Some teams enter the postseason on merit, others on 'inclusion'...everyone gets in. The latter applies for us.
But the 'process' converges. We have solvable issues...lack of confidence, negative momentum, and execution impairment. We have to try to pull it together this week.
Mission - what's our goal?
Resources
Plan
Specific actions (absolutely demands feedback to assure understanding)
End-state (how should it look?)
1. Mission. We need a short-term focus...playing quality basketball, possession by possession, at both ends. Urban Meyer describes football at "A to B, 4 to 6." You have to get from point A to B over 4 to 6 seconds. "Succeed this possession." Questions like "how good is the team we're playing (God, I hate hearing that) distracts from taking care of business.
2. Resources. Everyone should be back from vacation...physically and mentally. We need better play on special situations. We worked on SLOBs and BOBs because we get few scoring chances out of these.
Many teams use a zipper cut to inbound the ball. This takes advantage of overplay by "unzipping" with the cutter attacking via a back cut.
Many zone BOBs screen the middle and force the low defender to choose her poison.
3. Plan. How does your team 'wear down' the opposition? How do you plan to score? UCONN women seek to score a third on threes, a third on sets, and a third in transition. We have to shoot better to compete and we need to apply and overcome pressure to succeed.
We worked "gauntlet" last night. Defenders are in four 'zones'. Defenders must play in their zone. Two offensive players must negotiate the gauntlet. Each offensive player gets ONE dribble per zone. If you can beat two on eight, you should handle pressure.
4. Specific actions. Pressure the ball. "Don't back down." I don't want "dead man's defense", playing six feet under the ball. That's not defense. That's fear. That's passive. It's the dreaded "S-word." No player should ever accept the SOFT label.
Attack the basket. Any questions?
5. End state. Bring the fight.
Coaches want teams to reflect their attitude, spirit, and values. That demands possession by possession, "be here now" engagement. Ultimately, you show who you are. Don't make a simple game difficult.