Saturday, August 31, 2024

Five Tips That Can Make Us Better Today

As a resident teacher, former Assistant Professor of Medicine, and a coach I advised students to learn five things a day. Do that daily and you'll acquire a lot of good stuff.

1) Rubber Band Man. I sometimes wear a rubber band on my left wrist. Every time I whine, I switch it to the other wrist. Nobody likes a whiner and this simple tip reduces whining. It never goes to zero. 

2) Keep 'reference' books nearby. The Ultimate Coaches' Career Manual is next to me, sharing thousands of quotes. "Put your players in as many win/win situations as possible." - Jim Tracy  

"Play percentages and do the little things...you try not to get beat by the little things because they all add up." - Red Auerbach

3) Thank someone every day. In Up the Organization, Robert Townsend wrote, "Thanks is the cheapest form of compensation." It makes two people happier - the source and the target. 

4) Share credit. Everyone wants to be appreciated. Karma is real. "Credit hogs" get slaughtered eventually. 

5) Use a story to teach a lesson. It was the next to last game of the baseball season and the Red Sox and Orioles were both out of contention. The Sox led 8-3 in the bottom of the eighth with a man on first when there was a single to right. The throw was wild to third but left fielder B.J. Surhoff backed up the play and saved a run. Meaningless? To me, it represented classic professionalism. Play the right way, regardless of the situation. 

Lagniappe. Study great teachers like Jay Wright.  

Lagniappe 2. DHO is undertaught and underutilized at lower levels.  

Lagniappe 3. Players should see this.  

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Friday, August 30, 2024

Basketball: Choices

Trader Ed Seykota once said, "Everyone gets what they want from the markets." Basketball is similar. 

Great players, gifted by size and/or athleticism, decide how to shape those gifts physically and mentally. Michelangelo allegedly said that a statue exists in a block of marble. His job was to craft it. 

How a player chooses to cultivate that garden of gifts defines their destiny. Perhaps Kobe Bryant was the most driven.  

What are some choices? 

Commitment. Do you like the game or love it? It takes time to know. "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm." The game is too hard to master without obsession. 

Coaching. Find mentors. Be eclectic and pull the best from each and discard the detritus. When you're lucky, you stumble upon a few who educate, inspire, and give constructive feedback and advice. I believe there's value in getting coaching from a variety of experienced coaches. 

Concentration. Will you be a single-sport athlete or multi-sport? Here's a Brave AI take:

Sport Specialization in Basketball: Single vs. Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Research suggests that multi-sport athletes, including those who play basketball, tend to have an advantage over single-sport athletes. Here are some key findings:

  • Injury prevention: Multi-sport athletes are less likely to suffer overuse injuries compared to single-sport athletes. A study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that early single-sport specialization increases the risk of overuse injuries. (Source: Patrick S. Buckley, MD, et al., 2017)
  • Transferable skills: Playing multiple sports helps develop foundational athletic skills, such as speed, agility, and strength, which can benefit basketball performance. A study by Rugg, Kadoor, Feeley, and Pandya (2017) found that multi-sport athletes had a lower propensity for injury and better athletic performance compared to single-sport athletes.
  • Broader experiences: Multi-sport athletes gain diverse experiences, socially and developmentally, which can enhance their overall athletic development and coachability. As Michelle Smith, a veteran sports parent, notes, “Being a bench player on the basketball team is a different experience than being a starting pitcher on the baseball team. It’s an opportunity to broaden their experiences, socially and developmentally.”
  • Reduced pressure: Playing multiple sports can reduce pressure to excel in a single sport, allowing athletes to enjoy the process and develop a more sustainable approach to their athletic career.

Notable examples of successful multi-sport athletes who played basketball include:

  • Wilt Chamberlain, who played volleyball professionally and was a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in track and field, basketball, and football.
  • Rube Waddell, who played professional football and baseball before focusing on basketball.
  • Herb Washington, a former college sprinter who played basketball professionally.

In contrast, single-sport athletes may focus intensely on basketball, potentially leading to:

  • Overuse injuries and burnout
  • Limited exposure to diverse athletic experiences and skills
  • Increased pressure to excel, potentially affecting overall well-being

Community. With so much recruiting, players decide whether to stay local or play away at private or prep schools. Everyone should decide what is right for them. Always consider the 'fit' because the grass is not always greener. 

Conviction. Have perspective on your situation. While a few percent of high school players will earn basketball scholarships, most will 'major' in something other than sports. Should you put all you eggs in that basket and ignore academics and other personal development, you are likely to be disappointed. 

Lagniappe. Coach Dags advises matching your training with your projected role. 

Lagniappe 2. Without confidence, failure is inevitable.  

Lagniappe 3. Connection. Command. Competence. Coach K. 

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Thursday, August 29, 2024

Basketball: List What Makes You Happy and Successful

 

Lynch and Huang share a metaphorical question for us all. What does each of us do differently to separate ourselves?

David Mamet in his MasterClass tells his children to do one thing daily for their business and one for their craft. 

"Eat that frog" means to do the hard things first - paperwork we hate or a tough phone call or conversation. Important but not necessarily joy-producing. 

Here's a framework off which you might start:

1) If you're religious, your faith likely comes first. 

2) Family is everything. 

3) Appreciate loyal colleagues and coworkers.

4) Teach at work, sport, elsewhere.

5) Give and take. Be happy to share credit. 

6) Team first. "Ego is the enemy." 

7) Live gratitude. Be thankful for big and small joys.

8) Mentor. Selfless teachers in medicine and sport are remembered. 

9) Feel MUDITA - "your joy is my joy." Be happy for another's success.

10)Appreciate mentees. Thankful for players coached over decades 

Note that as a developmental level coach, I value process over winning. I want to see program graduates succeed at the next level and in life. 

Lagniappe. Where do you start? 

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Lagniappe 2. Coach Larry McKenzie shared the Mamba Mentality. 

Lagniappe 3. ATO give and go. 

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Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Basketball: Becoming More Effective

In Finding Forrester, Sean Connery explains how he provided some of his words to help his protege find his. 


By reading widely we find other's words as catalyst for ours. How do 'older adults' find common ground with much younger student-athletes?

1. Listen to them. Sometimes we find they are not so different. It's important to recognize they are often 'experience-oriented'. 

2. Understand their relationship with technology. They communicate and function via their phones - texting, taking photos of play diagrams or other data, and are tied to the Internet. Some programs have 25 minutes on and 5 minute 'phone breaks'. Professional programs often share video, playbooks, and other information via tablets. 

3. Add value. Value returns to minutes, role, and recognition. Helping players build skills, game understanding, and athleticism gets appreciated. 

Adding sources to grow reading and writing skills translates to their academic performance. Players recognized my commitment to lifelong learning. 

Give and get feedback. "What does this mean to you?"

What's the AI Take from ChatGPT?

Effective communication between older coaches and young players is crucial for building trust, improving skills, and creating a positive team environment. Here are some strategies older coaches can use to communicate better with younger players:

  1. Use Clear and Simple Language: Avoid jargon or complex explanations. Young players often benefit from straightforward, concise instructions.

  2. Be Relatable: Share stories or experiences that young players can connect with. Relating lessons to their everyday lives can make your advice more impactful.

  3. Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in what players have to say. Listening carefully helps you understand their perspective and build a stronger rapport.

  4. Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an environment where players feel comfortable asking questions and expressing their thoughts. This fosters trust and openness.

  5. Provide Positive Reinforcement: Focus on what players are doing well in addition to areas for improvement. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and motivation.

  6. Be Patient and Understanding: Recognize that younger players may need more time to grasp certain concepts or skills. Patience and empathy go a long way in helping them learn.

  7. Adapt Your Approach: Tailor your communication style to fit the needs and personalities of individual players. Some may respond better to visual cues, while others might need more verbal guidance.

  8. Encourage Teamwork: Foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Emphasize the importance of working together and supporting one another, both on and off the field.

  9. Use Technology Wisely: Utilize video analysis, apps, or other tools that can help players understand concepts better. Technology can be a great aid in visualizing techniques or strategies.

  10. Be a Role Model: Demonstrate the behavior and attitude you expect from your players. Leading by example helps reinforce the values and standards you want to promote.

  11. Offer Constructive Feedback: When providing criticism, be specific and focus on how players can improve rather than just pointing out mistakes. Constructive feedback is more likely to be received positively.

  12. Engage in Fun Activities: Incorporate enjoyable drills or team-building exercises that make learning more engaging. Fun can be a great motivator and helps build stronger connections.

Lagniappe. To get better at defense, defend! 

Lagniappe 2. About a third of games are decided by two or fewer possessions. Attention to detail often defines outcomes in those games. 

Lagniappe 3. Read defenders and separate.  

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Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Basketball: "If I Ruled the World"

"If I ruled the world," I'd fill everyone's toolbox...everyone has vacancies. 


You might not think having a potato ricer that important, any more than a chef has a use for hybrid defenses like triangle and two. Add tools to our and our players' toolboxes. 

1. Make a great first impression every day. Energize. "Hi, girls. Great to see you!

2. "Be easy to play with and hard to play against." Help your teammates with spacing, screening, urgent cutting, and anticipation. Be in your opponent's grill on defense. Load to the ball and drop to the level of the ball if you're off the ball. 

3. Being on time means be stretched out, physically and mentally ready to go before practice starts. 

4. Show "competitive character" always. Maybe it can't always be THE best but make it YOUR best. 

5. More is more. 
  • "Winners do unrequired work."
  • "Do five more." Do five more reps. Run five more sprints. Read five more pages. Study five more pages. Learn a "new five" every day. 
  • "Champions do extra." 
6. Respond to disappointment. Make the next time better. Churchill was a disaster at Gallipoli. All he did was save Western Civilization. Grant was selling firewood before the Civil War. All he did was help preserve the Union. 

7. Athletes would actively recover after practice and competition. That means hydration, thermal contrast, adequate protein, extra sleep and no alcohol. 

8. Prepare, practice, and perform with passion and precision.

9. Believe in yourself. Believe in the work you've done. Earn the right to believe. 

10.Never give up on your dreams. 


Lagniappe. "Win in space." 


Lagniappe 2. Positive communication improves teams. A lot of these distill to be open and considerate of others. Don't be self-absorbed and needy.  

Lagniappe 3. Footwork is undertaught and a great way to separate.  

 

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Monday, August 26, 2024

Basketball: Quick Draw

 

Everyone sees value in a quicker release, being "shot ready" or whatever your terminology. 

What ways do you teach it? 

Here are a few ideas for quickening your release. 

1) As a kid, I'd face the basket, flip the ball backwards and catch on the bounce, turn, and target and shoot as quickly as possible. 

2) I would stand behind and to the side of a step ladder with a tennis racket taped to it. I'd fake and take a one dribble pullup behind the step ladder "defender." 

3) I'd close my eyes and take a jab or crossover step into a one dribble pullup, opening my eyes when I had caught the ball. Instant target and quick shooting were the goals. 

4) Quick draw. With the ball at a player's chest, slam it down, catch and shoot. The drill requires focus, soft hands, and encourages a quicker release. 

5) Have an imaginary 15 foot circle from the basket. A 'defender' and attacker stand three feet a part, flipping the ball to each other while shuffling either left or right. The shooter decides when to attack with a one-dribble pullup versus the defender. 

6) Play one-on-one, but with a maximum of two dribble attacks after the 'check'. 

Lagniappe. Iverson Spain.  

Lagniappe 2. High post entry into Zoom action.  

Lagniappe 3.  Creating a learning culture (Hat Tip: Brook Kohlheim). 

 

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Sunday, August 25, 2024

Basketball: Agenda

Return to the Zander's The Art of Possibility.

"In the absence of a vision, we are each driven by our own agenda, finding people whose interests match ours, and inattentive to those with whom we appear to have little in common. We automatically judge our players, workers, and loved ones against our standards, inadvertently pulling the wind from their sails. But with our new practice of granting an ongoing A in all our relationships, we can align ourselves with others, because that A declares and sustains a life-enhancing partnership."

Can any of us be 'agenda-free'? Do we seek respect, validation, material things, love? 

When I see someone with blue or purple hair, do I reflexively ask 'why' instead of lauding their individuality or the color itself? 

Grant that "A" freely, for originality, for courage of expression, or just for showing up. 

Surely, I will fall short of passing out all the A's that I should not because they are undeserved but because I am flawed. 

Give out a lot of "A's" while working to improve player preparation and performance. Being less judgmental has real benefits and no costs. 

Lagniappe. Beautiful action. 

Lagniappe 2. Simple is great.  

Lagniappe 3. Ideas. Spread 'em out and attack the zone.   

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Saturday, August 24, 2024

Basketball: Signature Wins, Quality Losses

I strongly believe in "signature wins" and "quality losses." For the best teams, neither particularly apply. For teams on the come or trying to get over the hump, they matter.

Signature wins mean home or road wins against top teams and road wins against excellent teams. Quality losses are competitive (within two possession) losses against excellent teams. 

All of the above represent being a worthy opponent. Both represent something teams can build on in confidence and performance. Brad Stevens talks about 'competitive character'. A critical mass of skill, basketball IQ, and competitive character gives teams a chance at excellence. 

Analogously, there's a formula. 

ACHIEVEMENT = PERFORMANCE x TIME 

PERFORMANCE = Talent x BB IQ x Compete level

ACHIEVEMENT = Talent x BB IQ x Compete level x TIME

Signature wins and quality losses help teams build confidence. They foster individual and team self-belief and promote belief and buy-in in the coaching staff and its philosophy and process. 

Lagniappe. Get the right person, the right shot, at the right time. 

Lagniappe 2. Etorre Messina emphasizes that in Europe the same action may get different defenses on the same play.  


 

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Friday, August 23, 2024

Basketball - Talent Minus Bad Habits

Talent isn't enough. What's in your bucket?

It's a given that an excellent player has talent. What compromises her results? 

- Lack of focus. Does the player know the team's philosophy and playbook? Does a player understand "attention to detail." 

- Inadequate effort  Performance reflects skill, game knowledge, physical training, and psychology (the mental game). Effort falls within the latter domain. Effort extends to punctuality and academics as well. 

- Selfishness  Young players, especially adolescents often have an egocentric view. "How does this affect me? How am I going to get my numbers." Players may not understand the importance of teamwork and that the best players impact winning by making everyone around them better. 

- Lack of toughness  "Basketball is not a contact sport; it is a collision sport." Some don't want to go to the floor, battle for rebounds, set and fight through screens, take charges. 

Habit formation is crucial. During player development make good habits easy, attractive, and rewarding and bad habits harder to do, unattractive, and non-rewarding. 

Improving focus. Mindfulness is one way. 

Work ethic, selfishness, and toughness aren't easily fixed. How about an AI consult? 

Coaching can significantly influence an individual's work ethic, approach to selfishness, and mental toughness. Here’s how:

1. Work Ethic

  • Goal Setting: Coaches help individuals set and pursue clear, achievable goals. This fosters a strong work ethic by creating a sense of purpose and motivation.
  • Accountability: Regular check-ins and feedback from a coach can hold individuals accountable for their progress, encouraging consistency and diligence.
  • Skill Development: Through targeted training and practice, coaching helps individuals build skills and competence, which reinforces the value of hard work and dedication.

2. Selfishness

  • Team Dynamics: Coaches often emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration. By focusing on collective goals and the success of the team, coaching can reduce self-centered behavior.
  • Empathy and Perspective: Coaching can help individuals understand how their actions affect others, fostering a greater sense of empathy and reducing selfish tendencies.
  • Leadership Skills: Effective coaching can enhance leadership qualities, encouraging individuals to prioritize the needs of the group and act with integrity rather than self-interest.

3. Toughness

  • Resilience Building: Coaches help individuals navigate challenges and setbacks, teaching them how to bounce back from failure and maintain a positive attitude.
  • Stress Management: By offering strategies for managing stress and pressure, coaching helps individuals develop mental toughness and handle difficult situations with greater composure.
  • Mental Strategies: Techniques such as visualization, positive self-talk, and goal reinforcement can strengthen an individual's mental resilience and toughness.

Lagniappe. Duke clear backdoor. Beautiful. 

Lagniappe 2. Stampede and dish.  

Lagniappe 3. Director Mira Nair says you need, "the soul of a poet and the hide of an elephant." 

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Thursday, August 22, 2024

Basketball: Practice, Fast Five Fun (with Purpose)

"Play hard, play smart, play together, have fun." We know it, but are we practicing that way? 

Five fun practice activities that work: 

Dribble tag - Six or fewer players inside the arc with a ball. Someone is 'it'. Add difficulty by requiring non-dominant hand dribbling and/or other constraints like crossovers every third dribble. 

Gauntlet - Two players must navigate the 'gauntlet' of full court with no more than one dribble per touch. Difficulty level - high. 


Ultimate (or Olympus) - Five versus five (or 6 v 6) full court. Pass and cut with the goal of either 1st version reaching the "end zone" or 2nd version scoring. Problem? No dribbling allowed. This forces 'pass and cut' basketball. If the ball hits the floor for any reason, turnover with live ball going the other weay. 

Pressure free throws - shooter plus partner...ten shots. Partner may say or do anything except touch or physically interfere with the shooter. Teenage boys and girls can say some pretty mean things, worse than playing before 5,000 people in the Garden. 

3 x 3 x 3 - usually run for five minutes. This helps conditioning and shooting. Passer calls out player's name to help communication. 


Short version (can use as pregame warmup) 


Lagniappe. Tatum teaches. In addition to 'his moves', this teaches 'dribble pickups' into a shot. 

Lagniappe 2. Love the process. Create great habits.  

Lagniappe 3. Part of your culture is passing it down to younger players. Teach and encourage and never "bigfoot" them. 

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Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Basketball: Creating Advantage

"Basketball is a game of __________________."

A few possibilities:

  • "Separating and finishing..."
  • "Passing and cutting..."
  • "Mistakes..." - Bobby Knight
  • "Playing harder for longer..."
  • "Getting more and better shots than opponents..." - Pete Newell
All are true. You have your own answers. 

"Basketball is a game of creating advantage...and finishing." Everything offensively aims to score off advantage. Defensively, seek to prevent advantage with ball pressure and containment, loading to the ball, and protecting the basket. 

This isn't new. In 1973, we averaged 65 points a game without shot clocks or three point shots. Against a zone, here's a flash to an open spot with a give-and-go. Not a designed play, just a basketball play. 


"Movement kills defenses." 

Teach players to create advantage and it will pay dividends for you. 

Lagniappe. Your investment produces your earnings. 

Lagniappe 2. Get easier hoops in transition.  

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Lagniappe 3. More transition advantage. 
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Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Basketball: There Is no Magic Lantern

The young man in a developing country was poor and depressed. He decided to walk ten miles and climb a mountain to ask the guru for advice. The guru said, "I see that you are poor and unhappy. But I have good news, that will only last for another seven years." The pilgrim asked, "then I will be fulfilled and happy?" The guru answered, "no, then you will be used to it." 

Bob Woodward points out that the Internet is not a magic lantern. It doesn't illuminate secrets or hidden documents or organize a story not in the public domain.

We could hope to write the definitive book on coaching and live in the Library of Congress, but that doesn't transform knowledge into wisdom. 

Our "best" might not be 'the best' or even useful.  

Share core truths with players and peers. Write out a page of notes or even an abbreviated list of absolutes. Choose applicable over original. 

Pat Summitt had her "definite dozen." Create your "Tangible Ten" or "Elite Eleven." 

  • "Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson
  • "Every day is player development day." - Dave Smart
  • "Get more and better shots than our opponent." - Pete Newell
  • Great teams do not give games away. 
  • Value the ball. "Turnovers kill dreams."
  • "We can't run what we can't run." Master fundamentals and recognize that resumes are not synonymous with results.
  • "Playbooks don't play." I can't beat better players with a playbook.
  • Talent without attention to detail will lose big games. 
  • "Do more of what works and less of what doesn't." 
  • "Possessions and possession." More and better possessions win.
  • "Stops make runs." Track kills - three consecutive stops.
What action is most likely to impact winning? It's probably something we're doing poorly (shot selection, turnovers, transition D). 

Where do we need improvement most? Review our half-court defense.

Getting more shots often means superior rebounding at both ends. 

Situational practice helps teams make better decisions close and late. 

Turnovers in practice lead to giveaways during games. 

Coach K says that teams win game by making plays not by running plays. 

Attention to detail (knowing what to do, when, and how) all separate good teams from others. 

If nothing is working, then start over. 

"Figure it out." Get stops. 

Lagniappe. This is not original. I do not have the source. Which is most important for you. 


Few people tire of hearing, "how can I help?" 

Lagniappe. "Set up your cut." 

Lagniappe 2. Young patients often lack range but can score mid-range. 

Lagniappe 3. Do what it takes to win. 

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Monday, August 19, 2024

Basketball: Avoid Bad Fouls

"Foul for profit," says author and Coach Kevil Sivils. Avoiding bad fouls is a vital part of avoiding bad plays. 

Every foul isn't a bad play. Yet consider the following: 

  • A bad foul can relate to technique, judgment, and situation.
  • A bad foul can create "foul trouble" for a player or for a team resulting in the bonus. 
  • A bad foul can impact both score and time by allowing a team to score without using clock.

Technique flaws

- Reaching in - If it looks like a foul, it will likely be called a foul.             "Show your hands..." and "swipe up."  

- Chopping down - Don't swat down to block or to attack the dribble. 

- Leaning on - Move your feet. If you "body the player," it's a foul. 

- Positioning - Get "legal guarding position" with effort/anticipation.

Judgment and situation

- Fouling jump shots and three point shots are no-nos.

- Fouling to put a team into the position to win the game is folly.

- Technical fouls cost two shots and possession. What situations favor that strategically? 

- Fouling bail out shots, bad shots, and bad shooters is negative. 

Profitable fouls 

- Fouling to stop the clock, trailing close and late in the bonus 

- Hack-a-Shaq (fouling a poor shooter to direct free throws)

- Fouling to prevent a layup (if you don't allow a three-point play)

- Fouling to create a two-point opportunity "close and late" instead of a three-point shot 

General thoughts:

So often, a team 'fouls a lot' and creates the bonus for opponents. Players need coaching "not to foul" by using good technique. 

Teach players to learn to play with fouls. Great players can't help on the bench, so need training for technique and judgment. I intentionally left a future D1 player (Cecilia Kay) on the court in Q2 sometimes to teach her how to play with fouls. 

Players need a feel for the officiating. If the officials are calling it tight, there's less margin for contact. 

Players need to understand score and situation. You may need to foul more to get a team into the bonus (fourth quarter). 

Lagniappe. Discussion about avoiding fouls. 


Lagniappe 2. Wonderful video on small guard finishing. 
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Sunday, August 18, 2024

Basketball: Seven Coaching Questions

Coach Dave Kline invites us to steal seven coaching questions. 

What is excellence? It varies for all. 

  • Clarity
  • Simplicity
  • Consistency
Progress?

  • Winning habits
  • Tracking
  • Reaching personal bests
Obstacles? 
  • Time
  • Job and family responsibilities
  • Situation. Is it right? 
Winning plan? 
  • Player development
  • Strength and conditioning
  • Off season play 
Sticking to it? 
  • "Winners are trackers." - Darren Hardy
  • "Don't miss twice." - James Clear, Atomic Habits
  • Need buy-in from stakeholders
Aiming higher? 
  • Need help. "Farther together."
  • Resources? 
  • Realistic or not? 
Pre-Mortem (Failure) analysis
  • Is the support there? 
  • Is the talent there? 
  • Is the commitment there? 
Lagniappe. Progression drill. 

Lagniappe 2. We know what we want. Do players? 

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Saturday, August 17, 2024

Basketball: Avoiding Bad Plays

Recently, I heard that Bill Belichick praised Tom Brady saying, "he kept us out of bad plays." That's akin to Bobby Knight's caution, "Basketball is a game of mistakes." 

A few plays a game often decide outcomes. Make avoiding bad plays a high priority. "Bad plays" cost games and sometimes championships. "Bad plays foster bad losses." Bad teams make more poor decisions and poor plays. Of course, the corollary is, "your bad play was our good fortune." 

There's a saying, "one mistake, bad play. The second time, bad player. The third time, bad coaching." 

When someone says, "Chris Webber" what is your first thought? It should probably be 2021 Hall of Famer. 

Think Joe Pisarcik and "Miracle in the Meadowlands." 

Or the US Women's National Rugby team winning bronze on the final play.  

Red Auerbach talked about his worst loss, as a high school coach where an inbounder threw a behind-the-back pass leading directly to the opponent's winning basket. 

Common "bad plays" to avoid. Here are few of the most common...and most relate back to the "Four Factors." 

  • Poor shot selection. Doc Rivers calls them "shot turnovers" 
  • Bad fouls deserves its own post. Don't convert bad offense into an opponent's high points per possession. 
  • Turnovers, especially live ball turnovers
  • Missed assignments like confusion on individual assignments or pick and roll coverage
  • Bad hands team. Young players can struggle with catching the ball. Practicing passing and catching with weighted balls or medicine balls has tangible value. 

Some coaches, like Anson Dorrance only believe in showing video of positive plays. We don't have to show our bad decisions and bad plays; every game has plenty from both sides. 

Lagniappe. 


Lagniappe 2. Become the best possible teammate by thinking about others as much as about yourself. 
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