BILLY DONOVAN ON WHAT IS COACHING?

At Coach U Live this year in Orlando, Brendan Suhr asked Billy Donovan, "What is coaching?" Some of Coach Donovan's responses included:

"You have to want to be coachable yourself.  If you ask your players to be coachable, you have to ask your this."

"Take any player and have them reach their full potential on and off the court."

"It's not about how many games you win, it's about how your players talk about you and the time you spent together."

"Having patience -- the roots may not bloom until long after you're gone.  It could be 5 to 10 years down the road.

Big thanks to USF Coach Jeff Osterman for passing on his Coach U notes to me!

BASKETBALL THOUGHTS FROM DOC RIVERS

I took some time this morning to re-read over my notes from Coaching U Live in 2010 and thought I'd share some from Doc Rivers.

 
Coach‟s ego: Is it about you or about the team?

Beginners are open and experts are closed. When you become an expert, stay opeN

Undererstand Character vs. Characters

You have to protect your team culture.  This battle is waged daily

The little things matter. Doc said Celtics won a game against Cleveland on jump ball.

Make little things important such as the extra pass and closeouts

Build your staff around the team that you want to have...the values that you want represented: loyalty, hard work and disciplined.

Doc sets up staff like a football program: offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator.

Important head coach question: Do you trust the people on your staff?

Give staff room to do their strengths.

You can't ask players to fill roles unless you let your staff fulfill their roles.

Players must buy into your system -- Doc said this was incredibly important to the success of his teams. 

Create a theme/purpose for the season.

Doc took Big 3 on parade route that they would ride for winning the championship. Creates direction and image.

Ask players "Do you want to win? " Most say yes, but only if it‟s comfortable for them.

Fight for your system/culture every day.

Eliminate the S‟s in your program such selfishness, stubborn.

You cannot let a talented player affect your thinking.

Doc talking to players after the draft: "You only have a number for one day. After that, it is all up to you"

If you steal something from someone, make it your own.

END OF GAME CHECKLIST

Each day I get an email from Brian Williams and "The Coaching Toolbox" -- rarely do I not get something that helps me coach my team better.  If you aren't signed up, you are missing out.  Click here and place your email to get daily coaching nugget.  Brian's website is also one of the best resources out there for coaches.  Please go here and take some time to visit and learn.

Here is an example of what you can expect -- got this one today.  It is an "End of the Game Coaching Checklist" -- and it speaks to the organization of NBA coaches.  This list was assembled by former long-time NBA assistant coach Gordon Chieas.  I had the opportunity to listen to Coach Chieas speak this summer at Coaching U Live and he is a passionate teacher of the game. Here is his "End of Game Checklist" provided by Brian and The Coaching Toolbox:

OFFENSIVE QUESTIONS/CONCEPTS

◄Best offensive team when our team is losing.

◄Best foul shooting team when our team is winning.

◄Best ball handling team when protecting a lead.

◄Best three point shooting team when our team needs a “Three.”

◄Best individual match-up to score a basket/create a foul.

◄Which opposing player is in deep foul trouble, and our offense can go directly at him?

◄Who is our best inbound passer? Who is our 2nd best inbound passer?

◄What side of the floor, when inbounding from the sideline do we prefer?

◄Know/Understand with how much time left on the game clock, and the score is tied, when should the offensive player take the shot?

◄Know/Understand  that the defense is going to switch-out of any screening action regardless of size The sceener should look for a slip move as he starts setting the screen. The passer has to be ready to “Read and Pass.”

◄Know/Understand that when the opponent has a foul to give and our team has used our last time out, the Head Coach, during that time out, has to give our team two offensive plays to execute.

DEFENSIVE QUESTIONS/CONCEPTS

 

◄Best defensive team when our team needs one defensive stop (under 7 seconds on game clock)?

 

◄Best defensive team to contain dribble penetration

 

◄Best rebounding team when the opponent goes big?

 

◄Best “Comeback” Defensive Team by trapping/presses creating havoc defensively?

 

◄Best zone defensive team to take away the opposition set offensive plays?

 

◄Be ready to match-up small to defend the opponent’s 4 or 5 man who can make three point shots,

 

◄Know and understand the concept of staying home on 3-point shooters on dribble penetration.

 

◄Know and understand how to foul on the catch before the shooter goes into his shooting motion

 

◄Be ready to sub out a key offensive scoring player who has four fouls and ‘sub In” a “designated fouler.” Teach the designated fouler that he is making a positive contribution towards winning. We are not trying to embarrass him.

 

◄Know/Understand that when the score is even or our team Is up one or two, we will early double team or create a running trap situation against the “star perimeter player” in the scoring area. Philosophically we are not going to let the star perimeter player beat us with a basket or create a foul. We are going to make him pass the bail to a lesser offensive threat. Also,as an alternative, we could play a zone defense on the last possession against the star player.

 

END OF GAME CHECKLIST

 

◄Know the score of the game and the time left on the shot clock and game clock.

 

◄Know the timeout situation for both teams

 

◄The Head Coach will tell the players the team foul penalty situation from both an offensive and defensive standpoint. The players will always know if we have a foul to give.

 

◄Know/Understand when to call timeout by a Player who is not involved with the ball when his teammate is in a bad disadvantage.

 

◄Who are the worst foul shooters in the game?

 

◄Who are the worst foul shooters not in the game in case of an injury situation. and the opposing team can choose the new shooter?

 

PLAYERS & COACHES: ENJOY & EMBRACE THE GRIND

As the years pass by in my coaching career, the athlete dedicated to being the absolute best he/she can be is a little more difficult to find.  Too many of us, young coaches included, want to be the overnight success story.  Players want to excel without executing...play without preparing...position without persevering...acquire without acting...take a test without the test of time...control without concentration.

Coach Dale Brown called it "the instant gratification syndrome" -- some refer it to a "microwave society." 

I have been blessed beyond belief to work with some of the games greats -- players and coaches that achieved the maximum benefits of a dedicated lifetime.  In studying these people I have found one thing in common. 

It's not that they worked hard -- though they did.  It's not that they overcame adversity -- though they did.  It's not that they did the little things necessary -- thought they did.  It's not that they did the things they didn't enjoy -- thought they did.

It's the attitude in which they did it all. 

They truly great ones -- on a daily basis -- over the LONG HAUL -- not only do all the above but they actually ENJOY and EMBRACE the GRIND.

They no doubt groan when they roll out of bed at 5 AM in the off-season, but when they get to the gym, the track or the weight room, the adrenaline kicks in because of the incredible desire they have to excel and the knowledge they have of what it will take to get there. 

These thoughts came to me as I read "Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn," by John Maxwell in a plane jetting across the Southeast this weekend.  There was a poem in the book titled "Climb the Steep" by James Casey:

"For every hill I've had to climb

For every rock that bruised my feet

For all the blood and sweat and grime

For blinding storms and burning heat

My heart sings but a grateful song

These were the things that made me strong."

 

If you coach, ENJOY and EMBRACE the GRIND.  Take the road less travelled. Push yourself beyond all limits.  Are you finding time to read -- blogs, books, magazines?  Not enough time?  Kevin Eastman is an assistant in the NBA and he finds an hour each day simply to read -- and GROW!  I can't even begin to imagine his time constraints -- which is why he reads at 5 AM each morning.

 

Are you watching video...not just on your team but other teams...do you have teaching DVDs to study and learn.  Are you attending clinics...working camps...do you have a circle of influence of coaches and people you respect that can take you to another level.

 

The other night I enjoyed a conversation with Jim Boone on various methods of defending ball screens.  Jim is head coach at Delta State and one of the best teachers in the game.  But we both took time out to discuss in detail what we both did defensively.  At the end of the conversation I told Jim he needs to call Brendan Suhr.  Brendan is one of the games great teachers having served under Chuck Daly in the NBA as well as with the Dream Team.  He is the master of the Pick and Roll -- offensively and defensively.  He is now an assistant at the University of Central Florida.  Jim wondered "will he have the time to talk with me."  I said, "Brendan will make time."  And he did!  Jim couldn't believe the amount of time Brendan gave him but we are talking about a guy that besides his full-time job at UCF works with Kevin Eastman the year around to put together Coaching U Live for all of us. 

 

Continual learners...continual teachers!

 

I am not a smart guy by any stretch but I do work extremely hard.  I have for over 30 years and I'm scared to slow down.  I'm reminded of the Steve Nash quote: "If every basketball player worked as hard as I did, I'd be out of a job."  I feel the same way as a coach.  If I stop working..It I stop studying the game...If I stop learning  --  then the smarter coaches will pass me up -- gotta keep working.

 

I heard Kelvin Sampson at a clinic about a decade ago when he was still at Oklahoma and he said, "All coaches have great energy at practice for the first two weeks.  But then a lot of 'em lose it.  They get a little tired or a bored.  The best know how to sustain the energy."

 

As a coach, we are more than two weeks in -- are you still humming along?  Still bringing the juice as practice?

 

Neil Young -- "better to burn than to fade away" -- it's served me well.  How hard are you working.  What kind of example are you giving to other coaches that work with you and student-athletes that you are leading?

 

ENJOY and EMBRACE the GRIND!

 

 

 

 

 

VCU HAVOC PRESS DEFENSE NOTES

The following come from notes listening to VCU Assistant Coach Mike Rhoades at both A Step Up AssistantCoaching Symposium and Coaching U Live.  Also, make sure you scroll to the bottom and click on the link with a great article on the VCU Havoc press defense from SI.

VCU Defense — all about pressure

1. Must be unselfish — on both ends

2. Want players to play so hard that they HAVE to come out

3. Style of offense/defense all about putting pressure on opponent

Why Pressure?

1. It’s fun to play

2. Creates offense

3. Play a lot of players

4. Morale

Secret to success is morale

Smart has his players pick up full-court in pick up games

Goal: make opponent uncomfortable when they take the ball out of the net.

They will press at times with no trapping

VCU wants it to be uncomfortable to get the ball in, but they don’t deny the ball in — want to force it to be inbounded close to the baseline.

Man on Inbounder is referred to as “Mad Man.”  Toes on baseline...goal is 3 to 5 deflections on inbounds pass.

Unbelievable what other teams will do against pressure.

Ball inbounded — never get beat on sideline rip...1 man trapping.

Off of the ball — you are one-third off your man.

Allow no passes forward — NONE

VCU Zig Zags everyday — keep score

“Stunting” the ball (our “sting” — Knight’s fake trap) — VCU wants the ball to see the help and worry they might get trapped.

Utilize our 3/3 2 Bounce Drill

Video is important in teaching — always show the 3 best stunts from last practice/game

Over exert on trap — Rule: if you are not sure, trap!

Don’t trap behind the foul line...trap at the top of the key.

VCU doesn’t like sideline trap.

Help defender: read the eyes and should of offensive player with the ball

In the summer, VCU works on offense

In September, VCU works on defensive trapping

First 3 steps are key for all defenders in full court defense

Drills:

2/2 Heat — 2/2 full court w/no trapping...work ball and stunt

2/2 Trap — 2/2 full court w/trapping

VCU opens practices because Smart appreciates the opportunities he has got.

Diamond Press

1.  Allow man on ball the freedom to stay or trap.

2. Backside defender must take backside block

VCU is big in teaching back tipping

 

Here is a great article in Sports Illustrated on VCU's Havoc Press Defense

DOUG COLLINS' THOUGHTS FROM COACHING U LIVE

One of the most enjoyable parts of Coaching U Live for me was listening to Doug Collins.  He spoke on both days and I garnered a ton of great notes -- here are just a few:

"Work to be the best individual player you can be so your team can win."

"I outlived my dream." (loved that one)

"Once you build trust, you can speak the truth."

Coach Collins talked about H.A.L.T.
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
This is when we are most vulnerable (decisions)

Coach Collins told Avery Johnson that his biggest challenge as a coach would be to find 5 guys that love the game as much as you do and to not let the other 8 distract you.

"As coaches, we too often get seduced by talent."

As a coach, Collins was concerned about things he can control:
1. Conditioning
2. Preparation
3. Reward my competitors (my players that competed)

"To change a team you must change their comfort zone."

"Don't be in competition with players for publicity."

3 Things you must give you team:
1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Live

Easy baskets (scoring them offensively and stopping them defensively were important to Coach Collins. 
1. Points of turnovers
2. Turnovers
3. Transition Defense - points allowed
4. Paint Points
5. 2nd Chance Points

Key stats for Coach Collins:
1. Point Differential - Big in NBA
2. Road Record
3. FG% Differential

Again, this is just a short list of what Coach Collins shared with us.  The most moving was Saturday night when he shared his '72 Olympic experience with us.  He went into not just losing the controversial Gold medal game but the process of the tryouts, the practices (21 straight days of 3-a-day sessions), the games, etc.  It included how Coach K utilized him with the Dream Team, sharing his story and how they honored him. He also shared some great practice and games stories from his time coaching Michael Jordan with the Chicago and then Washington.

COACHING U 2013 (PART I)

Here are just a few gems I grabbed at Coaching U Live in Maryland this summer.  And I say just a few gems because I took two spiral notebooks full of notes.

KEVIN EASTMAN
"To get better, you go until."

Paint Consequences
1. Block
2. Charge
3. Hard foul

"Fouling negates hustle." -Rick Pitino

"Don't put a ceiling on anything."

"A breech of culture must be met head on."

"You need to know that the malcontents are the best recruiters -- and they will go after young players."

Living in the TRUTH
1. Live it
2. Tell it
3. Take it

"Preparation trumps pressure."

GANNON BAKER
"You must be involved in solution based teaching, not just drills to fill a workout."

"Rebounding is pursuit, passion and position."

BASKETBALL THOUGHTS FROM JEFF VAN GUNDY

Big thanks to Indiana assistant coach Tim Buckley for passing on these Jeff Van Gundy notes that he took during Coaching U Live this summer in Indianapolis:

-You have to know what loses before you know what wins. –Bill Parcells

- Expect your players to repeat what you believe in.

- On the line pop quiz to start practice.

- Pat Riley always developed coaching confidence.

-Are you confident, sincere, reliable, trustworthy? If you have these anyone will allow you to coach them. Great players don’t want you to waste their time. Just give them the plan.

- Don’t be intimidated by any players or situation.

- Do your players understand the concept of team?

- Best players have to unite and inspire the group. They are thinking about one thing winning. Inspire with passion, energy and preparedness.

- You got to know who you can coach well and who you can’t coach well. –Larry Brown.

- Can’t coach soft, selfish, and stupid. I could deal with 1 of the 3.

- I love hungry scorers. Cannot have a team full of willful scorers.

- Basketball IQ vs. Personal IQ- Smart play is a talent. We do not value this enough. How do you win if you don’t know when to pass or shoot?