Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Goldilocks Approach - Coaching Closer to Just Right

Coaches manage individually not collectively. No 'one size fits all' practice exists as coaches have different philosophies, offensive and defensive approaches, players, and communities. 

Watching other coaches practices, clinics, and strategies (video, television, in person) opens our perspective. 

There's no shortage of public domain information. If there were a best operation - wouldn't everyone use it? 

1) Without skill and effort (e.g. urgent cutting, accurate passing) nothing works. 

2) With high skill and effort, many approaches will work. 

3) "Selling" coaches on 'one way' like DDM, Princeton, Spread, Triangle, et cetera varies between narcissistic and tribal. 

Were I to coach again, what would I continue and what would I do differently or better? Let's work on the "just three things" principle.

Continue: 

Condition within drills. I developed a stable of drills that combined skill, competition, and conditioning. 

3 by 3 by 3 full court shooting. Start with balls at each end. Middle line sprints to catch, passer calls shooters name and executes crisp pass. After passing, sprint to other end. Shooter gets own rebounder and becomes passer. Track makes.

"Specials." End practice with three possession scrimmages - O-D-O (offense, defense, offense). Start with BOB, SLOB, ATO, free throw - whatever you want to work on. Saw no teams better than we were at special situations. 

Off-season 90 minute workouts (we did Tuesday and Sunday). The few players who participated set the standard. One became a Boston Herald Dream Teamer (top five players in the state).

Do more or improve:

Scrimmaging. The game reproduces the game. Play fast, play more. We usually did 6-8 minutes per practice of full court, full pressure play. I'd expand that time to twenty minutes. Condition, apply and handle pressure. Make the game the game. 

Individual player development. "Every day is player development day."

  • Shoot off the catch. Shoot off one dribble. 
  • "Moves." Stampede. Jab series. Negative step. Float dribble. Catch and attack including rip moves. More one-on-one play. 
  • Box drills against defense. 
Video. Because Pete Newell was right about teaching players to 'see the game', use video better. We were fortunate to have a parent who captured video. Send a small number (e.g. 5-7) of teaching clips to reinforce lessons. For example, the destructive nature of live ball turnovers that become high points/possession chances for opponents. 

Sure, there are far more areas requiring improvement - ball pressure, help and recover defense, 1 second decisions... and so on. 

Lagniappe. Control what you can control. 

Lagniappe 2. Horns, back screen.  




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