We have always believed there are three variables we can control as players and coaches.
1. Preparation
2. Attitude
3. Effort
If our players concentrate on those three variables they have done their job and you should praise their performance no matter what the results. You will find in this "dog-eat-dog" world of youth basketball it is very easy to get caught up in everything that is wrong about it. Be careful!
After watching and coaching a game or two this weekend, I have some thoughts to share:
*We are here to teach fundamental skills, team play and life lessons. Anything beyond that is probably detrimental to our mission. Guard your purpose!
*Never berate a player, official or another coach. Encourage. Encourage. Encourage! We have a saying, “Class always shows.”
*Discourage what we call “first pass shots”. For the most part, this would be any shot jacked up right after a point to wing pass (first pass).
*Keep it simple! T-Game is simple. 1-Game is simple. Ultimately our goal is to run 5-man motion and zone motion. This will evolve from T-Game and 1-Game.
*We can’t emphasize blocking out and triple-threat position enough!!!
*I know it isn’t easy but we really need to play as much man-to-man defense as possible. Encourage your players to always “call their man” and the “call the ball” in transition. Also, we like to preach stance, vision and position. This is basically maintaining “ball-you-basket” and “ball-you-man” gap position every time down the floor.
*If you do want to sprinkle in some zone, we have always felt comfortable defending baseline out of bounds situations with a 2-3 zone and/or after our 2-2-1 zone press. Those opportunities can keep your opponent guessing.
*We need more reps with our baseline out of bounds plays and parallels pressbreak.
These are just random notes after our first weekend. Let me know your thoughts too. I really appreciate the loyalty and commitment from all of you guys. This year’s handbook is done and I hope to get you a copy this week at practice. Keep up the great work!
May God bless you and Christ coach you,
Coach jH
WHY IS DEFENSE IMPORTANT
3 years ago
1 comment:
I was working on putting together some sample 'blogger" sites for a presentation and knew that teachers at PL South were blogging.
I ran across your blog and spent the last hour reading your thoughts and vision--the one on youth sports struck a cord as I have a "youth basketball player" at home gearing up for the season.
It warms my heart to see others in positions of sports leadership "share their vision" especially when it is a vision that "sees" so clearly.
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