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Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Low Cost Coaching Lessons

"There is nothing cheaper than free advice."

Coaching lessons seldom come cheap. "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want." Can the ambitious coach accelerate the coaching process?

1. "Look for the Helpers." - Mr. Rogers

The Internet has a firehose of information. Among the most useful are YouTube videos and FIBA resources. They share coaching clinics, player development videos, and much more. 

2. Watch game video. 

Condensed game highlights, including NBA Summer League are available on YouTube. Learn to watch video. 

3. Coaching anthologies

Among the best is the Netflix series "The Playbook" which profiles five well-known coaches including Dawn Staley and Doc Rivers. 


4. Mentoring (Find a mentor)

"Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence."

Become a volunteer assistant. Study great coaches applying whatever standard you use. Among the best (alphabetically):
  • Red Auerbach
  • Geno Auriemma
  • Phil Jackson
  • Bob Knight
  • Mike Krzyzewski
  • John McLendon
  • Etorre Messina
  • Pete Newell
  • Zeljko Obradovic
  • Gregg Popovich
  • Dave Smart
  • Dean Smith
  • Dawn Staley
  • Pat Summitt
  • John Wooden
Here are some I've profiled. Don't confine yourself to basketball. Other legendary coaches/educators include Bill Belichick, Jack Clark, Anson Dorrance, Ed Smith, Bill Walsh.   

5. Podcasts 

There are too many to mention. Chris Oliver has hundreds that are excellent.

6. Reading

Read books, blogs, and articles. 

Read. Read. Read. It doesn't have to be solely basketball. Coaches are leaders. Here are a few outstanding leadership books. 

Learn every day. Keep a journal and become a sharer. One of the great sharers of all time was Don Meyer. 

Lagniappe. Become our best version by studying others. 
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