Sunday, May 6, 2012

PERIMETER SKILL DEVELOPMENT

I have received a lot of request for the notes from my presentation last weekend at A Step Up Assistant Coaching Symposium in Dallas.  My topic for "Perimeter Skill Development."  The first part of my presentation dealt with teaching philosophy.  Here are the bullet points to my talk:

GOAL #1: Improve and stretch the skill of the individual player

1. Technique: proper execution is critically important in all drills

“Be a skill coach, not a drill coach.”

2. Overload Drills: must take players out of their comfort zone to stretch them

GOAL #2: Improve skills related to your offensive system of play for your team

1. What does your team need for your players to do well?

2. Don’t improve a skill you don’t need

2 KEY AREAS FOR IMPROVING PLAYERS:

1. Teach ‘em to Talk

--Coach K has three phases of play: Offense, Defense, and Communication

--Incorporate Communication in your drills

--Echo yells (Coach Don Meyer)

#2 Teach ‘em to Think

--Don’t spoon feed them

--Notebooks

--Video (Good for players and coaches...of them and others)

CONCEPT #1: Don’t just work on your players’ weaknesses — stretch and further develop their strengths.

CONCEPT #2: Maximize individual workout time...don’t just work on fundamentals, work on relationships.

CONCEPT #3: Measure when you can...stats can help.

CONCEPT #4: Always utilize video when possible.

CONCEPT #5: Sometimes skill development needs to be in a team setting as opposed to individual.

CONCEPT #6: Singleness of purpose will create quicker improvement, confidence.

CONCEPT #7: “Catch them doing something right.” -Don Meyer

CONCEPT #8: Break down the whole and create a part-method drill.

CONCEPT #9: Constant repetition but with variation...same concepts.

CONCEPT #10: Be prepared...don’t wing it — you will gain respect of players when you have a thought out plan.

CONCEPT #11: Be a great communicator —Simplicity...less is more...terminology...not what you say but what they hear

PERIMETER SKILLS

Dribbling - Catching - Passing - Receiving - Shooting

DRILLS I USED FOR DEMONSTRATION

2 Ball Stationary Dribbling

Alford Drill

2/0 2 Ball Passing

2/1 Full Court w/2 Balls

Ball Screen to Transition

3/3 Flex Shooting

35 Point Game

IMAGINATION was the last concept I spoke about at the symposium.  In regard to teaching players and/or specific skills, the importance of having an imagination is critical.  The best coaches I have known or observed have a great ability to see a need and develop a drill to help teach or improve a phase of the game.