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.

HALF COURT SCRAMBLE DRILL

This Half Court Scramble drill can work with 3-on-3, 4-on-4, or 5-on-5.  The diagram above shows the drill set up as 5-on-5.  The coach can designate what play the offense should run.  The offense will attempt to score while the defense is trying to prevent a score.  At some point when the offense is attempting to score, the coach will yell out a defender's name.  That defender (X3 in the diagram) will sprint to touch the baseline and get back into the play as soon as possible.  Meanwhile the other four defenders will scramble in attempt to keep the offense from scoring until X3 gets back in the play.

Scoring the Drill
Give each team the same number of possessions on defense.  One point is awarded to the defense for every "clean stop" they get.  A clean stop is when the defense prevents the offense from scoring while not giving up an offensive rebound.

Another scoring option is to give an additional point for a possession when the defense forces a turnover prior to the offense has a shot attempt.   You can also award 3 points for taking a charge.

Before starting the drill establish the consequence for the losing team.

MULTIPLE SPORT ATHLETES NEEDED

Specialization. It has become more popular with young athletes to start specializing in one sport instead of participating in multiple sports.  If you search the internet you'll find enough written about this subject that would keep you busy for days.  You will find many points of view that say athletes should not be specializing in a sport.  I've enjoyed discussing and debating this topic with many coaches, especially in the past couple of years when this shift towards specializing has occurred. I would say most coaches I've spoken to would like to see kids playing multiple sports.  But there are also those who feel specialization is not a bad thing.  After all people are free to make their own choices in our country..

It is my belief that athletes high school aged and younger should be participating in multiple sports, if they want to.  The key words in the previous sentence is if they want to.  Some kids might genuinely be interested in participating in only one sport.  If that is the reason behind their choice, that's fine.  But we all could probably name a handful of kids off the top of our heads that are only playing one sport but would like to participate in more. 

WHY ARE KIDS SPECIALIZING?                                                                                          
I don't have any real hard scientific facts to back up any of the reasons I'm about to give.  But as a coach of 20+ years, a coach who is involved in many coaching organizations/groups, and is actively communicating with coaches, families, and athletes all the time, I feel I have somewhat of a feel for what is happening.

The most common reason I hear for kids specializing is the athlete has their eyes set on a college scholarship. The odds say that a scholarship isn't going to happen for them, but that doesn't mean they can't try to attain their goal of a college scholarship. My opinion is if that is what they want to do, then go ahead and try.  But, I would ask, "Is specialization necessary to reach this goal?"  The answer to that, in my opinion, is NO.  As I stated earlier, I have no scientific facts to back up why an athlete shouldn't (or should) specialize in one sport.  The closest thing I have is that I looked at ten random NCAA Division 1 women's basketball websites.  I looked at the rosters and read the bios of each player.  The bios typically include information about what the players did during their high school years, and will sometimes list other sports they played during that time of their life.  I counted how many of these D1 women's basketball players played either one, two, or three sports during high school.  Here are the results:

              Players that did not list playing another sport in high school- 42 (38%)

              Players that played two sports in high school -36 (33%)

              Players that played three or more sports in high school - 32 (29%)

*I don't claim these numbers to be an example of all NCAA Division 1 women's basketball players.  These are from 10 random teams I chose to look at.  Also, I do not know if players gave all the information for their bio.  As you know some people fill bio sheets out in more detail than others.  I do feel the numbers show that athletes that did not specialize in one sport were still able to reach their goal of a D1 scholarship as 62% of these athletes participated in more than one sport.

Another possible reason that younger athletes are starting to specialize could be how their high school coaches run their programs. High school league rules vary from state to state as to how much work a high school coach can do with athletes outside the actual season.  This is one factor that plays in to how many sports a young athlete participates in. Some coaches do pressure their athletes to take part in their off-season activities, whether that pressure is implied or direct, varies as well.  But some do apply it.  If an athlete is receiving some type of pressure to take part in these it is then natural for the athlete to feel they have to take part in these workouts.  This can cause a conflict between two or more sports an athlete would like to participate in. 

School size can also be a factor make a specialization decision.  If an athlete attends a large school there are obviously more kids to choose from for the high school team.  Because of this an athlete could develop the idea that they must choose one sport and stick with it in hopes that if they work at this one enough they will be good enough to make the varsity team. In smaller schools coaches from different sports need to share their athletes due to the fact there aren't as many potential players.  Coaches from different sports should work together as best they can to make sure their athletes don't have to choose one sport over the other during the summer months (off-season).  If coaches schedule their off-season activities at the same time then the athletes have to choose.  The coaches are putting the athletes in a tough position.  Because of this the chance that an athlete chooses to play just one sport over the other exists.  Be careful coaches and work together so you are not putting your athletes in a position to choose one sport.

IS THERE A SOLUTION?

My opinion is that this is far from a quick fix. To help the situation I do feel that we need to be mindful of the following to help prevent specialization at a young age:

1. Parents and coaches need to remember that it's about the kids.  It's not about the parent living through their child.  And it certainly is not about the coach.  Ask the kids what they want to do.  

2. Give the younger people exposure to a variety of sports.  Let them try as many sports as they like growing up. In the end they will gravitate to the ones they like most.

3. High school coaches need to work together.  Promote the positives of having multiple sport athletes in your school.  Don't monopolize the athletes in your school - share them.  You can still get enough work in with your sport and still allow them to work at others.  Don't worry, you will have athletes that work a lot more at your sport than the other(s), but let them make that decision.

4. Continue to stay up to date on studies that are done on the benefits of playing multiple sports.

CONCLUSION

I know there are many athletes out there that specialized in one sport and are glad they did.  I also know of athletes that specialized in one sport but wished they hadn't.  In the end this is a personal or family decision.  Whatever you decide to do, think it through from all angles.  And always remember, it's about the kids.