A comprehensive approach to creating a practice plan that simultaneously focuses on skill development and game-like situations. The Craft of Practice Planning Practice planning is one of the great obsessions of basketball coaches at all levels. There is probably no aspect of their job that coaches spend more time on then designing the perfect practice plan. As a…
Spacing vs. Positioning
Spacing and Positioning both play a role in effective offense, so what’s the difference between these two concepts? (Note: This blog originally appeared in our September 15, 2018 newsletter. Subscribe here.) Often I receive an email that goes something like this… “Coach, I love the info you share and I really love the four-out and…
Playing Inside Out: Passing and Cutting from the Post
Teach players key concepts and reads to playing inside out on offense in order to increase spacing and scoring opportunities. Playing inside out has long been a focus of many basketball coaches. This often meant playing through a traditional post player who would throw the ball out if they couldn’t score. The game has changed in many ways,…
Moving The Nail Defender
Six tips for moving the nail defender with cutting and screening to facilitate top penetration. The “nail” is tiny hole drilled in the floor at the center of the free throw line. It is here that defenses will often park a defender meant to deter top penetration. The offense wants to drive through the nail;…
Head Coach Roundtable: Advice for Your First 100 Days
With so much work to do when starting a new job as head coach, having a plan for the first 100 days is extremely important. *This article was originally posted by our partners at AthleticDirectorU on its website here. What does it take to have a successful start to a head coaching tenure? AthleticDirectorU sat…
Developing Your Game Model
Develop a Game Model to help improve and clarify performance standards, strategy and tactics for your program. Understanding the game is fundamental for successful teams and coaches. It is assumed coaches understand the game, but can they articulate a model that players can comprehend? In better organizations, the players see the game the way the…
Coach’s Role in Building Confidence: Part 2 – Words and Actions
Developing confidence in athletes is a key part of coaching, and the words and actions from coaches make a difference. *This is Part 2 of 3. Check out Part 1 – Preparation and Success. Last week I started this blog series on confidence and our role as coaches in instilling and developing it in our athletes.…
What’s the Best Bargain in Basketball? The WNBA
The WNBA Playoffs begin tonight, and coaches should take advantage of the learning opportunity these games will provide. Coaches spend the off season looking for ways to develop, improve, and learn. What if I told you that you might be missing out on the best bargain in basketball!?! For only $16.99, you could watch some of the…
Coach’s Role in Building Confidence: Part 1 – Preparation and Success
Developing confidence in athletes is a key part of coaching, and preparing them properly sets them up for success. *Part 1 of a 3-part series In the last few posts I wrote for Fast Model Sports I talked about some important elements of team sport success being things that we might not always think of as…
Video Playbook: Fred Hoiberg Pitch Series
A video breakdown of pitch and flip entries from Fred Hoiberg’s Pitch Series We decided to go back a few seasons and take another look at Fred Hoiberg’s Pitch Series that he brought to the Chicago Bulls from Iowa State. The series features some weave-like ball and player movement, misdirection and both wing and spread…