"Talent Uber Alles." Coaching helps talent succeed. How many "lottery picks," first and second rounders, and free agents appear on the roster?
Consider this framework during roster assessment:
Lottery pick = future All-League player or better
First rounder = legit multi-season "varsity" starter
Second round = fringy varsity player
Free agent = developmental player
Without multiple "first round" talents, teams struggle.
Players come as a tangible mix of size, athleticism, and skill. Excellence favors at least two of the three, and size is God-given not made.
The goal, the vision is transforming 10-80-10 "middle roster" players of Urban Meyer into the top ten percenter. That doesn't happen just by coaching, as it relies on player-dependent commitment, discipline, sacrifice, and unrequired work.
None of this renders coaching irrelevant. In fact, when we can't recruit, we depend on development and strategy to improve execution. Coaches impact organization, player development including game knowledge, strategy, physicality (strength and conditioning), and psychology.
And we can dissect the 'strategy' of spacing, ball and player movement that establish the 'scoring moments' by available talent.
Lagniappe (something extra). Twitter shares coaching pearls daily.
Motion Shooting: Drive and Kick reads out of the DHO today. Dribble, pass, shoot, rebound, footwork all included at game speeds. Great work & design @CoachTonyUCLA #GrowOurGame #DoTheWork pic.twitter.com/cqxevPHkgJ
— Cori Close (@CoachCoriClose) September 2, 2022
Seattle Storm Pistol Series
— System Basketball (@SystemHoops) September 2, 2022
They clear the initial ball screener to the opposite side of the court to set up a 2 man wing ball screen with Bird and Stewart.
Doing this prevents a tag help defender in the corner. Great wrinkle by the storm. pic.twitter.com/9gjumiffP6
Tuck pickup’s 👇
— Shane Hennen (@Hennen_Workouts) September 2, 2022
This is great when you’re cutting through a gap and need to keep your opposite hand / arm in place to hold off your on ball defender
Simple. Effective.
Pickups are essential when teaching finishing. Should be worked on at a younger age 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yL4liOF8JF
The game goal of screening action is freeing up cutters or dribblers. These open threats force help D to react. Floormates benefit by 1) clear jump shooting 2) slice driving 3) Off. rebounding. Screen setters are valued.
— Gordon Chiesa (@gchiesaohmy) September 2, 2022
Ball pickup tip: for example on jab or jab and rip, consider practicing with the player's eyes closed until the pickup is completed. They become independent of vision on the pickup and can focus on targeting.