MAN DEFENSE

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
  1. Keep the ball out of the paint by giving the opponent only one option
TRANSITION
  1. Offensive Rebounding
  2. Defensive Transition
    GUARDING THE BALL
    1. Uphill / Downhill 
    2. Inside hand Up
    3. Feet outside of feet 
    OFF THE BALL 
    1. Boxers Stance
    2. Hip Turn 
    3. Closeouts 
    4. Protecting the Circle
    DRIVE AND KICK 
    1. Interchanges 
    2. No Splits
    3. Stunt Help
    4. X Outs
    POST PLAY
    1. Fronting the post 
    2. Defending the post
    3. Digging the post 
    BALL SCREENS
    1. Full Hedge
    2. Flat Hedge
    3. Drop 
    4. Veer 
    5. Switch 
    CATCH AND SHOOT
    1. Lock and Trail 
    2. Veer

    "FLOW" OFFENSE

    PAINT READS
    1. Get the ball to the paint and read the circle
    1. Defensive Rebounding
    2. Offensive Transition
    1. Entries (wing pass, dribble at, middle drag)
    2. Actions (1st action, 2nd action)
    3. Mixer (loop, pass cut, post ups)
      1. Switch 
      2. Trap /Hedge
      3. Over / Overplay
      4. Under / Passive 
      5. Sideline 
      1. Double
      2. Twist 
      3. Big to Big 
      ADVANCED ENTRIES
        QUICK HITTERS
        1. Circles (thru,away,dive) 
        2. Trailer
        3. Cyclone 
        4. Chief
        5. Money 
        6. Veer
        7. Twirl 
        D'ANTONI DRILLS
        1. 3v2 Transition 
        2. 4v3 Transition 
        3. 3v3 Drag Screens 
        4. 4v4 Drag Screens 
        OFFENSIVE PROGRESSION
        1. Switch 
        2. Trap / Hedge
        3. Over / Under 
        4. Ice 

        ADMINISTRATION

        1. Fundraising: Little Hero's Camps 
        2. Alumni: Program Hero's 
        3. Community Outreach: Police, Firefighter and Military Hero's
        4. Budget
        5. Compliance 
        6. Plan for getting all the forms done  

        RECRUITING

        THE AIM
        The aim of the game is to outscore your opponents. In keeping with Billy Beane's "Moneyball" principles, and its singular focus on scoring runs, we to must determine how a recruit will produce, or reduce scores.

         The following is the mental checklist we make with each recruit..

         BASE REQUIREMENTS

        1. You have to be able to score at an above average level, from the 3 or in the key. You don't have to be able to do both, but you cant do zero.
        2. You have to be able to guard at least one position
        3. You have to have a +1. Whether it be "elite" scoring, "elite" defense, passing, charisma or work ethic.
        4. You have to fit a position within our roster, without duplicating it
        5. "No Bozo's or Buds" A bozo is ego motivated and not task oriented. A bud only wants to look good at doesnt want to do the work. They are imprisoned by their ego. We want authentic people who have a pulse.

        POSITIONS

         We have 7 positions on our roster. We like to have one per "cohort." Put another way, we like to have one of each position in the playing rotation each year. So for example, if we have a senior prober/defender, we would like to have a freshman prober/defender as well. 
        PROBER DEFENDER
        This player can get into the paint and probe
        They can defend the opponents prober
        Examples: Brandon Hoffer, Luke Collins, Zanen Zeller, Tommy Nuno 

        SHOOTER PASSER
        This player can stretch the floor and keep the ball safe, but may be limited attacking the rim
        This players game will be maximized by our chase action
        Height is beneficial, as they can shoot over the chase and play off of jump stops in the paint
        Examples: Jonny Dunnavent, Andrew Jones, Daniel Chase, Sam Walters 

        SCORER BALLHANDLER
        This player can score from everywhere on the floor
        They may be limited passing, due to their scoring instincts
        Examples: Kenzo Nudo, Jared Small, Kai-Jae Stephens

        THREE +1
        This player can stretch the floor. 
        He also brings at least one other skill to the team. Whether it be defense, locker room or passing etc..
        Examples: Jess Spivey, Dylan Holler 

        HYBRID BIG
        This player can switch and guard multiple positions. 
        He can post up guards and stretch out 5's. 
        He can get things done in the paint with toughness and a football player body, rather than height. 
        Examples: Draymond Green, Sam Gabbard, Tommy Nuno, the kid from Creighton (Denzel Mahoney)

        SCORER REBOUNDER
        This is the more prototypical 4 man. 
        He rebounds well and can score inside and out. 
        Examples: Connor Nichols, Geoff Livsey, Sam Gabbard, Kevin Love, Kory Kilpatrick

        THE PAINT PROTECTOR
        The more prototypical modern 5 man. 
        This player can score offensively on roles and oreb's.
        this player can defend ballscreens and protect the rim. 
        Examples: Clint Capela, Dwight Powell, Brandon Clarke, Damon Dubots, Jon Nchekwube

        ADDITIONAL BELIEFS
        1. The relationship is the greatest recruiting capital. 
        2. If it does not fit, he will not commit!
        3. Recruit GOOD Players. We want THE BEST or nothing. 
        4. Its like investing in the stock market. We want a diverse portfolio. 4-5 sure things, 4-5 moderate upside, and 3-4 high upside. 
        5. You want guys who are going to either bring the group together or push the group forward, and you want a balanced mix of both. 
        6. Big people beat up little people. We want as much length as we can get. Its worth taking a risk on length with skill that could potentially develop. 
        7. No BUDS or bozos 
        8. If its a choice between an athletic player and a skilled player, we want the skilled one. We are a great shot program. 
        9. Great teams have a "Captain Class" player. Always look for the Draymond / Nuno / Rahon / Gabbard types. 
        10. Great posture is a fantastic indicator of charachter. We want a player with great posture from a family with great posture. 
        THE CAPTAIN CLASS (BOOK)
        Always look for the captain class player. To be a great team, you have to have the Draymond Green / Joe Rahon / Sam Gabbard / Tommy Nuno player that is described in the book Captain Class
        -They guy that is going to raise the competitive level in practice, and bring it every day
        -The guy that is going to make basketball the most important thing in his life, which will rub off on his teammates

         THE RECRUITING CALENDAR

        Spring
        1. AAU Team Visits (Linfield Football Style)
        2. AAU Tournaments
        Summer
        1. High School Team Visits (Linfield Football Style)
        2. High School Tournaments
        Winter
        1. High School Team Visits
        2. High School Season

        THE RECRUITING BOARD
        We stay organized with a recruiting board. This board has at least 10 options at each of the seven positions. We update and shuffle the positions each tuesday. We make our phone calls during monday night football each monday. "Monday Night recruiting ball" 

         SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECRUITING
        We share the story of our team on social media. So that recruits can follow along with our journey, and understand who we are. 

        HEAD COACH OBJECTIVES

        PRINCIPLES
        The following coaching principles are derived from the coaching beliefs described in detail below it:
        1. Ensure that all players feel valued by the program
        2. Be the K.O.C: the King of Conflict
        3. Plan all training to peak at the end of the year
        4. Make decisions with the "quality shot" in mind
        5. Get the ball to the paint, and keep the ball out of the paint
        6. Measure and share team progress weekly
        7. Set time for the development of each pillar: tactical, technical, physical and mental 
        8. Give players structure, than encourage them to find freedom and play to their strengths
        9. Engage ALL players in competition, daily. 
        10. Primed, Guided, Sided, Live
        11. Keep the roster between 12-15
        12. Keep it Simple Stupid (Complexity fails!)
        13. Keep things light from time to time (No allergies!)
        THE SECRET OF BASKETBALL 
        Is that it is 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 by Bill Simmons. Team chemistry is the most important part of being a basketball team. 

        "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 retreats and other team activity's. 

        Each of our players check 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.

        THE KING OF CONFLICT
        As Bill Parcells put, the key to successful coaching is to be the King of Conflict. The goal of the team is to win the championship. But not everybody performs every day at a championship standard. When people are not living up to their standard, somebody has to let them know. For this to happen, there has to be conflict and the nature of this conflict will define the program. 

        Within my program, there are three principles for handling conflict...

        The first principle is expediency. The conflict has to be resolved as quickly as possible. I need to be at my very best, every day. And I cant be at my best, if something is weighing my down. I need a clear mind in order to function properly. If someone is not performing up to the standard, and it is bothering me, I need to address it so that I can be the best coach for my team. If I don't address it, I am polluting my own mind, and making things worse for my team. 

        The second principle is honesty. I need to say exactly how I feel. The analogy is, whatever I say to my assistant coach about the conflict, I need to say to the player. Word for word. With no sugar added. If I am not willing to tell the person what I think, exactly the way I would say it to my trusted assistant, well than how could that player trust me. I have to tell them the truth. 

        The third principle is respect. I need to respect each players standing within the group. Having conflict in a way that embarrasses them in front of their team leads to resentment and leads to a lack of trust of me, the coach. So, all conflict needs to be handled with as much respect as possible. If a conflict has to be held in front of everybody, make sure it is to the point, with 100% truth and not yelled or overly aggressive. If a conflict is held in my office, make sure it doesn't turn into me vs them. Allow them to speak their mind as well. These are young adults who are allowed to have a voice. The final piece of respect is to say the truth as directly as possible eye to eye whenever possible. Jerry Sloan rule = look them in the eye and see if they flinch. Avoid conflict over text message at all costs. Limit over the phone unless it is necessary for expediency. 
        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 wear 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, I should coach to my strengths. 

        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  "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) two 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. 

        WHAT GETS MEASURE GETS MANAGED
        The old adage in business applies to basketball as well. To bring our core values to action, we need a means for tracking our progress . 

        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.) To track progress in the weight room we use our "Olympic Stats," which measure vertical jump, 40 yard dash, lane line agility and an 800 meter sprint (or yo-yo intermittent test.) 

        Commitment to the goals, core values and rules of the team will be monitored by me, the Head Coach, in a more informal, yet still direct, way. 

        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. 

        We must devote specific training time to each of our pillars..
        Tactical = our team practice time
        Technical = individual workouts
        Physical = weight room
        Mental = classroom 
        Team Spirit = team retreats 

        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 playing 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 that guides you towards 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. These teams, will challenge them and provide them the opportunity to grow. (Which is why we respect our opponents!)

        We will not hide young players from the practice floor!

        SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HAS SHOWN A HIGH CORRELATION BETWEEN DISTRIBUTED, VARIABLE PRACTICE AND TRANSFER TO A GAME
        Our practices follow a simple template. Primed, guided, sided and than live. 

        We "prime" our players before each workout, engaging their nervous system. 

        We "guide" our players with specific instruction at the beginning of practice, when they are most open to learning. 

        Than we "side" our players so that they can get more reps than they would in a 5v5 game.

        Finally, we spend the bulk of practice in "live" game play, where we try to replicate as close to possible the attributes of an actual game. 

         SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HAS SHOWN A HIGH CORRELATION BETWEEN SMALLER ROSTER SIZES AND TEAM COHESION
        Not only does the science say that 12-15 players is the right number for a roster, this has been true in my experience as well. My high school basketball coach carried 12. My sophomore year, there were only 8 of us. Every player on the team must have a role on the team and a purpose. I can not provide a role to more than 15 players. 

         There are two fears that get in the way of doing this. First, is that we will run out of players for practice. Most of my practices are built for two teams of six. If we need to go three teams, or if we drop under 10 players, the coaches can play. 

        I want to hire young assistants and have a youthful team. All the better if they can get in practice and mentor the players. 

        The second fear is that we are reducing the chances of finding a gem at the back end of the roster. My philosophy is recruit better. Do your work early. Recruit the best, or nothing and never settle!

         FEED THE TUNA THE MAYONNAISE
        Keep things as simple and predictable as possible. Basketball is a chaotic game already, we cant have our program be chaotic as well. Complexity fails. Keep everything as simple and straight forward as possible. 

         The Randy Bennett rule applies here: which is the idea that HABITS LEAD TO WINNING. We want our program to have a rhythm to it, week to week and season to season. This rhythm will give players confidence, because they know what is expected of them. They will build the habit of winning! "Never getting to high or to low." 

        The program is a "machine." Consistency and a clarity of purpose inspires confidence. 

        DONT BE THE CAUSE OF A BASKETBALL "ALERGY"
        Humans have evolved over time BECAUSE OF there interests in new and unique challenges. Pursuing peak performance in basketball is a fantastic challenge to pursue. HOWEVER! The brain requires fresh and new challenges from time to time. 

        To keep things fresh and to avoid developing an "allergy" to basketball, we do the following...

        Cycle in games other than basketball throughout the year. This includes the following four: 
        1. Water Polo
        2. Spike Ball 
        3. Ping Pong 
        4. Ultimate Frisbee 
        Keep things fresh in the film room. Always looking for ways to lighten things up, use interesting analogies and poke fun at each other

        Invest in 2-3 team retreats per year and look for fun things to do as a team while on the road. 

        THE COMPASS

        The "compass" maintains our identity as a program. We look to it when we get lost, to point us in the right direction. Like spokes on a wheel, each component is dependent on the others. If there is a breakdown in one, it will affect our team as a whole. Winning requires a commitment to our compass/ 




        PROGRAM VISION

        MOTTO

         "Hero Ball"

         To many, the term hero-ball has a negative connotation. To us, it means something totally different. Hero is defined as, "a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements and noble qualities." I can not think of a better way to describe what we are developing in young men.  

         PURPOSE

         "Guide the student-athlete through the hero's journey."

         In Carl Jung's book Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, he theorizes that the nature of human existence and struggle manifests itself from the collective unconscious into cultural "archetypes." Later, Joseph Campbell built on this idea in the book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. In it he proposes the idea of the monomyth; that every story in mythology is connected by a common thread, which is the archetypal hero. 

         In Joseph Campbells book, he summarizes the heros journey; from the "awakening" and call to adventure, to the "trials" of challenges and temptations, to the "transformation" and rebirth and finally, returning home and sharing what he learned. 

         I cannot thing of a better way to describe the student-athlete experience. Each player leaves the comfort of their home and enters a new world. Through sport, they begin to awaken to who they are, they gain further understanding through adversity before finally taking ownership of who they truly are and what their purpose is. And than, they return home to their community and live their purpose. 

         CORE VALUES

         Competition, Connection, Creativity & Enjoyment

         I have seen core values represent different things in different programs. To us, core values literally mean our "value system." We want our program to value these four things over everything else. 

         By competition, we mean.The willingness to grow through experiential learning. "The only way to do it, is to do it." We mean, not worrying about the outcome."Victory is validation and failure is feedback." "BE great, dont worry about DOING great." We mean having the courage to try, even if you might fail. "Victory goes to the vulnerable." We mean respecting the opponent as a means for personal growth."The battle between you and you." The only way to grow, is to do. "Do or do not, there is not try."

         By connection, we mean. Building trusting relationships with each other. We mean caring about each other. We mean mentoring each other. We mean sharing a common goal and a common purpose. 

         By creativity, we mean being who you are. Playing to your strengths. Valuing the uniqueness of each individual. Solving problems creatively in the moment. Being an original person. Being and original group!

         By enjoyment, we mean enjoying the journey! When we step on the court, we bring a "hero's mentality." But off of the court we don't take ourselves to seriously. We are going to have fun, and we are going to enjoy our journey. 

         STANDARDS OF ATTITUDE AND ACTION

         "Be prepared to bring a disciplined, focused effort and a contagious positive attitude to everything that we do. Don't do anything to hurt the team."

         These are the team rules, and the standard that we hold each other to. 

         HERO BADGE'S

         Throughout a players 4 year career, he can earn "honor badges" which will be ironed onto his practice jersey, which he will keep throughout his 4 years. The badges are as follows...

         Gratitude over Entitlement
        -freshman have to earn their practice jersey
        Discipline over Expedience
        -the ability to sacrifice for later
        Courage over Fear 
        -the ability to slay a dragon of fear
        Focus over Distraction
        -the ability to stay focused in an extreme situation
        Shooting Badge
        -70%+ for 3 straight weeks in monday shooting drill
        Hustle Badge 
        - winning a key 50/50 play 
        Response "ability" Badge
        - for responding in a positive way 

        MAN TO MAN OFFENSE

        GUIDING PRINCIPLE
        1. Get the ball to the paint and than take what the defense gives us
        1. Defensive Rebounding
        2. Offensive Transition
        1. Entries (wing pass, dribble at, middle drag)
        2. Actions (1st action, 2nd action)
        3. Mixer (loop, pass cut, post ups)
          1. Switch 
          2. Trap /Hedge
          3. Over / Overplay
          4. Under / Passive 
          5. Sideline 
          1. Double
          2. Twist 
          3. Big to Big 
          ADVANCED ENTRIES
            QUICK HITTERS
            1. Circles (thru,away,dive) 
            2. Trailer
            3. Cyclone 
            4. Chief
            5. Money 
            6. Veer
            7. Twirl 
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