Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Do better. How?
This is too good from Nick Saban! 😂
— Drew Maddux (@DrewMaddux) September 6, 2021
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1. It's always about minutes. Explain the philosophy of relatively equal playing time in a developmental setting but the potential to earn minutes from unrequired work. How will we know? Think back to Kevin Eastman's "success leaves footprints."
2. Have an even bigger focus on player development. Usually, we had at least fifty percent of practice devoted to skill building. It's never enough and you never go wrong by having more capable players. Players must score and defend in the half-court, stop transition, handle pressure defense, and become competent at pick-and-roll and pick-and-roll defense.
"30 buckets." 3 shooters, 3 rebounders, 3 minutes. Volume shooting drill where each player should get at least 40-50 shots in their three minute shooting. The goal is to score a minimum of 30 buckets as a group but we've had fifty (when I participate).
3. Scrimmage more. Scrimmaging reveals strengths and weaknesses. Scrimmaging conditions. But it also limits skill building vis-a-vis small-sided games and shooting drills. We want at least 150 shots per player per practice. We can't get that through scrimmaging or only playing games.
Controlled scrimmaging (O-D-O, offense-defense-offense, three possessions) is a big favorite with players and practices special situations including defense.
4. Automatic calls on most inbounds plays. Doug Brotherton is a great follow on Twitter and has enjoyed major coaching success. He's moved up to the college level. With "automatics" run even, odd, and "zero" according to the clock. You can override or even use the clock as a decoy.
5. Work on defeating pressure as a team. Practice advantage/disadvantage 5 versus 7 full court and half court. Add constraints like limiting dribbles per touch. 4 on 4 full pressure in the half court without dribbling forces cutting and passing.
What changes will you make this season?
Lagniappe (something extra). Coach Nick says, "I can fix your jump shot." He's checking basics - alignment, balance, rhythm, release point. He's got something...but maybe we sell "I can fix your __________." Quickness? Defensive stance? Blocking out? Reading screens?
