hoops

Physically preparing athletes for the season ahead
Most people want to be given a plan, but I think it would help more in the long run to give coaches the principles to build their own performance programs moving forward. Here are three keys to getting players ready for the season: Build a plan t...

‘Fanorak’ app promotes fan attendance
Athletic director Ryan Anderson has big, interactive ideas about growing high school fan support. And with the help of a few of his students at Menomonee Falls High School (Wisconsin), he's been able to do just that. Students Connor Schmidt, Jonatha...

Training Never Ends
Across the country, countless players have been putting in work to prepare for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, coaches are eager to see how all the pieces will come together to develop their teams. A new season is an epoch of sorts. It marks a very ...

Making the case for cuts
One of the most difficult times for any coach is tryouts. Some schools have programs where the numbers dictate the need for making cuts. No coach enjoys this part of the job — not a single one. Making cuts is not only difficult for athletes and par...

Still Waiting for the Shot Clock Rule
Waiting for the shot clock rule in high school basketball reminds me of an old saying amongst us Chicago Cubs fans: there's always next year.Each spring, the National Federation of State High School Associations' Basketball Rules Committee meets. And...

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...

Building Your Brand
How important is brand awareness to your athletic department? Take a look at the response rate of your last fundraising initiative. Think of your brand as the first thing that comes to someone's mind when your organization is mentioned. A succinct a...

Winning starts off the court
Although winning is the world's ultimate quantifiable standard for the word winner, there is more to the story. This is one of my favorite topics to write about, as it's the difference maker for players and programs all over the world. Let's take a ...