Coaching Basketball: Eliminate Losing

This list on eliminating things that increase your chances of losing was contributed by Coach Derek Sheridan of 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