Ask any player if he wants to play on a running team and he will question yes. No question about it. In theory, they want to run. In theory, coaches want them to run. The problem begins when only 2 or 3 of the players run on a break. They start to take plays off both on offense and on defense.
The whole team has to be committed to running. All five guys must bust their butt every play to be a true running team to really punish the opponent. The players have to be in great shape...better shape than their opponent. That's when players start to realize that running is harder than they thought. It's just not running to get lay-ups. It's running to get ball reversal shots. It's running to get the defense scrambling and off balanced.
Those are the things players don't realize from my experience. They don't understand the effort and constant committment needed to be a true running team. Explaining these things to them before asking the question could help them understand, but I'm guessing they will say they want to run no matter what. Them actually doing it for more than a few games will probably be a different story though.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NBA Season Tip-Off
Christmas is here! My life has been empty since the finals concluded over the summer. Finally, the gaping hole will be filled tonight with the start of the NBA season! It starts off with a bang, too. Lakers play the Trailblazers. Greg Oden vs. Andrew Bynum, an early test for both coming off injuries last season. If Oden dominates the middle this year, I expect Portland to contend for a top 3 spot in the tough Western Conference. If he gets injured or doesn't play up to par then I don't see the Trailblazers having a better year than they did last year.
The Bulls also play tonight. Rose makes his debut for Chicago. He needs a good big man with him. He would make a mediocre big man look like an all-star. Too bad Chicago doesn't even have a mediocre big man. Thomas, Noah, Gray are not going to cut it. Gooden is decent, but more of mid-range guy than back to the basket. I expect Rose to struggle as teams cut off his pentration and force him to prove that he can hit the three (ala what teams did vs. Rondo last year).
Many teams are looking for big impacts from rookies. It could make for a lot of interesting stories. You never know what rookies decide just getting drafted is enough for them and start living the celebrity lifestyle instead of working on being a basketball player. Many are content and how can you blame them when you get so much money right out of the gate. We'll just have to wait and see.
Happy Holidays to all! :)
The Bulls also play tonight. Rose makes his debut for Chicago. He needs a good big man with him. He would make a mediocre big man look like an all-star. Too bad Chicago doesn't even have a mediocre big man. Thomas, Noah, Gray are not going to cut it. Gooden is decent, but more of mid-range guy than back to the basket. I expect Rose to struggle as teams cut off his pentration and force him to prove that he can hit the three (ala what teams did vs. Rondo last year).
Many teams are looking for big impacts from rookies. It could make for a lot of interesting stories. You never know what rookies decide just getting drafted is enough for them and start living the celebrity lifestyle instead of working on being a basketball player. Many are content and how can you blame them when you get so much money right out of the gate. We'll just have to wait and see.
Happy Holidays to all! :)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Individual Skills Work Out
Right now, I'm trying to figure out a "perfect" individual skills work out for basketball players of the high school to college age. I think the most important part of any work out is the way you do it. If the player is going 50 or 75% that player will not improve as much as they should. Frankly, it's a waste of their time and anyone who is helping them. You must try to go as hard as you can. Let me state, I don't think anyone can truly give 100% let alone the infamous 110% that I hate.
I would like the work out to include all facets of the game. Offense will probably be the majority of the work out since that is the easiest to work on alone, but it should try to encompass defense too. I want it to be achievement oriented...not goal oriented. I want it to be limited in time and times must be made to ensure intensity and focus.
I believe all work outs should emphasize focus, intensity and attention to detail. A half hour with those things executed properly is better than three hours without it. A lot of players work at the game on their own. How many of them really get after it when they are by themselves though? How many focus on staying low and exploding on their jab step drives? How many are thinking about other things while they shoot their 200 shots? I believe those are the types of things that hold some players back. They are willing to put in the time which a lot of players aren't but they aren't willing to put in the focus.
If anyone has a individual work out that they feel meets my criteria please email it to me at tandershock@gmail.com. I would appreciate it very much. Also, if you think I left out anything that needs to be added please inform me of what it is! Thanks
I would like the work out to include all facets of the game. Offense will probably be the majority of the work out since that is the easiest to work on alone, but it should try to encompass defense too. I want it to be achievement oriented...not goal oriented. I want it to be limited in time and times must be made to ensure intensity and focus.
I believe all work outs should emphasize focus, intensity and attention to detail. A half hour with those things executed properly is better than three hours without it. A lot of players work at the game on their own. How many of them really get after it when they are by themselves though? How many focus on staying low and exploding on their jab step drives? How many are thinking about other things while they shoot their 200 shots? I believe those are the types of things that hold some players back. They are willing to put in the time which a lot of players aren't but they aren't willing to put in the focus.
If anyone has a individual work out that they feel meets my criteria please email it to me at tandershock@gmail.com. I would appreciate it very much. Also, if you think I left out anything that needs to be added please inform me of what it is! Thanks
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Preseason NBA
I'm watching the NBA preseason game between Miami and New Jersey right now. Both teams have a lot of talent. Miami should be much improved if they can stay healthy. Wade, Marion, and Beasely are a tough trio. If they can find a point guard then they will win a lot of games especially in the Eastern Conference.
That brings me to something I saw in the game. The Heat used a draft pick on Mario Chalmers from Kansas. Chalmers had a decent year on a well balanced championship team. He is not a point guard though and that's what they are trying to have him play. I really think his shot in the tournament got him drafted. They test and work out guys so much before the draft and then they basically give them the benefit of a doubt because they hit a big shot in one game. It has happened many times before and I don't think it is right or smart by the team drafting the person.
Just a little bit of a rant, haha
That brings me to something I saw in the game. The Heat used a draft pick on Mario Chalmers from Kansas. Chalmers had a decent year on a well balanced championship team. He is not a point guard though and that's what they are trying to have him play. I really think his shot in the tournament got him drafted. They test and work out guys so much before the draft and then they basically give them the benefit of a doubt because they hit a big shot in one game. It has happened many times before and I don't think it is right or smart by the team drafting the person.
Just a little bit of a rant, haha
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Crazy Drought of Posts
A lot has happened since the last time I posted. I will try to get a quick recap in. I will probably forget a lot of what has taken place but oh well.
July was a coming out for a couple of my players. July being the month when college coaches can come watch the tournaments. One of our first games we had Indiana State, Purdue and Ohio watching. It's probable that they were watching someone from the other team but no one stood out for them and we man-handled them. A couple of my guys had monster games. So, hopefully the colleges took notice and at least made a note to watch them again in the future.
Towards the middle of the month I was contacted by the Head Coach of Coffeyville CC in Kansas about an assistant coach opening he had. I sent him my resume and he called my references quickly. They are a very good JUCO program in a very elite junior college conference. I didn't end up getting the position, but it felt good to be considered even though I haven't finished my degree yet.
I haven't landed a coaching job for this winter. I don't plan on looking anymore as of now. If someone contacts me then I will look into it. For right now, I just plan on attending as many college practices as I can. Hopefully, I will get to a lot of Butler practices. They practice in the morning so it might be a test of my will. I made a goal to attend a practice at every D1 and D2 school in Indiana this year. I'm pretty sure I will be able to accomplish this unless something happens to my car or gas prices sky rocket again. The trip to Evansville to see University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana could be a painful one. I'm hoping I can catch both on the same day if possible.
I have already been to work outs for Butler and University of Indianapolis. U of Indy has a new coach this year in Stan Gouard. Coach Gouard was an assistant at Indiana State the past few years. He is an incredibly nice. I hope he turns Indianapolis into a D2 powerhouse.
I'm also coaching in a high school fall league right now. The players are basically invited to play in the league or their high school coach has to recommend them. So, it is a top level league. There are about 50 kids and I'd say at least 10-15 will end up playing D1 at the very least. There obviously isn't too much coaching. It's more just helping players individually. Telling them small things. Reenforce some things that their high school coach has probably been on them about anyway. It's good to hear it from a new voice though. Sometimes as a player you start to think the coach is just getting on you for no reason and a new voice helps confirm what the coach has been saying.
I think that is about it for now. Only about 10 days til official college practice starts. It's pretty much like counting down the days til Christmas for a little kid. I can't wait!
July was a coming out for a couple of my players. July being the month when college coaches can come watch the tournaments. One of our first games we had Indiana State, Purdue and Ohio watching. It's probable that they were watching someone from the other team but no one stood out for them and we man-handled them. A couple of my guys had monster games. So, hopefully the colleges took notice and at least made a note to watch them again in the future.
Towards the middle of the month I was contacted by the Head Coach of Coffeyville CC in Kansas about an assistant coach opening he had. I sent him my resume and he called my references quickly. They are a very good JUCO program in a very elite junior college conference. I didn't end up getting the position, but it felt good to be considered even though I haven't finished my degree yet.
I haven't landed a coaching job for this winter. I don't plan on looking anymore as of now. If someone contacts me then I will look into it. For right now, I just plan on attending as many college practices as I can. Hopefully, I will get to a lot of Butler practices. They practice in the morning so it might be a test of my will. I made a goal to attend a practice at every D1 and D2 school in Indiana this year. I'm pretty sure I will be able to accomplish this unless something happens to my car or gas prices sky rocket again. The trip to Evansville to see University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana could be a painful one. I'm hoping I can catch both on the same day if possible.
I have already been to work outs for Butler and University of Indianapolis. U of Indy has a new coach this year in Stan Gouard. Coach Gouard was an assistant at Indiana State the past few years. He is an incredibly nice. I hope he turns Indianapolis into a D2 powerhouse.
I'm also coaching in a high school fall league right now. The players are basically invited to play in the league or their high school coach has to recommend them. So, it is a top level league. There are about 50 kids and I'd say at least 10-15 will end up playing D1 at the very least. There obviously isn't too much coaching. It's more just helping players individually. Telling them small things. Reenforce some things that their high school coach has probably been on them about anyway. It's good to hear it from a new voice though. Sometimes as a player you start to think the coach is just getting on you for no reason and a new voice helps confirm what the coach has been saying.
I think that is about it for now. Only about 10 days til official college practice starts. It's pretty much like counting down the days til Christmas for a little kid. I can't wait!
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