Why Our Half Court Offense Failed

Don't traffic in excuses. Examine the facts of why our half court (girls middle school) succeeded or failed over two decades. Nobody has enough talent, enough practice time, enough individual skill time, enough minutes. Nobody. 

Why did possessions fail? As Brad Stevens told my wife (the rocket scientist), "Basketball is not rocket science." Use the principle of inversion, "Invert, always invert." Do the opposite of what didn't work. 

Retreat to sport organization (via Dr. Fergus Connolly).

1. Initial positioning  
2. Player circulation
3. Ball circulation 
4. 'The scoring moment' 

Examined by the possession or bulk, the answers are similar. As a coach, I was never able to impart enough knowledge, skill, and will to the group. I own that. Maybe you can do better by sharing with your players. 

Spacing. Impact of poor spacing: 

• Worse driving and passing lanes
• Less space for defenses to cover
• Fumbles, deflections, and turnovers
• Higher degree of contestedness of shots
• Simplifies closeouts and facilitates double teams

Standing. Because movement kills defenses, standing revives defenses. In the NBA, cutting creates high points/possession. Standing isn't an option. 

Sticking. The other part of circulation is ball movement. Ball movement depends on cutting, passing, and choice. Ballstickers don't make teammates better. Think about the Spurs "0.5 second rule" pertaining to ball movement. Young players struggle with quick decisions and efficient execution, but ball movement has to be a goal.  

Separating. Better athletes create separation with quickness and all players can improve separation with pivoting, cutting, screening, and "basketball moves." When we talk about moves, that includes fakes, jab series, rip, negative step, and the variety of dribble separation moves. Players self-sabotage through driving and passing into traffic. Win in space (see Lagniappe).

Selection (decisions on passing, shooting). We control our attitude, effort, and choices. Poor effort is a choice. Not passing is a choice. Poor quality shots and "shot turnovers" are choices. Reinforce better choices with analytics, shot charts, and video. 

Skill. Even doing the right things won't work without skill. "We can't run what we can't run." Like conditioning, no shortcut exists. 

• Teaching and high volumes of proper repetition, with defense, competition, and tracking. 
• Proper warmups 
• Shooting routines

Eventually, become your own coach, motivator, judge and jury. 

Many alternatives exist to basketball... other sports, other domains (drama, music, art), study, and free time. But if you have a passion for basketball, "Many are called and few are chosen." 

Takeaways - causes for offensive failure

• Spacing
• Standing
• Sticking
• Separation
• Selection
• Skill

Lagniappe. Study great players. Yes, he has size and finishing skill.

Note his patience, fluidity, changes of direction and pace, and patience. 

Look in the Mirror. We're Imperfect. Are We Capable of Change?

The Dalai Lama approached the hot dog vendor seeking "One with Everything," handing him a ten dollar bill. The vendor returned the dog and his holiness asked about change. "Change comes from within." 

Marshall Goldsmith's What Got You Here Won't Get You There offers advanced leadership ideas. Goldsmith shares that behaviors more than technical competence determine elite leadership. 

Goldsmith includes twenty habits to overcome. They're on his "To Stop" list. There's a partial summary here. 

I don't know you but some apply to many coaches. Mea culpa. 

You say, "that's not me." Have we every made destructive comments, ranging from sarcasm, putdowns, backstabbing, or unflattering comments about someone's knowledge or appearance? Are we delusional that we're among the best and that everyone likes and admires us? 

• coaches are highly competitive, creating consequences - bad behaviors cause dissatisfaction among players getting fewer minutes, lesser role and recognition 
• "adding too much value" includes ignoring the wisdom and advice of others or freezing out some entirely
• angry outbursts offend people at every level, both superiors and those at lower levels
• failure to share credit with others in the program is common ("are we building a program or a statue?")
• coaches have favorites; when we have the great student or 'great player' (I've had two) that causes some envy and unhappiness 

Do we recognize our issues? Can we solve them?

• Apologize when apologies are due.
• Advertise that we're changing. Expect to be monitored.
• Follow up after we make changes (am I doing better?).

Are we committed to change? It starts with self-assessment.

Lagniappe. What works for elite players may not be ideal for young players. But watch what some do. 

Lagniappe 2. 15 seconds of action from Chris Oliver... a clearing cut, Iverson action, and high ball screen lead to a roller layup. 

An example of creating a single side tag advantage off of a 1-4 High Over Cut alignment and start.

Check out more samples from the Windsor team's @Chris__Oliver coached - Two Side Fast Break and Basketball Play Concepts here https://t.co/uzfyytNB0l pic.twitter.com/AVlkNGGX8w

— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) July 15, 2022

Basketball Quotes from Oscar Wilde (sort of)

Do quotes matter? Do players listen? Many times we've said, "I wish I'd said that." 

My favorite basketball quote is Phil Jackson's, "Basketball is sharing."

Maybe the only one, after a bad loss, players absorbed was, "How you play reflects how you live your lives." 

Oscar Wilde generated a lot of quotes. Let's take a look.

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go." I'm sure some of our favorite NBA stars meet that criterion.

"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it." That restates Bo Schembechler's quote about missing out on some prospects. "On their team he'll beat you once a year; on ours he'll beat you every day."

"There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." Overwhelming success or failure and obscurity seldom travel together.

"True friends stab you in the front." Our 'real' friends have the courage to tell the truth to our faces. 

"Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes." The Celtics compiled a lot of experience in the 2022 postseason. 

"When the gods wish to punish us, they answer our prayers." Never confuse what we work for and what we wish for. 

"I can resist everything but temptation." With the passage of hidden cheating and the advent of open season (NIL), the times are changing. 

"To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect." Preparation and perspiration leave the fingerprints of aspiration and inspiration. 

"A gentleman is one who never hurts anyone's feelings unintentionally."

"The world is a stage but the play is badly cast." 

Lagniappe (something extra). I think of this as the "reverse" of "America's Play" (screen to the corner for the inbounder). 

Five Ways Successful People Are Different

Classics become classic for reasons. They help us find and adopt ideas. What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith illustrates this. 

At the top of any domain, people are smart, skilled, up to date with technology. What separates them is behaviors. The best communicate better and create better culture. He argues that instead of making "To Do" lists, make "To Stop" lists. I'll argue we need both. 

Consider any great leader you admire. How are they different? I have specific coaches in mind. Sometimes they have other names such as Professor or CEO. 

1. Find a mentor (such as Phog Allen) and become one (to many players). "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." Mentors help us see and revise the world into a coherent version. He stopped doing what everyone else did and opened a slammed door, the Gordian Knot.  

2. Surround yourself with great people. The great "coaching tree" arises from the quality of the tree and the disciples. Their ethos, insight, skill, and will separates them. If we coach great players, they're mostly great because of themselves, not us. Do not shrink from light shined by others. Bask in their light. When we make a hiring mistake, fire fast.  

From Yahoo!Sports

This coach's tip, "get over yourself." 

3. Be grateful. They know gratitude works. From Robert Townsend in Up the Organization, "Thanks is the cheapest form of compensation." It takes little to say 'thank you' but some people withhold thanks as though their lives depend on it. Thank the players, parents, assistants, custodians, and the fans. The stop? Don't discuss another player with a teammate's parent. 

4. Share credit. In Give and Take, Adam Grant includes how failure to share credit rebounds to cast ourselves in darkness. If we succeed, people will see. Stop being a glory hog. The game is for the players. "If you build it..."

5. Have great habits. Learn the habit cycle and how to build better habits. Bad habits never make great results. Nick Saban's routine includes being in the office by 7:00 AM. He invests the time and work to get the most and the best from everyone in The Process. Read. Study. Watch video. Carve out thinking hours. Waste less time.

Key takeaways:

• Find a mentor and become one.
• Surround yourself with great people. 
• Be grateful.
• Share credit.
• Have great habits.

Lagniappe. Human nature is human nature. It's easy to let down. Coach Auriemma says what we have all said. 

There are no secrets. Get great players; get them to play hard. Read the whiteboard. #Possession enders.

Coping with Double Teams

Excellent players attract extra defensive attention. "Don't let their number one option beat us." Examine how 'doubling the star' opens opportunity. The unselfish player gets passing opportunities for quality chances. Here are a few ideas (which don't apply to box-and-one).

First, use great spacing to make it harder for teams to send help defenders. Call the three-point line the 'spacing line' to set clear expectations. 

Identify where the double team arises. Defense may "dig" the post with an outside defender setting up a pass or double from various spots. 

When the rotation is poor, a drop pass across might get a layup. The solid defense opens up the weakside foul line extended. 

"Draw 2" opens up a player. The trick is to find her and execute the pass. 

The "early double" sets up an early three-pointer or a basket cut from the open player (above). Some teams won't double until the ball hander has initiated the dribble. 

Clear space by sending a cutter opening up a driving mismatch for the big with perimeter skills. 

Occupying help defenders is another approach. 

The Duke Elbow Handoff series creates opportunities with either the handoff of fake handoff, employing a cutter to clear the side. 

Establishing a wing ball screen, clearing a side, and rejecting the ball screen is another option to minimize doubles on your elite post.

Lagniappe. Phil Handy shares ball handling drills. 

Seizing Opportunity with First Impressions; "Be Your Best Self."

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” 

"Human beings are built to size each other up quickly." Years ago I met a young man who was dating my daughter. Within five minutes, I told my wife that I thought there was something "very wrong" with this person. I don't know what it was. He's serving a long-term sexual assault prison sentence. 

Impressions are verbal and nonverbal. Posture, clothing, facial expressions, speech content and tone all contribute to initial assessments. 

A podcaster noted that during camps, he noticed a young player volume shooting half-an-hour before others arrived. The player? Stephen Curry. Coaches notice difference makers. 

Shortly before tryouts, a sixth-grader came up to me saying, "Hi, my name is Naomi. I'm really excited to be here." She made the team. 

Before tryouts, I sit players along the baseline. Then, I say, "I need a volunteer." Some hands go up. "Ladies, you can do better. When you hear, "vol", jump up like you're shot out of a cannon. Leave an impression." 

"Be your best self."

• Look the part. Be attentive, enthusiastic, energetic. Sometimes a flashy T-shirt or socks stand out. 
• Prepare for the role. Be ready for opportunity, the understudy who gets a shot to star. Displace Wally Pipp. 
• Impact the game. Celtics' second round choice has a long hill to climb. But he understands the value of the simple play, to fall in love with easy. 

Boost your chance of success by managing impressions. 

• Make and hold eye contact. 
• Stand up straight but not rigidly. Don't slouch. 
• Have a firm handshake.
• Demonstrate listening. 
• Ask for explanations if needed.  
• Be likable without being a sycophant (brown nose). 
• Be confident but not arrogant. Be engaged not cool. 

Lagniappe. Vision - decision - execution. This video explores Chris Paul's reads and decision making. Obviously, the film view is more expansive than Paul's up close/in motion view. 

Lagniappe 2. Study the footwork and actions to create separation. 

Remember when Jayson Tatum went into Milwaukee and dropped 46 to force game 7? That was pretty cool.pic.twitter.com/3SeWpaC5Wp

— Pull up shoot (@NElGHT_) July 17, 2022

The Value of "Showing Your Work"

How we arrive at solutions matters. By showing our work, we reveal our thought processes, good and bad. Find ideas to adopt and make yours. 

As teens fifty years ago, we played a lot. That fostered skill development and competition, but not much individual skill teaching, strategy, or pick-and-roll play. 

Jump ahead five decades. Pull up video of Kobe (jab step), Iverson (crossovers), Chris Paul (Professor Pick-and-Roll), Olajuwon (post actions), Durant (soup to nuts). When you've done the work, others see your work. 

Develop a catalog of actions; master a handful. Your bechamel (e.g. jab and cross) becomes mornay (wing series). 

From Quora

Learn micro skills...study video from Kevin Eastman. 

"Shoulder's game...low man wins." 

Read defenders. Head turners and ball watchers plus awareness. 

Cut like D-Wade. 

Have a plan on defense. Anticipate. Pressure the ball. Be opportunistic to take charges and get steals. 

Study elite defenders like Kawhi. Watch their footwork, handwork, eyes. He goes for steals on the 'downstroke' of the dribble. I went for steals on the return off the bounce. 

Players have tells. You "see" the clock in their head saying, "shot time." Or they keep showing their hands asking for the ball. If you're defending well, they start pushing off to get open. You're in their head. 

 

Develop micro skills.

• "Show your work." She reminds me of ______."
• "Shoulders game..."
• "Cut like D-Wade."
• "Defend like Kawhi." 
• "Players have tells." 

Lagniappe (something extra). If we can't contain the ball, we won't be good defensively. Do the work against good offense. 

Killing Losses

"You get inside the killer's mind by turning everything you know about the crime into a question." - James Patterson in The Night Sniper

Dean Smith said, "If you make every game a life and death proposition, you're going to have problems. For one thing, you'll be dead a lot." Nobody enjoys losing and coaches hate giving away games. 

James Patterson might ask what the crime scene and the crime tell us. I'm not saying the venue. A summer loss on asphalt carries less weight than a March loss in a basketball temple. 

The loss arrived via failed transition defense, live ball turnovers transformed into scores, missed free throws. Did we lose because of skill, strategy, conditioning, emotional fragility, combinations? 

Better teams and coaches find solutions not problems, anticipating breakdowns before they happen. Only you know your team's unique vulnerabilities. Some have no fix because you can't turn November chicken feathers into March chicken soup. 

"Control what you can control." 

• If we shoot poorly, practice shooting and take better shots. 
• If we handle pressure poorly, practice advantage-disadvantage. 
• If we can't defend the pick-and-roll, change coverage and/or defenses. 
• If we foul too much, make reducing fouls a priority. 

A Few Considerations. 

1. Young players who might make open shots (drills), often miss the same shots with proximity defense and a hand up. Practice with defense (a coach or an assistant with a hand up). 
2. Finish through contact. Use a football pad or even a pillow to create contact without injury to simulate finishing against contact. 
3. Force finishing from the three-point line in practice in one or two dribbles. Constraints force adjustments. 
4. Mix free throw practice in-between high intensity practice to simulate game conditions (fatigue, recovery).
5. Scrimmage with players assigned four fouls. Fouling causes you to foul out. "Show your hands, stay vertical, don't reach in, don't lean on players with your chest."

I played a top player in middle school in foul trouble not to win, but to prioritize her ability to play with fouls. That might cost us a chance to win, but I played the long game to help keep her in varsity games that mattered. Is winning a middle school game more important than giving kids a chance to win championships? 

Analyze what your team needs and how to create the conditions (pressure, fatigue, surprise) requiring them to figure it out. 

Stop killing chances to win. 

Lagniappe. "Movement destroys defense." 

Many defenses fail because of hard cutting. Defenders must anticipate, jump to the ball, and be aware of offensive adjustment (e.g. back cutting). Help has to be aware of this (see the video). Lazy cutting makes the defense's job easy. 

Lagniappe 2. This dream woke me up. 14 Low Orbits

Improve Process to Get Results - A Brief Look at 1-on-1 Process and Isolation Strategy

"A film is a success when everyone on the project is committed to telling the same story." - Hans Zimmer

Success puts process ahead of results. Take care of our business and per Bill Walsh, "the score takes care of itself."

There's never one way:

• "You could have the best big idea in the world, but if you don't have the discipline to sit down...and write it, it's just gonna sit there." - Ross Duffer
• "Stephen King writes 2,000 words a day." (Then he stops.) - Matt Duffer
• "The difference between good writers (coaches) and bad writers is that good writers know when they're bad." - (Dan Brown)

Develop a routine with three steps - selection, repetition, and review (pick, stick, check). The right choices, without repetition and revision won't hold. 

Coaches provide structure. Player development could be a map, a blueprint, a curriculum - an amorphous, dynamic expanding universe.  

Use Dr. Connolly's framework - skill, strategy, physicality, psychology. Develop your own samples.

Skill. Focus on reinforcing strengths and adding more. E.g. to improve 1-on-1, play 1-on-1 with constraints. 

• Practice from various areas (e.g. wing, elbow, post - if big).
• Limit dribbles (two dribbles).
• Play equal or better players. 
• Start off the catch and off the cut (e.g. stampede).
• Include back-to-basket starts. 
• Use no more than 2/3 attacks to dominant hand size. Do not become predictable.
• Use these practices to define GO TO and COUNTER moves. 
• Includes proven elements - jab, negative step, float dribble, side step into shot, sudden crossovers, pull ups.
• "Fall in love with easy." Press an advantage when available (e.g. mismatches of size, speed, skill.
• Find what works for you. 

Strategy. Quiz players on ways to set up isolations...a few of many.

Cross Screen. 

Pin down, post up. 

Cut to clear. 

SLOB, Zipper, Give-Go, SEAL. 

Lagniappe. Who is your mentor? What do you want from them? They don't have to know us or even be alive. James Patterson's writing makes "the pages turn themselves." I'll never meet him. 

Use video instruction to develop "microskills" that play. 

Recap - Favorite Recent Ideas Plus Special Bonuses

"One man's meat is another man's poison." We are all teachers and this piece informs points I want to prioritize.

About Justice Sandra Day O'Connor:

"When she wrote separately, concurring or in dissent, she stated her disagreement directly and professionally. She avoided castigating colleagues' opinions." Disagree professionally. Social media is landscape pitted with hostility and recrimination. Is that who we want to be?

From "Numbers Game"

Celtics '32'. Miniature version of Pitino 'quarters' drill. Five 'radians' with three shots along each radian, 3, 2, and 1 point. Finish with two free throws. That makes 32 point perfection on seventeen shots. Score your personal best. 

Great for "Camp Driveway" or the playground with a partner. 

From "Better Basketball Branding" 

Simplicity. Great writers like Ernest Hemingway use more small words and shorter sentences. Legendary Coach Don Meyer said coaching evolves from blind enthusiasm to sophisticated complexity to mature simplicity. Here's a passage from Hemingway,

“How little we know of what there is to know. I wish that I were going to live a long time instead of going to die today because I have learned much about life in these four days; more, I think than in all other time. I’d like to be an old man to really know. I wonder if you keep on learning or if there is only a certain amount each man can understand. I thought I knew so many things that I know nothing of. I wish there was more time.”

"Simple is hard."

From "Impact Winning" 

Scrutinize everything.

• warmups (e.g. Villanova Get 50)
• core drills 
• small-side games
• competition with conditioning
• strategic practice (e.g. defeating pressure, special situations) 

Be humble to find better ways to practice, to teach, to comfort

From "Who Speaks for the 12th Guy?"

Don't have a 'dog house'. You've seen it. Some coaches bury players, ostracizing or isolating them. Why? Perhaps they hope the player will quit in frustration or act out giving them an excuse to cut them. Does anyone think that's leadership?

If we're going to bury people, work in a cemetery not as a coach.

From "What's in our Coaching Philosophy?" 

"I attack ideas. I don't attack people. Some very good people have some very bad ideas." - Judge Antonin Scalia in My Own Words, by Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Coaches need a clear, consistent, coherent philosophy. When parents ask our philosophy, respond with core values (e.g. teamwork, improvement, accountability). Simplify our absolutes, such as making the team better and making our teammates better on and off the court. In an era where parent authority over coaching selection has grown, the best philosophy, intent, and even execution won't assure retention.  

"Coaching Lessons to Use Everyday"

She always was the first at middle school workouts and the last to leave. Tell her something once and it stuck. She became a three-sport captain at a private school, earning a coveted spot at Annapolis. Now she's a naval officer. Thank you for your service, Lauren. 

What kind of fruit falls off our coaching tree? 

From "What's in Our Learning Culture?" 

Learn better with proven techniques. 

• Pomodoro technique - Study 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off
• Spaced repetition - circle back to material studied previously
• Self-testing - what key points have I learned? 

Part of our learning culture is teaching players how to learn. 

From "Cover and Move"

Trust the protection. Solid teams manage the pick-and-roll. 

Defense is like the burger joint, 5 Guys...coverage and protection. At least the noise level is 85 decibels in 5 Guys (yeah, I measured it). 

Be on the same page. Communication intimidates and builds trust. 

From "Abusing Officials Has to Stop"

What does study of high level play officiating show? "We analyzed referees’ calls in 250 such incidents, taken from an entire season of the Israeli Basketball Super League, and we found no evidence for favoritism. That is to say, although the situation of potential offensive fouls should be prone to refereeing biases, in our sample the reputation of the players and the teams, the issue of home vs. away teams, and the players’ physical size did not significantly affect the frequency of calls for an offensive foul."

Lagniappe (something extra). Jay Wright teaches post defense. Perimeter pressure is critical to prevent passes over the top to the highly skilled post player. 

Jay Wright teaches post defense: pic.twitter.com/4q9elPSbPA

— Jay (@novashot21) July 13, 2022

Lagniappe 2. Performance rating system... quantify performance. Players who score with 'volume shooting' don't always score high. Possession positive plays earn points. Efficiency earns points. 

 

What Lessons Resonate from Other Sports

Elite coaches share insights and dispel myths. Let's examine quotes from some of the best coaches in history. 

Scotty Bowman - winner of nine Stanley Cups. 

Preparation, training, and adjustments aren't guarantees. But failing those increases the chance of defeat. 

"The better the coaching has become, the worse the game has become." There's a constant tug-of-war between growing individual skills and defensive adjustments. Lower level teams mimicking the styles of the NBA produce hard-to-watch basketball. 

Vince Lombardi - won five NFL championships, including Super Bowl I, II

"In the ultimate team sport, real success doesn’t depend on tactics or discipline or order.  It always comes down to how well a coach leads."

"Personal accountability is the ultimate sign of strength.  When a leader admits mistakes, it shows the team that he expects as much from himself as he does his players." Claims of perfection reduce credibility. Every coach makes mistakes. 

Bill Belichick - winner of eight Super Bowls, six as a head coach

“We are not collecting talent; we are building a team.”

"Mental toughness is doing what's best for the team, even when it's not best for you." Don't overlook finding team players. 

Jack Clark - 14 National 15s Rugby Championships, 5 National 7s Titles

From Jen Sinkler interview with Coach Clark

"On this team, the leadership model is open to everybody. For instance, even if you’re a freshman, you have the ability to make those around you better and more productive: Don’t be a distraction, be on time, know your stuff, play hard and well when you’re called on. Even if you’re not the star player, you’re contributing to that leadership model." Leaders make leaders and there's no exclusivity for upperclassmen. 

Dan Gable - Iowa wrestling coach, 15 National Team titles

"Gold medals aren't really made of gold. They're made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts."

"I never won anything by myself. I was always strong because of help that gave me extra strength to win." Find a mentor. 

Jill Ellis - US Women's National Team soccer - 2 FIFA World Cups

"I can truly say this: I don't care, and I've never really read what people thought." "Don't take anything personally." One way is to ignore the outside noise.

Jose Mourinho - won three Premier League soccer titles

"Young players are like melons. Only when you open and taste the melon are you 100% sure that the melon is good.”

"I would rather play with 10 men than wait for a player who is late for the bus." You're all in for the team or you're not. 

Fools' Gold and Summer League

"The logo, Jerry West, is in the house." Well, there's that. If Jerry West can watch hopefuls in July, so can we. 

Caveat emptor; buyer beware. Summer league reeks of excess, after all, it's in Las Vegas. Pump the brakes. 

1. Sample size. It's seductive to overhype or dismiss a guy based on a game or two against lesser competition without sophisticated defense or preparation. Last night Justin Jackson looked like George Gervin against the Summer Warriors. But a 27 year-old journeyman is one for a reason. 

2. Confirmation bias. We like a player, so we read favorable profiles and reviews of how he's going to compete for a cherished NBA roster spot. In Vegas, tens of front office guys and coaches search for the Golden Nugget...and they don't care what USA Today says. 

3. Anchoring. Imagine having a bias toward the dynamic size and athleticism of young wannabes. Then you see your guy jumping out of the gym and making a couple of plays. Yeah, but...he's out of control too often and turning the ball over. 

In the biggest moment on the brightest stage, will the moment bring exposure or exposure in the moment? 

4. Circle of competence. 

• What does a guy's game show? 
• Does he make good decisions? 
• Does he make and execute the simple play? 
• How does he impact winning? 
• Does he make teammates better? 
• Is he moving the ball or stopping it?
• What's his shot selection and execution? 
• Does he space on offense and shrink space on D? 
• Can he end possessions with rebounds, steals, and assists?

5. Wow factor? Spot the guys with exceptional "it factor." Jonathan Kuminga was great for the Warriors last night against the Celtics. He should stand out as an NBA rotation player in Summer League. He's got the body, skills, and he's only nineteen. Mfiondu Kabengele stood out for the Celtics as a big body with toughness. But it's one game...in Summer League. 

Lagniappe. "Basketball is a game of separation." This video is simple and I'd prefer to see the moves with a defender. Decide what belongs in your bag. 

Transition to a New Program; Great Orientation Benefits Everyone

Be open to ideas. New jobs often come with orientation, "this is how we do things here" education. 

I participated in a Navy version, Officer Indoctrination School, now Officer Development School. It included topics like Sea Power, Correspondence, Leadership, Military Law, and Military Indoctrination...with a physical fitness and swimming component. 

The NFL has a rookie transition program including benefits, social responsibility, media interaction, rules changes, and more. 

What transition services and information might fit student-athletes in high school? It doesn't have to be voluminous, but ideally is written, online, and signed off. Guidelines protect both schools and students. 

• Academic requirements and expectations
• Athletic department rules (including Chemical Health Policy)
• School/program culture 
• Fitness requirements (if specified)
• Personal responsibility including Hazing or Harassment
• School health resources (including Mental Health)
• Social media policy 
• Coach specific values, such as the importance of mentoring/upperclass leaders

What specifics might merit inclusion? This is not comprehensive. 

• "Care as much about academics as you do about basketball." (Dawn Staley thrived at Virginia once she made that choice.)
• Review alcohol and drug (including smoking) policies. Locally for basketball it's a four-game suspension for a violation. 
• Represent yourself and the program. Be a program ambassador.
• Here is information for some fitness options. I like the Lee Rose sets of 220s. In high school soccer, we had to complete two laps (a bit more than 600 yards) around the soccer field (at the end of practice) in under 1:50 to test out.
• Review athletic training and mental health resources available in your school. 
• "Don't let 140 characters take $140,000 scholarship from you." Respect teammates, opponents, officials, and the game. A social media faux pas can follow you forever. 
• Zero tolerance for hazing. Share examples of area community problems...and there are always problems. 

We're not looking to become the behavior police but to develop responsible adults while encouraging respect, dignity, responsibility, and sportsmanship. 

Key takeaways:

• Get everyone on the same page of culture and behavior. 
• Care about academics as much as sport. 
• Know and follow the chemical health policy.
• Be a program ambassador.
• Have a defined social media policy. Social media mistakes follow you. 
• Have an agreed upon fitness policy. 
• Embrace representing yourself, team, school, and community.

Lagniappe. Everything enters our 'brand' including verbal, non-verbal, and written communication. That covers moral, ethical, and legal territory. For some, it will impact their NIL status. A highly compensated athlete may have earnings contingent on adhering to behavioral standards clauses. 

Lagniappe 2. John Deere is famous for its first day. 

Lagniappe 3. "The square is your friend." Study great players. Here is terrific video on Tim Duncan, master of footwork and glass. The top corner of the square was Duncan's bullseye.