Imagine. The existing coach has left and you're the new guy. What's next?
Coaching matters at EVERY level of play from biddy ball to professional levels. "Any idiot with a whistle can coach," turns out not to be true. Stuff you can use.
1. Connect people. Share our philosophy. "Earned roles."
- "The game is about the players."
- Teamwork, improvement, accountability.
- "Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson
- "Utilize strengths, attack weaknesses." - Sun Tzu
- "Play the basketball people want to see."
2. Develop your desired culture.
- Hard work is the norm. Condition within drills/scrimmage.
- Everyone can't be a great player but can be a great teammate.
- How do you intend to impact winning?
3. Get everyone on the same page.
- Write it down. "This is how we defend the pick-and-roll."
- Tailor the style of play to people.
- Give and get feedback. Write it down. "Performance-focused, feedback-rich."
- Players know far less than you about the game, collaboration, and improvement. Share what you know.
4. Work on identity. This is who we are, that is who we are not. This is how we play.
- Strong individual defense is the core of strong team defense.
- Clear offense organization - spacing, player and ball movement, ability to finish scoring opportunity. Know and embrace roles.
- Play smart basketball. We take care of the ball (the ball is gold).
- Teams without identity show exactly who they are.
5. "Every day is player development day." Excel at what we do a lot.
- Over half of practice devoted to individual skill development. "Technique beats tactics."
- Stop transition. Bad transition allows high points/possession and momentum shifts.
- Be good in the half court on offense and defense.
- Pick-and-roll offense and defense.
Lagniappe. Player development. (I haven't watched the whole episode yet).
