Global pandemic produced an explosion of coaching pearls as a by-product. I share Dave Smart notes from a recent YouTube Canadian Basketball clinic with Basketball Immersion and Chris Oliver.
From Wikipedia, "In the 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018 seasons, Smart was awarded the Stewart W. Aberdeen Memorial Trophy, as the top men's basketball coach in Canadian university sports."
He starts by championing success and sustainability.
"We don't run much (stuff)." (Simplify) "We've gotten better at the details." (Reads are better. Execution is better. Think the Lombardi Packers.)
"We have to develop our players (for sustainability)."
During practice, his defense can do whatever they want (e.g.) to cover ball screens. "Have a plan that is thought out and understood." That approach allows guys to play anywhere (e.g. national team tryouts).
"Every day is a player development day...every player gets better."
"We seldom talk about team goals...we talk about individual development goals."
"Is this the best stuff defensively and offensively for this group?" But he finds that more system-oriented play detracts from reads.
High level development allows for more interchangeable players and accountability (you can sit a better player because the next guy will step up).
"Earn your opportunity." Pouting will never allow you to reach your goals. Leadership is hard because it leads to confrontation (difficult conversations).
"If you stop listening, you're going to get lost."
Ball screens - we want to force uncomfortable switches. With a non-shooter, they set screens at the elbow extended. If opponents push the ball middle they set it 3 feet outside. If they 'down' it, they screen inside the elbow. If blitz or switch, non-shooter rolls hard. On the 'down' coverage, they are attacking the top foot. Other players are also reading...on a blitz they are coming to the ball. (In the video, note how the screener is facing the basket.)
"An assistant watches the ball (while Smart watches action off the ball) in practice."
If the slot defender is dropping, then the corner 3 may be open or available for a cut back door (a lagniappe recent featured Scott Morrison on NBA cutting). The ball handler may (Villanova-like) finish off the jump stop.
They use different rules with a shooting post. If the post is a shooter, the screen is set near the nail to allow for pick-and-pop action. He wants the guard to make the coverage believe he is using the screen but be prepared to reject the screen.
"Gaining the half-step edge is the key to winning championships." (It may not matter against poor opponents.)
"If you're sloppy against well-coached teams, you're not scoring."
"Focus on the details (I reorganized to emphasize symmetry)
- Transition D
- Transition must dos
- Ball screen D
- Ball screen must dos
- Quarter court must dos
Redefine fun: decide what your fun is (hard work, watching film). What type of player do you want to become? "Here's what you need to do." We'll reevaluate you after 5-6 days. Are we trying to get better? (Last summer I showed our top player how to do reverse layups. She struggled initially that practice. A week later, she could do them better than I can. That's the player you need and want.)
"Whomever I think is better will earn that role." Competition is good for the coach.
Summary:
- We don't run much.
- Have a plan that is thought out and understood.
- Every day is a player development day.
- Earn your opportunity.
- Focus on the details.
Lagniappe: Carleton Basketball examples
Lagniappe 2: via @John_Leonzo
Simple but effective zone offense concept - HP catch, baseline cut and fill. Bottom side defender goes with cutter = corner 3 | Bottom side defender stays in corner = dunk pic.twitter.com/2ebAdvuZTg— John Leonzo (@John_Leonzo) June 22, 2020