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!