Homework! A word that strikes fear in the heart of your typical student almost as much as the word "Test". Why? Probably because it takes time and effort that they would rather spend doing something else.
Whether or not you, as a student, likes doing homework, you typically do the homework that is assigned by your teachers at school and you typically study before tests to improve the likelihood of performing well on the test. The same expectations exist for you in football, basketball or whatever sport you choose!
In basketball, you need to work on your ball handling and dribble drills at home – as part of your homework. You need to work on free throws and form shooting at home – as part of your homework. You need to work on these skills the same way that you are taught in practice. Taking advantage of muscle memory to help secure repetitive motions that hopefully will result in greater confidence and competence in the respective drills.
If a teacher shows you a certain way to perform a math problem and states that she wants it done her way or you will not get credit, what do you do? Do you do it your own way or the way that she is teaching you? Same in basketball. Practice at home so that you will be prepared for your test – which is the game.
If you do not do your homework, you will struggle on your test. Some people need to study more than others. Some can retain information through hearing and then can immediately put it into practice. We know that these kids exist in the sports world as well. If you do not do your homework in basketball, more than likely you will struggle in the games. Those that get by now with little homework or do not use good study habits may find themselves enjoying success now, but as they progress through Middle School and onto High School, chances are things will change. It may not happen until college, but at some point, the lack of discipline, effort and practice will come back to haunt that student. The same can be said for sports. It is evident by the play on the court who is doing their homework. As in school with a Teacher, a Coach provides your final grade. So the question is simple: Will you be on the Honor Roll?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Beating a Zone Defense
While zone defenses are used at every level of the game, when you coach youth basketball, you definitely have to learn how to play against a zone defense. A zone defense can be a strategic part of any game plan and when you are playing for State or National titles at the High School and Collegiate levels, I understand utilizing these strategies as often as necessary to win. At the youth level, I feel a little different.
Fundamental defense is taught at the man-ball level through a man-to-man (M2M) defense. Too often, coaches are more worried about winning than developing their players and take the easy way out and stick their kids in a zone. Why does it give them a good chance to win? Well, outside shooting is a premium as kids lack strength or consistency to be a regular threat. Also, it crowds up the middle slowing down offenses and it looks a little menacing to young kids seeing all of those obstacles to the basket. Plus, you can sometimes hide weaker players.
I personally feel that zone defenses should not be taught until they have mastered the M2M defense. Besides, a well executed M2M looks like a zone or match-up zone as the weak side players slide to the middle to protect against the drive. I have actually had coaches say that their kids couldn't "get" a man defense. That they are not "good enough" to play man. Well, that is a coach not holding up his end of the bargain. It is the coaches job to teach, instruct and reinforce the proper way of playing M2M and EXPECT it from his players.
Even when we have been out-sized, I typically stuck to my guns and statyed in the M2M defense. I made adjustments and stressed points of emphasis such as doubling down with a wing defender. Helping from the top side and packing in the back side help. As my team matured and developed we began to introduce some aggressive zone such as a 1-3-1 trap and then a more traditional 2-3 or 3-2. We still run 90% man, playing in your face, full-court defense with a lot of weak side help. Whether you are the one playing defense or the one being guarded, when our game is done, you know that you have been in a ball game!
Here are a few tips and points of emphasis that I use when facing a zone defens:
Fastbreak
Don't let them set up their Zone...score early, score often. We set the tempo!
Move the Ball
Make the Zone work, make them move. The Zone will break down if we continue to reverse the ball.
Flash
Flash into the openings between the defenders. "Split the defenders." "Find the seams." Look for the ball, look to score!
Penetrate
Drive into the Zone...but not too deep!
Drive into the Zone...pull up for your shot.
Drive into the Zone...drop it to the post.
Drive into the Zone...kick it to the wing.
Hit the Jumper!
When you are open, you have to knock it down. Be shot-ready. Be square. Be ready to pull the trigger. Practice at game speed so you will play at game speed.
Expand the plan
Be disciplined and execute the offense...but don't be afraid to freelance. Float to the openings. Move without the ball. Make something happen!
Rebound
Work to get to the board - THEY have to find YOU! Block THEM out! Top man stay back...we can't get burnt. Limit their offense to one shot...we can't start the fastbreak without the ball.
Practice
If you don't practice how will you get better? If you don't get better how will the team get better? If the team doesn't get better how will we reach our potential? If we don't reach our potential how will we succeed?
Fundamental defense is taught at the man-ball level through a man-to-man (M2M) defense. Too often, coaches are more worried about winning than developing their players and take the easy way out and stick their kids in a zone. Why does it give them a good chance to win? Well, outside shooting is a premium as kids lack strength or consistency to be a regular threat. Also, it crowds up the middle slowing down offenses and it looks a little menacing to young kids seeing all of those obstacles to the basket. Plus, you can sometimes hide weaker players.
I personally feel that zone defenses should not be taught until they have mastered the M2M defense. Besides, a well executed M2M looks like a zone or match-up zone as the weak side players slide to the middle to protect against the drive. I have actually had coaches say that their kids couldn't "get" a man defense. That they are not "good enough" to play man. Well, that is a coach not holding up his end of the bargain. It is the coaches job to teach, instruct and reinforce the proper way of playing M2M and EXPECT it from his players.
Even when we have been out-sized, I typically stuck to my guns and statyed in the M2M defense. I made adjustments and stressed points of emphasis such as doubling down with a wing defender. Helping from the top side and packing in the back side help. As my team matured and developed we began to introduce some aggressive zone such as a 1-3-1 trap and then a more traditional 2-3 or 3-2. We still run 90% man, playing in your face, full-court defense with a lot of weak side help. Whether you are the one playing defense or the one being guarded, when our game is done, you know that you have been in a ball game!
Here are a few tips and points of emphasis that I use when facing a zone defens:
Fastbreak
Don't let them set up their Zone...score early, score often. We set the tempo!
Move the Ball
Make the Zone work, make them move. The Zone will break down if we continue to reverse the ball.
Flash
Flash into the openings between the defenders. "Split the defenders." "Find the seams." Look for the ball, look to score!
Penetrate
Drive into the Zone...but not too deep!
Drive into the Zone...pull up for your shot.
Drive into the Zone...drop it to the post.
Drive into the Zone...kick it to the wing.
Hit the Jumper!
When you are open, you have to knock it down. Be shot-ready. Be square. Be ready to pull the trigger. Practice at game speed so you will play at game speed.
Expand the plan
Be disciplined and execute the offense...but don't be afraid to freelance. Float to the openings. Move without the ball. Make something happen!
Rebound
Work to get to the board - THEY have to find YOU! Block THEM out! Top man stay back...we can't get burnt. Limit their offense to one shot...we can't start the fastbreak without the ball.
Practice
If you don't practice how will you get better? If you don't get better how will the team get better? If the team doesn't get better how will we reach our potential? If we don't reach our potential how will we succeed?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The Bring it Strong Blog
Hello sports fans! This is my first push into the blogosphere to try and reach out and share on a more regular basis my passion for teaching sports, especially basketball. I use the word "teaching" as I feel it is more appropriate than training or coaching since the objective is to pass knowledge to and from one another, where the teacher is also involved in the learning process.
After the completion of the Bring it Strong Basketball Academy I received a lot of positive feedback from both the kids and their parents. While I have enjoyed spending time having one-on-one discussions with people regarding my Coach to Develop vs Coaching to Win philosophy, I realized that it could be possible to reach a broader group and have a greater impact through the use of technology. Which leads us to this place -- this point in time.
The format for the blog is still up in the air. I would like to have a weekly blog set up regarding a myriad of topics including Rolla Athletics, Basketball Coaching Tips, Relationships between Coaches and Parents/Kids, and a discussion of the hot topics in the world of sports. I have also thought about using two different perspectives and possibly two different blogs. One coming from S.I.R. which would be more focused on Rolla Basketball and the other perspective from Bring it Strong which would be more focused on the Development of Youth. I believe a single blog will work as the audience can choose to ignore a blog that is about Rolla sports if they are from Billings, Montana. The risk is that they choose not to follow the blog at all which goes against the purpose of reaching out to a broader base and having a positive impact.
I am excited about starting this Blog and look forward to receiving comments and feedback as well as suggestions for future topics.
After the completion of the Bring it Strong Basketball Academy I received a lot of positive feedback from both the kids and their parents. While I have enjoyed spending time having one-on-one discussions with people regarding my Coach to Develop vs Coaching to Win philosophy, I realized that it could be possible to reach a broader group and have a greater impact through the use of technology. Which leads us to this place -- this point in time.
The format for the blog is still up in the air. I would like to have a weekly blog set up regarding a myriad of topics including Rolla Athletics, Basketball Coaching Tips, Relationships between Coaches and Parents/Kids, and a discussion of the hot topics in the world of sports. I have also thought about using two different perspectives and possibly two different blogs. One coming from S.I.R. which would be more focused on Rolla Basketball and the other perspective from Bring it Strong which would be more focused on the Development of Youth. I believe a single blog will work as the audience can choose to ignore a blog that is about Rolla sports if they are from Billings, Montana. The risk is that they choose not to follow the blog at all which goes against the purpose of reaching out to a broader base and having a positive impact.
I am excited about starting this Blog and look forward to receiving comments and feedback as well as suggestions for future topics.
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