I have learned many valuable lessons throughout my years of coaching. However, three lessons stand out above the rest especially as the 22-23 season has come to an end for me and my team, and they have changed my approach to the game completely especially now looking at things in hindsight.
In this post, I will share these lessons with you, and how they have impacted my coaching style.
The first lesson is that great players give their teammates an advantage. Basketball is a team sport, and one player’s action can make all the difference in the game. When a player has the ball, their focus should not be on scoring but on giving their four teammates on the court an opportunity to score. A great player should have the ability to read the defense, create space for their teammates, and make the right pass at the right time. As a coach, I teach my players to think beyond themselves and focus on the team’s success. I encourage my players to play unselfishly and to look for their teammates who have a better opportunity to score.
The second lesson is that basketball boils down to timing, spacing, and angles. Basketball is not a difficult game if you can teach your players when to do something, where to do it, and how to create an advantage through angles. As a coach, I focus on teaching my players the fundamentals of timing, spacing, and angles. In our drills and practices, we emphasize the importance of timing and creating space for our teammates to score. We also work on getting the advantage through angles and understanding how to use our body to create an advantage. By teaching these fundamental concepts, we can master the game of basketball and outsmart our opponents.
The third lesson is that footwork trumps everything! If you want to have an edge in coaching, incorporate footwork into everything you teach. Footwork is the foundation of every basketball move, whether it’s a jump shot, a layup, or a defensive slide. Good footwork helps players move quickly and efficiently on the court, which can make all the difference in a game. As a coach, I spend a lot of time working on footwork with my players. We focus on developing quick and explosive movements, which can help our players get an advantage on both offense and defense.
Incorporating these three lessons into your coaching style can have a significant impact on your team’s success. By teaching your players to focus on giving their teammates an advantage, mastering the fundamentals of timing, spacing, and angles, and incorporating footwork into everything you teach, you can create a team that is unbeatable on the court.
Here are some specific ways you can incorporate these three lessons into your coaching style:
- Teach your players to read the defense: Great players have the ability to read the defense and create space for their teammates. Teach your players to look for openings in the defense and to make the right pass at the right time.
- Work on timing: Timing is everything in basketball. Teach your players to move without the ball and to be in the right place at the right time. Practice running set plays that require precise timing and execution.
- Focus on spacing: Spacing is crucial in basketball. Teach your players to create space for themselves and their teammates, both on offense and defense. Work on drills that emphasize spacing and teach your players to move without the ball to create open passing lanes.
- Develop good footwork: Footwork is the foundation of every basketball move. Teach your players to have quick and explosive movements, both on offense and defense. Work on drills that focus on footwork and incorporate it into every aspect of your coaching.
- Encourage unselfish play: Teach your players to focus on the team’s success and to play unselfishly. Emphasize the importance of giving their teammates an advantage and teach them to make the extra pass.
In conclusion, these three lessons have had a significant impact on my coaching style this season, and I believe they can help any coach create a successful team.
As a coach, it’s important to remember that your role is not just to teach your players how to play the game but also to inspire and motivate them. Encourage your players to work hard, stay disciplined, and be dedicated to the team’s success. By no means am I a great coach, I try to motivate and do the best I can within the limitations I have.
If you can do that, you will create a team that is not just successful on the court, but also off the court.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that coaching is not just about the X’s and O’s of the game. It’s about developing a positive and supportive environment for your players. Encourage your players to be respectful, supportive, and inclusive of one another. Make sure your players know that they are valued and appreciated and that their hard work is not going unnoticed.
In conclusion, coaching basketball can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By focusing on these three key lessons, you can develop a team that is not just successful on the court but also off the court. Remember to inspire and motivate your players, create a positive and supportive environment, and always strive to improve as a coach. With hard work and dedication, you can create a winning basketball program that your players will be proud to be a part of.
—
For critical insight, I deeply will recommend that you consider joining my masterclass:
For a more data-centric approach to scouting check out FullField Basketball here