a youth basketball coaching resource | ||
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![]() Running an Effective Team Practice by Barry L. Mestel, President of Winning Ways Inc.website: http://www.winwaysinc.com An effective team practice is an essential ingredient to optimizing the success of a team. Early in my Coaching career, I learned that "you win games in practice". I am a firm believer in this approach to practice and the necessity of having players buy-in to this concept. Too often, we see teams that spend their entire practice session preparing and strategizing for their next game which, while certainly a component of practice, should not consume the entire session. We also find as the season wears on, that fundamentals and their teaching seem to minimize. Consequently, it is often the case that the majority of turnovers and lack of execution occur in the fourth quarters and in closely contested games. KEYS TO APPROACHING PRACTICE
THOUGHTS FOR THE COACH Treat players as they can be, not as they are - here you are demonstrating the player's potential and strive for continuous improvement Reward that which you want done - Immediate impact is an excellent mental message to a player "Coach likes this, I'll do it again". Shout Praise...Whisper Criticism - Sometimes difficult, but our job as coaches is to teach. When communication turns to confrontation, no one learns. Players spending more time wondering and concerned with whose listening than the teaching you of which you are advising them. Separate emotion from circimstance - As coaches, we have to accept the fact that we will find ourselves in situations that it becomes difficult to address, but the focus needs to be on the circumstance, not the emotions that may surround it. The WOW concept - Serious players will work endlessly on their game. The potential often exists that the tendency is to work on their strengths as opposed to their needs. I can tell you that I as a player was guilty of this. Working on weaknesses (WOW) will develop a player to a more rounded player and ultimately result in self gratification as a player develops in areas of needs. I believe that a Coach is a teacher, in this case a teacher of Basketball. Basketball, I feel, is a combination of simplicity and execution. I often refer to the approach to coaching as "complicated simplicity". Breaking the game down into its parts and supporting them with the teaching and utilization of drills can only make the whole more successful. I would suggest drills that go from offense to defense, etc. This enhances adjustment and attention to both areas as will the the areas of emphasis that you would like to see evolve. SUGGESTIONS ON AREAS OF EMPHASIS
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![]() Our thanks to
Human Kinetics for sending us some excellent coaching books.
You can't beat the discounted price, less than $20 including shipping.
![]() Excellent video with thoughts and drills on organizing your practices. Learn from one of the greatest coaches of the game, Coach "K". Click here to order ![]() "My son's high school coach gave him a copy of the book and he read it in two days. Now he is leading the effort to get himself a scholarship. The book is inspiring and effective for high school athletes." Click here to order |
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