MasterClass instructors teach lessons that translate across disciplines. Chef Thomas Keller often refers to tools of refinement - tweezers, tamis, China caps, blanching, peeling, straining. Many disciplines use refining tools - sanders and polishers in carpentry, cleaving and bruting in jewel craft, lasers and robotic instruments in surgery.
In Keller's kitchen, he leaves no doubt about the message. Chefs have a "sense of urgency" to prepare great meals. Summer, tryouts, or in season, players need that sense of urgency to refine their tools.
Let's review a few refinements that coaches apply:
Footwork. Basic offensive skills include shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, pivoting, and cutting. The natural 'face up' is the front pivot. We work every practice on reverse pivoting into attack. "Second-order" thinking teaches reading the defender to optimize the attack.
Handwork. Good players protect the ball. Exposing the ball risks turnovers. Teach keeping the ball out of the "strike zone" (knees to letters) where defenders get easier access to steals. On defense, learn 'hand discipline' and 'showing your hands' such that officials see you're NOT fouling. Keeping the elbows back, helps prevents shooters from 'raking' through your arms to draw cheap fouls.
Blocking out. Defensive rebounding keys are position and toughness. Some players just "get the ball" and overthinking hurts the process. Whether we advocate "hit and get" or "traditional" blocking out, we want possession. Coach Tom Izzo practices with helmets and shoulder pads as his 'refining tools'. The weight room gives solutions for others.
Receiving the outlet. We teach outlet receivers to get position above the foul line with their back to the sideline. Ideally, they receive the outlet even closer to the hash. When the second pass has 'air time' over the timeline, opportunity for success is higher. It hasn't happened enough.
Stance. Defense begins with attitude, a ferocity more often born than made. "Dead man's defense" (six feet under) is unacceptable. Buzzwords abound, "in the face", "don't back down", "nose on chest", and "crawl up into them" are a few reminders. Forget about Be Our Guest...embrace Be a Pest.
Lagniappe:
Reverse layups. We're usually small and that creates problems inside. We're struggling to grasp reverse layup techniques. Here's a short, simple video that might help players. Remember the saying, "eyes make layups."
