Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Fast Five: Handouts

We communicate both verbally and non-verbally with our players. We can also deliver messages with written material. There's no Holy Grail of handouts. Some coaches literally create a tome, with soup to nuts, the alpha to omega of their program. If it's LAMINATED, then it's important. I hand out a blank notebook, a playbook, and FIVE laminated sheets.

I'm not big on rules and expectations. I do counsel players that I expect them to respect their parents, to help out at home without being ask, to show superior academic effort, and to respect the game.

But we can argue (with limited distribution) that what we hand out is what we emphasize. Off we go.

1. John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success" stands the test of time. I particularly emphasize the cornerstones (Industriousness and Enthusiasm), the core (Condition, Skill (as opposed to talent), and Team Spirit, and the 'wings' flanking Competitive Greatness, faith and patience (or belief and time).
2. Jay Bilas' "Toughness" concepts. We want our team to represent our approach to life and to the game. Nick Saban might say his ideal team reflects COMPETITIVENESS, RELENTLESSNESS, and TOUGHNESS. Bilas makes it clear that toughness isn't trash talk and chest thumping, it's playing the game the right way. Quiz players periodically on the content.

3. Core Defensive principles. Everyone has their own. Kevin Eastman says, "Know your nos", like NO easy shots, NO uncontested threes, NO paint. "It's the scoreboard, not the scorebook that matters."

  • Ball pressure
  • Deny paint penetration
  • Deny post entry
  • Challenge all shots without fouling
  • Defensive rebounding to complete ONE BAD SHOT.
4. Core Offensive principles. Again your philosophy is all that matters.

  • Spacing, cutting, screening and passing.
  • Basketball is a game of cutting and passing.
  • Get More and better shots.
  • Movement kills defense.
  • "Papa John" principle (Better passing yields better shots)
5. How you play reflects how you live your life. Included are simple ideas:

  • "Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson
  • The best players are those who make their teammates better.
  • You are accountable to each other both on and off the court.
  • The discipline you show here will help you every day in your life.
  • There is no GREAT player who is BAD teammate.
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