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...