Hello,
It has been an awesome hoop season. But I do want to take a moment and mention the loss the entire basketball community had this past week. Kay Yow, coach of North Carolina State Women's Program, died at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer. The reason she will be missed, aside from her incredible coaching ability, is her true unmatched integrity as a person and coach. She did it the right way. Gracious and caring. When I heard of her story and how others loved her because of the type of person she was it made me wish more coaches could represent themselves, their players, and their schools with such character. Players tend to take on the personality of their coaches (good or bad) and I am sure Coach Yow raised some great players over the years. She will be missed.
Weekly Basketball Tip... The Ickey Shuffle Ladder Drill
Purpose: To improve foot quickness, coordination, and cutting ability
How to execute: Start on the right side corner of the first box. Step in with the left foot then the right foot and finally the left foot step out (this foot pattern is done on a forward diagonal pattern). With the weight on the left foot step into the next box with the right foot followed by the left foot and then out with the right foot. So basically you are back on the right side of the ladder with only the right foot outside the box. Continue this pattern the length of the ladder.
Key coaching points: Keep the shoulders in the center of the ladder at all times and let the feet move outside the ladder (one foot at a time, never both feet outside the ladder). This creates a cutting angle with the plant foot outside the body. The great thing about this drill is that in basketball often players make short little stutter step and cuts. The players should keep the knees bent, back flat, shoulders slightly forward, and the head up (use the eyes to look down at the ladder but don't drop the head).
Perform 5-8 reps. Eventually the player will get better and you can add "Skip a box" Ickey.
How to get faster on the basketball court
The foundation of speed in any sport is strength and power. As the player gets stronger and produce more force quickly they have greater potential for speed. So get em in the Wt Room!
Aside from strength and power the key to speed on the court is body control and quickness. The player that can change direction the quickest usually is the fastest on the court. He or she may not be really fast in a foot race, but they can sure move on a court.
One of the first skills I want a basketball player to learn is how to change direction from a shuffle. I am looking to see they are able to control the hips from moving up and down too much and the shoulders from swaying right and left. If they do this well I will move on. But if they do not I start looking at foot and leg position while they plant. If the plant foot is facing out I know they are not going to be as quick due to the fact the ankle isn't set up for a great stretch reflex- it is in a weaker position to push off (not to mention if the foot is turned out there is a greater chance for an ankle sprain). How to fix it; if there isn't a mobility issue in the ankle joint I tend to correct the defensive stance. I will make sure the knees are pushed forward while the hips are pushed back. By pushing the knees forward it creates a greater dorsi-flexed position of the ankle which in tern allows for greater push off speed. The reason I push the hips back (and shoulders forward) is to stabilize the joints. When the hips are back, shoulders forward, and the knees forward (heels are down but weight is on the ball of the foot) the muscles are on stretch and ready to fire in an instance.
Once I have an athlete in the correct positions I can now start to work on them being quicker on the court.
So I start with the lateral shuffle. Once the player moves well with this skill I move on to the crossover and then add in shuttle runs and cutting drills. The entire time I am still looking at if they control the hips, shoulders, and if the feet are in the correct position. Without fail, if the players get out of position with either of the things I mentioned they end up moving slowly.
OK. We covered how the technique should look. Real important to be sound in how we move. But next I am going to tell you the secret to getting the players to be quicker...
INTENSITY OF SPEED!
I once wrote an article on this and it had a big impact on many coaches. The intensity of speed means how the athlete attacks his or her movements on the court.
Let's take the lateral shuffle for example. I can have a player shuffle to the other side of the foul lane and back quickly. But if I emphasize to the player to not think about the the change of direction at all; ONLY THINK ABOUT GETTING BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! What I have done is created a mindset of speed. I am not telling them to change directions and worry about how to plant their feet, those details are for me to worry about initially, I am telling them to get back as quick as possible. NOW THE INTENSITY RAISES! The athlete gets super aggressive in his or her push off and plant. They instinctively become more powerful because I set a benchmark for them; GET BACK FAST!!
When you give a player too many details they slow down due to over thinking. But if you give them a directive like; Do it fast, or get back now. They immediately go into a higher gear.
I have corrective many poor movement patterns regarding change of direction speed simply by making the athlete go faster into and out of their change of direction.
To really tell if your players are moving well have them perform some chaotic agility. You know, the drill where you point in several different directions and they must react to you. You can have them shuffle to the right, then to the left, then backwards and forwards, add is some angled crossovers retreating. The entire time the players are performing this drill they should be real calm with the shoulders and the hips should remain fairly level. The feet should continue to re-position outside the body on a good push off and stopping angle. It really looks good when players get this down.
I would like to hear from you on this topic. I love talking about on-court basketball speed!
Play Hard
Coach Taft
PS: This is a great blog post to pass along to other coaches. This information can make a big difference in their players speed. Tell them to go to www.BasketballSpeedInsiders.com so they can get their hands on the NEW 2009 Basketball Speed Insiders "The Game Plan" Newsletter. It is full of information.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
Glass Cleaning
Every sport has its staple fundamentals that must be performed well to be a successful team. In the sport of football they are blocking and tackling. In softball and baseball they are fielding and throwing, and in basketball you could argue that rebounding is the most important skill a team must do well. In this week's post I want to share a tip and my thoughts on rebounding.
Weekly Basketball Tip: Superman Rebounding
Purpose: To learn to grab the ball at the highest point possible and to go get the ball aggressively.
Drill: Form a single line on the right side of the basket starting at the foul line (Can form 2 lines, one on each side if want). The lead person has the ball. He or she uses an underhand toss off the backboard and follows it in with a strong gather step preparing to jump. As the ball comes off the board jump off 2 feet and reach with extended arms and rebound the ball at the highest point. Upon landing in a great position pivot to the outside and either dribble out of the lane as the first progression or secondly have an outlet waiting to receive your pass. Teach the players to rebound and outlet the ball both from an overhead position and from a "chin the ball" position. Obviously you don't want shorter players to keep the ball overhead as it will get knocked out of the hands. The next person in line follows as soon as the first person clears.
Preform: 6-8 on each side. Mix in various outlet passes with and without defense so decision making improves.
To Rebound Or Not Rebound, That Is The Question
There is no doubt that coaches turn grey much earlier than they should when their team gets out rebounded, especially when the opponent gets offensive rebounds. I see it as several things; 1. Just like there are born tacklers in football there are born rebounders in basketball (Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Dennis Rodman). These guys had an attitude about them that made them own the paint- they were angry when someone else tried to take what they felt they owned. 2. It is a skill and must be practiced routinely. Players must practice being in the correct position to box out and then go get the ball. This may seem simple but it isn't, especially when the offensive player being boxed out really fights hard for the ball. 3. The defensive system can set a team up for poor or good rebounding. If you play an in your face denial defense there is a good chance the opposing team will penetrate to the hoop, draw help defensive, and create a weak side rebounding opportunity. Teams that play softer off the ball tend to get into better rebounding positions. 4. You would think that teams that play packed zones would rebound better and they should but it still comes down to finding a man and getting a body on them. Most cases the zone does allow that. 5. The obvious, teams that have bigger, stronger, more aggressive players tend to be better rebounding teams.
I truly believe that rebounding has as much to do with the coaches ability to recognize his or her players natural tendencies. If the team is not big, strong, and aggressive then chances are they will not be good rebounders, unless a few players have a nose for the ball. This is when a coach needs to set the team up for rebounding success by playing a type of defense that suits them well.
When you look at all the best teams at any level they all rebound the ball well on both ends of the floor. Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their team is built around great defense and rebounding. The women's team at Uconn. They use their athletes to pressure the ball but always defend the paint well with their bigs. In both of these cases, the coaches have set up the environment to be a good rebounding team.
Each day at practice, time needs to be devoted to the skill of rebounding as well as live drills with an offensive team trying to rebound versus defense and vice versa. During these drills the coaches should stop and teach when a player makes a mistake of not getting into good rebounding position. This is how players learn to consistently be in the correct position to rebound.
Hopefully your team is great at rebounding, but if they need work, keep teaching it everyday and build on the positives.
Play Hard,
Coach Taft
PS: If you know a coach or player that would benefit from this blog please email it to them. Also, if you know someone who would benefit from great monthly basketball information send them to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/. Coming this month the brand new "GAME PLAN" Newsletter. This basketball newsletter is full of information that you can use everyday. You don't want to miss the "GAME PLAN" Newsletter!
Weekly Basketball Tip: Superman Rebounding
Purpose: To learn to grab the ball at the highest point possible and to go get the ball aggressively.
Drill: Form a single line on the right side of the basket starting at the foul line (Can form 2 lines, one on each side if want). The lead person has the ball. He or she uses an underhand toss off the backboard and follows it in with a strong gather step preparing to jump. As the ball comes off the board jump off 2 feet and reach with extended arms and rebound the ball at the highest point. Upon landing in a great position pivot to the outside and either dribble out of the lane as the first progression or secondly have an outlet waiting to receive your pass. Teach the players to rebound and outlet the ball both from an overhead position and from a "chin the ball" position. Obviously you don't want shorter players to keep the ball overhead as it will get knocked out of the hands. The next person in line follows as soon as the first person clears.
Preform: 6-8 on each side. Mix in various outlet passes with and without defense so decision making improves.
To Rebound Or Not Rebound, That Is The Question
There is no doubt that coaches turn grey much earlier than they should when their team gets out rebounded, especially when the opponent gets offensive rebounds. I see it as several things; 1. Just like there are born tacklers in football there are born rebounders in basketball (Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, Dennis Rodman). These guys had an attitude about them that made them own the paint- they were angry when someone else tried to take what they felt they owned. 2. It is a skill and must be practiced routinely. Players must practice being in the correct position to box out and then go get the ball. This may seem simple but it isn't, especially when the offensive player being boxed out really fights hard for the ball. 3. The defensive system can set a team up for poor or good rebounding. If you play an in your face denial defense there is a good chance the opposing team will penetrate to the hoop, draw help defensive, and create a weak side rebounding opportunity. Teams that play softer off the ball tend to get into better rebounding positions. 4. You would think that teams that play packed zones would rebound better and they should but it still comes down to finding a man and getting a body on them. Most cases the zone does allow that. 5. The obvious, teams that have bigger, stronger, more aggressive players tend to be better rebounding teams.
I truly believe that rebounding has as much to do with the coaches ability to recognize his or her players natural tendencies. If the team is not big, strong, and aggressive then chances are they will not be good rebounders, unless a few players have a nose for the ball. This is when a coach needs to set the team up for rebounding success by playing a type of defense that suits them well.
When you look at all the best teams at any level they all rebound the ball well on both ends of the floor. Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their team is built around great defense and rebounding. The women's team at Uconn. They use their athletes to pressure the ball but always defend the paint well with their bigs. In both of these cases, the coaches have set up the environment to be a good rebounding team.
Each day at practice, time needs to be devoted to the skill of rebounding as well as live drills with an offensive team trying to rebound versus defense and vice versa. During these drills the coaches should stop and teach when a player makes a mistake of not getting into good rebounding position. This is how players learn to consistently be in the correct position to rebound.
Hopefully your team is great at rebounding, but if they need work, keep teaching it everyday and build on the positives.
Play Hard,
Coach Taft
PS: If you know a coach or player that would benefit from this blog please email it to them. Also, if you know someone who would benefit from great monthly basketball information send them to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/. Coming this month the brand new "GAME PLAN" Newsletter. This basketball newsletter is full of information that you can use everyday. You don't want to miss the "GAME PLAN" Newsletter!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Are You Willing To Change?
Hey! I just got back from an incredible 4 days of working with the National Guard in Des Moines, Iowa. It was fantastic. I will share more on this later but one thing this weekend did for me, was make some changes in how I coach... read on below to find out what I mean.
Basketball Weekly Tip: Seal And Pass Through The Double Team
Purpose: There will be many times in a game when you will have 2 players in your face trapping you. The goal of this drill is to help you not panic and make a great pass out of the double team.
Drill: Set up a situation where there are 2 defenders and 2 offensive players. One of the offensive players will have the ball and the 2 defenders must double team. Have one defender on the ball and the second defender come from 8-10 feet away and make up the double team. The offensive player must see the second defender and recognize where he or she is coming from (OH! by the way you have no dribble). There are certainly several ways to pass out of the double team like; passing over the top or passing before the double team gets tight, but I want you to let the double team form. First thing you want to do is pick what defender gives you the best option to pivot past (step past with the free foot). In other words, you step past their closest foot and seal the defender off with your leg and arm- hold them on your hip. Once you recognize which defender you need to set them up by faking away from the direction you want to step through on. Now you step through and seal the defender off and make the pass. Some times you will be able to split the middle- but the pass needs to occur quickly when you go split the middle because you can only seal one defender.
Practice: Have each of the 4 players be the player getting trapped and make them have to make 5 good passes out of the double team before you rotate.
Willing To Change?
Sometimes in life there are events that make you realize you can do things better. This past 4 days made me realize I can do things better in my training and coaching. The thing that I can do better is when I am working with large teams or groups is draw their attention and focus into the moment better.
So really what today's blog is about is: are you willing to change if you see something that can work better or isn't working well? Or, are you to stuck in your own way to get better?
I often have to ask myself this question; "Am I doing what is right or only what I want to do?" Sometimes I catch myself doing what is something I like to see done but really isn't the best thing for my players- do you do that?
I can remember my first year as a head coach in high school. My brother Jim, who was already an established coach and had won a state championship as a coach, came to watch my first scrimmage. When we got back to the house I asked him to sit with me and assess my team and what I was doing. He told me what he thought and to be honest with you, much of it was different then what I was doing. I really had to check my ego and listen because I wanted to have success for my players and program. Even though I thought I had a good plan, he saw things, due to his experience, I never saw. That season we ended up 18 wins and 5 losses and went semi-finals of the sectionals. As hard as it might have been for me to have to change ultimately the program was about the players and not just me. I listened, learned, and went on to have a great season.
I am sure that most of you, regardless of if you are a player or coach, are willing to make the needed changes to be successful, but it can be difficult. Always try to keep your main goal in mind. If it is the correct goal good things will happen.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: Basketball Speed Insiders is a great resource to help you change if you are willing. Go to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/ and take a FREE trial for 30 days!
Basketball Weekly Tip: Seal And Pass Through The Double Team
Purpose: There will be many times in a game when you will have 2 players in your face trapping you. The goal of this drill is to help you not panic and make a great pass out of the double team.
Drill: Set up a situation where there are 2 defenders and 2 offensive players. One of the offensive players will have the ball and the 2 defenders must double team. Have one defender on the ball and the second defender come from 8-10 feet away and make up the double team. The offensive player must see the second defender and recognize where he or she is coming from (OH! by the way you have no dribble). There are certainly several ways to pass out of the double team like; passing over the top or passing before the double team gets tight, but I want you to let the double team form. First thing you want to do is pick what defender gives you the best option to pivot past (step past with the free foot). In other words, you step past their closest foot and seal the defender off with your leg and arm- hold them on your hip. Once you recognize which defender you need to set them up by faking away from the direction you want to step through on. Now you step through and seal the defender off and make the pass. Some times you will be able to split the middle- but the pass needs to occur quickly when you go split the middle because you can only seal one defender.
Practice: Have each of the 4 players be the player getting trapped and make them have to make 5 good passes out of the double team before you rotate.
Willing To Change?
Sometimes in life there are events that make you realize you can do things better. This past 4 days made me realize I can do things better in my training and coaching. The thing that I can do better is when I am working with large teams or groups is draw their attention and focus into the moment better.
So really what today's blog is about is: are you willing to change if you see something that can work better or isn't working well? Or, are you to stuck in your own way to get better?
I often have to ask myself this question; "Am I doing what is right or only what I want to do?" Sometimes I catch myself doing what is something I like to see done but really isn't the best thing for my players- do you do that?
I can remember my first year as a head coach in high school. My brother Jim, who was already an established coach and had won a state championship as a coach, came to watch my first scrimmage. When we got back to the house I asked him to sit with me and assess my team and what I was doing. He told me what he thought and to be honest with you, much of it was different then what I was doing. I really had to check my ego and listen because I wanted to have success for my players and program. Even though I thought I had a good plan, he saw things, due to his experience, I never saw. That season we ended up 18 wins and 5 losses and went semi-finals of the sectionals. As hard as it might have been for me to have to change ultimately the program was about the players and not just me. I listened, learned, and went on to have a great season.
I am sure that most of you, regardless of if you are a player or coach, are willing to make the needed changes to be successful, but it can be difficult. Always try to keep your main goal in mind. If it is the correct goal good things will happen.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: Basketball Speed Insiders is a great resource to help you change if you are willing. Go to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/ and take a FREE trial for 30 days!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Slow It Down When Needed..
I hope this blog finds you ready for a great week!
Boy, what a big upset in college men's basketball. North Carolina went down to a gritty Boston College. I think it is the best thing for NC. Their goal is to win the national championship not to go undefeated so now the pressure is off until March Madness begins- great win B.C.
Weekly Basketball Tip: Supermans for rebounding
Purpose: To improve explosive jump and teach players to go get the ball at its highest point.
Action: Start a couple feet inside the foul line (closer for young players), use an underhand toss with the ball off the backboard. Take one big gather step and jump off two feet. Reach high with both hands and grab the rebound as high as you can. Land in a good landing position and protect the ball by chinning it (put the ball under the chin- chest high with elbow out). Pivot to the outside and if you have a partner snap out an outlet pass. If you do not have a partner dribble out.
Perform: 6-8 rebounds on each side so you get the pivot move after the rebound. Make sure all landings are good.
Slow It Down When Needed
No, no, I am not talking about slowing the offense down. I am talking about slowing the coaching of a new skill or a skill the athletes seem to be missing the point with.
Let's look at a basic skill coming out of the triple threat position- "The Swing and Go Move." This is when a player catches a pass and gets into triple threat, swings the ball aggressively from one side of the body to the other (this can be swung low or high depending on how the defense is playing you), and immediately drive past the defender. The key to beating the defender is to take a strong first step, drive right off the defenders shoulder, and push the ball out in front.
OK. When coaching this to players that don't naturally get it (you will have some players that naturally perform this skill well) break it down into steps. The first step is the triple threat and protect. The purpose of this is to protect the ball by getting it off to one hip and turning the opposite shoulder in front of the ball. If the players don't protect the ball it will get easily knocked out of the offensive players hands. The second step is to teach the "swing". The ball should be swung hard across to the other side of the body and the Non-Pivot foot needs to step past the defender as the ball is swung. So the swing and step should work together. If the defender steps back then use a rocker or step back step. The third step and final step is to step hard past the defender shoulder to shoulder, get the guard arm out to fend off the defender, and push the ball out in front.
I think this is best done if you have a defender play token defense (just stand in front of player). This will give a reference point of how to swing the ball and where to step.
You as the coach need to stop the player when they get out of control, if they don't swing the ball hard, if they loop around the defender rather than stay on their line to the hoop, or don't push the ball out in front. Keep emphasising each part and make the player reproduce the pattern correctly each time.
As I said earlier, if you have players that do this well you can move on with them or have them practice another step in the "Jab Series" (pause step, rocker step, step back, crossover step). Not that it is a bad thing to review the step, but don't over coach it to players that have a natural Swing and Go.
You should take this principle of slowing it down to get the best result with any skill. I like to do this with young shooters. If they don't understand how to hold the ball in the shot pocket, bring the ball up through the shot, and release the ball with proper follow through it is good to break each phase down.
This has helped me with young and older, more experienced, players over the years.
Love to hear your thoughts.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: If you have friends that would like to read this weekly blog please pass it along to them. Also, if you or someone you know would benefit from the New 2009 Basketball Speed Insiders go to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/ and sign up for one FREE month.
Boy, what a big upset in college men's basketball. North Carolina went down to a gritty Boston College. I think it is the best thing for NC. Their goal is to win the national championship not to go undefeated so now the pressure is off until March Madness begins- great win B.C.
Weekly Basketball Tip: Supermans for rebounding
Purpose: To improve explosive jump and teach players to go get the ball at its highest point.
Action: Start a couple feet inside the foul line (closer for young players), use an underhand toss with the ball off the backboard. Take one big gather step and jump off two feet. Reach high with both hands and grab the rebound as high as you can. Land in a good landing position and protect the ball by chinning it (put the ball under the chin- chest high with elbow out). Pivot to the outside and if you have a partner snap out an outlet pass. If you do not have a partner dribble out.
Perform: 6-8 rebounds on each side so you get the pivot move after the rebound. Make sure all landings are good.
Slow It Down When Needed
No, no, I am not talking about slowing the offense down. I am talking about slowing the coaching of a new skill or a skill the athletes seem to be missing the point with.
Let's look at a basic skill coming out of the triple threat position- "The Swing and Go Move." This is when a player catches a pass and gets into triple threat, swings the ball aggressively from one side of the body to the other (this can be swung low or high depending on how the defense is playing you), and immediately drive past the defender. The key to beating the defender is to take a strong first step, drive right off the defenders shoulder, and push the ball out in front.
OK. When coaching this to players that don't naturally get it (you will have some players that naturally perform this skill well) break it down into steps. The first step is the triple threat and protect. The purpose of this is to protect the ball by getting it off to one hip and turning the opposite shoulder in front of the ball. If the players don't protect the ball it will get easily knocked out of the offensive players hands. The second step is to teach the "swing". The ball should be swung hard across to the other side of the body and the Non-Pivot foot needs to step past the defender as the ball is swung. So the swing and step should work together. If the defender steps back then use a rocker or step back step. The third step and final step is to step hard past the defender shoulder to shoulder, get the guard arm out to fend off the defender, and push the ball out in front.
I think this is best done if you have a defender play token defense (just stand in front of player). This will give a reference point of how to swing the ball and where to step.
You as the coach need to stop the player when they get out of control, if they don't swing the ball hard, if they loop around the defender rather than stay on their line to the hoop, or don't push the ball out in front. Keep emphasising each part and make the player reproduce the pattern correctly each time.
As I said earlier, if you have players that do this well you can move on with them or have them practice another step in the "Jab Series" (pause step, rocker step, step back, crossover step). Not that it is a bad thing to review the step, but don't over coach it to players that have a natural Swing and Go.
You should take this principle of slowing it down to get the best result with any skill. I like to do this with young shooters. If they don't understand how to hold the ball in the shot pocket, bring the ball up through the shot, and release the ball with proper follow through it is good to break each phase down.
This has helped me with young and older, more experienced, players over the years.
Love to hear your thoughts.
Play Hard,
Lee
PS: If you have friends that would like to read this weekly blog please pass it along to them. Also, if you or someone you know would benefit from the New 2009 Basketball Speed Insiders go to http://www.basketballspeedinsiders.com/ and sign up for one FREE month.
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