The following coaching principles are derived from the coaching beliefs described in detail below it:
- Ensure that all players feel valued by the program
- Plan all training to peak at the end of the year
- Make decisions with the "quality shot" in mind
- Get the ball to the paint, and keep the ball out of the paint
- Measure and share team progress weekly
- Set time for the development of each pillar: tactical, technical, physical and mental
- Give players structure, than encourage them to find freedom and play to their strengths
- Engage all players in competition, daily.
- Primed, Guided, Sided, Live
- Keep it Simple Stupid
THE SECRET OF BASKETBALL (ITS NOT ABOUT BASKETBALL)
Its not so much the "x and o's" as it is the "jimmys and joes." As described perfectly in the book of basketball. Team chemistry is the most important part of being a basketball team.
"The relationship game is the game to win."
"The relationship game is the game to win."
To put this into action we have a "team cohesion" schedule. This includes our first team meeting, our team retreat and other team activity's.
Each of our players checks in with a coach every tuesday. This check in gives the player a chance to discuss any issues, discuss ways to improve, or just simply to hang out.
I set a personal goal each day to "bathe" one player a day in the "R.I.V.E.R." To validate that person. To acknowledge, on a personal level, that they are Relevant, Important, Valued, Empowered and Respected.
I set a personal goal each day to "bathe" one player a day in the "R.I.V.E.R." To validate that person. To acknowledge, on a personal level, that they are Relevant, Important, Valued, Empowered and Respected.
OUR GOAL IS TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
As opposed to trying to win every game. What this means is that we want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season. We want to peak at the right time.
This belief effects our program in the following ways...
First, with our tactical instruction, we allow for a grace period before committing to hard and fast tactics. While our principles will remain the same (see: the wheel of winning) we will go about achieving those in different ways from year to year. We are prepared for and embrace adjusting as we learn more about the strengths and weakness of our team.
Second, we play a larger rotation earlier in the year than we do later in the year. Early in the year, our rotations will be based on the V.P.S scores of individual players. As the year progresses, we will move to a shorter rotation, once our top players have established themselves.
Third, the volume and load of our training sessions (on court and in weight room) will be tailored so that we are able to peak emotionally, physically and spiritually at the end of the season. We do not want to ware down our team and peak too early.
WHY WE ARE A "QUALITY SHOT" PROGRAM
The aim of basketball is to score more points than your opponent. This can be achieved in two ways. Taking a higher "quantity" of shots than your opponent or taking a "higher quality" of shots than your opponent.
Taking more shots is a sound philosophy and works for many programs across the nation. However, we are a "quality shot" program for the following reasons...
First, my background as the head coach, is in coaching a "quality shot" style of play. Just like our players should play to their strengths, so should I. Second, my background is in recruiting "efficient" basketball players. In being honest about my strengths and weakness, I am better at identifying "efficient" talent than the "athletic" talent required for a "quantity shot" program. Finally, it is my belief that you prepare for the hardest game on your schedule. In the biggest game of the season (hopefully the championship game) the teams will likely shoot an even amount of shots. In my assessment, "quantity shots" programs are better built for the regular season and "quality shot" programs are better built for the playoff season. I want us to be prepared to win the championship game.
ANALYTICS AND GETTING THE BALL TO THE PAINT
Analytics have shown that the highest value shots are the free throw, shots at the rim and the inside out three. To get these shots, we put an emphasis on getting the ball to the paint.
When the ball is a threat to get to the rim on every possession, whether it be by a rim run, cut or dribble penetration, we will create more of the shots that we want.
This principle of getting to the paint eliminates low percentage shots, such as transition threes, off the dribble threes and early mid range shots. We have to attempt to get a layup first.
ANALYTICS AND GETTING THE BALL TO THE PAINT
Analytics have shown that the highest value shots are the free throw, shots at the rim and the inside out three. To get these shots, we put an emphasis on getting the ball to the paint.
When the ball is a threat to get to the rim on every possession, whether it be by a rim run, cut or dribble penetration, we will create more of the shots that we want.
This principle of getting to the paint eliminates low percentage shots, such as transition threes, off the dribble threes and early mid range shots. We have to attempt to get a layup first.
WHAT GETS MEASURE GETS MANAGED
The old adage in business applies to basketball as well. To truly live our core value of being process oriented, we need a means for tracking our process.
Since our process involves both effort AND results, we track both. To track effort, we utilize our "Hustle Stats." To track results, we utilize both the V.P.S and our Conference Stats. (Which are derived from Dean Oliver's research on the four factors.)
We meet as a team every Monday to review our three tracking criteria.
BASKETBALL IS A COMPLEX SYSTEM
There are two things that describe a complex system. First, their is top-down causation between its parts. Second, the system produces emergence. ("Chaos" or "An unpredictable outcome.")
This belief that basketball is a complex system effects us in the following ways.
First, due to top-down causation, the parts of our system all effect each other. Put more clearly our tactical play, is effected by our players technical skill and our players technical skill is effected by their physical and mental abilities. We must care for each pillar of our system to create the best possible system. If a player is underdeveloped mentally our tactical execution will suffer. If our tactical system is unclear a players mental development will suffer.
So, put into action, we devote specific training time to all four pillars of training. Tactical, our team practice time, techncial, our individual workouts, physical, in our weight room and mental, in a classroom.
Second, due to the factor of emergence, created by our complex system, we must be prepared for chaos. We prepare our selves in the following two ways.
First, the coach must provide structure within the chaos so that possibilities are not infinite. We have a clear system on both ends of the floor that reduces the amount of variability that can occur.
Second, the player must be prepared for chaos and have the freedom to adapt on the fly. This is why we lean more heavily on principles than rules. We want our players to "understand the commanders intent" and than be able to operate with "decentralized command." We want to help players understand their strengths so that they can play to them and leverage them against their weaknesses. We want our players to feel a sense of freedom within our structure, to solve problems as they see fit.
PLAYERS GET BETTER BY PLAYING AGAINST BETTER PLAYERS
Look at nearly every example across history and you will find that top players developed their game against superior opponents. Michael Jordan against his older brothers. Luca Doncic playing professionally at the age of 15. Better players simply hold you accountable to playing better. They will constrain your game in a way to guides you to an optimal style of play.
So in our program, our younger and non-rotation players, go head to head against our veteran players as much as possible. Certainly the weight room and extra work with a coach has its merits, but the number one priority is going at it in practice with our top players.
Our rotation players, of course, get to to go it with all of the teams on our schedule. This teams, will challenge them and provide them the opportunity to grow. (Which is why we respect our opponents!)
