GOAL #1: Improve and stretch the skill of the individual player
1. Technique: proper execution is critically important in all drills
“Be a skill coach, not a drill coach.”
2. Overload Drills: must take players out of their comfort zone to stretch them
GOAL #2: Improve skills related to your offensive system of play for your team
1. What does your team need for your players to do well?
2. Don’t improve a skill you don’t need
2 KEY AREAS FOR IMPROVING PLAYERS:
1. Teach ‘em to Talk
--Coach K has three phases of play: Offense, Defense, and Communication
--Incorporate Communication in your drills
--Echo yells (Coach Don Meyer)
#2 Teach ‘em to Think
--Don’t spoon feed them
--Notebooks
--Video (Good for players and coaches...of them and others)
CONCEPT #1: Don’t just work on your players’ weaknesses — stretch and further develop their strengths.
CONCEPT #2: Maximize individual workout time...don’t just work on fundamentals, work on relationships.
CONCEPT #3: Measure when you can...stats can help.
CONCEPT #4: Always utilize video when possible.
CONCEPT #5: Sometimes skill development needs to be in a team setting as opposed to individual.
CONCEPT #6: Singleness of purpose will create quicker improvement, confidence.
CONCEPT #7: “Catch them doing something right.” -Don Meyer
CONCEPT #8: Break down the whole and create a part-method drill.
CONCEPT #9: Constant repetition but with variation...same concepts.
CONCEPT #10: Be prepared...don’t wing it — you will gain respect of players when you have a thought out plan.
CONCEPT #11: Be a great communicator —Simplicity...less is more...terminology...not what you say but what they hear
PERIMETER SKILLS
Dribbling - Catching - Passing - Receiving - Shooting
DRILLS I USED FOR DEMONSTRATION
◄2 Ball Stationary Dribbling
◄Alford Drill
◄2/0 2 Ball Passing
◄2/1 Full Court w/2 Balls
◄Ball Screen to Transition
◄3/3 Flex Shooting
◄35 Point Game
IMAGINATION was the last concept I spoke about at the symposium. In regard to teaching players and/or specific skills, the importance of having an imagination is critical. The best coaches I have known or observed have a great ability to see a need and develop a drill to help teach or improve a phase of the game.
