Indiana and Duke are very different teams. They were both in basically the same situation last night though. One team handled it perfectly and the other did not. You can blame talent and experience, but it is basic basketball knowledge.
The situation
-Both teams up give or take 8 points
-3:30 left in the game
-Both teams use up the full shot clock
-Both teams take a tough shot and get the offensive rebound
-Both teams kick the ball out to an open, good 3-point shooter at the 3-point line
Devon Dumes receives the pass and shoots a 22 foot shot immediately. This is a classic case of not understanding or being aware of time and score. If he hits the shot, it doesn't make a huge difference. If he backs it out and uses another 30 seconds then it would make a huge difference and puts Michigan in a terrible spot. Michigan would rather be down a couple more points than have less time. Time is their biggest enemy.
Dumes takes a bad shot which leads to a quick Michigan basket. It swung the game in a huge way. Indiana never really regained their poise. Indiana was rattled and didn't know how to handle the game pressure. Michigan ended up winning the game in overtime.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Jon Scheyer receives the kick out pass wide open on the 3-point line. Normally, this is an easy shot. Scheyer understands and is aware of the situation though and he backs the ball out immediately. Duke uses up more time and get a bucket after using clock. Davidson is now short on time and in a big hole. Davidson is the one that is pressing now and in a way they are rattled because they are paniced.
Little things make a big difference. Most wouldn't look at those situations as difference makers. Coaches spot those situations as a huge difference maker. It is something that you can absolutely control. Every player should know time and score situational strategy. Younger players will need to be reminded often but college players should know it like the back of their hand.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Balance
I have started to read Pete Newell's "Playing Big" guide to post play. One of the first things he talks about is balance. If anyone has ever worked with a young, big man then you know they usually lack balance as they haven't gotten used to their height yet. Balance is crucial to post player. Defenders are usually pushing and getting away with it. Therefore the post player must have a solid base to retain balance while finishing the play.
Teaching what balance feels and looks like is the starting place. Most players don't know how to start off balanced so how can they keep balance if they never have it to start with. The head dictates balance. If the head is leaning forward or to the side, the body will usually follow soon after that.
Once the balanced stance is taught then you can practice retaining balance. The way Coach Newell describes to teach this is to have the player get into a balance stance and then reach out one hand to shake the hand of a coach. Then the coach can pull on the player and player should try to remain still throughout the pull.
A player will struggle until they have great balance. Some referees let basically everything go in the post area so taking contact is critical. Balance should be worked on everyday even once it appears the player has mastered it because it is something that can be lost.
Teaching what balance feels and looks like is the starting place. Most players don't know how to start off balanced so how can they keep balance if they never have it to start with. The head dictates balance. If the head is leaning forward or to the side, the body will usually follow soon after that.
Once the balanced stance is taught then you can practice retaining balance. The way Coach Newell describes to teach this is to have the player get into a balance stance and then reach out one hand to shake the hand of a coach. Then the coach can pull on the player and player should try to remain still throughout the pull.
A player will struggle until they have great balance. Some referees let basically everything go in the post area so taking contact is critical. Balance should be worked on everyday even once it appears the player has mastered it because it is something that can be lost.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Random Thought
I believe the NBA age rule needs to be changed. The current rule is of course that each player has to be one year removed from high school in order to enter the NBA draft. In theory, it is a decent rule. The more skilled a player is when he enters the NBA the better for the league. It also helps the college game by having the best players play at least a year.
The one year and done player though can basically turn the term "student-athlete" into a joke because he definitely doesn't need to go to class the second semester and he can take ridiculously easy classes the first semester. It is just another example of the NCAA being hypocritical. We won't get into that for now.
I'm with Dick Vitale on having the college baseball rule. Which is basically you can enter the draft after high school, but if you go to college you must stay for 3 years. That would let the elite players go straight to the NBA but keep most players in college for a few years. I would also accept 2 years, but one year and done is just a sham. Let the players who are good enough go and make a living. The NBA and college games would be helped greatly by the rule change.
The one year and done player though can basically turn the term "student-athlete" into a joke because he definitely doesn't need to go to class the second semester and he can take ridiculously easy classes the first semester. It is just another example of the NCAA being hypocritical. We won't get into that for now.
I'm with Dick Vitale on having the college baseball rule. Which is basically you can enter the draft after high school, but if you go to college you must stay for 3 years. That would let the elite players go straight to the NBA but keep most players in college for a few years. I would also accept 2 years, but one year and done is just a sham. Let the players who are good enough go and make a living. The NBA and college games would be helped greatly by the rule change.
First Post of 20-09
I prefer twenty-O-nine. So, I would like more people to start doing the same. haha. I'm looking for 2009 to be a great year and not just a good year. I'm determined to get it done this year. I have gained a great perspective on things over the past year. I look to use that perspective to my advantage.
I do want to talk about great effort. Effort can be a hard thing to teach because people usually have a false self image of what they are actually doing. Video tape can help in that area. I think the best thing is calling the player out when you know they are giving 80%. An effort that they will believe is good enough. A level of effort they are comfortable with. Breaking the "comfort zone" is a key in doing anything well in life. Fighting to get more out of yourself in any spectrum is crucial. The fact you know you have to fight through fatigue and the fact you know you can get more out of yourself when you originally might think you are maxed out.
I do want to talk about great effort. Effort can be a hard thing to teach because people usually have a false self image of what they are actually doing. Video tape can help in that area. I think the best thing is calling the player out when you know they are giving 80%. An effort that they will believe is good enough. A level of effort they are comfortable with. Breaking the "comfort zone" is a key in doing anything well in life. Fighting to get more out of yourself in any spectrum is crucial. The fact you know you have to fight through fatigue and the fact you know you can get more out of yourself when you originally might think you are maxed out.
Bench time is another great option. Every player wants to play. Benching a few times usually gets the point across. If it doesn't improve things rather quickly then the player probably doesn't get it and may never. The player probably thinks they are bigger than the game but they find out they aren't down the road.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
This Isn't Figure Skating
There are no points awarded for style in basketball. Sometimes players and even coaches forget this from time to time. Players want to look cool for the crowd and their friends instead of playing basketball. Coaches will undervalue a player who looks awkward or unorthodox while getting the job done instead of realizing they do the task time and again. It doesn't matter how it looks if it is effective.
So remember basketball isn't ice skating...there are no style points award.
So remember basketball isn't ice skating...there are no style points award.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Pointing the Finger
There is a classic saying that goes like this..."When you point a finger at someone, three are pointing back at you." Of course that means you should examine yourself closely and objectively before you chose to blame or point a finger at someone else.
Terrell Owens is the ultimate finger pointer. It is never his fault. He led the league in dropped passes a couple years ago, but that wasn't his fault. He has played with great QB's but yet they are never doing their job good enough. How many times has he taken responsibility for anything? I would guess never. He does no wrong in his own eyes.
Pointing fingers at each other will tear a team apart faster than anything else. Players have to be responsible for doing their job. It is up to the player to put a focused effort on display every time they take the field or court. No one can make you try your hardest. It is up to the individual to know what his best effort is and not to let himself or the team down.
The world loves to blame other people. It seems like taking the blame is the worst thing in the world to some people. Things rarely get done if people are blaming others. Things go much better when people will step up and admit mistakes they have made. Things get fixed that way and then the next time when someone else messes up they remember when you took responsibility for the last mistake and more often then not they will follow your lead.
Quit blaming others...if you are going to place blame then place it on yourself!
Terrell Owens is the ultimate finger pointer. It is never his fault. He led the league in dropped passes a couple years ago, but that wasn't his fault. He has played with great QB's but yet they are never doing their job good enough. How many times has he taken responsibility for anything? I would guess never. He does no wrong in his own eyes.
Pointing fingers at each other will tear a team apart faster than anything else. Players have to be responsible for doing their job. It is up to the player to put a focused effort on display every time they take the field or court. No one can make you try your hardest. It is up to the individual to know what his best effort is and not to let himself or the team down.
The world loves to blame other people. It seems like taking the blame is the worst thing in the world to some people. Things rarely get done if people are blaming others. Things go much better when people will step up and admit mistakes they have made. Things get fixed that way and then the next time when someone else messes up they remember when you took responsibility for the last mistake and more often then not they will follow your lead.
Quit blaming others...if you are going to place blame then place it on yourself!
Cuttino Mobley Retires
Cuttino Mobley's career has been forced to end due to a heart condition that was found during his physical which happened because of a recent trade. Here is the story from ESPN.
As a coach, one of the worst things that you can imagine is a player collapsing on the court. Although most coaches are required to know CPR or have an athletic trainer on duty it is still a situation that no coach ever wants to be put in.
One of my classmates collapsed during a track practice my freshmen year. Our athletic trainer responded quickly but was in the school and not on the track since we only had 1 athletic trainer for the whole athletic department. He was revived on the track and then taken to the hospital where he eventually died. I believe he had the same heart condition as Mobley, Reggie Lewis, and Hank Gathers. His condition went undiagnosed until it was too late.
I bet Cuttino never thought being trading would save his life. Looking back that might have been exactly what happened. Life brings surprises when you least expect them.
As a coach, one of the worst things that you can imagine is a player collapsing on the court. Although most coaches are required to know CPR or have an athletic trainer on duty it is still a situation that no coach ever wants to be put in.
One of my classmates collapsed during a track practice my freshmen year. Our athletic trainer responded quickly but was in the school and not on the track since we only had 1 athletic trainer for the whole athletic department. He was revived on the track and then taken to the hospital where he eventually died. I believe he had the same heart condition as Mobley, Reggie Lewis, and Hank Gathers. His condition went undiagnosed until it was too late.
I bet Cuttino never thought being trading would save his life. Looking back that might have been exactly what happened. Life brings surprises when you least expect them.
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