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How Jim Crutchfield created one of basketball’s most explosive offenses at West Liberty
There's no telling what coaches might give to learn the secrets behind West Liberty's high-octane offense, but none of it would matter. You can't have them. It's not that men's basketball coach Jim Crutchfield isn't willing to help his colleagues. T...
Getting on board with new technology in basketball programs
When Kyle Murphy began working at Hudl nearly seven years ago, it was led by no more than a handful of employees. The staff there today numbers more than 100, and Hudl has grown into one of the leaders in helping coaches analyze game film. That type...
Great ideas come from unexpected places
Great coaches are students. Period. I make that distinction because I've never met a first-rate coach that lived a bubble, burdened with tunnel vision toward the game. Sure, they're masters of their craft, but they've also come to appreciate the val...
Why reliable stat keepers are critical to programs
Give greater attention to one of the most important jobs on your team It's also the job that can determine what you do in practice, and it's the job every program should have, but many don't. The most important job in your program is the stats kee...
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...
Motivational strategies must go beyond words
There's a scene from the movie "Remember the Titans" where coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington, leads his team on a grueling morning run. They maneuver through forests and splash through creeks before arriving at Gettysburg, where thousan...
Offense or defense: What gives teams the best chance to win?
"Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships." How many times have you seen that line on the back of a summer camp T-shirt? NBA world champion and TNT analyst Kenny Smith is the first person I heard say, "Good offense will always beat good def...
The Philosophy of Drills: 23 rules to guide practices
Every team must practice to prepare for their games. And what takes place in practice can and will make the difference in whether that team fails or succeeds. It's likely that a large portion of each of these practices will consist of fundamental dr...
Transfer epidemic has no easy cure
Few things are more frustrating in the game of basketball right now than the transfer epidemic that has plagued the high school and college levels. It's hard to believe when you look at how troublesome it has become, but 15 years ago this wasn't even...
Hurricane watch
Miami was the only team to beat Duke last season and miss the NCAA Tournament, a fact that still haunts coach Jim Larrañaga. His Hurricanes manhandled college basketball's best team on its home floor, finishing with a winning record in arguably the ...