"Gimme something I can use today." Nobody changes their culture or identity overnight. Improve organization and execution immediately. I'm not saying any of these are original ideas. They arise from over sixty years of playing, watching, and coaching.
1. Time out organization. Consider sitting (or standing) the players in the game left to right, position 1 (point guard) through 5.
2. Time out allocation. Dean Smith worked to save three time outs for the final four minutes. That allowed him to transfer key information, rest players briefly, and set up winning actions.
3. Handling pressure. I favor 5 versus 7 pressbreaking disallowing dribbling until pass and cut is the norm.
4. Win special situations. We practiced 12-15 minutes each session special situations (BOB, SLOB, ATO) against defense. That presents an edge close and late.
5. Three little words. "Don't back up." Attack on defense.
6. Best in show. What's your best offensive attack for BOB, SLOB, ATO, versus MAN and versus ZONE defense?
7. "I believe in you." Speak greatness. Elevate players' confidence.
8. "Every day is player development day." We can't recruit players so making them better is a mandate. Players have to leave practice feeling that they're making progress.
9. Use Coach Knight's "Power of Negative Thinking." Players must know what not to do.
10.Be a tracker. Track to show progress. Accountability means holding ourselves to high standards. Tracking team shooting percentage and team turnovers improved play because players saw the bar raised. Players felt more accountable, "it's not your shot, it's our shot."
Bonus pregame shooting drill. Get them moving.
Pass, run to halfcourt, then in to shoot. Rinse and repeat.
Bonus: use a blend of Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity. The AI program ChatGPT has passed the Bar, the CPA exam, and the US Medical Licensure exam. It's smarter than we are, so use it to supplement our creativity and intuition.
Lagniappe. Coach Hanlen recommends a dribble warm-up.
