The debate continues...should practices be open or closed? I share my thoughts...which are opinion, not having arrived on stone tablets.
First, I coach middle school (girls) and it's about development of the person and the player. You want our handbook, playbook, drills, philosophy, or want to come and film practice (that's a joke), be my guest.
Second, opportunity matters. I've had parents who track (there's an app) every second of playing time in games. That's helpful, because it lets me know if ANY player isn't seeing the floor (aside from foul trouble and injury).
My ego can't be about 12-14 year old girls winning basketball games. When kids get into the college of their choice, succeed academically, or drop me a note thanking me for helping, that's not the WHY, it's the result of the process. And I don't control what happens the second they've finished middle school. The high school coaches couldn't care less about my opinion and they do what they do. It's their show and they own the results. "Control what you can control."
Third, the teaching isn't just about basketball. I discuss preparation (e.g. Sun Tzu, The Art of War), the history of unequal matchups (Malcolm Gladwell, David and Goliath), empowering women (Arlene Blum Climbs Annapurna from Michael Useem's The Leadership Moment), self-instruction (Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain and Gettysburg), and underdog victories (Robert E. Lee at Chancellorsville). They hear about Anson Dorrance's "competitive fury". We can talk about Nick U'Ren and the Warriors' championship in 2015 or why developing listening skills matters. Every coaches teaches alcohol and drug prevention and forging self-respect and healthy relationships. A parent who is a boys high school coach called it what it is, "a holistic approach'.
Disadvantages. There is potential for distraction of players looking to parents for approval. I haven't seen parents coaching their children during practice. Parents can question coaching methods...leadership always comes under scrutiny. That simply comes with the territory. In my opinion, it is better to be questioned for what we do than what another conjectures that we do.
Advantages. Transparency reveals practice planning, division of practice time, attention to key elements (e.g. shooting, applying and handling pressure), attention to detail, individual and group instruction, conditioning within basketball activities, and role of assistant coaches. My assistant coach was named this year's High School's female athlete of the year.
Open practice informs commitment, discipline, and effort of everyone involved. Coaches aren't allowed to have low energy days or low engagement practices. Open practice shares the philosophy, culture, and identity development of within the program.
Open practice means sharing; I learn from kids and their families, too. The more parents know about basketball and coaching techniques, the more they can share the experience with their families. We all have coached multiple children in families. Sharing produces trust which engenders loyalty.
Networking results among parents and families. They participate in other activities (sports or otherwise) together. Some socialize. Maybe some develop business relationships; the opportunities are there.
Openness produces accountability. We create an expectation of a higher tempo practice for greater efficiency. The accountability is mutual between coaches and players. There's no excuse for foul language. Parents have eyes even when they view their children through the prism of parental love. It's rare for players to excel in practice and struggle consistently in games. More eyes over more time produce more reasonable expectations.
Openness can reinforce "message discipline". Parents who repeatedly hear, "the ball is gold", "share the ball", "sprint back", "don't back down", "talk", "no paint", "it's not your shot, it's our shot" have the chance but not the obligation to give constructive feedback to their children.
I've been truly blessed in over fifty years in the game and have positive experiences with parents. As Brad Stevens notes, "we get back more than we give." And I realize that I'm a developmental coach, but the game is an "open source in an open domain". The secret sauce is sharing.
