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.
Showing posts with label Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Development. Show all posts
Friday, August 7, 2015
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
COACHES: WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS OFF-SEASON TO GET BETTER?
Coaches provide their players with multiple opportunities throughout the off-season to help them improve as basketball players. Coaches need to do the same to improve at their craft. We owe it to our players and our program to continue to learn and grow as coaches. Here are 14 ideas that might help you continue to grow as a coach. Nothing real groundbreaking here, but hopefully something will ignite a spark or thought that will help.
1. Attend coaching clinics.Some valuable information can be learned. Clinics are also great for networking and sharing ideas with other coaches attending the clinic.
2. Get together with coaches in your area to have roundtable discussions. Share thoughts and ideas. I have taken part and even organized roundtables and found them extremely valuable.
3. Contact college coaches and set up a time to visit with them. Most are willing to do so when their time allows. I would encourage you to have specific topics or questions ready for the college coaches ahead of time.
4. Work basketball camps. Not only is this a chance to work with players other than your own you will get a chance to observe other coaches work.
5. Coach a travel or club team. Working with kids outside your program can be refreshing. Or coach a youth team in your own program.
6. Watch game film of your last season. Focus in on what hurt your team in your losses, and what helped during your victories. Make note of these and figure out what needs to be a focus for your team as you continue throughout the off-season and prepare for next season.
7. Watch games. Attend AAU or summer league games and write down your observations. What did you like? What did you dislike? What could you use with your own team or program?
8. Watch games on TV or online. You can catch some FIBA games online during the summer. I like to DVR college games throughout the winter and then watch them over the summer with more of a coach's eye. Have your notepad ready when you watch them and take notes.
9. Read as much as you can that can help you as a coach. As you read each book, take notes on them. Coaching books have so much information in them that some things can get lost in your memory. Writing down, or highlighting, tidbits you find important will be helpful in your recalling of this information.
10. Use the internet. There are many great websites and blogs on the internet that focus on coaching basketball, the game of basketball, and coaching.
11. Learn something new about offense, defense, and philosophy. Put a list together of what it is you'd like to learn more about, then find the information needed to learn. Take action.
12. Organize your own files. If you're like me, you have a ton of files stored away in a file cabinet, on a shelf, or the computer. Take time re-organize them all so that you can be more efficient when looking for this information in the future. You might even find something you forgot you had and decide it is something you can apply to your team this upcoming season.
13. Breakdown the toughest teams in your conference, section, or in the state. What makes them so good? What do you have to do to beat them? Start formulating a plan now. Don't wait until you only get two days to prepare for them during the actual season.
14. Relax. Take some time for yourself. Connect with family and friends that you don't get to see as much during your season. Coaches run 100 mph during the season, so don't forget to take a little time for yourself when you have the opportunity to do so.
1. Attend coaching clinics.Some valuable information can be learned. Clinics are also great for networking and sharing ideas with other coaches attending the clinic.
2. Get together with coaches in your area to have roundtable discussions. Share thoughts and ideas. I have taken part and even organized roundtables and found them extremely valuable.
3. Contact college coaches and set up a time to visit with them. Most are willing to do so when their time allows. I would encourage you to have specific topics or questions ready for the college coaches ahead of time.
4. Work basketball camps. Not only is this a chance to work with players other than your own you will get a chance to observe other coaches work.
5. Coach a travel or club team. Working with kids outside your program can be refreshing. Or coach a youth team in your own program.
6. Watch game film of your last season. Focus in on what hurt your team in your losses, and what helped during your victories. Make note of these and figure out what needs to be a focus for your team as you continue throughout the off-season and prepare for next season.
7. Watch games. Attend AAU or summer league games and write down your observations. What did you like? What did you dislike? What could you use with your own team or program?
8. Watch games on TV or online. You can catch some FIBA games online during the summer. I like to DVR college games throughout the winter and then watch them over the summer with more of a coach's eye. Have your notepad ready when you watch them and take notes.
9. Read as much as you can that can help you as a coach. As you read each book, take notes on them. Coaching books have so much information in them that some things can get lost in your memory. Writing down, or highlighting, tidbits you find important will be helpful in your recalling of this information.
10. Use the internet. There are many great websites and blogs on the internet that focus on coaching basketball, the game of basketball, and coaching.
11. Learn something new about offense, defense, and philosophy. Put a list together of what it is you'd like to learn more about, then find the information needed to learn. Take action.
12. Organize your own files. If you're like me, you have a ton of files stored away in a file cabinet, on a shelf, or the computer. Take time re-organize them all so that you can be more efficient when looking for this information in the future. You might even find something you forgot you had and decide it is something you can apply to your team this upcoming season.
13. Breakdown the toughest teams in your conference, section, or in the state. What makes them so good? What do you have to do to beat them? Start formulating a plan now. Don't wait until you only get two days to prepare for them during the actual season.
14. Relax. Take some time for yourself. Connect with family and friends that you don't get to see as much during your season. Coaches run 100 mph during the season, so don't forget to take a little time for yourself when you have the opportunity to do so.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
8 WAYS TO KEEP DEVELOPING AS A COACH
Coaches - Here is a question for your to consider about yourself, "What are you doing to continue your development as a coach?" We are always promoting work ethic and skill improvement to our players. The coach must also remember that they must continue to work and improve as well. Below is a list of 8 things coaches can do to help themselves grow as a coach.
1. Meet regularly with your coaching staff. The off-season is a great time to meet and share thoughts and ideas with each other. Have an agenda for your meetings. Talk personnel, X's and O's, scheduling, practice design, overall philosophy, potential changes to be made, etc.
2. Coaches Roundtables. If you have a chance to become involved with a roundtable discussion with other coaches, do it. It is a great opportunity to collaborate, learn, and network with other coaches.
3. Coaching DVDs. Set aside some money in your team's budget (or personal budget) that allows you to purchase a few DVDs each year. You may not use everything you see on a DVD, but if you pick up one thing you can use for your program it is worth the purchase.
4. Attend coaching clinics. One of the great things about coaching clinics is you get to see a variety of coaches speak on different topics. Another benefit of attending a clinic is getting to connect with other coaches. There are a lot of quality side-discussions with clinic attendees that occur at clinics where you can pick up some great information.
5. Attend college practices. If you have a college team in your area, contact them and ask if you can attend practices. Bring a notebook and be ready to take some notes.
6. Contact other coaches to learn about something they do that you really like. Typically coaches are willing to share with each other.
7. Focus on all aspects of coaching. Don't just focus on the X's and O's of the game. Learn more about building relationships, motivation, and other aspects of this nature.
8. Remember that none of us know it all. So keep an open mind to listening, watching, and to even possibly change.
1. Meet regularly with your coaching staff. The off-season is a great time to meet and share thoughts and ideas with each other. Have an agenda for your meetings. Talk personnel, X's and O's, scheduling, practice design, overall philosophy, potential changes to be made, etc.
2. Coaches Roundtables. If you have a chance to become involved with a roundtable discussion with other coaches, do it. It is a great opportunity to collaborate, learn, and network with other coaches.
3. Coaching DVDs. Set aside some money in your team's budget (or personal budget) that allows you to purchase a few DVDs each year. You may not use everything you see on a DVD, but if you pick up one thing you can use for your program it is worth the purchase.
4. Attend coaching clinics. One of the great things about coaching clinics is you get to see a variety of coaches speak on different topics. Another benefit of attending a clinic is getting to connect with other coaches. There are a lot of quality side-discussions with clinic attendees that occur at clinics where you can pick up some great information.
5. Attend college practices. If you have a college team in your area, contact them and ask if you can attend practices. Bring a notebook and be ready to take some notes.
6. Contact other coaches to learn about something they do that you really like. Typically coaches are willing to share with each other.
7. Focus on all aspects of coaching. Don't just focus on the X's and O's of the game. Learn more about building relationships, motivation, and other aspects of this nature.
8. Remember that none of us know it all. So keep an open mind to listening, watching, and to even possibly change.
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