How your program can take up a cause this season

The best coaches understand that the influence of their program extends far beyond the basketball court. And, they do something about it. Some coaches tend to doubt the difference their players can make, but the... more »

Emptying the zone offense toolbox

A continuity offense to throw zone defenses off their game Attacking from the post and “short-corner,” screening the backside of the zone, utilizing a cutter through the zone to find open seams and extending the... more »

Slipping the ball-screen bolsters offenses

With the popularity of dribble-drive offenses, slipping the ball-screen has become a large component of many man-to-man offenses. There are similarities between pick-and-pop and slipping-the-screen action along with some distinct differences. Pick-and-pop is the minimal... more »

Utilize outstanding guards with this play

“Panther” is a great play when you have two outstanding guards. DIAGRAM 1: This shows the box alignment we use to initiate the play. As 1 dribbles across half-court, 5 downscreens for 4, who breaks... more »

Advice for first-time head basketball coaches

Taking the reins of a program can be an exciting step for first-time head coaches. It’s finally time to place their mark on a team and see where it leads them. But it also can... more »

A proven system for evaluating team performance and chemistry

I coached high school basketball for 18 years, and I always believed one of the biggest challenges was acquiring information to make good decisions. As any experienced leader knows, you need honest feedback from every... more »

Fundraisers that produce big returns with small investments

Time is a precious commodity. It’s something everyone could use more of each day, and coaches are no exception. Coaches spend several hours each day doing various ancillary tasks associated with coaching a team. Those... more »

Concepts to improve free-throw shooting

A common question is, “How do you become a better free-throw-shooting team?” One method is to work with each player individually on his or her shooting form and mental approach at the line. This can... more »

How coaches should defend their opponents

Some teams have exclusively used man-to-man defense for several years. Other squads may employ a 2-3 zone year-in and year-out. Why? Have you ever analyzed why coaches use the defenses that they do? For example,... more »

Learning to lose with dignity

A universal truth in the world of coaching is that nobody like to lose. But how coaches handle losing says a lot about their program, their culture and their core philosophy. You hear the clichés... more »