Evaluate Your Team

Should your team look to fast break or run a slower, patterned offense? Pressure man to man defense or a safer zone defense? Full court or half court? When evaluating your season it is important to determine how you performed against the teams that you need to beat. If your goal is to win your league, conference, division, section, or state, then figure out how you did ( and what you need to do) against the teams that contend at that level. Most everything that you do will work against the teams that you are SUPPOSED to beat. The hard part is coming up with a game plan to defeat the teams that you NEED to beat.

Statistics can help you evaluate your teams ballhandling execution, shooting results (including from the 3 point line and the free throw line), and rebounding performance. Examining your opponents results will tell you about your defense.

The type of turnovers will speak to your offensive performance. Dribbling violations cue you to spend more time on that, or try different players as your primary ballhandlers. It is important to put players in positions where they can succeed. Maybe the passing turnovers are a result of forcing too quick a tempo, or not being able to get open in the half court. Slow down or work on various methods to get open.

Are your opponents getting too many second chance points on offensive rebounds. Block out drills are prescribed. Fast break points? Transition defensive drills are in order. You may be taking too many outside shots. Charles Barkley calls bad outside shots "fast break starters". Maybe you don’t have good defensive balance built into your offense. Develop a transition defense plan.

Are you quick and athletic enough to play pressure defense? We’d all like to play that way, but can you do that against the better teams? Maybe quickness and agility training in the offseason and an emphasis on defense at practice is all it will take. Or maybe a zone defense designed to prevent penetration is in order.

Shooting statistics? Are you getting to the free throw line? Many coaches feel that getting fouled is the best thing that can happen on a possession. Jump shooting teams don’t get fouled often. Should you dribble-drive or go inside more. Is the teams field goal percentage poor? Do you need more practice, better shot selection, or an offense that will get you better (or at least different) shots? Maybe all of the above!

Finally, do you need to adjust the type of schedule that you play? Is it too tough to compete in, or do you need to "schedule up" and prepare for your tougher opponents. Maybe the teams you play early are primarily zone teams, and you need to prepare for the man to man pressure from your league rival. Or vice versa. Your pre-league and tournament games can usually be controlled. Schedule smart.

Develop a Plan

Once a coach has evaluated a season and assessed the next team's skills, a sound plan must be developed to head into the crucial off season. The saying, "Teams are made during the season but players are made during the off-season" is true, to a large extent. While it is important for next years team to get used to playing together, it is vital that individual skills be practiced, as well. For every inch of player improvement the twelve member team improves a foot. Individual skill enhancement must not be neglected in the pursuit of team progress.

Each individual player should have an off-season workout plan. It should coincide with the assessment of their skills and be geared towards improving the weaknesses and maintaining (or even enhance) their strengths. Every player should be trying to add something to their game during the off season. Physical quickness, agility, and strength should also be a part of the program.

As a team, a sound philosophy must be developed, with clear and concise goals. The philosophy must complement the players skills and the goals should be in line with the philosophy, be achievable, but difficult to attain. Some examples: 1) You may not want to play an up-tempo style if you don’t have quick or athletic players, relative to your opponents. 2) If you have players that are good penetrators, ensure that you have opportunities in your offense to open up driving lanes. 3) A goal to make more free throws than your opponents shoot will be tough to attain if your offense is designed to take advantage of a good shooting, perimeter oriented squad. Field goals, rebounds, assist and turnover totals may be higher in a fast paced game so don’t dwell on totals as much as percentages..

The tenets of your philosophy should be charted out on a calendar so that they are introduced, practiced and mastered by specific dates. You may want to introduce things slowly and add parts of your offensive and defensive package as the spring, summer and fall go on. About 80-90 percent of your total package should be in by the time the season starts, then you can add a wrinkle or two as the season progresses.

Gauge the progress of your players and do not throw too many things at them. Allow them to master something before going on to another. If they just are not getting it, you may have to adjust and not try to do as much. Remember, it is better to do a few things well than several things average.

Develop a Successful Program From Scratch

When taking over a new program, it is important to try and develop an identity for your new team that relies on some basic qualities of success. Develop a plan of attack and emphasize the qualities that you want your program noted for. Here are six keys:

1) Work Ethic - "Effort during practices and conditioning sessions are critical for ensuring the attitude and approach needed." You can’t control how well you shoot, or how well the other team plays, but you can always control how HARD you play!

2) Intelligence - "More teams beat themselves rather than being overmatched." Eliminate turnovers, bad shots, and mental mistakes. If you make a mistake - LEARN from it.

3) Physicality - Work hard to be in peak physical condition. Be strong enough that you don’t get pushed around. Have enough endurance to last through the end of the game. Dish out more than you take!

4) Cohesion - Players must "realize that they are accountable to each other." Players must realize that their teammates deserve their best effort. It means losing oneself in the group for the good of the group. It means being not just willing but eager to sacrifice personal interest or glory for the welfare of all.

5) Class - "No cheap shots or excessive trash talk." Fans, a community, or a student body will respect a team that tries to do the right thing. "Be a solid citizen and reliable in handling obligations." Administration will be most supportive that way.

6) Consistency - "Setting a foundation is only as good as carrying out winning principles on a day-to-day basis." Allow no slippage and do not compromise your principles.

Hiring an Assistant Coach

It is important to find someone who is prepared and willing to learn. Knowledge is important. The assistant needs to understand your system inside and out. Ideally, he/she should have a commitment to growth as a coach by going to clinics, camps, read, scout, and question others. Your staff must be hard working. The coaches should work as hard at all times as they expect the players to, and be willing to put in extra time to improve the program. Look for people who have patience.



Mistakes are an opportunity to learn, treat them as such. Coaches should never give up on players, you should continue to improve until the very end. Hire assistants who will always promote the program in a positive light. Maybe the most important quality is loyalty. Coaches can debate in the office but must be united on the court. Just like we preach that we have a TEAM not just players; we should have a STAFF not just coaches. Always work together to improve the program top to bottom. A staff that works together to achieve the same goals does a great service to their players.

Duties of an Assistant Coach

A good assistant coach is worth his weight in gold. A head coach should surround himself with good people to assist him. Under the direction of the head coach, the assistant coach should assist in all phases of the program, assisting with practice, coaching and program development, academic monitoring of student-athletes, participation in summer leagues, practice planning and professional expectations. During the game the assistant coach needs to talk, talk, talk. Help players that are on the bench and make adjustments, again under the head coach’s direction, with the players that just came off of the floor. Continue to make observations, and offer the head coach suggestions. The hardest thing for the assistant coach is to continue to make suggestions when previous suggestions were not accepted, but that is exactly what he needs to do.

Scouting Made Simple

The importance of scouting varies from coach to coach and from year to year. While it obviously is most important to do the things that you do well, each coach has determined different aspects of an opponent’s game which are important to his preparation. What that coach then must do, is develop an approach to compile that important information. 


Before you play an opponent, it is a good idea to "scout" them and find out how they play. When doing so, some things to look for might be: your future opponent’s individual tendencies (preferred moves or shooting spots and who are their main players), possible match-ups (who on your team will guard who on their team), team offensive tendencies including their fast break, early offense, and press break. Important general items to note might be: 1) how do they start their offense? 2) are they patient? 3) does the offense have any continuity? 4) and do they prefer one side or the other? You probably want to try to diagram some specific plays that were most effective.

You also need to know their defensive tendencies. Will they press? Will they defend you man to man or zone, and if zone-what kind?

Once a team is scouted effectively, whether you saw the team one, two, three/ or more times, how you use the information really varies. Some teams go over all the information in great detail with the players, some post a summary in the locker room or give each player a copy. 

The Off-Season: Player Development vs. Playing Games

The off-season is the best time to work on individual player development. Too many teams play an abundance of games in the summertime and miss out on the great opportunity to make players personally better. While next seasons team needs some time to learn the system, get used to each other and their new roles, they also need to become better individual basketball players.

Each summer league game takes about a 2 hour time commitment when all things are considered. Some teams play 40 games, or more, in the summer. Imagine how much improvement a player could make if they devoted those 80+ hours on fundamentals such as footwork, ballhandling, passing or shooting. How much better would a player be if they used some of that time for jump training, a quickness & agility workout, or an effective strength program.

If players simply play games and do not work to improve their fundamentals, they are then only practicing the same bad habits. There must be a balance of individual work, team practice, and some actual game competition for the most effective improvement to take place.

Medicine Ball Drills

Medicine balls are a very good way to develop muscular strength specific to basketball. You can simulate the exact movements in basketball with a variety of exercises. An effective workout with medicine balls can be achieved in about 30 to 40 minutes. Each session should be made up of 8 to 10 exercises with the athlete performing 2 to 3 sets of each exercise. If the athlete is to develop strength and muscular endurance then conduct 6 to 12 repetitions (reps) of each exercise. If the athlete is to develop muscular endurance rather than strength, then conduct 12 to 30 repetitions with a lighter ball.

With a medicine ball the size and weight that a player can handle you can do:

1. Overhead Throws
   
2. Chest Passes
   
3. Figure 8 around your legs
   
4. 2 Lines -pass and exchange
   
5. Pass with a partner down the floor and back
   
6. Squat to Press: Start with medicine ball directly overhead with arms extended. Lower medicine ball to chest level while performing a parallel squat in a smooth and controlled manner.
   
7. Sit-ups: Sit facing partner with knees in a bent position. Hold arms above head. Upon receiving the ball, perform a sit-up and forcefully throw ball back to your partner.
   
8. Seated Side Throw Sit with knees in a bent position with partner sitting to either side. Partner passes ball to the outside hip. Upon receiving ball, athlete twists trunk lightly tapping medicine ball behind hip and throwing medicine ball back to partner.
   
9. Diagonals: Place medicine ball slightly outside either hip. Raise medicine ball above shoulder extending arms. Lower medicine ball in a diagonal pattern outside the opposite hip. Repeat motion.
   
10.  Figure 8: Stand with back to partner one arm’s length away, and medicine ball extended from chest. Keeping the feet and hips stationary, twist the torso and pass the ball to partner who twists in the opposite direction. Pass should be executed with both partners turning in the opposite direction to one another.

These 10 drills can get you started on a good upper body program that is specific to basketball.

Strength Training

Participating in strength training and conditioning could give you that extra edge to win a championship. Weight training, along with a good flexibility program, will not only help your body resist injury (very important during the long season), but also allows you to be more explosive and gain the strength and stamina necessary for basketball’s physical play.

The goal of your strength and conditioning program should be two-fold: 1) Prevent injury and 2) Improve athletic ability. Notice that "Enhance Basketball Performance" is not one of the goals listed. This is because basketball performance is just that, basketball performance. In order for an athlete to improve his or her performance, they need to practice the skills required for basketball.

Improving one’s strength, speed, endurance, and flexibility will not only set the stage for practice, but aid in preventing injury so one can make it through the entire season without getting hurt. Sport-specific training should be implemented during practice. Keep in mind it’s not the strength that will improve performance, but the rather the strength when it is applied to practice that results in improved performance. Use weight lifting, conditioning, and stretching to enhance athletic ability and prevent injury.

Plyometrics

Speed and strength are necessary assets in basketball. Speed and strength equal power on the court.  Increased power helps a player in jumping and also to become a better rebounder, defender, or finish moves around the basket. Enter: plyometrics. Jumping, bounding and hopping exercises are used in various situations to enhance basketball performance. This type of exercise -- plyometrics -- describes the method of training, which seeks to enhance the explosive reaction of the individual through powerful muscular contractions as a result of rapid contractions.

Off Season Jump Training

After the regular season ends, it is a good idea to take a couple weeks off from strenuous practice. Spring is the perfect time to start a rigorous 12-week training program to increase your strength, quickness, agility, and explosiveness. There are many things that you can do to increase your vertical jump. Some programs are as simple as jump rope, line jumps, or four squares. Others are ball or bench jumps. Some involve more sophisticated equipment, like plyometric boxes, dot drills, and agility ladders. Most of the programs involve one simple thing- JUMPING.

The more times you jump as quick or as high as possible, the better you will get at it. But, regardless of what program you use, the most important aspect is how HARD YOU WORK to get better!

Outwork Your Opponents

The most valuable commodity that all coaches, teams, and players have in common is time. How you use that time will determine your success. Some of the best coaches in basketball aren’t successful, necessarily, because of what they know, but because they outwork their opponents. Of course, the same holds true for players. What you do with your time will determine your level of success. "Remember, when you are not working - someone else is. When you meet in competition, all other things being equal, they will win." --Ed Macauley, former NBA star

Coaching is very time consuming, so one of the best skills that you can acquire early in your career is time management. Determine your priorities and devote the time necessary to them before you move on. Whether it is practice time, practice preparation (often overlooked), scouting, film breakdown, game preparation, or promoting your program get to work. Hire good assistants and put them all to work. Give everyone different responsibilities so there is an "expert" in each area. Get others involved and delegate duties. Coaches expect players to put in time outside of practice to improve their game. Coaches should work as hard as they expect their players to work, and the players will return the favor.

Quickness and Agility Drills for Basketball

Basketball has become more and more competitive in recent years with individual players being stronger, faster, and quicker. Including a complete agility and quickness program into a training program can help a player gain advantage over his/her competitors.

Quickness and agility are popular terms used to describe an athlete’s movement patterns. Simply defined, quickness describes the athlete’s speed, acceleration, reactive ability, and explosiveness. The more players improve limb speed, reaction and acceleration, (quickness) the greater the potential to increase their speed. Agility is the athlete’s ability to change direction suddenly with minimal loss of speed, balance, and body control.

There are several key aspects to consider when developing an agility-training program for basketball. A basketball player’s quickness and agility program would include drills which emphasize lateral movement, change of direction, and sudden starts and stops (with or without ball) because these movement patterns are specific to the sport of basketball. By implementing these drills, inevitably, a basketball player’s skill acquisition is enhanced.

Evaluate Your Basketball Program

In between seasons, it is a good time to reflect on the past year and evaluate your basketball program. Some questions to ask yourself: What worked well for you this year? Why? What wasn’t as effective as you had hoped? Do you need to adjust it? Your roster and your opponents will change. Some new rules in your area may be instituted. Is what you are doing suited to the type of players that you have? Are you preparing to play against the "best" teams around?

Always remain open to change. If you find that your philosophy or style is proving increasingly less effective, refusing to adapt will only cause you and your team frustration. Go to clinics, read books, attend other teams practices, and talk to coaches about different styles and methods. After this research you may find that your methods need some fine-tuning to better fit your present personnel and competition. If you make that discovery - Act on it !

Don’t change just for the sake of change. "If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it!" But if you can find a way to "build a better mousetrap," by all means, go for it!