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January ( #4)
Christmas is over. Time to work off all that Christmas pudding and the rest of the junk you eat over the holidays. You need to start thinking about getting the team focusing on the second half of the season. Not only do you have to get back to work, but you also have to keep your practices fresh so it doesn’t becoming boring for both you and the players. Hopefully you will be able to add in some new drills or plays from the things we have been covering over the past 3 months. So lets get going with this months Coach’s Corner:
1. COACHING 
Here’s a little test you can take to see what kind of coach you are
What Kind of Coach Are You?
Have you ever evaluated yourself and your coaching style? This test will determine if you’re a traditional coach, a child-centered facilitator, or somewhere in-between.
Don’t think about each question too long. Your first response will give the best indication.
- The major reason children should play sports is to have fun, not to win.
a. Winning is important to children.
b. Winning is important but not necessary.
c. Enjoyment is the key; winning is secondary.
- Children should learn how to compete at an early age.
a. They stand a better chance of being successful later in life.
b. Competition is important, but it shouldn’t be the basis for playing sports for young children.
c. The earlier young children learn to be competitive, the less enjoyment they might have playing.
- A strong self-image can be developed in young children with a strict, no-nonsense approach to coaching.
a. They need to know who’s the boss and follow the rules.
b. Children need to be managed with a firm, yet reasonable approach.
c. Children need to be encouraged to try their best.
- Praising a child’s ability is okay, but don’t overdo it.
a. If praised too often, they’ll develop a false sense of their abilities.
b. Children need to be told accurately and honestly about their weaknesses.
c. If it’s honest praise, there’s no such thing as overdoing it.
- Children who develop too much self-esteem will become spoiled.
a. Look at any superstar in today’s sports and you`ll see what a spoiled child is like.
b. Children must be taught humility; those with high self-esteem often act conceited.
c. Children with high self-esteem often make the best players.
- Most parents want their young children to win, not necessarily to have fun.
a. Agree. Winning equals improvement.
b. Some do, but not all.
c. Disagree. Parents need to be educated.
- Disciplining a child in front of the team can set an example for others.
a. Everyone learns to do the right thing really fast.
b. Peer pressure is the most effective form of team discipline.
c. Discipline should be a private issue between coach and child.
- The coach should set the rules and give them to the players.
a. Showing who’s in charge will teach children to respect authority.
b. Coaches need to demonstrate leadership, and children need to comply.
c. Coaches should provide guidance only, which will empower children.
- The coach should sometimes act like a teacher; sometimes like a parent.
a. Playing both roles can confuse children. A coach is a coach.
b. A coach might sometimes take on the role of a teacher or a parent but should remain first a coach.
c. A coach should be a parent and a teacher.
- A parent’s role in children’s sports should be:
a. Mildly involved.
b. Moderately involved.
c. Maximally involved.
Scoring
Give each "a" response 1 point
Give each "b" response 2 points
Give each "c" response 3 points
10-16 points. You’re a traditional coach. You believe winning is the primary reason for playing sports, take a hard line in discipline, use an autocratic approach, and find little value for parental involvement. Seek instruction in child-centered coaching philosophies and techniques.
17-23 points. You’re a partly traditional, partly child-centered coach. You’re a leader but not autocratic, a problem-solver but not a ruler, and a motivator but not commanding. Improve your child-centered coaching philosophies and techniques.
24-30 points. You’re a child-centered coach. You believe in making the game fun; being both a parent figure and a teacher; offering guidance, encouragement, and support; and maximizing parental involvement. Maintain your child-centered philosophies and techniques.
2. OFFENSE
Yo Yo - Zone Offense
This is a very simple zone offense that can be used at any level. It works best against a 2-3 zone.
Personnel
Players 1, 2, & 3 should be your wing players and Players 4 & 5 should be your post players.
Instructions
- You will want to start your players out in this set.
- Player 1 can pass it to either wing.
- If Player 1 passes it to Player 2, Player 5 goes to the high post area on the ball side. Player 4 slides from the block to the short corner. The short corner is about 2 to 3 feet away from the baseline and 2 to 3 feet outside the lane.
- Player 2 looks to pass the ball to Player 5 in the high post or Player 4 in the low post area if possible.
When the ball is on the wing, the wing player should not be in a rush. He should be patient to look at how the defense reacts and try to find a hole in the defense.
- If nothing is there, Player 2 will swing the ball back to Player 1. Within this offense, you do not want to hold the ball at the top of the key. That's why it is important for Player 1 to quickly swing the ball to Player 3.
- When the ball is passed to Player 1, Player 5 flashes in the middle of the lane looking for a quick entry pass if open. This will only be there for a split second, because Player 1 is going to swing the ball quickly to Player 3. As soon as the pass goes to Player 3, Player 5 will go to the short corner.
- Player 4 will stay put until the pass goes to Player 3. Once this happens, Player 4 will go to the high post area on the ball side.
- Player 3 looks for entry passes into Player 4 or Player 5.
- If Player 4 & 5 are not open, Player 3 can pass it to Player 1 or throw a skip pass to Player 2. Player 1 glances to see if there is an open gap in the zone, then swings the ball to Player 2.
- If Player 2 throws an entry pass into Player 5. Player 5 can turn and look for the open jump shot or attack the basket.
Another option for Player 5 is to turn and throw a pass to Player 4 who should try to slide in behind the zone defense for an open lay up.
Variation
Here is another variation to the yo-yo offense which will provide more movement for the wing offensive players:
- When Player 1 throws the ball to the wing, he cuts to the opposite wing, instead of staying at the top of the key.
Player 2 replaces Player 1 at the top of the key. Players 4 & 5 continue their normal movements in the post area.
This helps if you find your wing players becoming complacent.
- Like before, Player 3 looks into the post for an entry pass. If nothing is open, he returns the pass to Player 2.
Player 4 slides into the seam underneath the free throw line.
- Player 2 passes the ball to Player 1. Player 2 cuts to the opposite wing and Player 3 replaces Player 2 to at the top of the key.
Post Players 4 & 5 continue their normal movement within the offense. Player 4 cuts to the short corner and Player 5 flashes to the high post.
When a Player is coming across the lane into the high post like player 5 is in this diagram. We sometimes teach him to shuffle his feet across the lane, so he doesn't fly past an open seem to quickly.
- Here is the positions that your players should be in with the ball on the wing:
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3. DEFENSE
Defense Drill: Corner Close Live
This drill provides practice in closing from a distance at the baseline angle and playing effective one-on-one defense. Emphasis is on not getting beat on a drive for a lay-in, and you can add your own defensive emphasis if you wish. For instance, you could insist on not giving up any base line drives.
Instructions
- The drill starts with the defender throwing a pass to a player at the top of the key, who then throws a pass to an offensive player in the right corner area. As soon as he throws to the top of the key, the defender sprints to close on the offensive player in opposite corner.
They should play one-on-one live. The offensive player is limited to four dribbles. After the initial shot, the ball remains live until the defender gets the rebound or the offense scores, but the offense is limited to a single dribble per rebound.
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- The rotation through the drill is as follows: Defender goes to the passing line at the top; Passer at the top joins the shooting line; and the Shooter joins the Defender line. The diagram shows the second rotation of the drill with players in proper lines.
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Defense Drill: 1 2 3 Progression
This is a progression drill that improves defensive footwork, one on one, and wing defense.
Progression 1
1 on 1 full court zig zag. The defensive player should focus on footwork, playing the angle, and staying in front of the ball handler.
Once the offense gets past half court, they can go live.
All these drills should be played live to a score. |
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Progression 2
2 on 2 - Full court zig-zag with wing defense.
Be sure that your wings get in the correct defensive position and do what ever it takes to stop the ball. |
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Progression 3
3 on 3 - full court zig-zag with 2 wings. |
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4. DRILLS - SHOOTING
X Jump Shot
Teaches footwork, change of direction, shooting on the move.
Please note: Two balls are needed for this drill
- Put a chair on each elbow with the seat facing mid court. Put a ball on each chair.
- Player starts on the left block.
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- Player cuts through the middle of the chairs, around the right chair. Player scoops the ball and takes a jump shot.
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- Player then cuts directly to the right block.
- Upon reaching the block, player executes step-through footwork, cuts through the chairs and around the left chair for jump shot.
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- If a re-bounder is available (2nd player, coach, etc.), he hustles after rebound and replaces it on the chair(s) and the shooter can go continuously.
- Drill can be run for attempt or makes. If there is a re-bounder, it can also be run for time or for a progressive number of rotations (2 shots the first time, 4 shots the next time, 6 shots next, etc.).
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Teaching Points
- Make hard cuts
- Step footwork on the block to get the player back to the ball, is as important as any other footwork
- Lean into your turn to make the change of direction easier and to maintain balance
- Step into shot by stepping around the chair with your inside foot
- Get low on the turn around of the chair for the jump shot and for the change of direction for the drive
- Be sure to finish your shot before taking off for the 2nd ball
- Be particular with regard to footwork. Good footwork not only means better shooting but will limit turnovers
5. PLAYER TIPS
Basketball Shooting Tip: THE JUMP SHOT
1. Body Positioning - Stand 2 or 3 ft. directly in front of the basket. Assume a jumping stance. Your feet are shoulder width apart, and parallel to each other; one foot is slightly ahead of the other (you should learn to shoot with either foot forward). The knees are flexed. Although both feet are entirely in contact with the court, almost your entire body weight should be on the balls of the feet and distributed equally on both feet. Your shoulders should be square to the basket and slightly ahead of your hips, which should be directly over the mid point of your feet. Your head should be erect. Keeping you shoulders squared to the basket is a CRUCIAL basketball shooting tip.
2. Ball To Hand - Hold the ball in two hands, in front of you, close to the body, and just above waist level. The fingers and thumbs of both hands are pointing directly away from you; keep the elbows in. The hands should be on the top half of the ball; The complete inner surface of the hands should be in contact with the ball. The fingers and thumbs of each hand are spread comfortably. The distances separating the fingers and the thumbs should be the same. The forefingers should be parallel to each other. To hold the ball, push both hands towards its centre to create enough pressure to hold it.
To establish fingertip control, apply gentle, but firm pressure with the pads of your fingers, that is, the area between the tips of the fingers and thumbs and the first joint. Applying this pressure creates a paper thin air space along the fingers, thumbs, and palms, starting at the first joint and ending at the heel of the hand. Cock the wrists, making sure they are relaxed, so that you can easily cock and uncock them in a full range of motion. (To cock your wrists, bring the back of the hands towards the body. Do not lock your wrists!)
3. Ball To Body - Now move the ball to the point above and in front of your head from which you will shoot. You must be able to see the basket under the ball. As you raise the ball, rotate your shooting hand so that it is directly behind and under the ball by the time it reaches shooting position. As you rotate the shooting hand, which controls the ball, the non-shooting hand slides over the ball, ending to the side and slightly under the ball. The non-shooting hand takes no part in the shot. Its job is to help hold and protect the ball until the moment the shooting action begins.
Hold the ball as high as possible. The higher you hold the ball, the taller you become. Ideally, there should be only a slight bend in the elbow of the shooting arm, particularly when you are close to the basket. Keep the ball directly in front of you. Looking from the side, one should see that the forearm is vertical, so that the wrist is directly over the elbow. From the front, the elbow of the shooting hand should be directly in front of or slightly inside the shoulder, never outside. Now you are in SET POSITION.
4. The Shot - Your shooting action begins the moment you are in set position. Shooting is a one-piece action in which you quickly jump and uncock the wrist. This quick jumping action generates most of the power for the shot. The feet barely leave the floor. As the hand comes forward as the wrist is uncocked, the ball immediately begins to rise up on the fingertips. Quick wrist action and fingertip control give a crisp back spin to the ball. For maximum control of the ball, it should come off the tips of the forefinger and middle finger. To transfer power from the legs to the ball, release the ball just as, or just before, you complete your jumping action. Make sure the ball leaves the fingertips before the arm straightens in follow through. As the shooting arm straightens in follow through, the wrist should end up only slightly ahead of the elbow, which should not be tightly locked. The hand will have completed its full range of motion from being cocked back to being crisply snapped forward. Throughout the entire shooting action, keep your eyes focussed on a spot on the back of the rim directly opposite you; stay relaxed so that all the joints, particularly the wrist of the shooting hand, move very easily. Key Basketball Shooting Tip: The stronger your legs, the better your jump shot.
The farther you are from the basket, the more power you need. To get more power, increase the flex or bend in the knees. If necessary, you can lower the shooting position of the ball, but never so low that you cannot see the basket from under the ball. When you get to a distance from the basket at which you begin to force the shot, you have reached the limit of your shooting range.
When shooting, you can make yourself taller by jumping higher. However, in doing so, you will not be able to get as much power from your legs. So, you should jump high only when you are fairly close to the basket. Again, it is very important that you release the ball as or just before you reach the peak of your jump. Falling or fading away as you shoot will result in a great loss of power. You should not attempt learning the fade-away until you have mastered the basic jump shot. Usually only gifted athletes are able to become proficient at this shot.
  
 
6. HUMOR
 
 
“He’s Got Game” “Your Never to Old”
6. LINKS
Coachlikeapro.com
BasketballCoach.com
7. QUOTES
"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best."
-- Tim Duncan
"One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team."
-- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
"When I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was to become a pro."
-- Larry Bird
Hope the season is going well. See you next month with some new drills and plays for getting the ball inbounds .
Best Swishes,
The Coach
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