Practice

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It's What We Do (More or Less)

Tony Mazz had an article in The Globe about the Patriots, specifically about the Bill Belichick philosophy.

"It's understanding what [opponents] are doing, trying to prepare your team for what they do, [trying] to come up with what you feel like gives the players an opportunity to be successful, teaching them that, going through it either on the practice field or in the game," Belichick said. "I enjoy all of that."

In many ways basketball is a simple game, put the ball in the hoop...and prevent the other team from doing the same. But not every player develops at the same rate, physically or mentally. We have some players with high athletic upside who struggle with their 'process' of learning the game. We have others with better concepts and less athleticism or skill. Neither are blank slates nor finished products, and projecting what the outcome will be has great uncertainty. 

Offense comes from developing the triad of skill, conditioning, and team spirit. We review the FIVE ELEMENTS of offensive play regularly, to build the skills.

• Passing
• Dribbling
• Shooting
• Pivoting
• Rebounding

1) Pass away from the defender; look off defenders, fake with ball, head, eyes.
2) Control the dribble with your head up.
3) Shoot with proper technique, square, and follow through. Keep the elbow in.
4) Pivot with confidence to prevent defenders from obtaining held balls.
5) Rebound with authority and look for the outlet pass (defense) or to score on offense.

Always see the ball and your defender. Pressure the ball, pressure the ball, pressure the ball. Play defense BEFORE your player has the ball. Good players will find ways to get to the ball, and good defenders identify ways to prevent that.

Understand the game and the situation WITHIN the game. The first play of the game is as important as the last; we play to win each possession.

1-4 Motion

Everybody in the program (at all levels) knows that I like the 1-4 'high' set. Here's a Coaches Toolbox play with lots of motion and screens off the base 1-4. The advantage of the 1-4 initially is not only the initial spacing and open area under the basket, but the 'lack' of a weak side from which help can 'cheat'.

The Least Utilized Option

When players set up the "pick and roll", they usually 'use' the pick and occasionally fake against the pick, but least often (in my experience) 'slip the screen'. The short video contained shows how to do exactly that.

Slipping the screen. Nice!

This weekend at the BC tournament I tried to summarize where the girls needed emphasis:

• "The ball is gold." Reduce turnovers.
• The best players are going to find a way to get the ball, coming off picks (screens) and cutting to the ball. The best defenders must combat that. 
• We're going to be among the smallest teams. We MUST block out.
• The best defenders play defense BEFORE the offensive player gets the ball.

Don't forget the wisdom of Ben Franklin: "Someone who is very good at making excuses is seldom very good at anything else."

A Basketball Player

http://www.coachingtoolbox.net/filingcabinet/a-basketball-player.html

One Day at a Time

As a young player, what can you do to improve?

• Improve your athleticism - speed, quickness, strength, jumping ability
• Improve your skill - the five offensive skills are ball-handling, passing, shooting, dribbling, and pivoting. Shooting is the least well-taught...and learned. The end result of improved skills and decision-making is easier scoring opportunity and reduced turnovers.
• Improve the mental approach to the game, understand what offenses try to do (create mismatches, create separation with offensive skills and offenses), and how to defend (ball pressure, denying cuts away from the ball, denying the post, not accepting pick-and-rolls, being in position to help away from the ball, blocking out).

What skills are hardest to acquire? We think that developing the mental game creates the greatest challenge. Great players are great because 1) they make the players around them better, 2) they can carry the team at times, and 3) they are great teammates.

Yet Another Shooting Drill

We've talked about the importance of 'different' looks.

• Catch and shoot
• Pump fake and shoot
• Catch and shoot coming off a pick
• One dribble into a shot

Here's another CoachingToolbox shooting drill.