game of basketball and belief that we can make a difference. As we told the players, we did not win tonight not because of officiating or lack of effort, but because we did not play well enough, turning the ball over too much and not rebounding well enough. Both of these are team functions and responsibilities, that as a team we will correct. 

Winning and Coaching

The Coaches Toolbox has thought-provoking ideas every day.

The Blend

What we seek within our developmental program is to blend the physical and psychological growth of our student-athletes through a progression of skill building within a much bigger framework.

Click the pyramid to enlarge it.

I am a huge devotee of the greatest basketball coach of all time, Coach John Wooden of the UCLA Bruins. Coach Wooden emphasizes a foundation for greatness including the corner pillars of industrious and enthusiasm, and the center blocks of condition, skill, and team spirit on the path to competitive greatness. He defines success as the knowledge that you did all you could to do the best, from preparation to implementation.

If you achieve that which is available to you, you have succeeded, whether you reach a championship level or something less.

The fifth grade team continued its 'progression' today, a snowy New England winter day, with a victory at Wakefield. The team has worked hard and continues to make incremental gains, but has really excelled at TEAM SPIRIT with every player cheering on another's success.

We have spoken about the importance of developing "shutdown" defenders. Inevitably, scorers get recognition, but those who prevent scoring and facilitate it (the defenders, rebounders, and playmakers) need to maintain their enthusiasm for doing the heavy lifting that brings success.

Bruce Bowen is an NBA player whose defensive efforts helped bring San Antonio championships.

Catch Up

At this point, to nobody's surprise, our defense is ahead of our offense, because we don't have the experience or expertise to make complex plays on a regular basis. Not to worry. We are ahead of schedule.

In addition to developing the skills, we are trying to understand basic comprehension of the game. Some teachers break offensive skills into inside, mid-range, and outside game (also know as post, intermediate-range, and perimeter).

There isn't any shortcut to proficiency...as the only path involves repetition, repetition, and more repetition. I've emailed the drills to the players to work on the shooting drills needed, and we'll work (in the offseason) to help the post players (also known as the bigs) with fundamental skills.

Here's a very thoughtful video from former Celtic Sam Cassell on the intermediate-game.

I like to teach one dribble moves...but this video is excellent.

More Offensive Theory

My favorite part of basketball is watching great passes.




I've sent some information by Email to the distribution list.

Here's a link to a very short video by Stanford Coach Tara VanDerveer. The point isn't that we're going to run the Stanford offense, but certain themes constantly re-emerge in offensive basketball.

• Move without the ball
• Maintain spacing (CRITICAL)
• Do the above and ball movement becomes much easier
• Good offense breaks the game (5 on 5) into smaller pieces, that advantage the offense

As an example, leading 31-30 yesterday, our team executed the press breaker perfectly...creating a 2-1 break, leading to 1) recognition, 2) perfect pass, and 3) open layup to seal the win. 

Shutdown Defenders

You might not know it, but coaches are the most selfish people in the world. They look to put players on the field who will make them look good, who will give them the best chance to win.

I hear people talk all the time about 'great players' and wonder what exactly they mean. In a basketball player, the coaches see everything...physical and mental.

• Is the player a good and supportive teammate?
• Does the player practice correctly, focused with the intention to improve?
• Does she work on her weaknesses or just her strengths?
• Does the player understand what the coaches are trying to teach?
• What is the player's attitude?
• Does she accept coaching?

1. Does she play good individual defense?
2. Does she play good team defense, knowing when and how to HELP and to RECOVER?
3. Does she know how to "balance the floor" on defense?
4. Can she make an immediate transfer from offense to defense and defense to offense?
5. Does she block out?
6. Does she rebound offensively?
7. Does she know how to move without the ball?
8. Can she run the floor in transition?
9. Can she come off a screen with the ball/without the ball?
10. Can she see the floor?
11. Is she willing to make the pass to the open player?
12. Does she know which pass to make in which situation?
13. Does she stand around or is she active after making a pass, finding open spots?
14. Is she selfish or does she act in the interest of the team?
15. Can she dribble with either hand?
16. Can she take the ball to the basket off the dribble?
17. After the catch, is she instinctive or mechanical?
18. Does she shoot with proper technique?
19. How quick is her shooting release?
20. Can she make free throws?
21. Does she know how to use the backboard when shooting?
22. Does she know what to do and when to do it?
23. Can she incorporate game management into her understanding of the game?
24. Can she play 'under pressure', maintaining focus in close games?
25. Does the coach want her in the game at the key moment...as a finisher?

Having a hammer and a saw doesn't make you a carpenter, or giving you a piano doesn't create a concert pianist.  Yes, it is about you, but is about practice. In Malcolm Gladwell's book, "Outliers", he writes about most careers requiring 10,000 hours of practice to develop expertise. Few of us have the innate skill to develop shortcuts to proficiency. If you spend two hours a day on something, it takes over ten years to approach that 'magic' number. But it really doesn't amount to magic, just work.

What We Seek to Accomplish

"There are three types of people, those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what's happening." - Tommy Lasorda

Make things happen. Practice is where it starts.

My favorite line: The players’ goal for each practice should be to improve themselves for the good of the team.  A coach’s goal should be to instill that goal in the players and plan practice to make it happen.  Spend time making sure that your players see that as their goal.

Never Dribble Into Trouble...

From the Coaching Toolbox

I never want a player to dribble the ball against two in a game, 

and we make that clear every time we run the drill.

Here's the link

Other similar drills including the 5 on 7 (no, players, not officials) pressbreak drill and the same with no dribbling allowed. 

Offensive Theory

The so-called 1 - 4 offense (pronounced one four) is just one of many 'set' offenses designed as a "framework" from which to develop plays. Of course, our first priority (core philosophy) is to play 'transition' offense, the fast break at every opportunity.

We emphasize a number of concepts that are variably difficult for young players to grasp:

1. Spacing (avoiding bunching up, frees players to use individual moves)
2. Ball movement...give it up, you'll get it back
3. Player movement...especially using screens (picks)
4. Teamwork ("It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit."

The first point to make is that the 2 and 3 positions are interchangeable as are the 4 and the 5 at the high posts. I like to set the offense higher, because it pulls defensive players AWAY from the basket, and makes defenders respect the back cut from the high post to the block. This offense conceptually breaks down the court into areas where the wing and post can work together, or the twin high posts. 

But what I've shown here is a variation on a play the Celtics run, with Rondo passing the ball (hash marks) in to Garnett (5) , then cutting to set a pick away from the ball for Paul Pierce (3), who then has either an open move or a mismatch with a guard who has switched off on the pick. 

When the three (Pierce) goes to the hoop, the four has to crash the boards, and the two must rotate back (floor balance) to play defense. Everyone has a job to do on every play, and the plays must be run on either side. We want the girls to learn the principles vital to success on and off the court. 

Words from the Wizard of Westwood

http://coachingtoolbox.net/blog/john-woodens-desirable-coaching-traits/

John Wooden is one of my coaching heroes, perhaps the greatest coach of all times, a great communicator, and a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach. When asked what he missed most about coaching, Coach Wooden responded "practice". Truer words never spoken.

Today's Tip

We have discussed the importance of moving without the ball...and the general theory of selfless play resulting in scoring opportunities.

• For example, setting a pick gives the player a chance to roll to an open spot to get the ball back.
• The give and go or pass and cut gives the passer a chance to get the ball for a shot or a drive.

1. At practice tonight, we reviewed some passing techniques, including chest, overhead, bounce and baseball.
2. We put in some new press breaks (an area of need)
3. Emphasis on misdirection when moving without the ball.
4. Emphasis on developing a few 'go to' moves to create separation from the wing and the high post.

Q and A. "Why Do You Coach Girls?"

What rewards do you get from coaching youth basketball, specifically girls basketball? Well, here are some questions and answers.

Q. "Why do you coach girls?"

A. (Me). Because girls are open to receive coaching, and too many boys think they know everything about basketball.

A. (My daughter, Paula, a senior in college). Because you like to yell at girls...sheesh

Sometimes you have to laugh.

Me (to a guard): You're really piling up the assists, today.

Q. (from the guard): Is that a good thing?

A. That's a great thing. Coaches love to see good passes leading to baskets.

Q. Is hustling good enough?

A. NO! Playing with a purpose, including hustling, helping your teammates to succeed is why we play.

The big game of the weekend comes this afternoon, as the girls have won a couple of less competitive games that haven't tested their progress.

Improving:

• Players making "basketball moves" to get to the basket
• Shooting form...the bigger girls in particular are progressing
• Defensive alignment improving
• Running the break from the middle not the edges

Needs improvement:

• Rebounding positioning and intensity
• Guards protecting the ball
• Guards getting to the edge to start the break
• Foul shooting 
• Not dribbling into traffic

Hard to believe but the season has only a little more than a month remaining.


Nice video on preparation for the shot.


About 70 percent of basketball jumpshots come off the dribble.


More reinforcement.


Another useful segment.

Saturday Thought

"Defense and rebounding determines who wins; offense determines the margin of victory."

"If you want to become a great rebounder, it's about will and hard work." - Dwight Howard

Who Said

1. Play with joy. Live the moment.
2. Put forth a "winning effort" every day, maximum concentration and focus.
3. Do more of what is working and less of what is not, the essence of success.
4. Be positive. A positive attitude can produce the best outcome. 
5. Prepare. "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."
6. Nothing great is accomplished without enthusiasm. 
7. "Never let what you cannot do prevent you from doing what you can."

No Glory

"There is no glory in defense, just victory."

At this level, we teach only man-to-man defense, although I am a believer in exposing young players to a variety of defenses. If you understand what you are trying to achieve on defense, then you may also better understand where the defense may be vulnerable.

In general, we have three types of defense:

• Man-to-man defense (variations including variable pressure, and trapping). For the most part, we can play a non-extended man-to-man, because in youth basketball, defending other teams outside shooting has a limited value
• Zone defense (e.g. 2 -3, 1-2-2, and my least favorite 1-3-1)...my favorite "full court" zone defense is the 2-2-1 which is a trapping zone defense played by the UCLA dynasty of the 1960s and 1970s.
• Combination defenses (box and one, triangle and two, match up zones)

In youth basketball, we don't scout teams, so we do no 'game planning' per se. At the high school level, you may prepare specific plans for your opposition. 

We want to try to prevent EASY baskets, force turnovers, and take away what the opposition is trying to do (for example defend the pick and roll)...but perhaps the biggest challenge is to develop players who view defense and rebounding as the essence of play, to make themselves invaluable because of their ability to shut down their player. 

Also, the best coaches try to develop strategies to utilize their talent most effectively. For example, a fast, athletic team without much height wants to leverage that with a pressing, trapping, uptempo style. They don't want to get into a halfcourt game where tall opponents can pound the ball inside. A bigger, slower team might prefer to play zone defense to avoid exposing their speed deficiency against faster teams. 

Do you play defense with your feet or your hands first?

Notice how the players move as a unit in addition to covering their player. 

Coaching Staff

What are the principles espoused by your coaching staff? As my coach used to say in high school, adapted from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, "who are those guys?"

We both believe that basketball is a great game, integrated into a framework where family and school come first. Having the correct priorities counts. 

Coach Labella and I have almost a hundred years of combined basketball experience (we're old). Coach played point guard for Somerville during the era when Somerville was a perennial basketball hotbed; he has coached travel basketball for "many" years, including coaching his daughter who chose to play volleyball and was an All-League volleyball player.  He believes in fundamentals, transition basketball, and tight man-to-man defense. He works for the Commonwealth's judicial system.

I believe in 'teaching basketball' and came from the Wakefield High School system, playing shooting guard on a Division I North champion and playing college baseball. I also strongly believe in the Psychology of success, that a winning attitude is a precursor to success on and off the court.

I helped coach my daughters, who became successful EMASS basketball and volleyball players, each participating on five Division 2 North champions during their court careers. I believe in multiple defenses, and the 'technical' aspects of learning offensive and defensive basketball, in other words, the application of individual skill development. I work in health care.

We believe in Morgan Wootten's basketball principles:

• Play hard
• Play smart
• Play together
• Have fun

When you do all these, putting together "winning effort", the results take care of themselves. 

Speed Kills

The DNA (the building block) of Melrose basketball is transition basketball. Years ago (when my daughters were playing) an opposing coach told me that the toughest part of facing Melrose was knowing you had five players running hard all the time.

We want athletic players who can run, because we can create numerical mismatches ("numbers") to defeat the press and attack before zone defenses can set up.

Here are some principles from Morgan Wootten, legendary DeMatha High School coach about the fast break:

• See the whole floor
• Pass ahead to the open player
• Run!
• Play under control
• Let the play unfold
• Read where the advantage lies (read and react)
• Force the defense to play you
• Run the lanes wide 
• Identify the easy play
• When attacking the middle, stop at the foul line to trigger the play
• Use the chest pass NOT the bounce pass
• Receive the ball (eyes, feet, hands)
• Talk

Things to AVOID

• Don't decide what to do before the play unfolds
• Don't make too many passes
• Don't leave your feet to pass
• Don't pass to a player in poor position

Note the QUICK OUTLET, SPACING, HOW LITTLE DRIBBLING OCCURS