IS THIS COACHING? My Experience With Distance Learning...So Far

This blog has not seen a new entry in a while. This will be my first post that is not 100% focused on basketball. But I'll tell you what it does have a lot to do with - coaching and teamwork.

The Coronavirus has put just about everything in a holding pattern throughout the world. Scary stuff. Please know that I understand how serious this virus is. What I'm about to write is about how this has impacted my professional life as a teacher, witnessing teamwork, servant leadership, and how much being a coach has helped me personally the past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago the governor of our great state of Minnesota gave us the news that schools will not be in session as they typically would be over the next few weeks. Social distancing is now a very important thing to do. Those few weeks have now been extended for a longer period of time. The school I am fortunate to teach at gave our students a few days off before the start of our spring break. During those few days, our teaching staff had to come up with a plan to make this work. Wait, what? Distance learning? How? Our spring break was then used to continue working on a plan. Planning ahead and working with others for the betterment of others. That's coaching.

With the guidance of our administration, our staff rolled up their sleeves and went to work. There was a plan put in place for everyone; teachers, paraprofessionals, food service, custodians, community education, bus drivers, office staff, and everyone else associated with our school. It was incredible to see everyone pull together with the mindset of "What is best for the children and their families?" guiding us along the way. Leadership, planning, servant leadership, work ethic. That's coaching.

We are fortunate at our school that we have a 1:1 technology initiative for students in grades 3-12. My opinion is that this really helps with distance learning. It helps a lot. That being said, my first "wow!" moment was when I visited with teachers in grades K-2, and they shared with me that their plan was coming into place. They amazed me in how they could make a plan, and put that plan in place without the help of a technology device going home with their students. Incredible! Awesome! Taking the hand you are dealt with and making the most of the situation. How many times have you been short-handed in your coaching career with an injury, illness, being less talented, too small, too big, etc.? Coaching, teamwork, adapting. That's coaching.

I teach third grade in a K-4 building. Third and fourth-grade teachers had to come up with a plan to make distance learning a productive and positive experience for our students with the use of the technology device the students were taking home with them. Throughout our planning, we tried to make sure school work was as close to typical as it would be if we were in our actual school building. Having to do this when you aren't in the same room as your students is not easy. Why? Because it's very different. And it IS different...for now. Keeping school as typical as we can under these circumstances while still being productive is a challenge. But it's a challenge that can be met if we do what is best for everyone. Thinking about this as a basketball coach, I thought about how many times I had conversations with players and/or teams about doing what is best for the team. That entered my mind hundreds of times while planning with other teachers for distance learning. Egos were set aside, and the kids and families came first. As they always should. Servant leadership. That's coaching.

March 30th was the first day of distance learning for us. That day was not as stressful because I had prepared videos for the class that day, and touched base with kids and families via email. Easy enough. But then March 31st happened. That was the first day I was going to have two Zoom meeting sessions with my third-grade class. I had been in a Zoom meeting one time before this. Once! Now I had to organize and run one of these meetings with potentially 24 third-graders? And they were depending on me to know what I was doing? Oh boy. What would I do if I was a coach in this situation? Well, I would have gotten all the information I could. I would have planned and practiced ahead of time. And that's what I did. It worked. Was it perfect? No. But those third-graders figured it out on their end and we made it work. Trusting your students/players. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Show them how and practice the plan. That's coaching.

Parents. Thank goodness for our parents. The parents of my students have been extremely supportive of what we are doing. They have been supporting their own child to make sure they are getting things set up, organized, and that they are on time for Zoom sessions. Receiving a kind email from a parent during these trying times is an energy boost to our teachers that takes us a long way. From what I hear from my coworkers, they say the same. We are all grateful for them. I think the best thing we've done to get this support is communication. Our teachers communicate not just with the students, but also with the parents. Parents have a lot going on with their own personal and professional lives and now they have to help their child with a lot more school work than would be typically asked of them. There is a lesson in this for coaches. As coaches, we don't have to avoid parents. Embrace them. This doesn't mean you have to go out to dinner (when social distancing is over) with them or send them a friend request on Facebook. It doesn't mean a coach has to talk playing time with them either. However, it means communicating with parents and keeping the door open to communicate with them builds trust. It's good for the parent. It's good for the coach. This is coaching in today's world. That trust helps get you the support you need.

I am not so arrogant to believe that what our school is doing is the only way to do this. We will find glitches along the way and then we'll adjust. But I will tell you that the leadership and efforts that went into putting together a plan was AMAZING. This virus has forced us to communicate more as a team. It's forced us to communicate more with parents. It has forced us to communicate more with students. Communication is a big part of coaching.

Lessons can be learned in everything we experience. This virus has forced everyone to do things differently. Maybe we can all become better teachers, better coaches, and better people because of the experiences we have already had with it and will continue to have until we come out on the other side of this virus outbreak.

I wish you all good health during these crazy times.

1-ON-1 FINISHING DRILLS

Below are two 1-on-1 drills that will work on finishing at the basket while the offensive player's shot is being contested. Your players will also work on contesting shots without fouling.                


                  Michigan Finishing Drill

• 1 and 2 both face the basket.
• While still holding the ball, 1 places the ball on 2's back.
• The rep is live when 1 rips the ball off 2's back and attacks the basket.
• 2 tries to defend the basket as 1 tries to finish.

               

                     Handoffs Finishing Drill

• Coach stands between 1 and 2. 1 and 2 are facing the basket.
• Coach starts with the ball. 
• Coach will handoff to either 1 or 2.
• If Coach hands off to 1, 1 is offense and 2 is defense. 
• 1 attacks the hoop while 2 tries to contest and/or block their shot.

YOUR SEASON JUST ENDED. WHAT NOW?

Your team just got beat in the playoffs, and your season just ended. What now? In the first few days that follow the last day of a the season a coach's emotions are still all over the place. Coaches constantly wonder what they could have done differently in that last game that could have helped their season continue. Hindsight is still 20/20, right? As coaches, we typically struggle with the end because we all want to win. We want to advance as far as we can in the playoffs. It's part of our competitive nature that we strive to win, win, win. These emotions will eventually settle, and that is when coaches gain a clearer perspective of the experiences of the season. 

To keep moving forward, after the completion of your season, coaches should consider the following:

1. Keep things in perspective. Whether your team won 30 games, or finished in last place, remember the big picture. 

• How much progress did your team make during the season?
• Did your team follow and live by the core values of your program?
• Did your players enjoy the experience?
• In twenty years do you think your players will say they are glad they were part of this team?

 2. Even though the season has ended your job as a coach has not ended.

• What message/theme do you want to have for your post-season meeting with your team?
• Have your planned your team banquet?
• Will you have exit meetings with each of your players? 
• What kind of off-season opportunities have you planned for your players?
• Workouts
• Strength Training
• Camps
• Leagues and/or tournaments
• What teams do you want to add/delete to next year's schedule?
• Will you be making an changes or additions to your coaching staff?
• Are there any style of play changes you need to make with the personnel you have coming back next season?

BUCKEYE SHOOTING DRILL

Buckeye Shooting works on perimeter shooting, ball handling, and conditioning. 

Line of 1's have a ball. 

Line of 2's start just inside the sideline. 

Line of 3's have a ball and line up along the lane line. 

1 and 2 start at the same time. 1 speed dribbles around the cone. 2 sprints around the cone. Designate that 1 goes closest to the cone and 2 goes over 1 to avoid a collision. 2 will spot up at spot they want to shoot from. When 1 goes around the cone they make a pass to 2. 2 shoots. 1 continues and receives a pass from 3. 1 shoots. Each player gets their own rebound. Players rotate 2-1-3.     

Drill Variation:  Require 1's (ball handlers) to make a dribble attack move during their speed dribble.

2 DRILLS TO HELP FINISHING AT THE BASKET

LOUISVILLE 1-ON-1

1 starts at the elbow while X1 starts right underneath the basket. On coach's call, 1 dribbles around the cone and attempts to get to the basket while X1 sprints to touch the cone. X1 attempts to stop the score.

If 1 scores, they go back to the offense line. If X1 gets a stop, they go to the offense line and 1 goes to the defense line.     

MICHIGAN DRILL

1 and 2 both face the basket.

1 places the ball on 2's back.

1 rips the ball off 2's back and attacks the basket.

When 2 feels the ball leave their back they can start to defend as 1 attempts to finish at the basket.      

   

COACHING VIDEO NOTES: LARRY EUSTACHY "CREATING TOUGHNESS"

The following notes were taken from a coaching video by Larry Eustachy titled "Creating Toughness". The video was made when Eustachy was the head coach at Iowa State.  He is the current coach at Colorado State.

In creating toughness, it starts with the coach.

Eustachy feels that coaches with the label “player’s coach” don’t last long.  Considers himself a demanding coach. Coach needs to be demanding.

Coaches need to have that first day excitement every single day of the season. Your players deserve it.

A coach can be demanding without cursing or raising their voice if it isn’t their way.

You can be demanding, but there has to be some fun/enjoyment so they want to come back.

You can’t ask more of the individual or team than they can give you. Coach has to understand their team and where they are at.

The start of creating toughness...His team prides themselves on being the strongest team in the conference (physical strength). All the weight room time gives your players an edge physically and mentally. Knowing the work they put in, they see results physically, and they believe they are stronger.

Create adversity in practice. Put the players in stressful situations.  You can certainly be complimenting along the way.

Start practice with 5 sprints in 30 seconds.

In practice drills they have no out of bounds.  Gets players in habit of getting after loose balls.

During scrimmage time they use regular out of bounds rules.

95% of coaching is getting players to play hard.

If a player falls down, gets knocked down they must get up within 2 seconds or the team runs. Obviously if they are hurt, stay down.

5-MAN WEAVE
Go up and back two times.  Have two groups and take turn with their reps.

• If you miss the shot on the last time, you do it again
• If you don’t catch the ball with two hands, you do it again
• If the ball hits the floor, you do it again

FULL COURT 4-ON-4 DRILL

• If a team scores at one end, they keep the ball and continue to try and score at that end.
• If defense gains possession they transition to the other end and attempt to score.
• Emphasize things you want to work on. This can change every time you do this drill.
• Whatever you emphasize that day must be done or there will be a consequence.
• If it’s hands high on a closeout that is being emphasized and a player doesn’t do it, then the team runs.
• Any turnover results in running at the end of the drill.  If White team has three turnovers, they run three sprints.
• This drill also works well in 3-on-3.

Some coaches want practice to go smooth.  Smooth is no good. Things going wrong is good. Makes the players and the team tougher.

3-ON-3 BLOCKOUT DRILL

Three lines outside the three point line; one at the top of the key and one on each wing. The first three are defenders, the next three are offense.  Back the three lines back to give the 3-on-3 space to play.  They play 3-on-3.  The defense needs to get three stops in a row to get “out”. If the defense gives up an offensive rebound and still get a stop, it doesn’t count.  Need to get three stops in a row without giving up an offensive rebound. Each possession a new offensive team comes in so the defense is going against fresh players to make it more challenging.

THE MAN DRILL

5-on-5 halfcourt drill. 60 second drill

Offense cannot dribble, must catch with two hands, can’t travel, and no handoffs. Defense tries to prevent the offense from catching the ball.

Each offensive player keeps track of how many catches they had in 60 seconds. Then switch offense and defense.  New defensive players guard the player that guarded them.  At the end of this 60 seconds determine which player had the least number of catches. That player loses and has a consequence. If they tie, shoot a 3 to determine the winner.

Don’t take the fun out of it.  Be demanding. The players will know if you genuinely care about them. They will buy in if they know you care.

JAGUAR 4-ON-4 DRILL

Jaguar 4-on-4 can give you both an offensive and defensive focus for your players. On offense you can have your team work on specific cuts, screens, or reads against pressure defense.  This drill also forces your players to offensive players to be strong with the ball, and execute great pivots.  On defense you can specify certain parts of your defense you need work on (stance, seeing both player and ball, jumping to the ball on the pass, etc).  

In Jaguar 4-on-4, the offense cannot dribble, but they are looking to score while the defense attempts to get stops. 

Each team gets 90 seconds to play offense. Most points, wins. You can add as many rounds as you like for the drill.  Each team gets to play offense and defense the same number of times.

SCORING FOR OFFENSE:

made baskets = 2's and 3's

1 point for each complete pass

SCORING FOR DEFENSE:

2 points for a forced turnover

1 point for every touch of the ball. Even if the offensive player continues to gain possession of the ball and the defensive player touches the ball, it is a point for the defense.

DRILL VARIATIONS:

Give the offense 1 or 2 dribbles each time the catch the ball.     

TWENTY SHOOTING DRILL

I'm always looking for different ways to incorporate shooting into my practices. I typically try to use drills that are as game-like as possible. But, there are occasions when I am looking to work on getting more shots up so our players can work on technique, confidence, shooting under pressure, or just getting some reps. 

The 20 SHOOTING DRILL will get your players a lot of shots with some pressure added.  

• Put three players at each basket with one basketball. 
• Players are competing against the other players at their basket.
• First player to 20 points, wins. 
• Each player keeps their own score, and calls out their score after each make.
• Shot made inside the three point line = 1 point
• Shot made beyond the three point line = 2 points.
• All shots must be 15 feet and beyond.
• Player shoots until they miss and when they miss a new shooter comes in. Shooter cannot shoot from the same spot two shots in a row.     

You can add other variations to this drill like:

• Have players shoot from specific spots on the floor.
• Put a time limit on the drill and when time expires, the player with the most points, wins.
• Add a second ball to increase the number of shots
• Give a bonus point for making five shots in a row

TEAM 1-ON-1 DRILL

This is a very competitive defensive drill that focuses on closeouts, on the ball defense, offensive skill, and it is all done with some peer pressure. The scoring is as follows:  Defense gets 1 point per clean stop. A clean stop = preventing the offense from scoring while not giving up an offensive rebound. At the end of the drill (9 minutes) the team with the most clean stops, wins. 

To make the drill more game-like you can limit the number of dribbles the offense can take.  I like to limit the offense to 3 dribbles.

Divide players into 2 separate teams This is a 9 minute drill. Coach passes to the offensive player. The defender must closeout and defend the ball. They play 1-on-1. After one rep, the next offensive and defensive player jump in quickly to get their rep. Repeat. After 1 minute 30 seconds switch offense and defense and repeat.

Repeat the same from the top of the key. Each team gets 1 minute 30 seconds on offense and defense. Keep track of points (1 point per clean stop).  

   

Repeat the same from the top of the key. Each team gets 1 minute 30 seconds on offense and defense. Keep track of points (1 point per clean stop).

DRILL VARIATIONS

*The team that wins 2 of the 3 spots on the floor, wins the drill. 

*Switch spots on the floor to perform the drill. 

PREPARE YOUR TEAM FOR THESE 20 LATE GAME SITUATIONS

I have put together a list of late game situations that coaches need to prepare their team for.  You may not even encounter some of these situations during the season, but don't get caught off guard, and prepare for them. These are situations that as a coach you need to think about so you at least know what your choices will be if you are faced with them.

1. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Dead Ball. Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
2. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Dead Ball. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
3. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Clock is running.  Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
4. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Clock is running. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
5. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near half court. Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
6. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near half court. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
7. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near free throw line extended or lower.  Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
8. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near free throw line extended or lower. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
9. You are behind 2 or 3 points with a few seconds left and your player is at the free throw line with one shot. 
10. Tie game with one minute left to play. Your team has the ball.  When do you attempt to score?
1. Do you hold the ball for one shot?
2. Do you take the first available shot?
11. Tie game. Your team has the ball with 10 seconds to play. No timeouts. What do you want your team to run?  Do you want them to attack the rim? Get the ball inside? Run a specific set play? Who do you want to take the shot?
12. You are down 3. Opponent has the ball with 10 seconds left.  Do you foul or play it out?
13. You are down 3. Opponent has the ball with 4 seconds left. Do you foul or play it out?
14. You are down 3 and on defense. If you decide to not foul on a big possession late in the game, how will your team defend ball screens?
15. Your team is on defense. You are behind by 1 point with 30 seconds left in the game.  The offensive team is in the bonus. When, if at all, do you foul?
16. You are ahead by 2 with 10 seconds left in the game.  You are on defense.  Offense will take the ball out baseline OB and has to go the length of the court. Offense is in the bonus. How do you defend them? 
1. Do you apply a full court press?  If so, what type?
2. If you don't apply full court pressure, where do you start defending the ball?
17. You are on defense.  Your team is ahead by 4 points with 20 seconds to go.  You have two fouls to give.  Do you have your team commit non-shooting fouls?
18. You are down 10 points with three minutes to go in the game. At what point to you start fouling and put the other team on the free throw line?
19. You are ahead in a one possession game (1, 2, or 3 points). Your team is on defense. The opposing team calls a timeout with 8 seconds to play.  You've played zone defense the entire game.  Do you play man-to-man on this last possession if it is something you have in your team's arsenal?
20. Do you have a delay game on offense when you are attempting to secure a lead late in games? If so, when do you start using it?

CATCH & ATTACK 1-ON-1

SETTING UP THE DRILL

Form two lines along the baseline; one offense, one defense. The offense line is along the sideline. Place two cones near the half court line with the cone for the offense being a shorter distance than the defense.

EXECUTING THE DRILL

Coach has the ball. When Coach yells "Go!" Player 1 and x1 sprint around their respective cones. When 1 (offense) gets around their cone Coach throws them the ball and they attack the basket attempting to score while x1 tries to stop the score. Players rotate lines when rep is completed.

SCORING: 1 point per basket made. First player to 3 points, wins. Can also give points for stops. First player to get 3 stops, wins.

VARIATION: Divide the players into two teams. Give each player on each team three chances to play offense. Team with most points wins.     

HORNS SET FROM NEW ZEALAND 2013 OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIP

The following is a Horns set that New Zealand ran in the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship For Women.

Diagram A

Diagram B

Diagram A
1 passes to 4.
1 sprints and screens for 2.
2 cuts up the three point line.
5 sets a ball screen for 4.












Diagram B
4 uses the ball screen and is looking to either get their own shot or hit 5 on a roll to the basket.

Diagram C

Diagram C
If 5 is not open, 4 will pass back to 2.
2's first option is to get their shot. If not they look for 5 sealing their defender in the post.

3 STEPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY COACHING

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU DO

Step 1: Surround yourself with good people.

Step 2: Serve others.

Step 3: Repeat.

4-ON-4 TALK & STOP DRILL

The 4-on-4 Talk & Stop Drill forces your players to work on communication, defensive positioning, closeouts, and executing your defensive philosophy.

SETTING UP THE DRILL
Four offensive players align outside the three-point line.  Four defenders line up in a vertical line inside the lane area.  Coach starts with a ball under the basket area.







EXECUTING THE DRILL
The coach calls out the name of one of the defenders and passes the ball to one of the offensive players.  The player whose name was called will closeout on the the ball, while the other three defenders match up with the other three offensive players.  On the flight of the ball the three defenders must communicate, call out the name of the person they are defending, while getting to the proper defensive position based on where the ball was thrown.

They play out the possession until the offense scores or the defense gains possession of the ball.

SCORING THE DRILL
+2 for the defense if they get a *clean stop.
+5 for the defense if they take a charge
+1 for the offense if they draw a foul or for any made shot
+1 for the offense for all offensive rebounds

*A clean stop for the defense is when they prevent the offense from scoring without giving up an offensive rebound.

THE IMPORTANCE OF "GLUE" PLAYERS

Glue players are needed.  They are vital to a team's success.  They contribute things to your team that don't always show up in a box score; things that can't always be measured with a stat. 

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF A GLUE PLAYER

• Sprints the court in transition
• They might night receive a pass in transition, but the fact they sprint could draw a defender to them and open up a teammate for a score
• Talks on the court
• Call out screens on defense
• Makes sure the team is in the correct offense or defense
• Makes sure the team is matched up on defense
• Motivates their teammates
• Dives for loose balls
• This can be contagious 
• Forces the person they are defending to give extra effort just to get open
• This tests the will of the person they are guarding.
• Makes the extra pass on offense
• Pass up a good shot for a great shot
• Forces the defense to work extra hard
• Follows the game plan.
• They understand the game plan.  
• They execute the game plan. 
• Takes care of the ball on offense
• They aren't careless with the ball.  They are poised with the ball in their hands.
• Genuinely cares for their team
• Speaks positively of their team, teammates, and coaches
• Represents their team to the best of their ability on and off the court
• Serves others

SUCCESSFUL TEAMS NEED GLUE PLAYERS

Any player can be a glue player.  I think some coaches see glue players as players on their roster who maybe aren't the most talented.  This can be the case, however your most skilled players can be glue players as well. If your most talented players are glue players then chances are your team has a great chance to reach its full potential.

The average fan sitting in the stands watching a game might wonder why certain players are getting so many minutes if they aren't scoring, rebounding, or filling other stat columns.  Most likely those are glue type players they are wondering about.  In a team sport like basketball we have to remember that we don't always play our five best, we play our best five. Your best five are the five players that play best together.  Many times a glue player or two are part of that best five.

CELEBRATE YOUR GLUE PLAYERS

I encourage coaches to celebrate their glue players.  In a film session point out an example of a player running the court in transition, setting a great screen, or making the extra pass. Stop play on the practice court to point out an action of a player that makes them a glue type player.  While in a huddle during a timeout you can let your team know how important a dive on the floor for a loose ball was for your team because it gave you an extra possession.  While talking to the media you can highlight players that do these glue player type things that are keys to your team's success.  Your glue players need to be celebrated so let them know how important they are to the team.  

REMEMBER:  Not all of the players on your roster are going to have the same skill, BUT they can all be glue players.  

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

I'd enjoy hearing from other coaches on how they celebrate glue type players.  If you have suggestions, please share with me.  You can reach me by email at dietelgreg@gmail.com

BASELINE OB PLAY FOR A SHOT IN THE POST

1 sets a cross screen for 5.
5 cuts to the opposite side of the rim, looking for a pass from 3.
2 cuts to an opening near the top of the key to give 3 a passing angle.

Immediately after setting the screen for 5, 1 sets a screen for 4.
4 cuts toward the lane area looking to receive a pass from 3.
1 then pops out to the three point line.
5 continues to pin their defender looking for a pass from 3.

BEING A PARENT, A COACH, AND THE INFAMOUS 20 MINUTE RULE

This article was posted here back in 2012.  Recent discussions with coaches, parents, and coaches who are parents led me to reposting it today.  Enjoy.

Coaches and parents will want to read this.

Basketball coaches learn from each other all the time.  We share information, borrow some, and are always watching and picking up tidbits wherever they can.  One of the most important pieces of advice I learned in my 20+ years of coaching didn't come from my past experiences as an athlete, or a coaching clinic, or a coaching colleague, or even a coaching DVD.  This piece of valuable advice was given to me from my wife.

This information is for all coaches.  As a coach we interact with the parents of our players.  BUT if you are a coach and a parent this is especially for you.

I am a basketball coach.  And like most basketball coaches it is difficult for me to watch any basketball game for pure entertainment purposes.  It doesn't matter if a coach is watching game 7 of the NBA finals on television or the first game of a fifth grade league at the YMCA, we seem to analyze the game we are watching as a coach.  This is not a bad thing because it is a part of who we are and how we are wired.

Add your own children to the mix and you have a tough balancing act.

I have been fortunate to say that I have been able to watch my own children participate in sports, including basketball, for many years.  I'm no different than the next parent as I get nervous for my child as they play because I want them to perform well and feel good about themselves.  But I also watch the game with a coach's mentality (after all it IS what I do).   And who do parents watch more closely during games? That's right, their own kid.  Again, I am no different than other parents.

After a game was finished my wife and I would wait with the other parents for our children to come over and visit with us after their coach was done talking to them.  We always greet them with a hug and a "good job".  But then my coaching personality kicked in and I would start rehashing the game with them.  I wasn't necessarily judging how well they played, but I would talk to them as if they were one of the players on my own team.  I would ask them questions about a particular possession, or an adjustment the team made, or even what their thought process might have been during a certain play.  I thought I was just talking to my kids and connecting with them about something they also have a passion for. I later learned that this is not what my children thought I was doing.

ENTER THE 20 MINUTE RULE...My wife is smart.  She could see that our kids weren't always interested in rehashing things immediately after the game was completed.  Her exact words were, "They don't need a coach right now, they need their dad."  And she was right.  I felt I was able to add insight to our kids because I am a coach.  This may be true, but it wasn't what the kids needed at that time.  So, she introduced the "20 Minute Rule" to our family.  The 20 Minute Rule means that when we meet up with our children after one of their games we don't talk about specific parts of the game for twenty minutes.  We don't have a stopwatch that counts down the minutes until I can ask my first question (that would look a bit funny).  I started to take those first few minutes with the kids after games and continued to give them a hug and tell them "good job", but it also gave them a chance to initiate the conversations we were to have after the games.  And once the twenty minute rule was over the discussions about the game were less coach-player orientated, and more dad-child orientated.  We still discuss the games but after the 20 Minute Rule these discussions started later at home, not in the gym immediately following a game. Also, it allowed my words of, "I really enjoyed watching you play," mean more to my children when it wasn't followed by questions about the game.

Because coaching is a big part of my life, and my kids are active in athletics, the 20 Minute Rule is one of the best pieces of advice I have been given.  It's shown me how to be a parent of an athlete in a way that makes the overall experience better for my children. Thanks to my wife.

FREE THROW SHOOTING DRILL THAT ADDS GAME-LIKE PRESSURE: 1-AND-1 STREAKS

1-and-1 Streaks is a free throw shooting drill that you can use with your entire team.  This drill gives players some added pressure to make it more game-like.

Split the team up into smaller groups at each basket.  It is not necessary to have an equal number of players at each basket.  Let your team know how many minutes they will be shooting free throws. The goal is to have the most successful 1-and-1 streaks, as a group, by the end of the drill.  

For explaining purposes let's say that there are three players at a basket (Player A, Player B, and Player C).  Each time a player gets their chance to shoot, they shoot a 1-and -1 free throw situation.

Player A steps to the free throw line to shoot a 1-and-1.  If they miss the first attempt they don't get to shoot the second free throw (just like a game).  Then Player B gets their turn to shoot.  If Player B makes the first and misses the second free throw this group still does not have a successful 1-and-1.  You have to make the first and second shot to count it as part of a streak.

If Player C makes the first and then the second free throw the group now has a streak of one.  Now Player A shoots again.  If Player A makes both the first and the second free throw their group has a streak of two.  Now it's Player B's turn again, and if they do not make the first and second free throw, the group is now back at zero.

The group that has the most consecutive successful 1-and-1's at the end of the drill, wins the drill.

This is an effective drill because it can add some focus to practicing free throws in a practice setting. The players at each basket are counting on each other and this can make shooting free throws more game-like.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR COACHES

This is a list of a few of the books I took the time to read so far this summer that I feel can help us as coaches. Happy reading!

Toughness by Jay Bilas
I recommend you put this at the top of your reading list. You want a tough team, this is the book that can help you start implementing strategies to use with your players/team. Bilas shares his own thoughts along with other people, from a variety of professional backgrounds, to share their thoughts on toughness.

The Golden Whistle by Jim Burson
Coach Burson uses a story of an up and coming coach to share his thoughts on how a coach can be successful.  He shares his own experiences from a variety of situations that can help coaches make a positive impact on their team on and off the basketball court.  Coach Burson has put this book into a format that makes it easy to read, and easy for coaches to apply strategies with their own team.

The Politics of Coaching by Carl Pierson
This is the actually the second time I've read Coach Pierson's book. And it will not be my last.  His book is a must read for younger coaches, but is equally as beneficial for veteran coaches.  Pierson provides so many helpful hints that will give coaches a great opportunity for longevity in the coaching profession. I have given this book to new coaches coming into our program.

The Hard Hat: 21 Ways To Be A Great Teammate by Jon Gordon
I'm a big fan of all of Jon Gordon's books, but this one blew me away.  This is what I call a Wow! book.  It will make an impact on you not only as a coach, but as a person.  This is Gordon's first "true story" as it is written about about a former Cornell lacrosse player named George.  So many valuable lessons for coaches, players, and people in general in this book.  It's a quick read, but it is one that you will no doubt refer back to many times.

Leadership Lessons Of Abraham Lincoln edited by Meg Distini
This book is full of quotes and thoughts from Abraham Lincoln.  The author does a nice job of organizing them into different topics such as discipline, communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and determination.  This is a book you can pick up and read for a few minutes at a time and pick up some valuable gems to get you to think.

A PLAY FOR 3 OR BALL SCREEN ACTION

The following is a play that Latvia ran vs Serbia in the U18 European Championship.

The first diagram shows the point guard passing to 4 on the wing.  2 clears out to the opposite corner.  3 starts to move towards 4.  5 steps up.

In the second diagram 4 passes to 5.  5 immediately reverses the ball to 2.  As soon as 4 passed the ball 3 sets a screen for 4.  4 cuts to the ball side block.  If 4 is open 2 will pass them the ball.

In the third diagram 5 sets a screen for 3 to complete screen the screener action.  3 will first look for the shot on the catch.

If 3 does not get a catch and shoot off the screen, then 5 will come back to set a ball screen for 3.  3 attempts to turn the corner off the screen.  1 will also slide to the open area to give 3 a passing angle.