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...]
Post Player Fundamental Drills & Moves
In today's game, it seems as if post play is taught less and less as post players continue to develop a more 'all-around' game. While I do agree that having an all-around game is necessary and beneficial, post players - as well as any player - can be that much more difficult to defend with a good repertoire of inside and post up moves. These fundamental drills and inside moves should be worked on daily in practice during the season, and individually during the offseason. You will see the … [Read more...]
When You Are Cut From the Team
How to effectively deal with not making the team -- a lesson for parents and players. This article is from a series of posts that occurred at the former Coaching Hoops Yahoo! Group. Here is how one parent and son dealt with not making the team. Being cut can be a difficult experience for all (players don't want to be cut, parents don't want their son or daughter to be cut and can find it difficult when there is nothing they can do to help, and coaches really don't enjoy when having to make … [Read more...]
Rating Yourself as a Teammate
“I've worked too hard and too long to let anything stand in the way of my goals. I will not let my teammates down and I will not let myself down.” Mia Hamm. You work hard on your overall game. You spend hours shooting the basketball. You play countless pick-up games, tournaments, and leagues. You spend time improving your strength and speed. You do all of this to become a better basketball player. Do you, however, spend time improving your team? Do you strive to be a great teammate? Do you … [Read more...]
’10-Yes’ Checklist
This is a simple checklist -- this is not a test, but if you want to be a good basketball player, you should be able to answer 'YES' to each and every one of these questions. Ok, so maybe it is a test!! Think about each question and be honest with yourself. If you answer 'no', you may want to re-evaluate your game, skills, and/or work ethic. __________ 1. Are you more active than your opponent? __________ 2. Are people constantly expressing amazement at how hard you work? __________ … [Read more...]
Reduce Your Fear
Basketball, as life, cannot be played with fear. Fear is public enemy number one on the list of negative emotions. Thinking about a future outcome causes fear. In turn, fear adversely affects your ability to perform thereby controlling the outcome. If you think about it, fear cannot exist in the present. Your goal is to execute to the best of your ability. How well you control the present, determines the future outcome - good or bad. It is only when you think about a future outcome that … [Read more...]
Do Not Be Intimidated
There will be many times throughout your days of playing basketball that you have to go up against a superior team and/or a better player. You may be playing the best team in your conference, league, county, or state. You may have to guard against the best player you have ever seen. Maybe one of the best basketball players around has to defend you during a game. If you play basketball long enough, you will inevitably have to deal with these or similar situations. How do you, as a player, … [Read more...]
I Did Everything I Could!
I have heard players I've played with and players I've coached say this time and again. We would lose a game, and they would sit there and justify the way they played. Maybe they scored some points or made some nice passes during the game. Maybe they even had their best game ever. However, the game was still lost. Therefore, more could have been done. As a player and as a coach, my mentality has always been to ask myself; "What more could I have done?" It doesn't matter if you played the … [Read more...]
Solving the Free Throw Mystery
By: Bob Topp National Director for Shot Doctor Basketball, Inc. Frustration over missed free throws is felt in every gym in the country. Below are a few thoughts on how to minimize it: Pre-shot routine. Do something simple, but understand and apply the two real reasons that coaches promote a pre-shot routine, for relaxation and focus. Players need to assess their own level of arousal that would hinder a smooth shot. Including a big exhale in a pre-shot routine can be the tension … [Read more...]
Leadership Misunderstood
By: Dick DeVenzio With the ACC Tournament beginning in Charlotte on March 9, the Charlotte Observer had extensive coverage and feature articles on ACC basketball players in its March 8 edition. On the front of the sports section that day was a big, colorful photo of North Carolina's point guard, Ed Cota. The story's title was "UNC's Showman," but the subtitle read: "Cota has flash, but some say his act lacks passion." In the article, reporter Gregg Doyle said that some fans would like to … [Read more...]