Basketball: Resources "Lead a Horse"

Access and practice improves players and coaches. Of course, you can "lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."

Find resources to improve our knowledge and coaching. 

1. Mentoring - "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." If you don't ask, you will never find a mentor. Mentors could be local or online. Researching great coaches and leaders broadens our frontiers across time and space. "Make friends with the dead." 

2. Newsletters and blogs- There are many. Some are direct click-through; others require signups. 

Feedspot top 25 basketball blogs 

Michigan coaches

Coach Dave Love

3. Podcasts  Many exist. We could do nothing but listen. 

The Basketball Podcast from Chris Oliver

HoopHeads

Feedspot shares their top 40. 

TeachHoops shares their top 10.

4. All-in-one websites  The Coach Don Meyer website is a vast repository of information. 

5. YouTube Videos (examples)

FIBA Fundamentals

Skill development Drew Hanlen

Skill development Don Kelbick

Basketball Immersion (Chris Oliver)

BBall Breakdown (Coach Nick)

6. Coaching Clinics

Basketball Manitoba

FIBA Fundamentals (same listed above in YouTube videos)

No 'best way' or one way dominates coaching or basketball education. Be curious and committed to learn. Ask a lot of questions. Here are a few that work:

• "What does my team need now?" - Brad Stevens
• "How can I improve today?" - Kevin Durant
• "What went well?" - from The Leadership Moment (Michael Useem)
• "What went poorly?"
• "What can we do better next time?"
• "What are the enduring lessons?" 
• "Where can I find help?" 

Lagniappe. Better passes yield better shots. 

THROW STRIKES AS A PASSER.

We use 3 zones for passers. Strike Zone / Just Outside / Bad Pass. We use these to assess our passes in workouts and games, but we can also use it to help shooters get game shots in training. They should train in receiving the ball in all 3 zones… pic.twitter.com/5HZQVmhYuB

— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) January 19, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Make defenders commit, then react. 

Moving lateral can be a great way to force a reaction out of your defender.

If you beat their foot, get downhill. If they beat your foot, change direction. pic.twitter.com/EGte0Dh06Y

— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) January 19, 2025

Lagniappe 3. "Be quick but don't hurry." - John Wooden  

Nikola Jokic in the post with a spin move so quick, it left Bam Adebayo looking for his jock up in the rafters.#Nuggets#MiamiHeat pic.twitter.com/HKU9NK01cY

— Courtside Dave (@Courtside_Dave) January 18, 2025