Credibility

I received the book Wisdom for the Busy Coach by Stephanie Zonars as a thank you gift at Christmas, and have been working my way through it among other projects. The book takes a look at different aspects of coaching and life in two page segments, with a quote on one page and some reflection on the second, followed by an "X's and O's" section and a bible verse.

I've really come to enjoy the lessons in this book, and I wanted to share the information from the section on credibility. It starts with "Credibility is the foundation of leadership. If we don't believe in the messenger, we won't believe in the message." - Jim Kouzes. As I mature as a coach, I find that message to be very applicable and true. I also believe that credibility cannot be established without strong relationships with your players, and without having faced adversity head on. Until those you're leading see you make tough decisions in their best interests, it will be difficult for them to completely trust that you will do so. This is where, Zonars points out, that "credibility is built through actions, not words."

The section goes on to ask some rhetorical questions: "Do you preach about confidence, then shrink back from approaching your own challenges confidently? Do you demand better communication between your players but fail to communicate effectively with your co-workers? Do you encourage your players to put their teammates first but find it difficult to exhibit humility yourself?"

I believe these questions provide a great opportunity for reflection. What things do you emphasize to your players, and then fail to follow through on yourself? Players see this disconnect, and it's confusing for them. Our actions must reflect our professed beliefs, or they damage our credibility.

Finally, the page ends with Matthew 7:20, "Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions." To me this is a reminder that as coaches, we will be remembered for what we do, how we act, and the way we treat people far more than any pre-game speech or statement to the media.

Hitting the Recruiting Trail

Today marks the start of the NCAA spring live period, and thus some of the biggest AAU events in the country will unfold over the next three weeks. While we actively recruit throughout the spring and summer because we do not have "live" and "dead" period restrictions, the July and new (old) April periods are crucial for evaluating players and establishing a target recruiting list heading into next year. I wanted to take a minute to talk about some of the things that I personally am looking for during AAU play as I assess players throughout the evaluation period.

• Talent.
• This is the most obvious thing coaches look for. If it's not there, all the rest of moot. But what exactly are the desirable traits?
• Shooting, vision, passing, rebounding, on-ball defense, help-side defense, blocking shots, ball handling.
• Toughness
• Jay Bilas laid out a beautiful definition of toughness in an article a few years ago. It's not chest thumping. It's not trash talking. It's not being overly physical. So what is it?
• Setting solid screens, blocking out on EVERY shot, diving on the floor for loose balls, taking a charge (not flopping), getting through screens, contesting shots, SPRINTING the floor.
• Toughness is lacking in a lot of AAU games. Guys want to make pretty plays, pretty passes, pretty finishes. Find a court where guys are doing tough things, and you'll find a lot of coaches watching.
• Execution
• There are not a lot of long, drawn out offensive sets and possessions in AAU - but there are still plays to be executed. If a player struggles with a minimal set play, will they be able to comprehend a complex offense?
• There is also execution at the defensive end of the floor, and a lot of people miss that. Are you rotating correctly and on time? Are you defending screens correctly? Do you know your assignment?
• Attitude
• This is where "fake toughness" is revealed. Do you feel the need to show up opponents constantly? Do you argue with officials on every call? Do you pay attention to your coaches during time-outs and other instructional times?
• Communication
• On both ends of the floor, and along with speed of play, communication is one of the areas that I've found athletes struggle with the most when adjusting from high school/AAU to the college level. It is an extremely underrated skill to possess.
• Communication and talking are completely different things. Communication has a purpose. Communication is a two-way exchange of information - you communicate when you listen and execute too!
• Team-mentality
• There will be a lot of shots taken in most AAU games. There will be a lot of AAU games where one guy take most of the shots. Are you willing to pass up on your own numbers and get teammates involved? Are you encouraging teammates when they make a good play and lifting them up when they struggle?
• Effort
• How hard are you willing to work on every play of the game? It's easy to give effort when you have the ball. What are you doing without it?
• Setting screens, cutting hard and finishing cuts, setting up screens, SPRINTING the floor, constantly adjusting defensive position, rotating early, getting through screens.

This list is not all-inclusive by any means. I'm sure I'm overlooking things and I know there are places where these categories overlap. My hope is that it gives you an idea of what coaches are looking for beyond being able to put the ball in the basket.

What to Look for in a Summer Basketball Camp

I've been lucky enough to work a number of college basketball camps along the east coast over the last five years, and I am often asked by parents or middle and high school players about camps they're looking at. Here are some thoughts of what to look for when assessing camps for this summer and how to get the most out of your camp experience.

• Skill improvement matters!
• This is by far the thing that gets overlooked the most about camps, which is crazy because it SHOULD be the reason you're going to camp in the first place. You're going to camp to improve as a player. Most kids dread the skills stations or skill development sessions - but this is where the true value of camp lies. 
• Find a camp that puts a strong emphasis on skills stations or other emphasis on individual development.
• Development should encompass a wide base of skills - shooting, rebounding, passing, transition, individual defense, team defense, footwork, screening, etc.
• Ask if coaches are allowed and willing to work one on one with players at any point during the day for extra advice and practice.
• Bigger does not always mean better!
• I've worked big camps and small camps - from privately owned to DII to power conference DI programs. While bigger camps often have more players, they aren't necessarily better.
• Find a camp where the actual coaching staff takes a hands-on approach to the camp, and doesn't just float around or show up for a few minutes each day.
• Many bigger camps have to take a "general" approach to teaching the game because they get players from a much broader range of ability levels.
• Smaller camps may be able to offer additional services, such as individual shooting clinics, because the lower numbers allow them to accommodate a higher percentage of campers.
• How much non-game competition is there?
• There are lots of ways to compete that don't involve 5 v 5 games. Personally, I believe 3 v 3 is a much better mode for working on your game because there's a much higher potential for you to be involved in every play.
• Most camps will guarantee everybody 2-3 full games a day. But how much better will you get if this is your only chance to implement the skills you're working on during the developmental sessions?
• Coaches want to see players compete and push themselves - camps with a mixture of individual and group competitions show all facets of your competitive nature.
• Cost effectiveness is crucial.
• Would you rather pay $500 for a day of check in, 3 full days of camp and a day of check out, or $450 for a day of check in, 4 full days of camp and a day of check out?
• In the current economy, there's no denying that attending camp is a luxury. Get the most out of the experience by finding one that is cost efficient.
• Quality opponents bring out the best in you.
• There's nothing wrong with asking about the talent level at a camp. Just go about it in a tactful way.
• Are you looking just to have fun? To show your skills to multiple college coaches? To impress one staff by going up against their other top recruits? Contact the camp directors and ask what kinds of players they target.

My top 5 reasons NOT to choose a camp:

• They have a lot of down time between games.
• Down time is okay - if it's structured. If you're spending time in the dorms, you're wasting money.
• They don't do a lot of stations.
• Why are you taking a week out of your summer to be at camp if you don't want to work on your game?
• All of my friends go there.
• It's great to spend time with your friends - but convince them to find the right camp too!
• It's at a big school.
• See above.
• They give out cool gear at the end of camp.
• Gear is nice, but t-shirts don't make jumpers.
• I can get autograph's from players.
• Send a letter to the coach or player. You'll be surprised how many will respond.

We run one session for boys players and one for girls players here at Houghton, and we work very hard to provide an environment where student-athletes can learn the game, improve their individual skills, and implement those skills into the team setting. We also stress character development throughout the week and our coaching staff is here to work, not to network with other coaches and look for jobs. If you know of someone who would be interested, please direct them to this link: Houghton College Basketball Camps

NABC Clinic Notes Part V - Mike Dunlap (St. John's)

The fifth and final installment of my NABC series comes from the clinic by Mike Dunlap, assistant coach at St. John's. In my opinion, this was the best clinic of the entire convention from a learning standpoint. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that while I love the creativity of coaching the offensive end of the floor, defense is the focus of our program at Houghton and it's where I believe champions are made. Coach Dunlap did a fantastic job explaining how St. John's goes about creating a defensive mindset. There are some points in here that will absolutely make it into our playbook next year - enjoy! 

• 8 keys to creating a defensive mindset:
• Have a philosophy
• Know what it is, and what it isn't. Having one is more important than what you have.
• So many different ways to coach, styles, X's and O's. Teams who commit to a philosophy have repeated success.
• You have to give players the "why"
• They want to know why they're doing what they're doing
• Give them the "why" early - so later when quick changes need to be made, they understand and trust that you have a vision behind decisions
• You are what you emphasize
• Get to the hard stuff early - there's no reason to wait
• If you want to emphasize your D, you need to simplify your offense
• That doesn't mean simple - cutting back on how much you do will allow you to use good action but spend less time on offense.
• Create your own deflection chart
• What are the most important hustle plays to you? - Chart them
• "Taking a charge is the most selfless thing a player can do in our program. A charge = winning the drill."
• Transition D
• What are your keys? What is your emphasis?
• Coach Wooden had a triangle and sent two to glass because he had the best bigs. What gives your team the best coverage?
• Easy baskets win championships
• "Easy" = lay-ups, uncontested 3's, FT's, and put-backs.
• St. John's research: Teams shot 17% worse on contested 3's (hand up on the shooter).
• The less easy baskets you allow, the harder the other team must work on offense - taking energy away from THEIR defense.
• Validate all victories (in drills)
• Get "the big stop"
• One stop to win the drill/game
• Simulate the end of a game when one stop will win it.
• Get "the big score"
• One score to win the drill/game
• Simulate the end of a game when one score will win it.
• Execute for a score.
• Score off of a specific action/number of passes/etc.
• FT's
• Must make them for a W
• Think of how many times a day you could practice those late-game situations where one play is the difference between winning or losing just by validating W's.
• Ball Screen Defense
• Have 3 or 4 ways that you have practiced and are confident with
• If you can't stop it one way, you've already practiced a backup plan.
• "Destroy their practice time."
• Guarding ball screens and guarding the ball are the two biggest weaknesses in most individual defenders. Everybody emphasizes help side so much now that guarding your own man gets lost.
• Video
• Use it as an instruction tool as often as possible.
• Players can't argue with film, it doesn't lie.
• If you can't do it as a team or daily, break down into smaller groups 1 or 2 times a week before/after practice
• Verbals
• What is the language for your program?
• Create a program "dictionary"
• Designing Drills
• Know the emphasis of the drill
• What are we trying to teach?
• Know the rotation
• How do we move within the drill?
• Know the rules
• Dribble limits, defensive positioning, etc
• Know the victory
• How do you win
• Teaching new drill:
• Tell themàShow themàThey show youàCorrect themàRepetitions
• Do not interrupt a drill until a player is through the rotation
• Unless you want to emphasize it to everyone
• Give a way to tighten practice
• Build "quick wins" into your practice plan
• 1 or 2 perfect possessions = win and move on
• Incentive for higher performance
• Creates positive peer pressure
• "Don't ever let money cause you to lose your creativity"
• Creativity earns your new opportunities and responsibilities
• New opportunities and responsibilities bring more money
• Money causes us to play this safe so we don't fail
• Playing it safe means we give up our creativity
• Evaluate what you do - don't be afraid to purge
• Either the action is bad, the teaching is bad, or the personnel is bad
• "You can't see a thing you don't think about"
• If you can't imagine a situation or outcome, you'll never be able to visualize its solution
• 3 ways to improve yourself
• What you read
• Where you travel to see others instruct
• Your DVD/video collection

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NABC Clinic Notes Part IV - Jay Wright (Villanova)

Today's entry is the notes from the NABC clinic conducted by Villanova head coach Jay Wright. Coach Wright presented some great concepts relating to their base man/man offensive system. One of the things he stressed the most was the lengths they go to in making their system fit their personnel, and making their movements consistent between their motion and their sets. He talked about having a designated set of movements for a specific action (such as a post entry) - and then using those movements regardless of where you're at in your offense. As with the other entries in this series, my notes are in italics. Enjoy!

·         Idea to drill setting up/using screens: place something on the floor at designated point. Cutter must sprint to spot, touch object, then go off the screen.

o   Forces cutter to get to spot and set up screen.

o   Forces cutter to change speed when changing directions.

o   Allows cutter time to read defender as the screen approaches b/c defender will have to shift position.

o   Allows screener time to read defender and get to screening position.

·         “Respect the precious present.”

Be here, now. Keep eyes on the future, and never forget where you came from.

• Having a base offense is great, but it needs to be malleable.
• Everything we do should fit OUR personnel, for THIS team.
• It's okay to have a system in place, to steal from others, or create your own. But you need to be sure that you adjust whatever it is you're going to use from season to season to fit each team specifically.
• 4 components to the base offense that should remain consistent in all sets:
• Drive and space
• Reaction to drives to the middle or the baseline by the other 4 players
• Where do bigs go? Where do guards go?
• Post and rip
• Reaction to post feed by other 4 players
• Do we move on the catch or on the move?
• If you reaction on the move, big must be able to make passing reads DURING his move.
• Ball Screen
• Reaction to a ball screen by the other 3 players
• What opportunities are we trying to create?
• Slips? Pick + pop? Hard roll? Open space to drive?
• Screener/cutter
• Reaction to screens or cuts off the ball
• Probably the most difficult to plan because of the number of screens/cuts available.
• Drill to set up/use screens
• Place object on floor (cone, bell, ball, tape) where you want the screen to occur
• Place offensive players in positions that lead to the screen
• (EX: elbow and corner for a down screen leading to pop)
• Cutter sprints to the spot, TOUCHES OBJECT, and then uses screen
• Forces the cutter to get to the spot and set up the angle
• Forces the cutter to change speed when changing directions
• Allows the cutter to read the defense as he adjusts to the cut and the screen
• Allows the screener to read the defense and time to get to the screen - spacing = open shots!
• "Respect the precious present."
• Be here, now. Keep your eyes on the future, but don't forget where you came from.

NABC Clinic Notes Part III: Chris Mack (Xavier)

Today's notes are abbreviated because I missed some of the clinic by Xavier's Chris Mack. While I didn't catch all of his presentation, I liked what I was able to hear a lot. These three concepts have a good chance of making it into our team vocabulary in the near future. As with the other parts of the series, my own thoughts are added in italics.

• Show officials your hands on defense.
• If they see your hands, they don't think you're committing fouls
• Body contact fouls often are preceded by hand contact - especially on the perimeter.
• Guards often must play tougher on ball screens.
• Too many times blame for poor ball screen defense falls onto the help.
• If you don't switch the screen, the guard's job is to get through it and defend the ball again.
• The rotation back is important too. Once the guard is past screen, how will you rotate the help back?
• Defensive "kills"
• 1 kill = 3 stops in a row.
• Xavier staff theory: 7 "kills" in a game = 97% win rate.

A recurring theme throughout the NABC Convention was that not every part of your system needs to be a complicated X's and O's discussion. The more you can simplify part A of your package, the more complicated part B can get.

NABC Clinic Notes Part II: Dave Rose (BYU)

I'm back today with round 2 of my notes from the NABC Coaches Convention clinics. This entry is from the clinic by Dave Rose on general coaching philosophy. Not a lot of X's and O's here, but still some great information on coaching - enjoy!

·         Took his first head coaching job at a high school to find out if he really liked being a head coach.

o   A lot of people don’t want that pressure or attention, or find they can’t handle it.

·         “Don’t be afraid to get humbled.”

o   By a job, by a loss, by a rejected idea

·         “People need to know you in order to get opportunities.”

o   In recruiting, in working camps/clinics, in moving up coaching ladder

·         4 keys to job opportunities/job success

o   Spouse who is supporting of the coaching lifestyle

§  Long hours, road trips, recruiting, their role in team matters, etc.

o   Players with a team-first mentality

§  Often has to be a nurtured culture

o   Coaches you work with or for

§  Give those who work for you responsibility – train them to succeed

o   Administrative support

§  Must believe in you and what you’re doing

·         The heart of your coaching philosophy must be addressed every day

o   Players must believe you can succeed

§  How can I instill confidence in our players?

o   You have to do it together

§  “It” refers to any kind of improvement. Once players see how hard everyone is working, they’ll commit to one another.

o   How is what you’re doing helping you DESERVE to win?

§  Do you/staff/players BELIEVE it is helping you deserve wins?

o   Make it hard for guys who don’t compete to play for you

§  “The more you compete, the better you become.”

§  Lack of effort doesn’t earn sprints. Lack of effort earns a seat to watch everyone else get better.

o   Communication is vastly underrated

§  Where do you talk to your team daily?

§  How do you address individual problems?

o   Embrace, and thrive under, pressure

§  Put in pressure situations – REAL W’s and L’s

§  My Thoughts: What is pressure? Pressure is for the unprepared. Pressure is for the unplanned. Pressure is for those who are unwilling to lose. Pressure is for the undeserving.

o   Be consistent

§  With travel, practices, and schedule on game day

§  Don’t do something in practice just to do it – have a practical purpose

o   Be positive and believe in your plan

If you don’t project belief, why would anyone else buy into the plan?

NABC Clinic Notes: Part I - Dwayne Stephens (Michigan State)

This week I'm going to be posting one entry each day regarding the 2012 NABC Final Four Convention. These notes are compiled from 5 different clinics I attended during the convention and will include my own thoughts and ideas in italics. I'm happy to discuss any of these ideas with anyone who needs more clarification - just leave your e-mail in the comments section!

First up is Coach Dwayne Stephens from Michigan State University. Coach Stephens has been listed as one of the top Division I assistants in the country and talked about some of the ideas they build their program around.

.

·         “Our guys live on the Shootaway”

·         There’s a reason the word “distraction” has such a negative connotation when it comes to athletes.

o   You have to have talent that gets along and is on the same page.

·         The best way to assure you know what’s going on with your team is to spend time withyour team.

o   Show them you care about them as people.

§  Stop into dorms to say hi, play video games, etc.

§  “Know the girlfriend. Know the boys. Know the hangouts.”

·         Make an effort to talk to the girlfriend and the boys.

o   Guys will be who they hang out with

·         “Point guard should know who will be open to throw ahead to within the first two steps.”

o   “Two or less dribbles if you’re going to throw ahead.”

·         “If point guards don’t run, nobody else will.”

·         Most important thing after a bucket is the outlet.

o   “On time, on target.”

·         When screening, get “skinny” where you want the defense to go – they’ll take the path of least resistance.

·         When bigs leave the block, they create easy opportunities for a dig.

o   This applies to pushing guys off the block when you’re on defense as well.

Final Four quotes

As always, the trip to the Final Four and the NABC Convention was a time of fantastic learning and growth for me. I was able to come away with some great quotes and ideas on both basketball and leadership in general. Attending the convention also helped me develop some new creative ideas and concepts of my own. Here are some of the quotes from the Final Four in New Orleans last week, and in Indianapolis in 2010. My concepts in italics:

Basketball Concepts
"If you want to get better at guarding the ball, play 1-on-1." - Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa
"The action on your plays will not guarantee a quality shot. Screening, pace, and spacing do." - Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa
"Players must be dedicated and want to make the sacrifice to improve their individual skills." - Julio Lamos, Argentina Basketball
"Defenses are built to be good at helping the first time; they are not as prepared to help again." - Julio Lamos, Argentina Basketball
"Shooting is not a quick fix issue." - Dr. Jerry Krause
"Recording/counting made shots forces you to work through fatigue and shoot shots, not take them." - Dr. Jerry Krause
"Be who you are as a coach." - Mike Anderson, University of Arkansas
"If you can't be comfortable in the last 10 seconds of the shot clock, you're in trouble in championship situations." - Dave Odom
When screening, get skinny toward where you want the defense to go - defenders take the least difficult route.
"The point guard should know who will be open to throw ahead to within his first two steps." - Dwayne Stephens, Michigan State University
"Make it hard for guys who don't want to compete to play." - Dave Rose, BYU
"On a post pass, create movement to keep defense from doubling." - Jay Wright - Villanova University
"Easy baskets win championships." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University
"If you want to emphasize your defense, simplify your offense." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University
"Validate any drill you win - get an additional stop, make free throws, or execute for a score." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University
"Build in a way to tighten your practices - i.e. 2 stops or charge = done with drill and win." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University

Coaching/Leadership/Philosophy Concepts
"The game honors toughness." - Brad Stevens, Butler University (via Paul Patterson, Taylor University)
"Use the game, don't let the game use you." - Alonzo Mourning
"You have to create a culture within your program." - Sean Miller, University of Arizona
"The harder I work, the luckier I get." - Mike Anderson, University of Arkansas (via Larry Bird)
"The 4-H club of coaching (leadership): Hard working, Helpful, Honest, Humor." - John Pagatti, South Suburban College
"Know the girlfriend. Know the boys. Know the hangouts." - Dwayne Stephens, Michigan State University
"Don't be afraid to get humbled." - Dave Rose, BYU
What is pressure? Pressure is for the unprepared. Pressure is for the unplanned. Pressure is for the unwilling to lose. Pressure is for the undeserving.
"Respect the precious present." - Jay Wright, Villanova University
"Money causes us to lose creativity. Stay creative." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University
"Evaluate what you do. Be willing to purge what doesn't work." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University
"You can't see anything you don't think about." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University
"You improve three ways: what you read, where you travel to see others teach, and your DVD collection." - Mike Dunlap, St. John's University