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Thursday, June 2, 2022

Remember the Rule of Three: Make Basketball Principles Stick

We have limited memory. Make better teaching our legacy. Fergus Connolly reminds us that people often remember 'threes'. 

Orators learned this in the rhetorical tool, TRICOLON - "A sentence with three clearly defined parts of equal length, usually independent clauses."

"I came, I saw, I conquered." - Julius Caesar

Superman fought for "Truth, Justice, and The American Way."

"Duty, honor, country." - General George MacArthur

Teach players what is important. Steal some. Add yours. 

Basketball symmetry


Pete Newell's Rules of Movement

  • Footwork 
  • Balance
  • Maneuvering speed
Quality shots (ROB)
  • Range
  • Open 
  • Balance 
Off-ball screen reads
  • Curl
  • Back cut
  • Bump

Strengthening your program (Parcells)
  • Musts
  • Needs 
  • Wants
Program Priorities
  • Family
  • Academics
  • Basketball
Analyzing a Possession
  • Pre-shot
  • Shot selection/execution
  • Post-shot (rebounding)
Program metrics
  • Teamwork
  • Improvement
  • Accountability 
Becoming a scorer
  • Layups
  • Mid-range 
  • Threes 
Defensive musts
  • Contain the ball
  • No paint
  • Challenge shots without fouling

What players want (Chuck Daly)
  • Minutes
  • Role 
  • Recognition
Building 'Atomic Habits' (James Clear)
  • Selection (Pick)
  • Consistency (Stick)
  • Monitor (Check) 
Sets in 3 (example re: 5 out)


Lagniappe (something extra). Reverse pivot attacks.


Pivot to success (a game of separation). Reverse pivoting can back defenders up or get them off balance. Find a few moves that work for you.