Hello BBall Enthusiast,
Following this basketball Speed blog I will be taking a break for a short while to venture into some new opportunities. I have truly enjoyed the interaction over the course of Basketball Speed Insiders. I can't wait to re-start it in the near future. So don't go too far and be ready in the near future.
In line with my opening paragraph I wish to share my thoughts on how we as basketball coaches have tremendous opportunities to open avenues for young players/people. We have the rare opportunity to mold and guide young athletes in a direction that is not only positive for them, but sets them up as leader of others in the future. This I take seriously and only hope you will as well.
In the course of a basketball practice you will create offensive and defensive plays, skills to improve their ball handling and shooting, but most importantly you will hold them accountable for making great choices to be successful in the game. You will ask them to react under pressure in the final moments of the game. You will even ask them to handle themselves with pride, respect, and dignity in the tough times. You will ask them to sacrifice to be better.
The mistake we as coaches would make is think we are only coaching basketball. We are molding the future. We are mentoring and leading.
Although this blog isn't helping you with a drill or a skill in basketball, and many coaches will completely dismiss this blog as a waste of time, but this blog post is what it is all about. This is why we should become coaches and teacher of young people. Don't miss the point of our true job.
I hope this sparks an interest in you to pursue your coaching with a true mission or it reminds you that you are changing lives everyday both on and off the court.
Can't wait to hook up soon!
Play Hard!
Lee
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
A Youth Basketball Program
If you are coach or a parent wanting to start up a youth basketball program in your community, first of all GOOD FOR YOU, secondly create a plan and be flexible.
Youth basketball is about 2 things:
1. Create a FUN atmosphere where kids want to be apart of. Don't scare off the kids.
2. Build a foundation of solid skill- teach them how the skills will make them a better player.
You should take the time to outline each practice (believe me, this only takes 5 minutes if you are organized). Take the time to create a template form. This way you simply can input your plan practice each day. Here is what one might look like:
1. Warm up
2. Ball handling skills
3. Passing skills
4. Shooting skills
5. Defensive skills
6. Full Court skills
7. Fun Games
Obviously each day will be slightly different but if you have basic headings you can put the drills you want to use "today". you will have to have rebounding and boxing out adding in as well- but not every day.
So, take a few minutes and create a simple template for yourself that you can use to keep your practices organized.
The next real important step is to create fun times. Take the time to plan some events that the kids can get involved in. Maybe a 3 on 3 tournament, maybe a different activity like dodgeball. We play a game called kickball basketball sometimes after practice- they love it. We are also planning a basketball lock in. This will be a night where hold a practice in the early evening then watch basketball movies (Hoosiers), spend the night at the gym, have breakfast and play some ball.
Starting any youth program is about creating excitement and belonging. Also, ask for help from parents if you need it.
Love to hear your thoughts!
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: If you are looking for skills and drills for basketball go to www.SportsSpeedEtc.com and check out Basketball Speed and Basketball Speed 2.
Youth basketball is about 2 things:
1. Create a FUN atmosphere where kids want to be apart of. Don't scare off the kids.
2. Build a foundation of solid skill- teach them how the skills will make them a better player.
You should take the time to outline each practice (believe me, this only takes 5 minutes if you are organized). Take the time to create a template form. This way you simply can input your plan practice each day. Here is what one might look like:
1. Warm up
2. Ball handling skills
3. Passing skills
4. Shooting skills
5. Defensive skills
6. Full Court skills
7. Fun Games
Obviously each day will be slightly different but if you have basic headings you can put the drills you want to use "today". you will have to have rebounding and boxing out adding in as well- but not every day.
So, take a few minutes and create a simple template for yourself that you can use to keep your practices organized.
The next real important step is to create fun times. Take the time to plan some events that the kids can get involved in. Maybe a 3 on 3 tournament, maybe a different activity like dodgeball. We play a game called kickball basketball sometimes after practice- they love it. We are also planning a basketball lock in. This will be a night where hold a practice in the early evening then watch basketball movies (Hoosiers), spend the night at the gym, have breakfast and play some ball.
Starting any youth program is about creating excitement and belonging. Also, ask for help from parents if you need it.
Love to hear your thoughts!
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: If you are looking for skills and drills for basketball go to www.SportsSpeedEtc.com and check out Basketball Speed and Basketball Speed 2.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Resist For Speed
Hey Hoopsters!
Here is a tip that will progress you players on court lateral and liner speed quickly; Resist them for speed.
When I want to add more speed to any athlete I have to make them produce more force and more force quickly. So I use some resisted training methods on the floor.
If you take a fairly light band or tubing and put it around the players waist and ask them to perform short acceleration exercises in all directions (lateral shuffles/crossovers, forward accelerations, and angular accelerations) they will product more force. By doing this the athlete will get into a better stance due to the resistance. They will figure out they have to be lower to keep balance. Plus, they will be forced to lean properly and push harder into the ground. Make sure the resistance is not so heavy they have to completely change their movement pattern just to move.
Perform these exercises 1-2 times per week. Perform 2-3 sets of 3-6 repetitions on each side (for lateral and angular).
Precautions; you do not need to do this with heavy bands. It simply needs to make the basketball player move with more effort than they are normally use to- you can add a little resistance over time. If the athlete is not able to perform the drill well without resistance do not add resistance until they can. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE TUBING OR BANDS ARE SAFE!
A great time to introduce and use the resisted drills would be after warm ups or just before a drink break during the first part of practice. The purpose of these drills are to improve speed and power- if you do them at the end of practice the players are too tires and won't be able to give full effort.
Let me know how this works out.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: My new Basketball Speed 2 DVD has some great acceleration drills using tubing. Go to www.SportsSpeedEtc.com to learn more.
Here is a tip that will progress you players on court lateral and liner speed quickly; Resist them for speed.
When I want to add more speed to any athlete I have to make them produce more force and more force quickly. So I use some resisted training methods on the floor.
If you take a fairly light band or tubing and put it around the players waist and ask them to perform short acceleration exercises in all directions (lateral shuffles/crossovers, forward accelerations, and angular accelerations) they will product more force. By doing this the athlete will get into a better stance due to the resistance. They will figure out they have to be lower to keep balance. Plus, they will be forced to lean properly and push harder into the ground. Make sure the resistance is not so heavy they have to completely change their movement pattern just to move.
Perform these exercises 1-2 times per week. Perform 2-3 sets of 3-6 repetitions on each side (for lateral and angular).
Precautions; you do not need to do this with heavy bands. It simply needs to make the basketball player move with more effort than they are normally use to- you can add a little resistance over time. If the athlete is not able to perform the drill well without resistance do not add resistance until they can. ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE TUBING OR BANDS ARE SAFE!
A great time to introduce and use the resisted drills would be after warm ups or just before a drink break during the first part of practice. The purpose of these drills are to improve speed and power- if you do them at the end of practice the players are too tires and won't be able to give full effort.
Let me know how this works out.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: My new Basketball Speed 2 DVD has some great acceleration drills using tubing. Go to www.SportsSpeedEtc.com to learn more.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Use This For Greater Speed???
Many times we feel the only way to get good at something is to do that exact thing. If we want to get better at shooting we shoot more. if we want to get better at rebounding we rebound more. There is no doubt you can improve just doing these things mentioned. But what if the things mentioned above do not address the limitations in allowing you to reach your potential?? Let me share with you a great way you can get faster and quicker but not really move much...
Basketball players have to have great first step quickness and change of direction ability. Just like I eluded to above, I can practice first step drills or change of direction drills until I am blue in the face. But what if the reason I am not reaching my potential is because I lack strength and stability in my core (or any other area for that matter)? I have to eliminate the limitation so I can reach my true potential.
I have found over the years using a medicine ball is one of the finest ways to improving speed and quickness on a basketball court. Why? Because in order to throw the ball with power you have to be stable and well "rooted" into the ground.
Here are a few drills I like to use to make athletes more powerful and therefor faster on the court:
1. Staggered stance push pass- hold the ball on one side of the body with that same side foot back. Quickly push off the back foot, transferring the body forward, so the front foot can drive down and back hard and at the same time push the ball out aggressively with the arm. So if the ball is in the right had the left foot is in front. The left leg and right hand become the power sources. Once good at doing this way, switch legs but keep the same arm. This will create a different feeling but force the body to be strong and stable in a different stance. Perform 6-8 throws in each hand and with each leg forward.
2. Side Throw progression- this is my all time favorite medicine ball routine. Start in a good athletic stance with the ball at chest level and elbows out. The ball is going to be thrown sideways not straight in front of the body like a chest pass. From the athletic stance drive hard off the back foot pushing the body sideways and take a small short step with the front foot. Push the ball hard and explosively across the body as the hips open up (It looks something like a baseball batter taking a swing, except the body will move in the direction of the throw). The key is to stay low and drive off the back foot. This action teaches the athlete to push hard off the back foot just like if a shuffle or a turn and run move was going to be used.
-the second part to this exercise is to know have the player take 2 shuffles forward (toward the direction of the throw) and throw. This adds more power and quickness to the throw.
-the last part of the progression is to now take 2 shuffles back away from the direction of the throw and quickly stop and throw. This is the most important of the drills because it teaches the player to stay low, create a good stopping plant and be able to quickly throw off this leg and drive the hips through.
3. The last drill I will share is the push press- This drill is done by getting into a jump stance and holding the ball at the upper chest. Squat down to roughly a 1/4 squat depth or slightly below and explode up and push the ball up as high as possible. You should jump into the air and extend the arms and legs. From the moment you start the jump out of the squat you should strong throughout your posture. Do not bend forward at the upper or lower back. This exercises teaches how to explode vertically quickly with great posture.
Give these a try and let me know your thoughts.
Remember, if you want to be fast you have to do more than just running. And if you want to be quicker on the basketball court you have to train the body to be quick.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: It might only be summer, but basketball never stops, Pick up your copy of Basketball Speed so you can take your game to the next level. Go http://www.mybasketballspeed.com/
Basketball players have to have great first step quickness and change of direction ability. Just like I eluded to above, I can practice first step drills or change of direction drills until I am blue in the face. But what if the reason I am not reaching my potential is because I lack strength and stability in my core (or any other area for that matter)? I have to eliminate the limitation so I can reach my true potential.
I have found over the years using a medicine ball is one of the finest ways to improving speed and quickness on a basketball court. Why? Because in order to throw the ball with power you have to be stable and well "rooted" into the ground.
Here are a few drills I like to use to make athletes more powerful and therefor faster on the court:
1. Staggered stance push pass- hold the ball on one side of the body with that same side foot back. Quickly push off the back foot, transferring the body forward, so the front foot can drive down and back hard and at the same time push the ball out aggressively with the arm. So if the ball is in the right had the left foot is in front. The left leg and right hand become the power sources. Once good at doing this way, switch legs but keep the same arm. This will create a different feeling but force the body to be strong and stable in a different stance. Perform 6-8 throws in each hand and with each leg forward.
2. Side Throw progression- this is my all time favorite medicine ball routine. Start in a good athletic stance with the ball at chest level and elbows out. The ball is going to be thrown sideways not straight in front of the body like a chest pass. From the athletic stance drive hard off the back foot pushing the body sideways and take a small short step with the front foot. Push the ball hard and explosively across the body as the hips open up (It looks something like a baseball batter taking a swing, except the body will move in the direction of the throw). The key is to stay low and drive off the back foot. This action teaches the athlete to push hard off the back foot just like if a shuffle or a turn and run move was going to be used.
-the second part to this exercise is to know have the player take 2 shuffles forward (toward the direction of the throw) and throw. This adds more power and quickness to the throw.
-the last part of the progression is to now take 2 shuffles back away from the direction of the throw and quickly stop and throw. This is the most important of the drills because it teaches the player to stay low, create a good stopping plant and be able to quickly throw off this leg and drive the hips through.
3. The last drill I will share is the push press- This drill is done by getting into a jump stance and holding the ball at the upper chest. Squat down to roughly a 1/4 squat depth or slightly below and explode up and push the ball up as high as possible. You should jump into the air and extend the arms and legs. From the moment you start the jump out of the squat you should strong throughout your posture. Do not bend forward at the upper or lower back. This exercises teaches how to explode vertically quickly with great posture.
Give these a try and let me know your thoughts.
Remember, if you want to be fast you have to do more than just running. And if you want to be quicker on the basketball court you have to train the body to be quick.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: It might only be summer, but basketball never stops, Pick up your copy of Basketball Speed so you can take your game to the next level. Go http://www.mybasketballspeed.com/
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pass to the right spot
There is one thing that drives me nuts as a coach, it is when players don't lead their teammate when they are cutting to the basket or going on a fast break. The pass gets thrown behind them. It is a sure way to turn the ball over or at least miss an easy scoring opportunity. Here are a couple drills I like to use to get the players thinking about "Leading" the pass.
1. Bowling for basketballs- This drill might seem elementary but you will be amazed at how poorly players judge the speed at pass needs to be thrown at. The coach will be on the baseline and the team will be at 1/2 court. Each player has a ball and so does the coach. The coach will roll his or her ball along the baseline. The players must roll their ball and try to hit the coaches ball. The goal is to read the speed of the coaches ball and lead it with their ball. I constantly see players roll the ball way to late or way behind. They don't understand touch or assessing the speed. This is why when a teammate goes backdoor the pass ends up behind them.
2. The second drill is one of my favorite passing drills. Have 2 lay up lines. The line on the left will have the basketballs. They start the drill by dribbling toward the top of the key. The opposite line will make a quick out fake and then immediately go backdoor. The passer must make a quick hard bounce pass so the cutter has to hustle to make the catch. I want the pass hard and out in front. This teaches the cutter to use great hands but also teaches the passer to get the ball out in front and make the cutter catch up to it. The first couple times doing this drill the ball will get thrown out too far but eventually both the passer and cutter will adjust.
Obviously there are many drills to work on passing to cutters and you should use the ones that make the most sense to your situation. The goal is to teach players to get the ball in front by judging the speed of the cutter or player in front so they can run to the ball. Never pass behind unless it is a tactic and expected.
Play Hard
Lee
1. Bowling for basketballs- This drill might seem elementary but you will be amazed at how poorly players judge the speed at pass needs to be thrown at. The coach will be on the baseline and the team will be at 1/2 court. Each player has a ball and so does the coach. The coach will roll his or her ball along the baseline. The players must roll their ball and try to hit the coaches ball. The goal is to read the speed of the coaches ball and lead it with their ball. I constantly see players roll the ball way to late or way behind. They don't understand touch or assessing the speed. This is why when a teammate goes backdoor the pass ends up behind them.
2. The second drill is one of my favorite passing drills. Have 2 lay up lines. The line on the left will have the basketballs. They start the drill by dribbling toward the top of the key. The opposite line will make a quick out fake and then immediately go backdoor. The passer must make a quick hard bounce pass so the cutter has to hustle to make the catch. I want the pass hard and out in front. This teaches the cutter to use great hands but also teaches the passer to get the ball out in front and make the cutter catch up to it. The first couple times doing this drill the ball will get thrown out too far but eventually both the passer and cutter will adjust.
Obviously there are many drills to work on passing to cutters and you should use the ones that make the most sense to your situation. The goal is to teach players to get the ball in front by judging the speed of the cutter or player in front so they can run to the ball. Never pass behind unless it is a tactic and expected.
Play Hard
Lee
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Training The Best!
I had an unbelievable weekend. I spent the day in New Hampshire at the Reebok headquarters working with some of the top high school basketball players in the state. I can't tell you much about the big project but it was a blast.
Basically I was asked by my good friend and top level strength coach David Jack, who is spear heading the big program, to come in and teach these players on the court basketball speed techniques. They were great! they players really learned as they went through the process. When we first started out they were not getting into the key positions to elicit great speed and quickness, but with constant prodding and poking they finally got it and they just took off.
You see, if you want results you have to coach for results. I didn't just give them a drill and ask them to complete the drill. I gave them a SKILL and asked them to execute the skill with precision and effort. Many times the players might be slightly off on the execution of the skill but because they used great effort they pulled the skill off. Now I can clean up the technique, but if they don't give me effort I never get a true read as to how they skill should look for each individual.
To give you and example I taught them the lateral speed skills of the shuffle and crossover. I than tagged that together with the hip turn and shuffle or crossover. The final touch was to make live drills where they had to use the skills in conjunction. WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TEACH AND ASSESS THE PLAYERS LIVE MOVEMENT.
By the end. They players moved real well, had a better understanding of how to make self-corrections, and they gained a ton of confidence in their ability. It was fantastic!
So, if you are serious about getting basketball results and on court speed results than simply know your stuff and coach the dickens out the players. You will love what you see.
Play Hard!
Lee
Basically I was asked by my good friend and top level strength coach David Jack, who is spear heading the big program, to come in and teach these players on the court basketball speed techniques. They were great! they players really learned as they went through the process. When we first started out they were not getting into the key positions to elicit great speed and quickness, but with constant prodding and poking they finally got it and they just took off.
You see, if you want results you have to coach for results. I didn't just give them a drill and ask them to complete the drill. I gave them a SKILL and asked them to execute the skill with precision and effort. Many times the players might be slightly off on the execution of the skill but because they used great effort they pulled the skill off. Now I can clean up the technique, but if they don't give me effort I never get a true read as to how they skill should look for each individual.
To give you and example I taught them the lateral speed skills of the shuffle and crossover. I than tagged that together with the hip turn and shuffle or crossover. The final touch was to make live drills where they had to use the skills in conjunction. WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TEACH AND ASSESS THE PLAYERS LIVE MOVEMENT.
By the end. They players moved real well, had a better understanding of how to make self-corrections, and they gained a ton of confidence in their ability. It was fantastic!
So, if you are serious about getting basketball results and on court speed results than simply know your stuff and coach the dickens out the players. You will love what you see.
Play Hard!
Lee
Monday, June 15, 2009
Move To Create Passing Lanes
Congratulations goes out to the Lakers. They were chosen by many at the beginning of the season and they were up to the task. Could they do it again???
Have you ever heard the saying "Don't get caught being a spectator". Well this basically means don't stand around and watch your teammates create while you do nothing.
Part of making penetration so dangerous is when the ball handler has options. Great defensive teams are able to control the ball handler and not allow easy passing off penetration. Great offensive teams force the defense to help on the ball handler and when they do- find the open man.
Let me share with you a great drill for your offense to practice.
Penetrate and Slide:
Have the guard start at the top middle of the court. He or she will penetrate down the right side of the lane roughly just inside the right elbow and perform a jump stop. The wing player must slide toward the corner with the feet squared up preparing to catch and shoot.
Perform this drill several times with no defenders. The goal is to get the wing player to move as the ball handler is driving into the lane. The wing players man will be the first line of help side defense- so when he or she helps the ball gets kicked out to the open wing (the problem with most players is the stand still and watch the ball handler and don't create a passing lane).
One you have practiced this several times with no defense start by adding a defender on the wing player. Then add a defender on the ball handler as well. Adding a defender will make the offense be more protective of the ball and learn how to find the open lanes- practicing the drill without the defense allows the offense to time up the movement.
Now I want you to take this same drill and move it all around the court. In other words, have the ball handler penetrate from the wing toward the middle (not baseline) and kick it to either a top of the key player or wing player. You want to teach the different options the off ball offensive players have to get open. Many times the player should slide to the open spot going in the same direction as the ball handler. But sometimes that is not where the passing lane will be open- so the off the ball player must slide back and not go with the offensive player. This makes a more difficult pass for the ball handler due to having to pass back against the grain- but you have to work on this option.
The goals of the drill are to teach your offensive players move to create passing lanes and to teach teammates to work together and create trust in each player that they will be where they should be.
Let me know how this works out and if you have any additional drills to help create passing lanes. I am sure the readers would love to learn more.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: I know it is summer and your team may not be together at the time but why not hold open gym and work with any players that show up. Success is contagious and once you start getting a little success with some players the rest will want to join in
Have you ever heard the saying "Don't get caught being a spectator". Well this basically means don't stand around and watch your teammates create while you do nothing.
Part of making penetration so dangerous is when the ball handler has options. Great defensive teams are able to control the ball handler and not allow easy passing off penetration. Great offensive teams force the defense to help on the ball handler and when they do- find the open man.
Let me share with you a great drill for your offense to practice.
Penetrate and Slide:
Have the guard start at the top middle of the court. He or she will penetrate down the right side of the lane roughly just inside the right elbow and perform a jump stop. The wing player must slide toward the corner with the feet squared up preparing to catch and shoot.
Perform this drill several times with no defenders. The goal is to get the wing player to move as the ball handler is driving into the lane. The wing players man will be the first line of help side defense- so when he or she helps the ball gets kicked out to the open wing (the problem with most players is the stand still and watch the ball handler and don't create a passing lane).
One you have practiced this several times with no defense start by adding a defender on the wing player. Then add a defender on the ball handler as well. Adding a defender will make the offense be more protective of the ball and learn how to find the open lanes- practicing the drill without the defense allows the offense to time up the movement.
Now I want you to take this same drill and move it all around the court. In other words, have the ball handler penetrate from the wing toward the middle (not baseline) and kick it to either a top of the key player or wing player. You want to teach the different options the off ball offensive players have to get open. Many times the player should slide to the open spot going in the same direction as the ball handler. But sometimes that is not where the passing lane will be open- so the off the ball player must slide back and not go with the offensive player. This makes a more difficult pass for the ball handler due to having to pass back against the grain- but you have to work on this option.
The goals of the drill are to teach your offensive players move to create passing lanes and to teach teammates to work together and create trust in each player that they will be where they should be.
Let me know how this works out and if you have any additional drills to help create passing lanes. I am sure the readers would love to learn more.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: I know it is summer and your team may not be together at the time but why not hold open gym and work with any players that show up. Success is contagious and once you start getting a little success with some players the rest will want to join in
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