Monthly Archives: August 2011

Good Coaching Philosophy

Be yourself-Whatever your style, be agreeable, without compromising your principles.

Your teaching style-Coaching basketball is teaching… teaching not only fundamentals, how to play the game, and team skills, etc., but also life skills. Be well-prepared for practices and games.

Be organized-You are the leader and must be organized. A disorganized coach imparts this disorganization and a sub-standard approach to the entire program.

Be open, learn from others-All great coaches have learned what they know from other coaches and players. Don’t take the attitude that you have all the answers and are the greatest coach to ever walk the earth. Be humble and eager to learn from others.

Impact young people-You are not their parent, but you are in a position to be a real positive, important person in the lives of each of your players… never lose sight of this. Teach by your example and how you treat others.

Develop priorities… spiritual > family > school > basketball. The coach-player relationship is a vital cornerstone to successful coaching.

Communicate– with your players as a group and one-on-one, and maintain an “open door” policy. Before the season starts, meet with each player individually about goals, expectations, etc. Have occasional team meetings to discuss “issues”.

About yelling at players… you never want to embarrass a player during a game in front of his parents, friends, the fans, etc. Games are for players. In practice, behind closed doors, it is your classroom.

Set rules and maintain discipline-But don’t have too many rules that you will later regret. Kids will violate the rules…

Flexibility is key here. Some years, you may have race horses and you can use the running game. Other years, you may have mules and bulls and will find the slower paced, inside power game better.

Prepare your team-Preparing your team for a game is more important than any courtside game-coaching “wizardry”.

Foster a great work ethic-Once they lace up their shoes and walk onto the court, all of the day’s problems and issues are put aside, and each player must focus on the job at hand.

Team concept-The coach must instill the concept of “team”, rather than the individual

Belief in the system-You must get everyone onboard and believe in your system and your style of basketball. Players and assistants must be totally dedicated and believe in what they are doing. Instruct, explain, diagram what you are trying to do

Goals-Set goals for your team, your program, and your individual players. Having fun should be right at the top of the list.

One Possession by Jeff Smith

It was only one possession! Why must my coach scream?
My poor defense permitted the basket, but what can one hoop mean?
As the pass comes my direction, and I fumble it in the stands,
The coach’s voice rings loud and clear, “Catch with your eyes and hands!”

C’mon coach, it’s a single possession, our team will be okay,
It’s just the first two minutes, my gosh, we’ve got all day.
At the 2nd quarter mark, I remember, that the center is strong and stout,
A put back for two, quite simply due, to my failure to turn and block out.
But it was only one possession, I didn’t commit a crime,
My team is ahead and I’m playing well, and there’s still plenty of time!
As the halftime buzzer is sounding, and I watch the ball bank in,
I know I will hear from my loving coach, of my questionable effort to defend.

But, it was only one possession. Coach – don’t have a heart attack!
We are down by one, but we are having fun, and I know we’ll get the lead back!
The second half mirrors the first, but it’s early; it’s not a big deal
That my failure to use a pass fake results in an unlikely steal.
But quickly I sink a jumper, I’m greeted by high fives and slaps,
But the next possession I give up a lay-up, while suffering a mental lapse.
But it’s only one possession, C’mon coach, chill out,
It’s crazy to you see you disgusted, as you slap the assistant and shout.

Victory favors the team making the fewest mistakes.  Single possessions are the key.
So treat them like gold and do as you’re told. And, play with intensity.”
I step to the line for one and one, but I’m having a concentration lapse.
The ball soars through the air – Good Lord, it’s a brick!  And I’m afraid the support will collapse.
In post game I sit at my locker, pondering what more I could do
I realize the value of each possession, what a shame we lost by two!

DO NOT QUIT!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

When you want to smile but you have to sigh,

When life is pressing you down a bit –

Rest if you must, but don’t dare quit.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver lining in clouds of doubt,

You can never tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far.

So stick it out when you’re hardest hit,

It’s when things seem worse that you must not quit.