SHOW YOUR TEAM THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING LOW AND ATHLETIC

Low man (woman) wins!  This statement has been used by coaches for many years on basketball courts.  We all know the importance of our players being in an athletic stance while they are on the court.  Wide base, knees bent, backside down, back straight, head up.  Being low helps players remain in an athletic position, and gives them the best chance to be quicker and stronger.   

As a coach it is important not only to remind your players of this, but you also need to show them. The following is a very basic, almost elementary, visual you can give your players that will show them the importance of staying low and athletic.

Here's how...

Choose one player to stand out in front of the team.  Ask that player to stand with their feet slightly less than shoulder width apart, and keep their knees straight.  Now tell that player that you want them to hold their ground while you push them at their shoulder. What will happen is that the player will be unable to hold their ground and they will lose their balance.  Repeat this twice so the players can see the player lose their balance both times.

Next, have the player get in a low athletic stance.  Feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart, knees bent, and backside down.  Let the player know that you are once again going to be giving them a push with the same force as before at their shoulder,  and that you want them to hold their ground.  You will notice that the player will not lose their balance. They will remain strong and in place.  Push even harder and the player will do a better job of keeping their low position and balance.

To finish this visual have your players partner up and go through it together.  This way every player on your team gets a chance to actually feel the importance of staying low and athletic.

This activity might only take you three minutes, but it could be an extremely valuable three minutes as your players get a visual as to why it is important to stay in a low and athletic position on the basketball court.