These notes about the Butler basketball program came from The University of Washington Newsletter. The notes were taken by Coach Brad Bestor.
I have some links to other resources from the Butler program below.
If you are interested in receiving the University of Washington newsletter, contact me and I will put you in touch with Coach Neighbors.
1. Open Gym ‒ short games (continue games to 7 by 1’s and 2’s)
a. Make the guy who hits game point make a F.T. to “seal”/”validate” the win
2. Defense – Continuous Screening Drill ‒ Diamond Look (4×4) ‒top, wings and under basket
a. pick for the picker action ‒ must be defended
b. the offense can make any read they want
c. focus on the Defense
d. play to a score with consequences
3. Great team defense (scouting) starts with determining how you will handle ball screens
a. You must start the season teaching hard hedge ‒ you can go any direction if guys can do that ‒ can’t go from soft hedge to hard hedge ‒ guys won’t buy in or get it.
b. Hard Hedge, Soft Hedge, Containment (make him pick it up)
4. Challenge guys with statistics ‒ asked Coach Stevens for their best examples
O.E.R. = Offensive Efficiency Rating (points per possession)
**Goal should always be over 1.0 ppp
*Next level ‒ chart efficiency on possessions by # of ball reversals
Zero reversals = .63 ppp
One reversal = .83 ppp
Two reversals = 1.1 ppp
5. Label opponents shot chart in categories:
A=layups, B=lane, C=14-19 footers, D=3’s
a. Don’t give up A’s or D’s ‒ chase them off the 3 pt. Line ‒ force them to hit Bs and Cs
6. Defensive Rotation Drill ‒ 4 x 4
a. On coaches call, Defensive player named by coach sprints to half court and back ‒ meanwhile his teammates are rotating in 3 x 4
b. Priority Defensively = stop basket, ball, most dangerous (Note-brutal 3 pt. Shooter open from 3 does not need to be chased, not “dangerous”
7. Terminology: Boxer’s Feet: always moving, shifty, ready to bounce
8. Strength and Conditioning: players should be able to stay in a stance for 35 seconds…practice, earn -Weight room goals(individual and team) for progress (testing various lifts for reps)
9. Role of Assistant coaches: Have 1 coach responsible for small group of guys (workouts, skill sessions, etc.)
10.Practice-Use of assistant coaches: Give Assistant coaches 10 minutes with a group and give guidelines for what they should be able to do when the time is up.
11.With great players ‒ Stat rebounds per minute and compare that with great players in your league.
a. Where would Chad see himself ranked? 7th of 7 “3-men” in rebounds per minute??
12.Make Seniors feel like family!! ‒ they need to know when they leave how much they mean to the program
13.Include alumni in 1st practice video clips of what certain things should look like…”Matt Howard will be on every clip for the next 20 years diving into the bleachers for loose balls or hitting the deck”
14.Question from Coach Brad Stevens: “How good can we be when our best player might not be the best teammate?”
15.“Great teams have great teammates”
16.Read the book: “Question Behind the Question”
17. Stevens says that everything they do is centered around these four areas:
1) Being great defensively
2) Not turning the basketball over
3) Taking great shots
4) Winning the hustle plays
You can get a copy of Brad Steven’s Butler Playbook along with Shaka Smart’s VCU Playbook by clicking here: Butler and VCU Playbooks Bundle
If you have any questions about the Playbooks, please feel free to email me.
