GOLD STANDARD COACHING - @CoachLok

*Pressure on the Ball* A key is to always put pressure on the basketball. Don`t let an offensive player do anything with the ball--dribble, pass, or shoot--without having one of your hands trying to get into the way. If he is looking to pass, you may be able to get a hand on the ball or discouraging him from passing to an open player. That way for that split second when the post player is open, the passer may be deterred from executing the pass. This helps the post defender immensely. Low Post Denial *Low Post Defense-ball above the Free throw line* If the ball is above the free throw line extended (imaginary line extending from the free throw line to the sideline), then you should deny on the high side (closest to 1/2 court. You should be chest to chest with the post player with your arm closest to the ball in the passing lane. *Low post defense-ball is below the free throw line* If the ball is below the free throw line try to get around the post player and "Full Front". We ...

One of the most oft-repeated quotes comes from Bill Bradley, star NBA guard for the Knicks and American Politician who said in his book Values Of the Game , Somewhere someone is practicing. If you're not and you meet them in competition, all other things being equal, you will lose! MAYBE the following statement is just as true... Somewhere, someone is resting and recovering. That will revitalize them to the point when they take the court again, they will work harder, longer, and with more focus. This periodization of training leads to a more productive practice regimen. And when and you meet them in competition, all other things being equal, you will lose!

I took special interest in a piece on ESPN's Outside the Lines profiling Elena Delle Donne, the outstanding female basketball prodigy that gave up her basketball scholarship at UConn and returned home because she no longer "had the passion" for the sport. It reminds me of the tattoo that Paul Pierce , of the Boston Celtics has that depicts a basketball with a knife plunging through it that says, "My Gift-My Curse". I sometimes find myself describing players as being "cursed with ability" . Too often we have players who happen to be blessed with some physical gifts, but don't have the passion that Delle Donne speaks of. Many times these players appear to be cheating their teammates because of lack of effort on the part of a talented "star", when in reality they may be cheating themselves by continuing to play a game they don't enjoy enough to invest the time to try to and achieve their potential. For that reason we may applaud Dell...

To start your zone offense it is a good idea to get in a "GAP ALIGNMENT". Against an even front zone (2-1-2, or 2-3) get in an odd front set (1-3-1,1-2-2 or 1-4). Against an odd front zone, get in an even front set. This is to make two defenders think about which one should guard you. If a defender is in a direct line between you and the basket-MOVE and put players where the defense isn´t. While I prefer to have good, solid zone offensive principles help the offense get a shot, at times a set play may need to be called. Here is one of my favorite against a 2-3 zone that provides an inside attack. The play starts with an odd front gap alignment and the point guard(1) should "dribble-drag" the defender at least to the free throw line extended and "chase" the offensive wing(2) through to the opposite wing.. The key is to not go so far as to allow the defensive guard(1) to "pass" the dribbler on to the forward(3). If this is done properly, the return...

I always get players (and coaches) asking for how they can improve any number of different skills or strategies. Everybody`s "wish list" is a little different -some are thoughtful and some are...interesting. Players usually want to know how to increase their vertical, or dunk in no time flat. Rarely do they ask how to execute a proper jump stop, bounce pass, or mid range jump shot off the glass. Some coaches want that one drill or play that will turn their team into championship contenders. It`s good to add drills and plays to your arsenal - as long as we don`t forget to simply teach players HOW to play.The amazing thing about the game of basketball is that there are NO short cuts. It`s different than Christmas. There is nothing "magical" that is going to happen one day, nothing that is going to show up under your Christmas tree that will make you instantly better. Santa Claus is not going to bring you an amazing vertical or a pure jump shot. Kris Kringle will not m...

While running the 2-Guard Continuity a good option is the Weakside Duck-in . Sometimes the defender will be on the high side of the post during the duck-in, enabling the ball to be entered from the player fading from the top to the weakside wing. If it is determined that the defense is doing a good job of denying the duck-in, the "Turn-Out" can be a good counter. The duck-in sets up the defender, and the weakside post can then "turn-out" the strong side off a double screen for a jumpshot. Alternating looks will then, in turn, loosen up the post defender and the duck-in may be open once again.

There was a great piece on 60 minutes about USC football coach Pete Carroll. In the piece there are some great examples of positive coaching where Pete never passes up an opportunity to fill his players emotional tanks by giving truthful and specific praise. He's also not afraid to correct, critique, or discipline - and realizes the importance to follow up that discipline by taking advantage of the teachable moment. The most amazing part of the piece is what Coach Carroll is doing OFF the field. Take a look here - Watch CBS Videos Online

I was asked recently how to deal with "Player Profanity". The first step, obviously, is everyone setting the proper example. It's tough to say "Do as I say not as I do".. and that includes the parents. A conversation with them is necessary to get them on your side and maybe they realize that they are contributing to the problem. Explaining that we're here to learn and the field is our classroom, so let's behave like that. You certainly can't use that language in the classroom. Build good habits that allows you to speak in any setting. Use of foul language is simply a vocabulary issue. It sometimes reveals the lack of one, and the inability to express themselves in any other manner. Have the kids practice "alternate" phrases and maybe make a game out of it. Over the years I settled on "Doggone it" and Coach Wooden's "Goodness Gracious!". Some people use a lot of "frickety-fracks" and "flippity-flops...

In our 2-Guard Continuity, a pass to the High post creates a great opportunity for the player at the weakside block (in this case 4)to duck in for a great high low look. If 4 is not open directly from 5 because the defender may be in position to deny the pass, 1 could fade to the weakside wing and the ball could be entered to 4 holding the seal posting up from there

I picked this up quite some time ago and it is a great exercise to remind players that their daily efforts add up to an improved performance. Have the players read it prior to the first 21 practices of the season and rate their performance after practice. You'll be surprised how honest players are and how they start to understand what their best effort really is - and what they're capable of. SPORTS SUCCESS EXERCISE "DARE TO BE YOUR BEST" I dare any aspiring athlete to read and comprehend the material presented on this page, word for word, immediately before the start of his/her daily practice sessions for the next 21 days. I dare you to tape this exercise to the inside of your locker door and to use the columns provided in checking off an honest appraisal at the conclusion of each practice. It is one of the athlete's illusions that the present hour is not the critical decisive hour, e.g., the event or game is a week or weeks away...ample time to prepare in a...

In the case where both the low and high post entry passes are denied, the next option is for the weak-side guard to fake a cut inside, and then cut across to receive a pass and initiate a side-post game on the weak side. The weak-side guard will receive the pass at the top, and the weak side forward will cut up to the mid-post - or pinch post, or side post, or whatever you want to call it, it's the same thing. (Note: this is also the reversal sequence in the Triple-Post Offense. You'll see Kobe Bryant receive the ball a lot in LA's pinch post sequence, and it looks almost exactly like this.) He weakside guard passes the ball to the side post, and begins a two-man game with the side post player. Meanwhile, the two forwards now on the weak-side form a double screen for the other guard, who will try to come under them for an easy layup, and when that is denied he will re-use the double screen and pop out for an opportunity for a jump shot on the weak side. The two man game tha...

A post during the Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals addressed the number of uncontested shots the Celtics were getting (scroll down to see some photos). It seems that Los Angeles has a renewed commitment to the basketball and is making a concerted effort to get to shooters. Contrast that with this open jumper from last years finals. Contrast that with this open jumper from last years finals. or this back-breaking breakaway that all but sealed the championship for the Celtics

When running the 2-Guard continuity diagrammed below, there are a variety of looks, options, and specials that can be run during the continuity, Here is something to look at that is a great shot opportunity for the player at the low block (in this case 2) and also gives the screener a chance to post up if the matchup dictates. When the ball is at the wing, a pass to the high post sets up a downscreen by 3. While the screen is approaching 2 should step in to set up the defender prior to using the screen by 3. On the catch 2 should be shot-ready or look to 3 in the post.

While stations CAN be really good, I think some kids have a bad view of "stations" from some poor camp experiences. They might get the image of mindless, repetitive drills with little or no supervision. It's a little thing but we have always had a section of practice that we called "The Factory" . An "assembly line" of driils that help us "build" our game . Most of the drills were rapid fire, high intensity, competitive situations. Maybe a pick and roll, post D, help side, getting through screens, etc and almost always with an offense and a defense. This would put players in a short-sided and semi-live situation with a number of repititions to help them work out game situations. The other thing I might suggest is rather than doing something different at every basket, We took to doing the same thing at all baskets - then switching drills/games/activities every 3-5 minutes. this way I was watching the same thing at each basket, and if I mad...

2-Guard is a continuity offense designed to allow four perimeter players equal opportunity to be in all spots at sometime during the continuity. This is the initial cut and the basic ball reversal. Four players need to be able to function on the perimeter and it helps if the high post is a decent passer, as you will see later. Over the next couple weeks we'll add some options and specials that make this a pretty comprehensive offense that you can build on and use from the youth level on up. Check back soon.

Those immersed in the basketball community will read “Advantage Disadvantage” and recognize many of the “usual suspects” and familiar situations that will make you chuckle… or bring your emotions to anger, disgust, sadness, excitement, and joy. Readers foreign to the world of hoops will gain some insight into the machinations of prep basketball, recruiting, officiating, and the cracks in the system that allows the slime to sometimes find it’s way into our beautiful game. “Advantage Disadvantage” is a fictional tale with high school basketball as the backdrop for an intriguing story of a cast of characters that challenges you to examine the purity of amateur sports. We get to know some individuals who are faced with some very real life temptations and we follow them while they try to reconcile right from wrong – all while wondering whether their decisions will prove to be an Advantage or a Disadvantage.

USC head football coach Pete Carroll uses the ability to play multiple sports when evaluating prospective recruits. He says, “I want guys that are so special athletically, so competitive that they can compete in more than one [sport] here at USC. It’s really important that guys are well-rounded and just have this tendency for competitiveness that they have to express somewhere.” “We want [athletes to] show that it’s really, really important for them to excel and [that] they have that special will and that competitiveness that can really define a desire to be something unique,” Carroll explains. According to Carroll, the hunger to compete is what gets a player noticed. Being a well-rounded athlete, playing multiple sports and attending combines and camps will make coaches pay attention to your abilities. He says, “All of that is [just] guys looking for a chance to compete and learn, but also show who they are and what they’re all about. That’s why I like to see guys play other sports to...

There was the Amazing Mets motto "You Gotta Believe!" ; Jose Lima proclaiming Lima Time by exclaiming "Believe It"; the Golden State Warriors "We Believe!" and the most famous Al Michael's line at the end of the Miracle on Ice when he's heard screaming "Do you believe in miracles? YES!" In sports we always talk about what we believe, we can achieve. Every coach, teacher, and parent needs to check out this video and realize how we can make a difference in kid's lives. One statement, one action by a teacher or coach can mean so much and seemingly small moments can help to shape their life’s direction. After seeing this, I am sure that you will feel pretty good about the next generation. Here is the text from the speech, and there are plenty of nuggets that should speak to each of us: "I believe in me. Do you believe in me? Do you believe I can stand up here, fearless, and talk to all 20,000 of you? Hey, Charles Rice Learning Cent...

Here are a few thoughts that might make the use of Player Notebooks and Playbooks most effective. I've used them some years and some years we didn't. Not really sure why. Sometimes it can become a chore to police their use at first. But if you feel strongly enough that their use will be effective - it may be worth it. Having one place to store schedules, tournament brackets, workout schedules, charts, or the players meetings and appointments is simply a good organizational skill that you are teaching your players that may carry on later in life. There were plenty of times we need to bring our Faculty Handbook to meetings or they may be in a business meeting where they must show up with their Operations Manual. And if they do play at the next level, they may very well be expected to take care of their playbook. They already take notebooks and text books to their classes - basketball is our class and it is not unreasonable to think that they can be responsible to do the same. We ...

The "Golden Triangle" is a, somewhat, overused description of some of the most important, wealthiest, or influential geographic areas in many parts of the planet. i like to refer to another very important piece of real estate as the "Golden Triangle" -the area a step outside each block to the midpoint of the FT line. For rebounding purposes, we emphasize all FIVE defenders getting into the "Golden Triangle" where a majority of the rebounds fall (statistically it's probably more like an ellipse - but that's nitpicking!: ?) We talk a lot about geometry and anticipating rebounding angles. Perimeter shots will be in the air only a little more than a second. That gives the defender time to get position between your man & the basket, make contact stop his progress, then get in the "Golden Triangle". If the defensive player is too deep in the "Golden Triangle" that's when they must block out to create space and get to the outsk...

Every really good team I've been associated with had great senior leadership...at the end of the bench. 3 or 4 mature kids that had been program players, understood their role, practiced their rear-ends off, and were willing to help others achieve their goals. The bench was less "squirrelly" and those players understood the way we did things so they could be another set of eyes for the players that did play. Those teams always had 4 or 5 guys that might not be as good a basketball player as the top 3-5 players on the JV team. But why have those underclassroom at the end of a 15 player bench when they can get more reps and minutes on the Junior Varsity. Make those players feel special on a daily basis, praise them relentlessly, mention them to reporters, let them know that their efforts are as important as the top 8 players, lavish them on Senior Night, and make a big deal about them at the banquet. Often times, those are the kids that keep in touchthe most, come back the ...

I apologize in advance - I'm about to vent, ramble, and get on my soapbox. You've been warned! The days of the dictator coach are behind us. We need to find other methods of teaching and relating to players that are more meaningful than "My way or the highway." There are too many "highways" for kids to choose from. These days persuading is far more effective long term, than coersion. It is not my way, or my X's & O's that help us succeed. It is their daily efforts. You want kids to learn to do things because it is the right thing to do - not because they are afraid of the consequence or looking forward to a reward. Methods are adjusting for classroom teachers, and the basketball community needs to keep up with the times. In the classroom, teachers are continually finding ways of making their subjects more relevant and useful to their students, and applicable to the world that they live in. Most players(and students) now want to know “why” somethi...

When kids get down on themselves after a mistake, it is about *how they feel*. Feelings CAN"T be wrong. They are what they are. You can't tell someone not to *feel* a certain way. (Those that are married sure know what I'm talking about !:?) What you can try to help him realize is that allowing those feelings to effect his play is not being productive. As a sophomore he is probably trying so hard to earn respect from you and his teammates that he is pressing. I agree that it would not be effective having the other players talk with him. What he probably *feels* is, " I'm having a crummy day, I've let you and the team down, whoa is me, how will I ever be able to do anything right again, nobody loves me, everybody hates me, think I'll eat some worms." What we need to do is to help players get over those feelings and, as you say, toughen up. Mental toughness is just the ability to overcome obstacles and look forward to accepting a challenge. We help pla...

How many times before a game do you hear a coach or a player say, "take the guy who has you"? This happens more often in situations when no scouting is possible prior to the game to determine more appropriate matchups. So, generally, they guard someone of similar size, the point guard takes the point guard, the off-guard takes the off-guard, and so on...and vice-versa. This NBA Playoff season I heard more about "cross-matching" than I had ever before. "Cross-matching" is when defensive players on one team are guarding different players than are guarding them at the other end. During the Lakers/Celtics NBA Championship Series it happened often when Kobe Bryant would guard Rajon Rondo at one end, but at the other end Paul Pierce or Ray Allen were the preferred matchup on Bryant. This also would occur more often in situations where teams would switch screens and complete a possession with different matchups than where they started. That's where the probl...

You may have missed this report. Two boys were shooting hoops near the Championship Parade route, when one is attacked by a vicious Rottweiler. Thinking quickly, the other boy fires the basketball and managed to hit the dog in the head and thwart its attack. A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy. "Young Celtic Fan Saves friend from Vicious Animal..." he starts writing in his notebook. "But, I'm not a Celtics Fan," the little hero replied. "Sorry, since we're in Boston, I just assumed you were," said the reporter and starts again. "Red Sox Fan Rescues Friend from Horrific attack..." he continued writing in his notebook. "I'm not a Red Sox fan either!" The boy said. "I assumed everyone in Boston was either for the Celtics or the Red Sox. So, what team do you root for?" the reporter asked. "I'm a Knick fan!" the child beamed. The reporter starts a new she...

One of the most impressive aspects of the Lakers' rise back to the upper echelon of NBA teams, to me, is the manner in which Phil Jackson has allowed the team to develop. What was once a young, erratic and mistake-prone team is now back among the league's elite. Along with Kobe Bryant becoming a better leader and teammate, Jackson's patience and commitment to his players gave the players the confidence to begin to approach their potential. Phil is often criticized for being hesitant to call timeouts or substitute when players struggle, but that has also proved to be a strength. He trusts his players to make decisions and allows them to play through some difficult times by trying to self-correct their own behavior and performance. This gives players some freedom to play without the fear that a mistake will result in a substitute being sent to the scorers table or that an irate coach will call a timeout to read the player the riot act. Without this confidence the players may ...

One of the main differences between the Celtic defense and the Lakers defense (when they choose to play some( is the manner in which they *contest shots*. The Lakers, as coached by Phil Jackson, attempt to get to shooters but are instructed *not to leave their feet*. Jackson is somewhat of an "old school" coach and this is just how you played in the '60s and '70s. PJ has been true to that philosophy throughout his days as a coach. The Celtics, on the other hand, CONTEST shots! Maybe part of this is Garnett's influence, but Doc Rivers also played in a different era where leaving your feet is a little more acceptable. His final coach as a player, Larry Brown, really believed in contesting shots. The bottom line to a good defensive system puts players in position to contest as many shots as possible. The Lakers, typically, are not a very good off ball defensive team, and you need to be to contest shots. Players miss contested shots. And they tend to make open shots. ...

Some people claim that Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, a nine-time National Basketball Association champion, ripped referees for giving Boston a huge free throw edge that helped the Celtics win Sunday. This is how Phil Jackson's post-game press conference began: What are you most struck by, your rally at the end or your difficulty scoring points on them the first three quarters? (Laughing) I'm more struck at the fact that Leon Powe gets more foul shots than our whole team does in 14 minutes of play. That's ridiculous. You can't play from a deficit like that that we had in that half, 19 to 2 in the first half in situations like that. I've never seen a game like that in all these years I've coached in The Finals. Unbelievable. ... Phil answered a later question with," The referees referee an illusion. Our guys look like the ball was partially stripped when they were getting raked but it was in the crowd so the referees let that type of thing go."...

Recently, on the Coaching Hoops Email Group a bunch of coaches were asked, "What are some times in your life where you had to sacrifice things for the better of your career? Or when did you have to put things on a higher priority list then you'd like? I think that another question to ask might be "... are some times in your life where you had to sacrifice your career for the betterment of your life?" As coaches we make choices as to what level we want to coach, and many of us enter the profession with the desire to coach at the highest level possible. As those opportunities are presented to us it becomes time to decide what is really important to us and what we are willing to do - and how we are willing to live to have "a career". Coaches spend a lot of time developing a Coaching Philosophy, but do we spend time regarding our Career Philosophy? We have Team Goals, but do we have Daily Life Goals? We work really hard at creating a winning Team Culture, but...

The most impressive aspect of the Lakers' rise back to the upper echelon of NBA teams, to me, is the manner in which Phil Jackson has allowed the team to develop. What was once a young, erratic and mistake prone team is now back among the leagues elite. Along with Kobe Bryant becoming a better leader and teammate, Jackson's patience and commitment to his players gave the players the confidence to begin to approach their potential. Phil is often criticized for being hesitant to call timeouts or substitute when players struggle, but that has proved to be a strength. He trusts his players to make decisions and allows them to play through some difficult times by trying to self-correct their own behavior and performance. This gives players some freedom to play without the fear that a mistake will result in a substitute being sent to the scorers table or that an irate coach will call a timeout to read the player the riot act. The Positive Coaching Alliance concept that "Mistakes...

A few ideas about the speaking portion of a teams awards banquet that I've seen done (or have done myself). If I remember, the team struggled a bit on the scoreboard. So take the focus off that by avoiding the "season talk" and focus on the other stuff. My daughters high school coach would go to the 99¢ store and buy a "gag gift" for every player. Maybe a box of band-aids for the player most often injured, miniature furniture for the player who "did the little things", a roll of toilet paper for a player who was teased about being soft, sunglasses for a youngster whose "future was bright", etc. My daughters most prized awards might be a rock she got as a sophomore because they were "going to build their program on this rock" (maybe a little sacrilegious for a Christian School) and a toy "Warrior" she received as a junior for playing thru injuries. Coincidentally, her college hired a new coach her senior year - and he gave ...

First the Central Washington softball players carry an injured opponent around the bases for her home run, and now high school track runners switch medals at the State Championships to correct a percieved injustice. Read the story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=3411085 Is it contagious? Is a new culture created one random act of sportsmanship at a time? Positive Coaching Alliance thinks so...one coach...one parent...one kid...one organization at a time.

My oldest daughter just graduated from college and a speaker took the mike at the baccalaureate. She started her talk something like this. "I started college in 1973 and after my freshman year decided to take a year off. It became 2...3...4...5. Then I got married and had a beautiful child. It became 2...3...4......5! The cycle of life kicked in, their education became more important than mine...." ... and her story went on. Ultimately she went back to school THIRTY YEARS later and said, "... the first day the students thought I was a teacher, the teachers thought I was a parent, and the parents thought...I was CRAZY!" She ended up graduating magna cum laude with a double major and recieved the loudest ovation from her fellow graduates than any other student. Now she gets to live her dream. It's never too late to go back, especially with todays degree completion programs and online education options (Lord knows we ALL spend enough time online !:?) Best of luck t...

Does anybody have any *real* statistical evidence that rim reducers are effective? They claim, "...trains you to be more accurate on all types of shots. Practicing on a 15" ring will significantly improve shooting accuracy when playing on a regulation 18" rim...." Now I get the theory that once removed the rim "looks" larger, but I've got some hesitation about using them. I want players to shoot with confidence and confidence comes from repeated success. I'm a little reluctant to use anything that limits a shooters success. I'd love to see a reverse study that uses larger rims in the offseason to see if it would increase a shooters confidence and build a "truer" release. I absolutely think that larger rims should be used at younger levels to increase the success rate and keep kids in the game until they have a chance to get good. Too many kids leave the game early because they can't make a dang basket. I worked for a coach that ha...

I think that if you have a close relationship with a college coach and was within reasonable proximity, taking your players to the college for a mentor/mentee experience amongst players of both teams would be a benefit to both groups of young men. Also, as a high school coach, turn that around and create mentoring opportunities for *your players* in the community. I was thinking about this a while back watching the Tennessee/Indy game during a speaking trip in Toronto, Canada. I'm not sure if the commercial broadcasts were the same in the States, but they featured a high school football team in Florida that instituted a "pen-pal" program between it's players and players in the local youth football league. Every week they would exchange letters about a bunch of topics. That is not only a great mentoring opportunity, community service, a chance to play "big-brother", and a big thrill for the younger kids, but also a great chance to build some continuity in the...

This is not about basketball but absolutely a story worth posting anywhere.It might be the greatest act of respecting your opponents and Honoring the Game - whatever your game is. The video tells it all...

The only Free Throw goal that we had was to "Make more Free Throws than they shoot". The first part addressed our offense (how many FT we got) and our effectiveness at the line (were we making enough of the ones we got) while the second part dealt with our defense (were we fouling and putting them on the line?) As I think about it, does talking about achieving a certain percentage motivate a kids to get there? Or does it get kids worrying about their shot when they fall short of the goal? Ask the Memphis Tigers. Or Shaq! I'm starting to think that, while it is harder to chart, an *effort goal* of getting enough arc, holding their follow thru, and using proper technique rather than a *result goal* might help kids get there quicker. Just thinkin' out loud.

When I played, my coaches rarely said anything to officials and I always felt they didn't stick up for us. So I set out to be the opposite. Soon I figured that if the other coach got up to "work the official" that I had to match that and "work him" a bit harder. Punch - counterpunch. Players definitely should not be the ones to EVER talk to an official. The coach needs to be the one doing the communicating, outside of the team captain, who can be a good buffer by building a good on court relationship wit the officials. However, when the coach does talk, he needs to pick his spots. If you chirp all the time (and I did) they stop listening. It could also backfire on the coach. A coaching friend of mine tells a story about a ref that asked him if he thought it was a good call. When the coach proceeded to tell him all of the reasons that it wasn't, the ref said, "then wait 'til you see the next one!" Officials are human - as much as we wish they ...

I've often thought that it would be a service to kids to provide a league that was NOT refereed - but merely "moderated". Allow the kids to call their own - and give them a minimum time to agree before the moderator steps in. Kinda like we used to do at the park. Players no longer have (or don't take advantage of) those opportunities. And how much do you learn about *life* by settling your own disagreements, admitting that you made a mistake (foul), or having the courage to call someone on one of their "transgressions", and coming to a consensus in a timely fashion ?

The small, 14th-century, Hungarian village of Kocs is located on the main road along the Danube between Vienna and Budapest. These two great cities needed well-built, fast vehicles that would carry more than two people over the bumpy roads of the day in as much comfort as was then possible. So in Kocs they began to build superior wagons, carts and carriages. One of the best of these multi-horse carts was called, in Hungarian, "kocsi szekér" or a "wagon from Kocs". Its design was so compact, elegant and sturdy that the design spread throughout Europe. The German-speaking Viennese started to call this vehicle a Kutsche, which is how they heard Hungarians saying the name of their little carriage-making town. From Vienna these lively vehicles traveled to Paris and the French, adapting the Austrian word, called it a coche. When it arrived in Rome in Italian, it was a cocchio. Eventually, the English called it a coach. When Anne of Bohemia married England’s Richard II ...

Communicating on defense is crucial, but for some reason is very difficult to get players to do. We can`t get them to be quiet in class and can`t get them to talk on the court - go figure!:?) To just get them to talk, and also help foster a better team attitude, we would use a "Buddy System." Whoever your pre-practice shooting partner was is your "Buddy" for the day. It was up to you to recognize EVERY positive thing that your "Buddy" did and let them know. In order for that to happen players had to watch, recognize, and understand what they were praising. Soon players will be doing it, on instinct, to players who are not their "Buddies" also. So it also helped to keep players engaged and positive - leaving them more receptive to coaching. Simply encouraging players to talk at all times helps, but having an organized method gives players specific verbal cues to go with situations and fosters effective team defensive communication. Here's our ...