In the midpoint of the season, coaches are straining their voice repetitively reinforcing defensive and offensive strategies. Understanding these cues can enhance player instincts, facilitate communication and maximize scoring opportunities while minimizing defensive breakdowns. This is a top-10 list of my most repetitive basketball coaching cues heading into the final stretch of conference play.
Playing Unbothered
Coaching staffs will come up with different mantras for their programs to set a tone believed to be emblematic of the mission ahead. You've probably seen shooting shirts and warmups with sayings like, "We>Me" or "Why Not Us?" branded on the players' apparel. After being on this coaching journey for over a decade, one of those one-liners that that continually sticks out in my mind to consider for the future is cultivating an Unbothered culture.
Fighting Over Top Of Ball Screens
Getting over top of ball screens is a mentality as much it is a physical ability. When players are expected to fight through ball screens; it may be one of the hardest actions to defend when considering how much ball-pressure is tightly officiated. Going to share a few tactical guidelines that I've applied in the past, covering time spent along the way as an assistant in addition to my own philosophy as a head coach at the high school level.
Out Of Bounds Plays & Philosophy
When it comes to BLOBs and SLOBs, are you a one-shape fits all or an assortment of favorite plays regardless of how it starts? If you're of the opinion to just throw it to halfcourt and get it in to run offense, then this conversation will be of no interest to you - and we are not the same.
Does Switching Man-To-Man Defense Work?
In some instances, switching within a possession is necessary regardless of halfcourt philosophy. Yet, it is increasingly popular amongst the coaching community to switch everything due to the growing trend of positionless basketball on offense. There are pros and cons to any strategy, but when deciding if switching man-to-man will be effective my recommendation would be to start by observing the team's profile and disposition.
From Positionless Offense To Positionless Defense: Should Teams Play More Zone Defense?
Today's offensive players can effectively shoot from 30 feet, or potentially put 5 different people in a screening situation to hunt a high-percentage matchup. There are not enough poorly called charges in a game to make up for the offensive advantage in today's game. So what are coaches to do?
Basketball Playbook: Built On Series & Sequencing
There is no hiding anymore from a scouting perspective. One way to keep the defense guessing during a string of possessions comes from masking what appears to be the same action only subsequently tweaked, either to bait the defense or due to a defensive vulnerability. This post breaks down 2 different offensive series in a system and how to effectively sequence those actions together.
Are We Witnessing The Decline Of A True Point Guard?
Combo Guards, Point Forwards, and Stretch Bigs - "Oh my." So, does the point guard even exist anymore? The answer is yes, and I'd argue that their value has never been higher. Coming from a former floor general, I'm biased but I'll try to break down why from a coaching perspective.
Lessons From Coaching No Middle Defense
Ten pre-season takeaways on installing "No Middle" Defense for the 1st time in my career.
Hunting Matchups
A team is only as strong as their weakest link. Watching the NBA Playoffs, there has been a trending talking point amongst pundits regarding hunting preferable matchups. The Mavericks are a great example when considering the game within the game on both sides of the floor: How do we hide Luka defensively? "You can always … Continue reading Hunting Matchups
Coach's Climb 