COACH DAN (Son #2)

After thinking about your question about “plays “ for basketball junior teams,  I realized maybe I’d be more helpful listing fundamental ideas that may be simple and redundant.  

FOR THE TEAM

• Listen to your Coach(es )
• Team and teammates before self.
• Don’t quit !
• Play AHEAD,  Pressure on them. 
• Control “nervousness “, control anger.
• No whiners.  Limit excuses and blame.
• Tired ? Hurt ? Tell your coach.
• Talk to your team and coaches. Not your opponents or referees or fans.  

INDIVIDUAL  SKILLS AND SUGGESTIONS

*Offense and DEFENSE !

*Defense

    Proper athletic stance–ready is quick

    Hands up

    Move your feet

    Block out

    Keep yourself  between your man and the goal. 

    KNOW WHAT DEFENSE YOU ARE PLAYING!

    ( Man to man, zone and what kind, press, matchups and combinations ).

Offense

     Baseball saying :  “ There ain’t substitute for speed afoot !”

     The advantage of being in shape

      Fake and drive.  Faking is an art.

      Fake and Step back  ( Hardin )

      Fake, 1 or 2 or 3 dribbles–jump/shoot

      Follow your shot.  

      Use the backboard.

      Protect the ball.  Use either hand to dribble without looking at the ball.

      Peripheral vision ?

      Rebound with two firm hands.   Out let pass? Fast break–2 on 1, 3 on 2.

 Coast to coast ?  Practice this full court by yourself.  Make that layup !

      Free throw fundamentals :  Relax, deep breath.  Balance.   Pressure? Myelin ! Or practice.  Try to groove the free throws smoothly.  No violent or jerky shots.  

***********************

Team feedback from son # 1 ( Coach Tee )

MAN TO MAN OR ZONE?

Tee called last night.  He wants to know if he can get some help with his 10 years old basketball team.  Maybe one of the Odom boys.  

There are nine players.   Son Lennox warned his Dad on the way to the first practice :  ” … Four of these kids are crazy!”

Coach Tee spoke about 15 seconds before “the worst of the four” emptied his water cooler on the floor.  Tee said “the four” have never since acknowledged that Tee  was there.

Luckily 1.  The other five are pretty good, And 2, the gym has two goals. 

The  4 took off to goal 2.   Tee’s 5 worked hard interrupted by several fights and obscene language from the 4 goal.    Tee admitted seeing one 4 kick a wet floor pylon that drew blood from another.  

He also confessed he told his five— I will bring them up to play.  Beat them bad.

Worst 4 beat best 5.  Worst of the 4 hit the winner.

Team vote on team name —BOULDER MAYHEM.*

Russell Rawlings is coming tomorrow.  He is not only a four graduate, but revelled in coaching them.  He’ll help.  

P.S. The team voted to change their team name to ” THE TOADS.” *

BEAR # 2—” It’s hard to get the student body to rally around MATH !”