Are we tough enough? November 20, 2011
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I’ve been doing some reading and research on what we can do to help our players to achieve their physical potential and
mental potential to play the game with confidence, play at a modern tempo and play with creativity, whilst having [serious] fun.
Here are some interesting stats based on the performances of elite basketball athletes (extract from Areas of Emphasis, British Basketball T16 Coach Guidance manual): -
Below are some facts obtained form of research completed on the fitness required for basketball. They may help re-emphasise fitness and offer food for thought when planning a training session:
On average an elite player covers 7558m in a game, 23% at high intensity
- On average an elite player covers distances of up to 114m per min
- 22% of total distance covered is sideways movement
- Percentage Heart Rate – players spent 19% of game time at >95% maxHR and 74% of game time at >85% maxHR
- It has been speculated that the percentage time spent in high intensity is correlated with performance
- Work to rest ratio is 1:3.6 (e.g. 6 seconds high to moderate intensity = 22 sec relative rest – low intensity) This relies on working a lot in the explosive anaerobic system, a system that does not use oxygen therefore only last for up to 8 to 10 seconds
- Appropriate cardiovascular fitness can reduce injury rates and specifically knee injury and ankle sprains
- Simple 5 minute progressive balance routine in warm up can lead to reducing ankle injury rates by up to half. Suggesting a possible increase in players available to train.
Our aim will be to make sure our athletes have every possible advantage to help achieve their athletic and basketball potential, but this will not be down to coaches alone. Players, parents and schools/colleges must all play their part in providing opportunity for players to get in basketball shape.
Over the next few weeks the coaches will introduce some changes to warms-ups and cools downs to assist in this process. We’re alway available to discuss how we can support those players who want to improve their physical condition, so please do not hesitate to ask.
Lessons from Miskolc 2011 August 8, 2011
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I’ve been in Hungary for the past 8-days working with the England U18 Women’s team in their preparation for and participation in
this year’s European Championship. Thus far the experience has been exciting, surprising, challenging and highly educational. Its exciting to be surrounded by some of the future talent of tomorrow (if you haven’t heard the name Artemis Spanou, then you’re not really into women’s basketball..or so I was told!), whilst at the same time sharing experiences with players and coaches for whom these championships will represent the very pinnacle of their respective careers. I for one definitely feel pride in wearing the three lions on my shirt and whatever happens for me in the future, I will cherish this opportunity for a long time.
The level of basketball differs significantly from country to country. Greece, Croatia, Latvia and Belarus made up my pre-tournament favourites, based on previous form, individual talent and initial sitings of them in the team accommodation. I don’t mean to sound un-patriotic, but I’m a realist! Hungary also illustrated a number of the features of the better basketball nations, features which I will briefly try to outline below.
So what have I learnt so far…(in no particular order)
Competition: most of the more successful countries have players who regularly play in more intense competition than we do in the UK. They regularly face pressure (both physically, tactically and emotionally), which better prepares them for the rigours of European level basketball.
What can we learn from this?
If we want to create the best players in the UK we have to create more opportunities for players to train and compete in intense situations. Players, as well as coaches, must take responsibility for creating this intensity each and every time they step on the court. This is what it takes to be the best – no exceptions and no excuses!
Composure: the best teams have players at multiple spots who can play with composure, when under pressure. This allows them to follow the team’s game plan, read the game and make good decisions, even when the opposition exerts more pressure or the game is on the line.
What can we learn from this?
The best players and teams understand how to control tempo, create space, stick to the game plan and control their emotions under pressure. They do this by consistently being exposed to pressure situations, learning from experience and modifying their behaviours and habits accordingly.
The devil is in the detail: Elite level athletes, teams and coaches understand the value of detail. Whether its knowing the tendencies of the opposition’s offensive and defensive schemes (how they break/apply pressure, play against zone, beat screens etc) or understanding the strengths and weaknesses of particular players, detail is king. This involves hours of analysis, practice, competition and reflection (in training, video sessions, one to one meetings, team meetings, planning game strategy and self-reflection). At the championships we plan everything, including; what the players eat, when they eat; what time they go to bed; have a pre-game snack; have individual team and team meetings, watch video; talk on the internet, to the colour of the tape and braces the players are allowed to wear (I love the FIBA regulations).
It also requires a real commitment to learn. Basketball is a simple game with varying levels of complex skills, schemes, tactics and psychology. The best players and teams study every aspect of the game. Those who apply themselves the most, generally come out the winners at the big events.
What can we learn from this?
Success requires a real investment in the game. We need to constantly challenge ourselves to know more, be better athletes and smarter players and coaches.
Discipline: If you don’t have discipline, you cannot win close games. Coaches often talk about “closing out the game” or “closing out the period” and discipline is key. Teams who have players that understand their roles (or ‘job descriptions’) and who buy into playing “we” basketball (as opposed to selfish players who are more concerned with the “me”), will generally have more success in closing out tight games.
What can we learn from this?
Coming into the 2011 season all players must learn Solent’s game plan and understand the style of basketball we want to play. Each player will be given a job description made up of the things they can do individually (and consistently) to complement the team’s style of play and game plan. Players who stick to the game plan will play and those who do not won’t! Coaches will help by providing clear guidelines on player job descriptions and supporting players to develop the required skills to fulfil each individual’s potential and the team’s objectives.
Emotion, Energy and Execution: This is like a holy triad in basketball. I believe that basketball without emotion is just chess (no disrespect to chess, but from my point of view its not the most emotive of games…sorry!). Emotion fuels motivation, excitement and energy. However, loss of emotional control can lead to poor decision-making and becomes disruptive for a team. This can be exaggerated, when a team is placed under pressure. Without execution and composure, emotion is like a naked flame – sometimes beautiful, but it can burn.
What can we learn from this?
I want our players to express their passion for life through basketball. I want them to be confident, enthusiastic and driven, but at the same time aware of how their emotions affect their ability to read the game, execute the game plan and play under control at all times. We’ll do this by emphasising fundamental skills developing (the what, why and when of basketball techniques) , understanding team fundaments (movement and decision-making with and without the basketball) and the social skills required to play the game together and under control. Players need to social skills to deal with emotions, through: -
- communication – with coaches, players, officials and parents
- self-reflection – identify strengths and weaknesses
- adaptation – learning new habits/behaviours when are existing ones are insufficient for the task at hand
There are numerous other aspects I could go into and I’m sure I’ll happily bore you with them when I get back to the UK (or in my next post), but these are some of the most important ones for now. For me I’m learning new skills and techniques to prepare me and our players for the season(s) ahead. I want to continue developing players who can compete at the very highest level. I feel really proud to watch one of our own junior players compete at this level and continue to learn and develop. I know the two players who made national teams this year will not be the last of our Solent family who gets to make take this journey. I want to make sure we all (players, coaches and parents) continue to learn what it takes, not just to get here, but to achieve our ultimate potential.
Beating Zone Defence March 13, 2011
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On the 13th March 2011 I presented a session on “How to be Zone Defence and penetrating against the zone” at the Southern Basketball Conference, Southampton, England. The irony of this is I had spent many hours over the previous months extolling the short comings of zone defence and its appropriateness in school level basketball with one of the conference organisers. As a coach teaching players how to play the game, I agree we cannot avoid zone. It has a valid place in the game at the U18 and senior levels. Zone defence can be used with great effect for a number of purposes, which include: -
- tempo control – changing the tempo of the game
- protecting the key – sagging in order to provide early strong side and weak side help
Zone, in my opinion, should not be used to: -
- disguise individual player weaknesses
- disguise tactical or coaching weaknesses
- provide rest or recovery for players
- to teach young players how to play defence
Anyways, whatever the reason a team decides to deploy zone there are a number of ways to combat the zone. None of these ways are particularly new or innovative and I must credit a number of coaches for the ideas included in this post. Neither can I say that the ideas are fool proof. In order to combat zones you must understand the fours Ps: -
- philosophy: how do you want the game to be played – running game, half-court game
- personnel: what kind of players do you have and what are their strengths and weaknesses
- penetration: the application of passing, cutting and the dribble to score inside the key
- preparation: drills, small-sided games and tactics relevant to your philosophy and personnel
- spacing: the use of space to create isolations inside the key and open shots on the perimeter
Philosophy – Full court penetration means the defence doesn’t have time to set up its zone defence
For me I love the running game (the main reason, I myself don’t play basketball anymore). I want the game to be played fast, at an almost hectic pace, but under control. For my teams I want them to PUSH the ball in transition. Therefore we spend a lot of time trying to understand how to maximise transition. This means understanding the the various points of transition, which include: -
- when the ball goes through the hoop
- on a defensive rebound
- on a live steal
Understanding these points of transition allows your team to get into their fastbreak quickly and effectively. For my teams that means: -
- Early push – pass early and make decisions in the front court
- Early speed – drive phase running mechanics; run hard and wide in the back court, open to the ball in the front court
- Fill the lanes – understand how to balance the floor filling primary wing lanes and secondary/trailing lanes
- Lead pass – use passes to lead your teammates to the basket
Philosophy – Half-court offense
There are a host of tactics which can be employed to beat zones. In the half-court my teams are drilled on the following concepts: -
- the high-low game – the twin principle (if one inside player is high the other is low)
- use of the short corner – used to drag out the centre of the zone to creating cutting lanes and remove shot blocking
- gapping the zone – don’t allow yourself to be marked by any one player (though, there are some exceptions for inside players playing against the centre of the zone)
- spotting up for outside shot
Personnel – develop players skills sets to maximise your options and flexibility against the zone
In my teams I want to have players who can: -
- shoot the perimeter shot – 20-22 feet at 40% or above (sometimes referred to by coaches as “zone busters”)
- dribble penetrate – create their own offence and offence for others by creating dribbling lanes and passing lanes
- play with their back to the basket – score near the basket in a number of ways, including control and reading space
- offensively rebound – create second chance opportunities
Penetration
Penetration isn’t something done off the dribble. The best penetrating teams understand how to: -
- penetrate with ball – creating dribble lanes and passing lanes
- penetrate with the pass – passing inside the heart of the zone i.e. high and low post entry, high low post passing, pocket pass
- penetrate off the ball – cutting into key or from in front or behind the zone
Penetration should always beat at least the primary defender (the defender pressuring the ball). If after beating this player you have the space to pull-up and shoot, then shoot the ball. Alternatively you can keep penetrating until you reach the basket. Lastly, if you manage to draw another defender – or in other words your driving lane becomes a passing lane – then you can make a weak side pocket pass or strong side kick-out. In either case, penetrators should avoid passing in the air. Land in a solid stance, which gives you the option to make a secondary move i.e. pump-fake and step through or spin, or a pivot and pass to a free teammate.
Preparation
It took me about 10-years of coaching to connect the value of creating your own drills and small-sided games that underpin how you want to play the game. For the first ten-years of my own coaching career I experienced a reasonable degree of success just by working my players hard. I drilled and drilled and drilled my players, but with very little connection between the drills and the skill sets required to effectively deliver our tactical philosophy.
After reading some stuff from australia and working with Michael Ball, the current England U18s Head Coach, I learnt how to connect drills to the game, by including small-sides games, which are designed to help players practice their individual fundamentals (shooting, passing and penetrating and spacing) under limited opposition and numbers before moving to the full-game. Games like Rabbit (a full-court 3 on 2 + 1 game) allows coaches to teach transition [and half-court] offence and defence, focus on spacing, team fundamentals (the give n go, tandem defence, driving and passing lanes etc) and emphasise decision-making.
However, the point here is that whatever your teams do against zone you must practice, practice and practice some more. Make sure you consistently practice at game speed and under game pressure to ensure your players can execute the right skill at the right time.
Spacing
Spacing is basketball and basketball is spacing. Players who understand how to how to create space for themselves and others, and use space effectively will play basketball for a very long time…just like those who can shoot the ball well will tend to extend their careers! Principles like gapping (not allowing yourself to be defended by one player), high-low, use of the short corner and overload, are all about spacing. Repositioning yourself so that you can always be seen by the ball (a point made by Damian Jennings in his draw and kick clinic) is equally important in zone offence. Taking advantage and anticipating defensive rotations and on penetration in order to break down the defence.
Obvious omissions in this post is the use of the overload principle, ball reversal (and use of the touch pass and skip pass). All of these are used in my own zone offence philosophy, but require more time and space to explain than we had time for at the conference.
Whether you employ an early push fastbreak offence, a rule-based offence or a continuation-based offence, then you need to practice every aspect of your tactical planned, underpinned by solid fundamental skills, executed at game speed against multiple zone defences. An understanding of how to use a variety of offensive tools to break down the defence and create high percentage shots will give your teams the confidence to beat zone defences and possibly even make them think twice about playing the zone you at all.
The Accumulation of Marginal Gains: the Power of 1% January 16, 2011
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Coaches often ask players to give 100%. Sometimes the coach is trying to use an emotional device, motivating players to try harder or give more. At other times we (the coaches) love your (the players) effort, but want more in terms of using the right skills at the right time. As a coach, asking for 100% is a relatively easy thing to do and therefore we forget how hard players have to work in order to give 100% focus, effort, energy, composer, decision-making, creativity and execution (yes…I really want all of that!). In team sports 100% also implies getting players to give the best of their individual talent in a way that compliments the whole [team]. At the elite level it means expressing the aforementioned skills, characteristics and competencies under the intense pressure and spotlight of the big game. When I ask for 100% I’m asking for just that – the very best of what you already have, not equal to anyone else, as the best you can give is a unique package that contributes to the team as a whole.
Whatever you want from your players, you have to help players understand and develop the notion of getting better everyday, step-by-step, inch by inch – this is the accumulation of marginal gains or the power of 1%.
If giving 100% seems daunting, then becoming 1% better everyday should, in theory, be more palatable. When I think of ‘my best’ it requires a massive amount of energy, effort and skill – something that is challenging for anyone to muster all of the time. But ask me to give 1%, or improve by 1%, and I’ll give that a try every time. So, how does this work?
It’s actually a pretty simple process that requires very little skill, but does require a lot of commitment. For one, the accumulation of marginal gains requires doing something everyday to improve your concentration, composure, energy levels, fitness, flexibility and IQ…yes, everyday.
So let’s look at some practical ways we can start developing the ‘power of 1%’ mentality. The firsy thing you have to do is change your mindset. The whole mindset development debate is complex, and its by no means my area of expertise, but it starts with a simple premise – to be the best you can be you have to have a positive mindset, where everything is possible, if you’re willing to put in the time and make some sacrifices. This brings us to the next important element, which is time.
Many sports scientists, coaches and elite athletes agree that it takes about 10-years or 10,000 hours to reach your potential (Istvan Bayl, 2002). Thats about 1,000 hours per year or 20-hours per week. Now, we (the Suns) only have basketball training twice a week (four hours in total if you manage to get to training on time). With one game each weekend that’s an extra 5-35 minutes, depending on court time, with an extra 20-40 minutes warm-up and 20 minus cool-down. So, if you want to get close to your potential you need to invest roughly 15-16 more hours in your week. Now the good news is that doesn’t have to be 16 hours with your coach. Yes, the coaches would love to have you for another 10 hours per week (a combination of team training and individual workouts), but we’re in England, so that’s not always practical (though not impossible). Nevertheless, not all the skills and attributes we value in the game can be achieved through organised practices or supervised coaching sessions.
You could try any of the following to improve your overall skills, characteristics and competencies and get closer to your potential ability:-
- Practice ball handling one to three times per week = 30-120 mins
- Go for a 30-minute interval run (Fartlec training) 3 times per week = 90 mins
- Improve your functional strength 45 mins three times per week (press-ups, squats, lunges, plank, sit-ups, dynamic balance etc) = 135 mins
- Work on your flexibility whilst watching TV 20 mins per night = 140 mins
- Play local league basketball (or another sport) = 240 mins
- Watch a couple of basketball games = 240 mins
- Shooting practice at school, before practice, at an outdoor court = 120 mims
- Individual Skills Development (ball handling, 1 on 1 moves, post moves, pick and roll etc) = 120 mins
- Study your teams basketball plays twice a week = 120 mins
- Ask your coaches questions to improve your understanding of the game and your game strategy = 15 minutes (or more depending on the questions)
- Review your game stats at the end of the game and write down your strengths and weaknesses. If your stats include efficiency ratings, monitor these and dicuss them with your coach = 30mins
- Take the stairs instead of the lift = 15 mins
- Walk instead of catching the bus = 60 mins
- Think about what eat I.e does it give you energy, hydration and/or can you burn off the sugars and fats?
The bottom line is that if you want to give 100%, then you have to start with improving by 1%, each and everyday. It doesn’t require any big gestures of effort or massive lifestyle changes i.e. download a game on your laptop or phone, keep a copy of your playbook next to the toilet etc. Start by making some small changes and regularly asking yourself “what have I done today to become 1% better than I was yesterday?”. You’ll be surprised what committing to 1% does to helping you to realise 100% of your potential.
If you fancy taking up the 1% challenge then its a good idea to start a training journal to monitor your aims, performance targets and progress, and talk to your coach about the areas you should really focus on in your time away from the practice floor.
Enjoy!
Patron of Passion: Lessons from Borseth April 16, 2010
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This week I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about passion! After loosing the Championship game last weekend to Stockport, I felt heartbroken. Initially I was sad that I couldn’t do more to help my team win. My own passion blinded me to the fact that my job is not just to reinforce our philosophy and demand effort and focus. When everything you’ve done during the hours and hours of training over the season doesn’t work, you – the coach – have to find some way to help your team be more successful. It could be some inspiring words that help remind the team about their strengths and get them to play less tight; it could be simple out-of-bounds play; alternatively you might be able to focus the team on a mismatch or a particular read that if exploited could turn momentum in your favour. However, like players coaches sometimes get caught up in the moment and their passion, turns to frustration, frustration that prevents them from giving their players the kind of feedback that could help them change tempo, make an adjustment or turn the tide.
I was thinking about this type of frustration when I saw the following video on Facebook: – (more…)
Winning isn’t enough.. December 13, 2009
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So far we’ve made real progress at all levels of the club. The U16s are playing their best basketball in years, the U18s are unbeaten and the senior team are in a good fight for the top places in this year’s Women’s Division 2 championship. Most coaches would, it’s fair to say, be over the moon. Not me…
After each game I make a point of talking to my respective teams and individual players about their performance, our goals and my belief that they can achieve more (I know Lee has similar discussions with the U16s). Sometimes the girls and women look at me bewildered. After all, they’ve probably just dropped 80-100 points on a team, winning by a respectable margin. Surely the coaches job is to pat them on the back and celebrate the victory. I must confess to being really poor at that. I’ve really got to work on this part of my post game talk. I am ,needless to say, really proud of what we’ve all achieve so far this season. Nevertheless, I feel I’d be doing the players, the coaching staff and our supporters a real disservice, if I didn’t point out how muh more we’re capable of.
I’m reminded of an incident that happended when I was back in middle school. I was a good student, but far from being the most capable student in my year. There were kids who regularly topped the acheivement tables and recieved acholades for their academic prowess. I on the other hand got good marks, finishing in the top 5 of my class and tip 20 in my year. In Year 8 I sat a maths test that would determine which group I studied in for the following year. I worked really hard for the test, but never really expected to get more than abou 70%. That would have been good enough for a place in the top set. I took the test and got 96%. I was estactic! Not only did I get the top mark in my class, but I also got the top mark in my year. I was excited about going home to tell my mother about my achievement. When I gave my mother the good news you can imagine my disappoinent when she replied “what happened to the other 4%?”
That story has stayed with me for a long time, not because of my mother’s high standards, but because she later explained that by settling for less than 100%, I had missed an opportunity to achieve my full potential. Since that time I’ve had to learn this lesson several times. I’ve given almost 100% and got less than 100% back and each time I’ve regretted not doing more. Sometimes because I was lazy; sometimes because I was disorganized; sometime because I didn’t know my own limits; and sometimes because I lacked the support from the right people to help me realise my goals.
As a coach I don’t want my players to look back at their efforts and think “if only I’d done a little more.”. There is nothing more painful than the pain of regret.
I know some of you think I’m a bit miserable or grumpy after a win, but for me winning isn’t enough. I measure success based on what we’re capable of, not just whether we win or lose. If we lose playing the very best game we can, I’ll be happy. Until we reach our potential, individually and collectively, I will continue to ask more of you. I hope that by doing so you not only achieve more, but you’ll enjoy more and you’ll acquire skills and lessons that you can use in other parts of your life as well.
If achieving your potential is something that you want, then I look forward to hearing from you. I don’t have any magic tricks or sure things to make them happen, but I’m happy to look at ways that we can meet the challenges we face head on and get a step closer to your dreams.
CJ
Creating positive futures November 2, 2009
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This week I’m interviewing for a new job. The main task of this new role will be to manage a new coaching system for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and contribute to coaching developments across the South East. Its an incredibly exciting opportunity and I’m both energised and nervouse about my interview.
Anyway I’ve been reading a lot about developing strategies to create change. Not just any kind of change, but in actual fact creating the future. I’ve never really thought of strategic thinking and strategic planning like this before, even though I’ve been doing it for years.
Imagine sitting down and creating in your mind (or on a piece of paper) the future you want for yourself. A future in which you achieved your goals and were enjoyed happiness and prosperity. How cool! What’s even more exciting is that this tool (strategic planning) is open to everyone at every stage of their life and in almost any walk of life.
As coaches [in Basketball and every other sport I know) we use strategic planning to help ensure we’re competitive, we meet our potential as a team and that we win games and champioships. Players use strategic planning to develop new skills, improve their fitness, get more court time and enjoy the game.
However, why are some people more successful at others at achieving the futures they want? Well its simple…or is it?
First you have to have a clear future. All too often we have a fuzzy or blurred idea or vision of what it is we want to achieve. We want to be a better player, coach or happier person. That’s OK, but what does that actually look like? The first thing we have to understand is achieving goals requires clear goals and objectives. Consider what being “happier” or ”better” actually means. For example, being a better player could involve a whole series of attributes like: -
- Developing a consistent jump shot (under pressure)
- Making the right decision to shoot, pass or dribble the ball (under pressure)
- Boxing out everytime (in training and in the game)
- Giving your teammate the ball or creating a space for your teammate where they can be successful (under pressure)
Its always easier to pick goals that you can get excited about, but beware: The things that will make you more successful and more prosperous are often the things that are the hardest to achieve and change. You don’t have to be passionate about the actions, but you do need to be enthusiastic about achieving your future.
Secondly, be clear about the steps you need to take to get there and what things in your life or daily/weekly routine need to change in order to be successful. Also ssk yourself who can help and support you. Change is rarely easy and having some support really makes a difference.
Thirdly identify signposts for measuring your progress. This could be in the form of feedback from a coach or player; it could be looking at the stats. Are you playing more minutes (if not and this is your goal ask your coach why not). Generally you’ll have a sense of whether your making the improvements you want. This often realises itself by feeling more confident in pressure situations, seeing the game in slow motion (which gives you more time than you previously enjoyed to make good decisions) and generally enjoying the game and training more. This feeling, combined with some external measurements (court time, making the team, feedback, stats etc.), are really useful in keeping your motivated to make the changes necessary to create your future.
Lastly (in this incredibly oversimplified version) take some action. Making changes towards your future requires planning, but more importantly means taking action. The reason so many of us hesitate in making a change is we fear that we’ll make a mistake. What we should in fact consider is that mistakes are opportunities to learn, improve and ultimately take steps towards the future we want for ourselves.
Take some time today to think about the future you want to create for yourself and how you can start making the changes to achieve this happier state right now. I’m happy to help and I know there are others in the club and outside the club that are only too happy to assist.
Do YOU have the X-Factor? October 19, 2009
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As I spend yet another Monday listening to my work colleagues discuss the winners and losers from this weekend’s X-Factor shows, I’m left considering what the Xfactor means to us?
As my colleague become quasi-talent scouts, bemoaning the artists that are still in the competition, because they can’t sing, can’t dance, wore the wrong dress, are ugly, look funny on stage, don’t have a sad enough story (…the list goes on!) – it made me think about our basketball team.
If the X-factor has achieved anything over the last few years, it demonstrates that the best singers don’t always win. The X-factor, by definition, rewards the acts that have that certain combination of talents that prove to be the most entertainting. These are the acts who can perform under the pressure of singing live week after week; despite the criticism from Simon, Louis, the crazy Australian and Cheryl; despite the negative rumours in the tabloids; and depsite that one honest friend who tells them that they can’t actually sing.
In basketball we’re looking for the X-factor too! The most successful teams aren’t always the teams with the 12 most technically or athletically gifted players. Yes, there are successful teams like this, but even these teams regularly get beaten by teams who have the X-factor on a given night or weekend.
The X-factor in basketball is about creating a group of players who know how to make the most of their individual and collective talents. They know how to make each other better. They step on the floor in the knowledge that they practice hard, know the system and can execute under pressure. They know each other’s strengths and play those. They also know where they and their teammates are less capable and they avoid putting each other in situations where they are likely to fail.
The X-factor is not something we are born with, but something we create and that evolves. We do this with hard work. We do this by making mistakes and learning from them; by believing in ourselves and each other; by playing with confidence, intelligence and conviction. If we do anything less, we’ll always achieve less than our potential. Achieving our potential is the ultimate mark of success in life.
This weekend we (the club) lost a couple of games and won a game. The U18s found the X-factor for a good stretch in the 1st half of their game on Saturday. They found a rythym that allowed each player on the floor to play to their strengths. They were not perfect, but they executed our stuff and for the most part with great compsure. They did this by executing at both ends of the floor, reading the opposition and playing with focus and desire, but most importantly together. The seniors also found the X-factor for a fleeting moment in the second half, when having been dominated for most of the game and down by 4-points in the fourth quarter, their uncompromising effort on defense got them back in a game in which the X-factor was largely out of our reach.
Nevertheless, the key to finding that special rythym that great teams have is to learn from our fortunes each and every week. We must be willing to do more, ask more questions, try new things and expect the best of ourselves and each other everyday. We must know our limitations, but not be limited by them. There are lessons in winning and losing and we must be willing to look at ourselves, rocognising both the things we do well and the areas for improvement.
If we are willing to continue working hard, to learn from our experiences together and play with committment, compassion and courage, we’ll find the X-factor within. Remember this is just the beginning…
Player Selection for 2009/2010 Season August 29, 2009
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To All Players, Parents and Coaches,
I hope you’ve all enjoyed your summer break. The summer is a great chance for rest and recuperation and spending some time doing stuff other than basketball. Its also a time to work on your game, adding new skills and getting physically ready for the season ahead. I’m really please with the work some of our players have been putting in and I hope we will continue to keep setting the bar high, so we can achieve our potential this season.
I’ve been asked quite a lot about where (in which age-group team) different players will play this season. In the absence of all our coaches being present I’ve been understandably reluctant to make decisions without their input, but I think its useful to outline our approach in deciding who will play where and how much.
When making [age-group] selections coaches take a number of factors into account. These include individual attributes like age, ability and physical fitness. More generally we consider physical load, academic study, personal circumstances and family. We want to make sure that each selection is based on what’s best for the individual first, and team/club second. We also take account of what individual players want to achieve and where they want to play. You can imagine that taking all this into account makes selection fraught with lots of issues and challenges for both players, family and coaching staff, but we believe this is the best way to ensure that every player is given the opportunity to play where they will have the best chance of developing their basketball.
Coaches also accept that sometimes our opinions will differ from the views of both players and parents believe is best. In these instances we encourage you to come and speak to us in confidence, where we’ll be happy to explain our thinking and also listen to your point of view.
General Selection Philosophy
Squad selection should be based on stage and age. This means that we consider ability first and age second. It also means that some players will be asked to play for more than one team (i.e. a player may play U16s as their first choice team, but also called to play U18s on occasion as their second choice team or visa versa). This is a philosophy we have adopted for a number of years and with great success. Having spoken to coaches from both the UK and abroad over the summer I’m confident this remains the right approach. Where possible we do want to encourage players to play at their age group, allowing them to gain confidence, dominate and develop leadership skills. However, this should be secondary to where they will be appropriately stretched and challenged to make the appropriate improvement in skill and game understanding.
Training & Game Load
We have a few players who are capable of playing across two or three age groups. However, we need to make responsible decisions about training and game laod, which takes into account the appropriate physical load for players. Training at high intensity 5 times a week may be appropriate (and managable) for some players, but not for others. The same goes for the playing schedule. Consequently, once all the coaches have had a chance to meet (early September) an effort will be made to agree on game availability right from the start of the season. This means each player will know which games they will be expected to be available for from September right through to March 2010. This will not be written in stone and we can make adjustments as we assess the impact on different players and their families throughout the season.
Our aim initially should be to reduce the number of weekends where junior players have to be available on two consecutive days. Where a player does double-up, we will try to ensure this happens on the same day, rather than 1 game on Saturday and 1 game on Sunday. This gives players a full days rest and time for study and family. However, there will be exceptions and this will be discussed on a player-to-player basis with individual players and their parents.
The coaching staff will be meeting shortly to discuss how this affects individual players and there may be some slight changes to the guidlines outlined above. I know I’ve had the opportunity to speak to some players already, but not in any great detail. Coaches will meet with individual players over the next couple of weeks to discuss our thoughts.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask us (the coaching staff) in person.
Coach CJ Lee
Developing your Basketball IQ Tip No.1: Watch more basketball August 29, 2009
Posted by solentsunscoach in 1.1 comment so far
Hi there,
As some of you may have read recently I suggested that one way you can improve your basketball IQ is to watch more basketball. Personally this is the most fun homework I’ve ever had to do. Watching basketball and listening to basketball commentary is a great way to improve your understanding of the game.
With the help of Coach Lee Ryan and U16 player, Katherine Hill, I’ve compiled a list of some of the easiest ways to watch basketball in the coming season: -
On the TV…
1. ESPN America (formerly NASN) – £10 per month subscription to watch up 5 NCAA a week and a weekly magazine show on the NBA
2. Eurosport 2 – Men’s and women’s games from the Euro League
3. Channel 5 show the NBA a couple of times per week
Through the internet…
1. A cheap option to watch some incredible basketball can be found at the following link http://www.fibatv.com/page/Home/. The price is just 40p a week to see some of the best world basketball around.
2. You can buy a season pass to watch full games on NBA.com and or simply check out highlights for free.
If you know of other ways to watch basketball on TV or via the internet, then please add your comment to this post.
