Having players in the corners forces any zone to flatten out into a 2-3 formation. The ball on the wing creates a dilemma for 5’s defender. If the defender goes out to guard 2, 5 should be open for a post feed. If she stays on 5, 2 has the open shot.
This is another great team drill. As shown in figure 9.9, this drill begins with lines of at least three players positioned under the basket at the free-shot lane. Everyone has a ball except one player, who will be in the front of one of the…
If they don’t have lateral quickness, defenders are doomed. This applies to all sports, and basketball is no exception. A defender who is slow laterally will be easily juked and left looking silly on the court. And let’s face it, nobody wants to…
In today’s game of basketball, the level of athleticism is unmatched in history. Yes, many player are naturally gifted, but if you want to be elite, you must commit to your own basketball training program. You will be a step behind your…
Proper footwork is the foundation of the game of basketball. Building a skill-set of solid footwork techniques can ensure the proper development of 12-year-old youth players and high school players.
A good conditioning workout prepares players for changes in speed and direction, the different movements they perform on the court, and the stop and go action of the game. The German Circuit—a workout developed by German basketball players—is…
It is crucial you are doing everything possible to get in great basketball shape. Whether you are a question mark to make the JV team or a potential All-American, being in anything less than outstanding basketball condition is unacceptable. Your cond
I asked a veteran trainer this the other day in casual conversation and he froze. He looked like I asked him the capital of Zimbabwe. He has been training for years and he didn’t know (or at least he couldn’t verbalize) his own training philosophy!
Here is a sobering thought…In the entire history of high school and collegiate sports, the most important individual and team championship skill is often the skill that is practiced the least…namely the ability to perform extremely well under…
At every level, basketball is becoming more competitive as athletes find new ways to train. At present, the key to staying ahead of the game is through plyometric exercises.
Setting a screen (also referred to as setting a pick) is a move by an offensive player to position him- or herself to block the path of a teammate’s defender in order to set up an advantage for the teammate. Defensive players want to avoid screens…
A backdoor cut is used by an offensive player when the defender is overplaying the pass-that is, when the defender has a hand and foot in the passing lane to prevent the offensive player from receiving a pass. The offensive player sees this…
Switching on a screen is a defensive tactic where two defenders switch defensive assignments in an effort to prevent the offense from gaining an advantage on the screen. When an offensive player sets a screen, the defender guarding the screener…
A team’s defensive strategy should focus on not allowing shooters to catch the ball in a position where they can make a good shot attempt. If the defense can successfully prevent the offensive players from taking good shots by forcing them out of…
When playing defense, limiting fast break opportunities for the offense can have a major impact on the game successful fast breaks can lead to quick and easy shots. The defensive transition against the fast break should be organized in such a way…
An offensive charging foul occurs when a defensive player establishes good defensive position and contact is initiated by the offensive player. Typically, a charge happens when a defender is guarding a dribbler going to the basket and the defender…
I remember being hired as the head coach of Marquette University 16 years ago as if it were yesterday. It was a dream come true for me since I had decided in college that one day I would be the head coach of a Division I women’s basketball program…
Regardless of what level we coach, we all basically have the same amount of time to prepare our team for the season. In college, we are allowed 30 practices before our first game with no more than 20 hours per week spent with our athletes…
Maryland coach Brenda Frese waited in the wrong airport line for an hour. She takes son Tyler to his doctor’s appointments at Johns Hopkins every 10 days. Montana State coach Tricia Binford likes Carrie Underwood, especially those blue shoes she…
I try to build my success, brick by brick, and aim to get a little better every day. One of my focal points is improving my leadership. The words ‘coach’ and ‘leader’ are synonymous – so if I want to be the best coach I can be – I must continually…
Winning games or winning championships? If this question was posed to every basketball coach in the nation, undoubtedly, the answer would be to win championships. Championships on any level are hard to come by and when I begin to study champions…
Every player has strengths and weakness in their game.
Some players are great shooters, but lack the physical speed and strength to be great defenders. Others possess tremendous speed and explosive power, but lack the body control to be…
When you think about it, is there anything more important in your coaching responsibilities and duties than planning an effective practice session? John Wooden once said, “Failure to prepare is preparing for failure.” Obviously the level of player…
One of our program’s “non-negotiables”, or program staples, is valuing the ball. While this certainly means that we are to be strong and sure with the ball, not turning it over, it also means getting quality shots that we should not miss. Valuing…
I consider myself an avid golfer and a few years ago I heard a great analogy about early offense in basketball and how it relates to golf. I heard University of North Carolina’s Roy Williams, also an avid golfer; say that if he played Tiger Woods…E
For this play to be effective inside, you need a piaymaker in the short corner, three-point spot-up shooters, and players who can read a spread floor and make good decisions. The 4 is your best post playmaker. The 1 is your most intelligent player…
ATTACKING THE ZONE is a comprehensive book that explains our fundamental thoughts in attacking zones. As a Coach try to understand the plans of the enemy and how it thinks once you learn how the Zone thinks and what it reacts to you then can…
Many different theories have been advanced relating to the effective offensive and defensive rebounding. Ball possession is such an important facet of the game, it is only logical for a coach to study the various methods and approaches and teach…
To create scoring opportunities for four players using 12 seconds or less of the clock.
To create high-percentage scoring opportunities for back-to-basket players, taking little time off the shot clock.
To allow guards to attack the basket…
As any basketball coach knows, out-of-bounds plays can significantly affect the outcome of a game. Not counting the inbounds passes that follow a score by the opponent, a team might inbound the ball one to two dozen times a game. Assuming each…
