Stephen Mackey gives an interesting take on how today’s generation always asking ‘why?’ can make your coaches better. When coaches communicate, they should always start with ‘yes’ and not ‘no’. If you start with ‘no’, […]
Assistant Coach Checklist
By: Denise Corlett – (Retired) Stanford University Originally Published in: Winning Ways of Women Coaches Provided by: Human Kinetics ☐ Always be loyal to your head coach, staff, and school. At some point you might […]
Closeout Drill with Brad Underwood – Univ. of Illinois
Watch as Coach Brad Underwood explains that closeouts are simple basics that they stress daily at Illinois. The drill focuses on high, quick hands and being able to contain the ball while pressuring. The players […]
Secondary Offense: Floppy with Brooke Atkinson – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Watch as Coach Brooke Atkinson discusses, and players demonstrate a secondary offensive set called ‘Floppy’ that gives your center the option of a single or double screen to setup the shot.
3-Point Shooting: 35 Drill with Ric Wesley – (Retired) Grand Valley State Univ.
Watch as Coach Ric Wesley explains, and players demonstrate this 3-point shooting ’35 Drill.’ The drill is a 3-man weave, shooting 3s with misses rebounded and the ball kicked back to the shooter. This is […]
Culture Is Not a Sign or a Saying with Seth Greenberg – ESPN
Watch as Seth Greenberg explains that building your culture takes time. Culture is not a sign or a saying but how you live every day and how you carry yourself. It involves being consistent and […]
7 Key Steps for Making Ethical Decisions
By: Dan Gould & Cliff Mallett Originally Published in: Sport Coaches Handbook Provided by: Human Kinetics To help you make ethical decisions in your own coaching, here are seven key steps. Recognize that ethical decisions […]
Neutral Thinking with Cori Close – UCLA
Watch as Coach Cori Close explains that she has changed her opinion on trying to get her players to be positive. She now encourages her players to get into neutral thinking which is expecting the […]
Anxiety, Expectations, and Pressure with Dr. Lee Dorpfeld – Univ. of South Florida
Watch as Dr. Lee Dorpfeld explains how he teaches athletes that you cannot control what is going to happen in the future. All the time wasted on worrying about the future keeps you from the […]
Defensive Rebounding: Check Out and Rebound Down with Dana Ford – Missouri State Univ.
Watch as Coach Dana Ford explains and players demonstrate checking out and rebounding down. The emphasis is on all of the defenders checking and blocking out with the guards attacking the rim for the rebound.
Leading by Example Is Not Leading with Tom Izzo – Michigan State Univ.
Watch as Coach Tom Izzo gives a scenario of a player who is always in the gym, does well in school, and who always leads by example. He feels that if a player is leading […]
Defense: Know Your Nos with Jim Boone – Greensboro College
Watch as Coach Jim Boone explains his defensive philosophy based on knowing your nos. He will explain in detail each section of the philosophy: no paint, no baseline, no rhythm shots, no direct drives, no […]
Athlete Skill Evaluation Tool
By: Wade Gilbert Originally Published in: Coaching Better Every Season Provided by: Human Kinetics A coach’s skill evaluation tool should include all the technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of performance they consider to be […]
Dynamic Dribbling Drills with Liam Simmons – Colorado Christian Univ.
Watch as Coach Liam Simmons explains, and players demonstrate this dynamic dribbling series. The players need to have wide feet and be in a sit-down position with a strong back while dribbling. Coach will cover […]
3 Things That Help Against Switching with Lennie Acuff – Lipscomb Univ.
Watch as Coach Lennie Acuff explains, and players demonstrate the 3 things that help them against switching. The first is what they call the Wedge. Wedging with the screener is to show high and miss […]
What Makes a Bad Coach
By: John Klessinger Originally Published in: A Coach’s Manual Provided by: Championship Productions “Even bad teams have optimism. The Bad News Bears’ coach wouldn’t even tell his team that.” – Rob Babcock, Former NBA General […]
Take a Charge Drill with Grant McCasland – Texas Tech Univ.
Watch as Coach Grant McCasland explains and shows clips of his ‘take a charge’ drill. This is a drill that starts practice and it teaches the players to take contact and get used to falling […]
Motion Offense: Curl with Mark Kellogg – West Virginia Univ.
#2 is a curl in this motion offense. Coach Mark Kellogg explains and players demonstrate the action when the #2 is called. The wing away from the ball will walk the defender down setting up […]
Defense: 1-On-1 Closeout Drill with Kim Barnes Arico – Univ. of Michigan
Watch as Coach Kim Barnes Arico explains that this competitive 1-on-1 closeout drill is one of her favorites. The drill emphasizes taking away the middle of the paint and forcing the opponent into uncomfortable positions.
Defense Does Not Win Championships with Paul Kelly – De La Salle High School (LA)
Watch as Coach Paul Kelly explains that, even though it is conventional wisdom, defense does not win championships.
Deny the Pass Drills
By: Ryan Goodson Originally Published in: Basketball Essentials Provided by: Human Kinetics DENY THE PASS ON THE PERIMETER DRILL Refinement Setup Use two players and one basketball. Player 1 is on offense on the low […]
Defensive Tunnel Drives Drill with Chris Holtmann – Ohio State Univ.
Watch as Coach Chris Holtmann explains this defensive tunnel drives drill that works on lead steps and moving the feet. The offensive player will drive the ball and the defender is in a stance with […]
The Role of the Coach in Recruiting with Paul Biancardi – ESPN
Watch as Paul Biancardi explains that high school coaches must take part in their athletes’ recruiting process. If your athletes are being recruited, you must advise them through the process. If they aren’t, but have […]
Buying In
By: Alan Stein, Jr. Originally Published in: Raise Your Game Buy-in means that the members of your organization choose to embrace, share, and maintain the culture a coach is trying to create. A culture doesn’t […]
Back to School Fundamental Drill Sampler with Christina Jamerson – Dulles High School (TX)
Watch as Coach Christina Jamerson explains, and players demonstrate this “welcome back” series of drills focusing on fundamentals. This drill sampler is great for working on conditioning, shooting, footwork, and defense after players return from […]
Don’t Play the Comparison Game with Paul Biancardi – ESPN
Watch as Paul Biancardi explains how all players must avoid the ‘comparison game’. As a player, you are always better than someone else, but someone is always better than you. With the pressure of being […]
Celebration vs. Reward with Mike Neighbors – Univ. of Arkansas
Watch as Coach Mike Neighbors discusses his beliefs on celebration vs. reward. Coach gives examples of his team celebrating for numerous achievements. The coaches are always looking to catch their players doing something celebratory worthy […]
Drive Shooting Drill with Keith Dambrot – Duquesne Univ.
Watch as Coach Keith Dambrot explains, and players demonstrate this drive shooting drill. The player must give a good shot fake and drive to their right using one dribble to shoot a layup. Repeat the […]
The 1 BIG Lie & 3 BIGGER Truths
Don’t fall for the same lie we always hear… My hot take of the week: One of the biggest lies you hear over and over again in athletics is “Sports develop leadership.” I can tell […]
2-on-1 Shooting Drill with Jim Larranaga – Univ. of Miami
Watch as Coach Jim Larranaga diagrams and shows clips of this 2-on-1 shooting drill. This drill works on shooting the 3, but a defensive player is added to force the shooter to make decisions on […]