GOLD STANDARD COACHING @CoachLok

Change of pace...change of direction....change the rhythm of your dribble - and get wherever you want to go on the basketball court. My oldest son was very good at this and used angles to get into the lane at will versus some very good defenders. I particularly remember a fairly one-sided matchup between him and a pretty athletic looking defender. After a number of penetrating drives leading to baskets or assists the other coach yelled, "LOOK AT HIM! ... LOOK AT YOU! ... HOW?!?" Change of pace...change of direction....change the rhythm of your dribble ... Thats how!

I don't believe in Quantum Physics when it comes to matters of basketball. While reading - think "Crash Davis " in Bull Durham (remember - Bull Durham comes with an "R" rating.) BAKETBALL BELIEFS I believe in the basketball. I believe in running the floor, the first open man, the ball reversal, the open shot, the jump stop, and the pivot foot. I believe in setting screens, using screens, dribbling for a reason, good passing angles, being "shot-ready" and catching passes with two hands. I believe in spacing, court vision, the"assist/turnover ratio", and the concept of "relative motion". I believe that there oughtta be a constitutional amendment outlawing the dunk and the hand-check. I believe in a good, defensive stance, pressure on the basketball, influencing to the sideline, preventing penetration, fronting the post in the "red-zone" and playing behind in the "smile". I believe in the "ball-man-line",...

We ran this against all Odd Front zones (3-2, 1-2-2, 1-3-1) I've found out that the best attack was also the simplest. Here goes: 2 post players at the block-who may flash a step or two when the ball is at the diagonal guard - no farther. 2 guards in a 2 guard front who should not move more than a step or two. Be a threat to shoot off the catch I always told them that "the second best thing that can happen in this offense is that you are guarded!" Your best player (read "smartest") goes WHEREVER HE SHOULD, basically - "go where they ain't", and the other players need to FIND HIM. The runner needs to go to the wing, corner, flash in the middle, wherever he needs to go to get open - but KEEP MOVING! The players just need to be in tune with the runner and at least every 3rd pass should find him (or her). He should be a threat to score, but maybe having good vision, being a good passer, and knowing WHERE to go is more important. Often times the ...

In light of the 170-35 blow-out victory by Yates High School over Lee High School in Houston, I though I'd repost a newsletter topic I wrote first back in 2004 , with a few additions/edits. Coaches should try to schedule games against teams that will present somewhat of a challenge. While padding the schedule with wins may seem attractive, playing teams of inferior talent will actually hinder a teams development. However, many times in preseason tournaments obvious mismatches between two teams occur or a league may be set up where you have to play someone far inferior. The tough thing for coaches in this situation is figuring out a way for their team to get everything out of the game that they can, without humiliating the opponent. Coaches, in the 1st half - do your thing, play your game, anything goes. If the lead starts to get real big, your regulars may not be benefiting anyway, so play your substitutes a little more. Mix up some lineups and play a couple of subs with the start...