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Monday, January 16, 2023

Notes from Nate Mitchell - High-level Workouts

 "Every day is player development day." Most of us lack the luxury of 'star acquisition'. Here are notes:

Building a player (WHY are we doing an activity)


Observe the player (film or in person) - is the player playing off the catch, making quick decisions? How quickly does he set up the shot?




Coaching offense improved as he understood defense.

Skill transference improves with randomized (game-like) variation AFTER skill acquisition. 


He uses film to study player decisions and then takes it to practice court - pass vs shot and what type of finish preferred. 

Consciously choose the skill that has worked (e.g. catch-and-shoot 3s). Your role may NOT be to take corner 3s. If you've proven you can make 70/100 corner 3s in practice regularly, THEN implement. (I had my twins track 100 free throws daily with goal of getting them into the 90s.)

Everyone won't be allowed to do everything (based on proven skill).


In the modern game, you must defend on the perimeter in a stance and be ready to switch. That's an emphasis for them when studying video. 


  • Form shooting is an everyday thing. 
  • Combines offense and defense (e.g. closeout, slides, sprint to corner for three threes...players more enthusiastic)
  • Combination drills get more cardio in 
  • A midrange shot drill turns into a closeout, slides, and move for a few catch-and-shoot 3s
"Five levels of shooting"
  • Catch-and-shoot (stand still)
  • Move, catch-and-shoot
  • Basic off the bounce (e.g. transition, PnR)
  • Elite movement (e.g. floppy, pindowns)
  • Elite off-the-bounce (e.g. Durant, Harden, Irving) including 3s