Friday, December 16, 2022

Don't Go "Back to Basics"

Don't forget the fundamentals. "Most plays that fail do so because of a mental error or a lack of fundamental execution."  - How Good Do You Want to Be, Nick Saban

About a third of games are decided by two or fewer possessions. Two or three 'better possessions' during those games decide who we are. 

Don't go back to basics. Never leave. Everything we do, how we prepare, how we study, how we meet, practice, and play shows up on the court. 

What basics don't help? Each of us decides for ourselves. Be as efficient as possible with more players involved at more practice hoops. 

"Kill your darlings." If it doesn't increase our chance of winning, dump it. Brian McCormick says, "no lines, no laps, no lectures." Everyone won't agree with McCormick.

Brian McCormick's "Fake Fundamentals" Table of Contents

Some will defend 'traditional' drills to the death. If something works for them, great. 

What fundamentals separate excellence? Let's focus on offense.

  • Shooting/finishing
  • Passing 
  • Ball-handling
  • Rebounding 
  • Footwork/pivoting 
  • Cutting
  • Vision (includes spacing)
  • Decision-making 
Each coach and player decides which inputs impact winning via the ability to create and exploit advantage. 

If we do nothing else today, create a short-list of activities/drills to upgrade each of the above. Sometimes there'll be overlap, e.g. box drills with defense. Or your favorite small-sided game. So much the better. 

Summary: 
  • Don't forget the fundamentals.
  • Know what we mean.
  • Be as efficient as possible.
  • "Kill your darlings."
  • Create and exploit advantage. 
  • Build short lists of actions you believe impact winning. 
Lagniappe (something extra). 

Lagniappe 2. Help your team win.  

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