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July 22, 2016

Managing the final minutes with a lead

Sooner or later, every team faces a single "moment of truth." A close game, a slim lead, a minute on the clock and possession of the ball combine to create a pressure situation that's the difference between winning and losing. You want your team to ...


July 15, 2016

How scripts can help basketball coaches

There are not many things that transfer from the gridiron to the basketball court. But using a script at the start of a game, quarter or half is something used in football that basketball coaches should consider. As basketball coaches, we pride ours...


July 13, 2016

Dealing with parents and playing time issues

Parents and the problems they cause due to their children's playing time is the No. 1 issue coaches face. While the vast majority of parents are good positive and supportive, the issue of playing time and why their child is not a starter is a consta...


February 17, 2016

Halftime adjustments to spark your team

Rarely do you find a basketball game that plays exactly the same from the first half to the second. Teams go into the locker room at halftime, and make critical adjustments. But when one team plays better, the other one plays worse. So what happens ...


February 13, 2016

Four point guard rules for attacking zone defense

Point guards need to know the difference between being a passer who hits the open player, and one who creates openings. Anyone can throw a pass to an open player, but the great point guards know how to find and attack openings, especially against a z...


January 22, 2016

’40-and-Under Club’ motivates defenses

Philosophy and technique are important components in a great defense. A coach must work tirelessly to ensure that his or her team utilizes the basic defensive fundamentals. A critical factor however that must not be overlooked while preparing your t...


September 20, 2015

Beat those tough zone defenses

The following is a simple, highly productive zone offense with a number of options that consistently result in open shots. The offense makes use of some standard zone-attack principles, such as a dribble-entry and shallow-cut replacement, overloading...


March 13, 2014

Fear the Irish: Muffet McGraw talks Notre Dame hoops

by Kevin Hoffman, Managing Editor

Consistency is difficult to master at the collegiate level. There's the natural turnover from graduation, and student-athletes today are transferring at a rate greater than ever before. Coaches pursue new opportunities, and mounting injuries can take...


February 20, 2014

Get your team ready for the stretch run

Winning Hoops asked some of basketball's best coaching minds to offer their game-tested tips for finishing the season strong. Here's what they had to say. "Run short, intense practices. At this time in the season, it's important to motivate your s...


January 13, 2014

Leaving your coaching mark on the team

If you're like most coaches, you either dream of the chance to build your own program, have already had that opportunity, or are in the process of such a daunting, exciting task. Here are some ideas that can help you tackle the challenges of building...