Three Simple Steps to Success for Young Coaches

Starting a basketball coaching career can be an intimidating experience. A game that once was thought to be easy as a player becomes much more difficult from the bench. Three simple but imperative steps can be followed by any rookie hoop coach to get off to a good start in coaching.

The learning curve is very sharp for the first time basketball coach. The inclination is to give the players a lot of drills and information, thinking they can handle it. In time though, your players will be confused and you may be a basket case. These three key steps apply not only to the roookie coach but the seasoned coach also.

1. Teach only what you know. If your are not able to teach a concept in basketball, don't consider it until you have mastered it. Some coaches think that coaching is making kids go through drills and yell directions at them. That is not teaching, that is not having a clue. Remember, the best coaches are the best teachers. The best coaches also present basketball as an easy game and one that all players can grasp from an individual and team standpoint. The best way to minimize a player's play is to confuse them.

2. Keep the game simple for the players. It doesn't basketball how much you know as a coach but it does matter how much the players know and UNDERSTAND. Players must first know what to execute before they can actually perform on the floor. Good coaches explain why certain skills and drills are used and make up the team's style of play.

3. Be on a constant search for information from other coaches, go to clinics, read and find things on the internet. You can be the best coach that you want to be! As the saying goes, "When you are done learning, you are done." Growing as a coach depends on a constant desire to improve and analyze your own coaching. Some coaches get set in their ways and style of play after a few years. A growing coach will always look to tweak, refine, and adjust his or her coaching to maximize their effectiveness as a coach.

In my extensive college coaching career I can say that the best coaches I've every seen are the coaches that teach a simple game. Clarity is the goal for players and coaches and cannot be understated. Less is more when it comes to effective coaching and is the ultimate challenge of all basketball coaches.

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year basketball Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA appearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com.

Winning on the Perimeter

It was a fall afternoon, as I arrived to town for my very first coaching interview. I was three years removed from high school, had spent endless hours dissecting offensive and defensive strategy involved in the game, and had worked a few summers for a popular northwest basketball camp. In my narrow mind, I was basketball to take on a head coaching position. I walked into the school dressed basketball confidence but nervous for the unknown to be met by the school secretary. I told her I was there for a mid-afternoon meeting with Mr. Dixon the school's principal an avid basketball fan. I was familiar with Mr. Dixon for earlier that summer I had been approached by members of the community to put on a mini-basketball camp for the towns kids.

The interview was not like I had rehearsed in my mind. I didn't field any questions regarding my offensive and defensive strategy, failed to hear any inquiry regarding past coaching experience, but was simply asked if I was serious about the position? Would I be willing to move to the area? What would I do with a group of young men who had very little talent, but a lot of heart and only 4 years to find success?

It was November before my travels brought me to town again, this time as the head varsity boys basketball coach for a little Oregon 1A team who was picked at the bottom of the High Desert League. The scramble to find an offense that fit a team made up of 4 local boys (only one over 6 feet tall) and 3 foreign exchange students covering the globe from the equator to the south pole, had begun. It was clear from the cast we were going to have to win the perimeter in order to have a chance against the league elite. Thus, I sat out to modify and develop a 4 out motion set, guided by the underpinnings of a 5 out motion alignment. What evolved out of such an eclectic mixture would later be known as my 'Sting Attack'; a 5 out motion game influenced by Duke's 4 man game blended with the legendary Bobby Knight's fundamental approach to basketball.

It wasn't long before the 'Sting Attack' was helping an undermanned, under sized, and under talented group of boys win the perimeter. Using sound principals and skillful fundamental development, a series of screening actions and rapid meaningful cuts where blazing holes through our opponents defense. I had introduced my 'Sting Attack' four and five man motion offenses the first week of practice and we were winning games by Christmas break-taking two of three from the league's top tier. Two years later my group of undermanned, undersized, heard working boys found themselves winning on the perimeter and battling for a district playoff birth.

That summer I received a phone call from a local administrator who was looking for a basketball coach. This time I would be asked about my offensive philosophy for winning was a tradition at this school; I presented my fundamentally charged hybrid 'Sting Attack' and promised the hiring committee this four out motion would be the backbone of success if they hired me. Later that week I received a phone call with a job offer and eventually went on to win the perimeter battle with the 'sting attack' and for months in the '04 season had the number one 2A men's team in the state. Not bad for a little coach who wished only to develop a system that would give any team with any talent an opportunity to win.

To purchase a copy of Coach Mac's 'Sting Attack' offense visit http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

For more from Coach McKinnis on the game of basketball http://www.squidoo.com/High-School-Basketball-Offenses

Mistakes Most Basketball Players Make With Vertical Jump Programs

Unlike track and field athletes most basketball players lack the all-round knowledge needed to successfully increase their athleticism. This is understandable, as a vertical basketball basketball only makes up a small component of a basketball players training. Team training sessions, games, individual training sessions and pickup games with buddies tend to take up the majority of the time. Vertical jump programs are usually looked at as quick fixes to athletic success. Most basketball players therefore think that plyometrics alone are enough to increase their vertical leaping ability.

As any Track and Fields athlete could state, becoming an athlete takes a lot more than 3 plyometric sessions a week. The problem with all vertical jump programs is that they are only a small component of what it takes to increase vertical jumping ability. The exercises by themselves are normally well described, and would be very effective if used under the right conditions. Unfortunately most players start Air Alert or other programs in the middle of the season, which is the worst time possible!

Overtraining

If your body has to cope with 2-3 team training sessions, 1-2 games, weight training sessions and of course numerous pickup games on a weekly basis there is no way it can cope with the additional stresses of a vertical jump program. Not even an NBA player's body could cope with all that!

Timing your training sessions

The only way the human body can make athletic advancements is through rest. There is therefore no point in putting it under more stress until it has fully recovered, and even overcompensated to deal with its new circumstances. That is the point at which you have gained strength, and that's the exact point at which it should be hit with another training session. Not before and not after!

For weight training sessions the resting time of a muscle is 48 hours. The same goes for someone who is new to plyometrics. That is 48 hours of no jumping at all, especially not during pickup games. Over time the body can recover quicker, and is ready to absorb 4 plyometric sessions a week.

The bigger picture

As mentioned though plyometrics alone won't result in that dream vertical jump. Effective weight training, and sprint training sessions along with a quality diet are also vital components. Weight training should be split into at least two upper body and one lower body sessions per week.

Incorporating an extensive program into your daily routine

So, now most will probably be thinking how on earth should I fit that lot into my schedule? It's simple, use the off-season. That's when most pro's bunker down with their athletics coaches. It's Tim Grover's (Look the name up if you don't know who he is) busiest time of the year.

So to anyone who's thinking about Air Alert: summer is still months away, put the booklet aside and focus on closing out the season as strong as possible. And when April comes around I recommend you consult an athletics coach, and have them put together a personal program for you. Not a basketball coach, they often think they are experts on this topic, but unfortunately most aren't. Also ask them how you can increase your body's recovery time. Diet and quality sleep are the key, also during the season!

If you are looking for a pre-tailored vertical jump program I have posted one on sportgorilla.com:

http://www.sportgorilla.com/plyometrics.php

Note that for you as an individual some adjustments might need to be made. A lot also depends on how much time you have available for your vertical jump training. Even if my program suits you down to the ground you can only benefit from a consultation session with an athletic coach!

Looking for more quality coaching articles for Basketball and other sports? Then try SportGorilla.com!

http://www.sportgorilla.com