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References: Bruce Brown, Proactive Coaching and Jack Bennett, Former Men's Head Basketball Coach University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
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“Do Simple Better.” -Joe Maddon, Manager Chicago Cubs
“No matter the level, It’s all about basic. There’s no magic bullet. Even in the NBA, especially in the NBA, it’s all about fundamentals”. -Gregg Popovich, Head Coach San Antonio Spurs “More NBA players need to work on the same things 4th graders are”. -Erik Spoelstra, Head Coach Miami Heat “Kobe, you are the best player in the world. Why would you spend two hours on some of the most fundamental drills in the game and do them over and over again?” Kobe’s answer: “Why do you think I am the best player in the world?” -Alan Stein after observing a Kobe Bryant workout. Before becoming advanced, elite, or select, we should master the basics. Fundamentals that are quickly executed in the correct manner with attention to detail. Do the simple things better than anyone else and you’ll develop the ability to be competitive and creative. Before working on dribble combinations, hip swivels and floats, etc., I’d get great at the following: 1. The ability to go full speed with your off hand and finish. 2. Changing speeds. 3. Get great at one change of direction, either cross over or between the legs. We prefer between the legs. You are balanced, the ball is well protected, and you can still go by people. 4. Never fight pressure, be able to back the ball up and create space, get a new angle and attack. Do you have a plan to master the above? I’d start building a ball handling program with one and two ball stationary drills. The younger the player the more time you need to spend on these drills. Constantly work to develop the ability to pound and become ball quick. Once you can do a drill ten times in a row, start to take thirty second timings. How quick can you cross the ball over? Get it between your legs? Behind the back? Stationary drills are crucial in building a base that allows you to start moving with the basketball. I’ve always liked this teaching sequence I got from John Miller, the highly successful coach from Blackhawk High School in Pennsylvania. The offensive skills program he developed led to Blackhawk winning multiple state championships. He would teach a dribble move stationary first, then add one step, then attack on the move. He’d teach inside out by doing it stationary, first teaching players to circle the ball in the correct manner. He’d then add one step, teaching players to step hard with their left foot, selling left as they circled the ball with their right hand. This allowed players to develop a great feel for the timing of the move. He would then have players work full speed for example, executing the commando drill for thirty seconds. To become advanced, elite, or select-master the basics first. Do simple better. Written by Forrest Larson, Take it to the Rim. We believe that it is extremely important to have a youth program philosophy in order to have sound principles that help guide your decision making processes. This can be done or shaped by your program’s head coach or a collaboration between the head coach and your youth association. As the Bennett coaching family from Wisconsin would say in regards to program philosophy, “Firm in principle but flexible in approach.” Additionally, we recommend no more than three to five core values that shape this philosophy. Below is a sample of a youth association philosophy whose four core values or principles were to develop a work ethic, skill development, compete as a team, and have fun.
To parents: We wanted to thank you for supporting our basketball program and entrusting your child in our youth program. The purpose of this letter is to illustrate our program’s values and philosophy. We hope with your help and support this will make your child’s experience and our program a more positive and successful one. Research has shown students perceive success in two very different ways called “task” and “ego” involved. These two ways influence the way they behave, think, and feel in an achievement setting such as basketball. In our program we do not think of success in terms of winning. Indeed winning is a strong motivating and important factor, however long-term athletic development and performance in successful students is more likely to occur when students evaluate themselves on things they can control rather then winning or losing a contest. These students are task involved. Task involved students feel successful when they gain skill and knowledge, try hard, perform to the best of their abilities, experience personal improvement, and are focused on what they are doing at the moment. They primarily think about how to accomplish or get better at a task. If they achieve this level of focus and purpose, they feel confident and successful. Task involved students want to win and may be fiercely competitive. On the other end ego involved students tend to be preoccupied with adequacy of abilities compared to others (ratings) and outcome of contests. Success is winning. If this can be achieved with less preparation or effort compared to an opponent, so much the better. These behaviors of ego involved students tend to lead to high anxiety, poor training habits, and loss of interest in sport. By emphasizing outcomes and winning less mature or physically developed students during late childhood may struggle to compete against their bigger, quicker peers and may choose to drop out of sport prematurely because success is defined by winning. In our program and with your help we will emphasize having fun, the importance of a strong work ethic, skill development/improvement, and competing as a team (task involved). Students and programs that view success with these values tend to have higher self-esteem and improved athletic performance. Drop out rates are much less as well. We hope you can support our philosophy and look forward to sharing a great basketball season with you. Yours in Hoops, |
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