Doing the Little Things Right = More Wins

What little things can you do to build “Team” during the off-season?

Build team through ownership – Senior led workouts, open gyms, meetings, team events, etc.
Build commitment – Morning/Weekend workouts – it is the seniors job to get them there and monitor attendance
Build Trust – Lift, run, play, study, sacrifice – PAY THE PRICE TOGETHER
Build Togetherness – Team camps, summer shootouts, team league, AAU, etc.
Ask your team what they have put into next season already?

Areas of continued growth, ownership, and commitment

Advanced Physical Development – Weekly lifting and conditioning designed to train athletes during the school day consistently year round.
Team Leagues at all levels – Game situations, understanding team play, live/intense repetition. Valuable for young coaches too.
1 Day, 3 Game Shootouts – Allows for bench development and team mental and physical development. Overcome adversity together, learn how to work as a core unit.
Summer Youth Camps – Allows for community service and becoming better role-models, as well as an extra opportunity to teach the game. Great learning experience for coaches, players, and staff.
Team Dinners, Retreats, Meetings – Builds team chemistry and trust; liking each other helps, respecting each other is the ultimate goal.

Coaching the Little Things

One of the biggest little things is getting the most out of yourself, as a coach.

Prepare Diligently
Post daily practice/workout schedules (minute by minute plans w/ specific instructions)
Post the practice, game, and weekly goals for the entire program to see
Be consistent with daily goal reminders (pick 2 or 3 to emphasize daily)
Use a silent stretch period with a verbal rehash of daily practice emphasis for increased focus
Use the clock for time and drill transition
Be consistent with praise and criticism. Assign other coaches to rag and praise.
Delegate coaches daily duties (focus on player checkouts, stance, help side, etc.)
Borrow from other coaches..what works and fits your personnel. OB plays, sets, etc.
Talk with your coaches, other coaches, and your players…ask them what they do or what they think about all kinds of issues. It is all about learning, not pretending to know.
Read books, study tape, and above all, scout your own team. Know your tendencies. Your opponents will take away something you do well.
Test your team’s listening skills, develop it, just because they hear you doesn’t mean they actually heard you.
Insist that players coach each other and themselves positively in practice. One way to do this, have them echo or state your corrections with it happens and before you do.
Give leaders to do list and expect them to get the team to follow.
Shake hands with your players after a game, win or lose. Make sure they know you appreciate their effort.
Evaluate practice with your staff, during and after, and then be able to effectively communicate the evaluations with your team.

Players Little Things

One of the biggest little things is getting the most out of your players.

Offensive Little Things We Emphasize:

Square up to the basket, in the post too
Shot fakes, jab steps, sweeps, and hard jabs
Set up the cut, and cut hard, with a purpose
Use the screen shoulder to shoulder – GET LOW and GO
Use the bounce pass when possible
SOLID screens – wide, low, and at the proper angle
Use ball fakes, especially versus a zone defense
Make TWO people guard you – drive hard, to the rim, with a purpose
Be ready to shoot of the pass, and above all, follow your shot – but do not rush it
Lack of skills = Limited players. We focus on SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Make your lay-ups and free throws and you will probably win the game