Category: preparation »
Structuring a well-organized plan for practices
After more than 40 years of coaching high school basketball, it has become apparent to me the importance of having an organized practice plan. How a coach sets up his or her practices and how effectively they are run ultimately determines a team’s ...
Strength training principles to get players ready for the season
About 25 years ago I was attending a basketball camp at Washington State University. I thought I was pretty good, but that was until I met a man named Kevin Eastman. If you’ve ever been around Eastman, a respected coach and trainer who spent time i...
Teaching your players to be true point guards
Editor's Note: Shaka Smart wrote this article for Winning Hoops in 2002. At the time, Smart was the coordinator of basketball operations for the University of Dayton. Good point guards are hard to find. Sure, every team has a player or two who's...
6 keys to maximizing your assistant coaches
A characteristic of good basketball programs is that they have great assistant coaches on all levels. Assistants play a vital role in a team’s success. There were certain qualities I looked for in assistants, and it’s imperative to have a meeting...
10 ways to improve before next season
When basketball coaches talk about the offseason, usually we think of what the players will be doing. This is an extremely important aspect for any program, and there is a lot that can and should be accomplished from March thru October. Many coaches ...
Creating the master practice plan
How a structured, organized blueprint can improve team performance Few things are more important than planning an effective practice session. Legendary coach John Wooden once said, "Failure to prepare is preparing for failure." Obviously, the level ...
Own the paint: 12 games of 1-on-1 to improve post players
Own the paint. Don't just take up space or clog the lane, but rather, have your players dominate this area of the floor. The better your team is on the interior, the more high-percentage shots you create and, consequently, it opens up your squad for ...
A comprehensive, five-week preseason running program
Our fall preseason running program is designed to give all prospective players an opportunity to get into good physical condition. It also prepares their bodies for basketball tryouts in November and the long season that follows if they make the team...
