Here's a little morning motivation for you ... courtesy of VersusTV and one of their promo video's. "Knock-Knock." "Who's there?" "The guy that finished second." "The guy that finished second who?" "Exactly." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-zZO1Qwa8E Don't be content with 2nd place. What do you say ... should we get up and get after 1st place? … [Read more...]
Branch McCracken’s Advice on Defensive Fundamentals
This article comes from an old basketball coaching book in my collection published in 1955 titled Indiana Basketball by Branch McCracken. Coach McCracken led Ball State University from 1930-38 and most notably Indiana University from 1938-43 & 1946-65). His record at Ball State was 93-41 and at Indiana it was 364-174. He coached two NCAA Championship teams (1940 and 1953). His championship in 1940 put him in the record books as the youngest coach to win the NCAA championship at 31 years … [Read more...]
Leaving a Legacy
With Father's Day having come and gone yesterday, I want to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the dad's ... as well as all of you basketball coaches! Even if you don't have kids of your own, if you coach, you really do have 'kids'. Our ultimate role as coaches may not be that of being a dad, however, we are very much father figure's to many of our players. I should really say 'parental figures' ... because even though I'm writing this with Father's Day in mind, it really pertains to all … [Read more...]
Dean Smith & Pat Summitt DVD Price Drop
If you are a fan of great coaches and like to learn from some of the best, you might be interested in a recent price drop on some great DVD's from Dean Smith and Pat Summitt. The DVD's shown below ... and 100's more are available at the Hoops U. Basketball Store now! You can now save $10 on the following 2 Dean Smith DVD's with a drop in price from $49.99 to $39.99: [interspire link="Dean-Smith%27s-Point-Zone-Defense" target="blank"]Dean Smith's Point Zone … [Read more...]
Basketball Pickup Drill
Purpose: To improve lateral quickness, agility, conditioning, and reaction. An especially good drill for developing footwork and quickness for inside players. Drill: Two people are needed for this drill, with at least one basketball. The player that will be executing the drill stands at the free throw line. The coach, or partner, has the basketball at the top of the key area. The drill begins with the coach rolling the basketball to one side of the player. The player must slide over as … [Read more...]
Basketball Coach Offseason To-Do List
During the summer months, what can we do as coaches to improve in our craft? What opportunities are we giving our players? This post will give several ideas of things we can and should be doing over the summer months to become better basketball coaches. Study & Learn New Things The smart basketball coach knows that there is always more to learn. In today's world, there are so many ways we can learn more about the game. Back in the day, coaches might have only had books to read, a few … [Read more...]
1 on 1 Gladiator Drill
Purpose: In a transition setting, little elements are overlooked within the big picture. For example, when players go 1 on 1 full court, the focus tends to be on sprinting down the court. As a result, players forget to block out prior to transitioning down the court. This drill stresses all areas of 1 on 1 defense and offense. Players are required to do the little things or they will be penalized accordingly. The elements used in this workout will numerous and can translate into better defensive … [Read more...]
10 Teaching Methods for Successful Basketball Coaching
If you want to be a successful basketball coach, you certainly need to have a thorough knowledge of basketball fundamentals, drills, offense and defense X's and O's. However, having that knowledge alone will not make you a successful basketball coach. The successful basketball coach is able to teach. He or she must be able to present the basketball material in such a way that every player can learn and understand quickly. He is not only able to teach the team as a whole, but can … [Read more...]
Supercalifragelistic, Shaq is Alidocious
As you may have heard, Shaq retired earlier today. He let us know via his own social video here. Personally, I'm looking forward to the Fu-Schnicken reunion tour with Shaq-Fu! Check out Shaq-Fu rappin' back in 1994 with the rather underrated Fu-Schnickens! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIAVegnlNjc It's either that or Kazaam! … [Read more...]
New in the Shop: Coaching the System
If you desire to play an up-tempo style of basketball or tweak your system to add some explosiveness to your offense and defense, you might just want to get your hands on the new book '[interspire link="Coaching-the-System" target="blank"]Coaching the System: A complete guide to basketball's most explosive style of play[/interspire]' by Doug Porter and Gary Smith. Gary Smith and Doug Porter coached the two highest scoring teams in men’s and women’s college basketball history: the … [Read more...]