‘You… and Your Program:’ Five valuable lessons for athletes

As coaches, we often fail to define what we actually mean with the terminology in our programs. I’m no different. During many years of coaching, I assumed players understood the meaning behind my words and... more »

Preparing a mobile emergency center

If you've been around athletics for a while, you know that emergencies occur — some small, and others of the larger variety. And, the key to dealing with unexpected occurrences is to be prepared for... more »

‘The Freak’ defense slows opposing offenses

We have all tried gimmick defenses to steal possessions or slow down the opposition’s best player. “The Freak” defense is a modified triangle-and-two or box-and-one, depending on how you implement it into your defensive arsenal.... more »

PCA video: Notre Dame coach Mike Brey discusses body language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-RcL-j4cU8 Mike Brey is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame. He led his 2014-2015 team to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament. His success in South Bend includes leading... more »

Drills to teach the single-post offense

Almost all our team shooting drills will incorporate actions or concepts out of our single-post offense. Practicing the field goals you attempt in a game will only increase your shooting percentage. Furthermore, the proper execution... more »

Teaching players situational awareness

Situational awareness is often overlooked, and not only in basketball. We spend so much time drilling players on their shooting, defense, ball handling or passing, that we sometimes neglect the fact that we also must... more »

Using ‘Elevator Screens’ to close the door on defenders

The “elevator screen” is appropriately named because it has two stationary screeners that are stacked together but leaves just enough room for a teammate to cut through to the opposite side for a perimeter shot.... more »

Defining a winner: Becoming a better coach and leader

There are few things in life that cross all boundaries, things that are so universal that they touch and appeal to every person on the planet. Although we all have different definitions, winning crosses all... more »

Basketball: Philosophy, drills to improve rebounding

Many coaches agree that rebounding is the most important phase of basketball when it’s weighed in comparison to offense or defense. For instance, we may not be a good shooting team, but we would not... more »

Don Meyer’s shooting games and free-throw drills

Don Meyer, the NCAA's winningest all-time men's basketball coach, loved to keep his practices simple in nature. He shared his favorite six shooting competitions (with six free-throw-shooting games to follow) that he used at practices... more »