Coaches provide the answers to the test and players don't always know there's a question there. Players have to be able to answer through vision, decision, and execution.
As the offseason ramps up, let's share some Q and A. Be specific.
1. What's the first priority?
"Take care of business." Family and schoolwork are your emphasis. Earn the honor roll. If you have a job, be on time and "show up." Do the "have to" and you'll earn the "get to."
One of my favorite players (now a successful high school volleyball coach) is always pleasant and positive. Her mother told me, "she is every bit as nice and helpful at home as she is outside."
2. What are your basketball essentials? TIA...
- Be a good teammate (teamwork)
- "Every day is player development day." (improvement)
- Make everyone around you better. (team accountability)
3. How will you get on the floor?
- Who are you as a player? What's your specific contribution (scorer, facilitator, rebounder, defender)?
- Yes, you play both ends and how will you impact winning? Impact winning through positive decisions and execution to find minutes, role, and recognition.
4. How will you score?
Refine 'go to' and 'counter' moves. If I asked what is James Harden's NBA skill, you might answer - drive, score three pointers, gets assists.
5. What's your workout plan?
Become your own coach. Decide what skills to practice, study (e.g. trainer video from experts like Drew Hanlen), and do the repetitions. "It doesn't matter what we run if we can't run it."
6. What is your level of commitment?
Match your work to the dream. Coaches enjoy working with committed players who understand:
- Great offense is multiple actions
- Great defense is multiple efforts
Say 'yes' to opportunities to improve.
7. Put systems above goals.
Do the unrequired work needed to become your better version. Make working out 'easier' and goofing off harder. Your best self fulfills your fourth agreement of "always do your best." When we show up and do our best, we don't suffer regrets.
8. How will you measure progress?
- "Winners are trackers." If it's strength and conditioning, measure changes. If it's shooting, track improvement and seek personal bests. If you're playing Around the World finish in 20 shots not 25 or 30. If you're playing Beat the Pro win 11 to 0 not 11-9.
- Use cellphone or other video to assess form. "Form begets function."
9. Seek 'escape velocity' from ordinary.
You'll know it when you see it. The first time you touch the net portends the first time you touch the rim. When you bench press a hundred know that you're on the way to 150.
10.Keep a notebook.
You might see a move in a playoff game. For example, Youtube.com has highlights of NBA playoff games. You can save that using Youtubetrimmer.com. Store it on a gmail spreadsheet. If you plan on coaching some day, add plays to a folder. You don't need high level resources to store your drawings. I see some coaches take a picture with their phone to store diagrams.
Pindown, follow PnR with options.
Most NBA teams run "Pistol action." Here's a simple action.
And here's an example from the video below.
Lagniappe. Coach Daniel shows how NBA teams run Pistol. It's worth watching and reviewing because 1) it works and 2) it has many hard-to-defend options.