Saturday, October 16, 2021

Running Tryouts - Thoughts, Observations, and Ideas ("Who Died and Made You King?"

I've been asked to run tryouts for the winter travel (middle school) basketball program. I haven't decided but it raises the question of what belongs. There are usually two one-hour sessions. Usually we have two full courts to use. Every time we step on the court, it's a chance to teach life lessons.

It's just my approach. I get it. Mom used to say, "who died and made you king?" Steal what works for you. 

Here's a link to notes from Samuel L. Jackson's MasterClass on auditioning, because we're auditioning...and three highlights. 

"Go in there to present your best self to those people."

"Make them want to leave that room with you." (Hire you.)

"...make a lasting impression." (Initial impressions have staying power.)

I usually start by sitting the 20-25 girls on the baseline and say, "I need a volunteer." Girls raise their hands. I say, "that's not enough. When you hear VOL, jump up like you were shot out of a cannon. LEAVE AN IMPRESSION of attention and enthusiasm."

Even in a tryout, we share life hacks. When the UCONN women run a pair of laps before practice, NOBODY CUTS CORNERS. "Champions don't skip steps." Coach Popovich says, "pound the rock" because if it takes 100 hits to break it, you have to keep pounding. 

Remind players that if they feel sick or can't continue to let the coaches know and step out from a drill. Evaluators aren't there to fail athletes, but to allow them to show execution and potential. 

1. Two laps around the gym to loosen up, it's not a race. 

2. "Speed layups" look at general coordination and layups. The ball shouldn't hit the floor. It won't be pretty at first. 

3. Racehorse. "Get used to being comfortable with discomfort." Assess passing, running, and athleticism. Switch passers every minute. Emphasize hustle and crisp passing. 

4. "Multipurpose drill." 


5. 3 on 3 transition chase.


6. Bulk shooting. Give everyone a lot of shots (4 baskets, one evaluator at each basket)


7. Small sided games (first iteration)

8. 3 on 3 inside the split. More touches, more individual defense assessed. 


9. 3 x 3 x 3 shooting assesses shooting on the move, running, and passing. Emphasize good passing. Adjust shooting distance to age. 



10. "One more" (Pass, follow, and shoot)


11. 4 on 4 half court no dribble scrimmage. Assesses passing, cutting, spacing, and catching. 

12. Quarterback layups (disallow contact during tryout)


13. 3 on 3 from the top (reset each possession). Assesses competition, movement, creativity. 


14. Arc 1 v 1


Defense is within one step of ball handler. Take turns and add constraint of 2 or 3 dribbles depending on age. 

15. Ultimate. There are two end zones. Each team must advance the ball (no dribbling, may bounce pass) to a 'catch' in the end zone. Simulates cutting and passing against the press. If a pass is intercepted, action goes the other way. If a pass is dropped it goes the other way. If the ball goes out of bounds, it goes the other way. 


Final thoughts -
  • Generally the top players separate themselves. 
  • Smaller groups with multiple evaluators gives everyone more touches and more eyeballs.
  • Each of us decides current performance versus potential 
  • More advanced drills test players physically and mentally
  • Separating the top 6 "earlier" allows more attention to the mid- and lower-level players. 
Lagniappe. "Every day is player development day." 

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