Coaching Basketball: Eliminate Losing

This list on eliminating things that increase your chances of losing was contributed by Coach Derek Sheridan – retired from Delta (Ohio) High School

1. THROW THE BALL TO YOUR TEAM

2. TAKE HIGH PERCENTAGE SHOTS:

-KNOW & ACCEPT what you can do well (Accept clearly defined Role)

-KNOW & ACCEPT what you cannot do well (Play to your strengths)

-KNOW & ACCEPT what WE do well & perfect those skills daily

-VALUE effective FG% v. total points scored

3. BUY-IN: Best finishers get the most shots (Perimeter & Post)

4. OFFENSIVE REBOUND, MORE THAN THE OPPOSITION

5. SHOOT MORE FREE THROWS THAN THE OPPOSITION SHOOTS

6. CONTEST SHOTS (EARLY CLOSEOUTS)

7. DON’T ALLOW LAY-UPS

8. BLOCK OUT & GET THE FIRST REBOUND

9. DON’T ALLOW THE OFFENSIVE TEAM TO SCORE OFF OF PUT-BACKS

10. CATCH & SQUARE UP TO THE BASKET – DON’T DRIBBLE LOSE BALLS

11. DON’T LET THE DEFENSE TAKE THE BALL FROM YOU = STRONG WITH BALL

12. USE SHOT-FAKES & PASS-FAKES WITHOUT TRAVELING

13. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WEAK DEFENDERS

14. FOLLOW THE GAME PLAN & TAKE WHAT THEY DO WELL AWAY FROM THEM

15. VETERAN PLAYER’S EXHIBIT CONSISTENT LEADERSHIP SKILLS & YOUNGER PLAYERS ACCEPT THEIR LEADERSHIP

– Veteran Player Leadership:

• Do/Say the right thing when coaches aren’t present, EVEN when you’re upset with the coaching staff
• Give positive reinforcement
• Tone of negative reinforcement is unemotional & used as a teaching tool
• Cannot take it personally when younger player(s) squawk back under their breath
• Must be a good school citizen
• Acknowledge ALL players in the hallways & ask younger players if they need help with anything
• Sorry is just a word; real sorrow = change in behavior

The information is a compilation of knowledge that I’ve acquired from:

Bob Knight (HOF)
Brooks Miller, Trine U.
Dick Bennett, Washington State – Retired (HOF)
Mike McBride, Holy Cross College
Jim Robinson, Maumee HS – Retired (HOF)
Dean Foster – Retired IN, HS Coach
Jim Irwin – Retired IN, HS Coach
Eric Thompson – Manchester HS, IN
Paul Patterson, Taylor U. – Retired (HOF)
Steve Platt, Huntington College – Retired (HOF)
Tom Johnson, Wheeler HS, IN
Jack Gabor, Wheeler HS, IN (HOF)
Rick VanMatre – McClain HS – Retired (HOF)
Duane Keisling – Eastern Howard HS, IN – Retired
Mike Sheridan – Taylor HS, IN – Retired
Donnie Campbell – Blue Valley HS, KS
Jack Edison, Plymouth HS, IN – Retired
Brian Vorst – Rossford HS, OH
Dave Boyce – Perrysburg HS, OH
Johnny Enochs, Washington HS, OH
Joe Wisecup, McClain HS, OH – Retired
Wayne Brooks, Fort Wayne Community Schools, IN