Notice: This article was written by Steve Jordan, Coach's Notebook. Email the author at sjordan@alaskalife.net.
The purpose of the basketball program is to teach basketball to the players. Within the scope of the program, nothing else is as important as teaching basketball. Because basketball is a team sport, tangible measurements of success, such as a positive win/loss ratio, will result if the program is successful in teaching the game of basketball as a team concept. In a truly competitive environment, strategies such as adding gifted athletes to the program or emphasizing personal skill development are only effective if the program is built upon teaching fundamental team basketball. There are several beneficial by-products to a basketball program, but if any one of them becomes the central purpose, the program will suffer.
Examples of benefits that may be misconstrued as the purpose:
The games are analogous to chapter tests in the classroom. They measure how much was learned in the practice sessions. The end of season tournament, if you have one, is the final exam. It is important to finish a season well because that sets the stage for the following year. Also, no one remembers the start of a season, but most readily recall how it ended. Games are not for learning how to play, rather discovering what you need to learn. Over the course of the schedule, improvement can be measured. Progress relative to the other teams can be evaluated. Games offer regular recognition and motivation for players. Take notes, if possible, and shot charts during the game. Video taping can be a valuable tool. A reliable assistant is golden.
The practice plan prepares the players for the test. The test reveals strengths and weaknesses. Learning in practice enables instinctive play in games. Coaches that tell their players to "think!" following a player mistake in a game are really admitting, "You are not prepared!" which is the coach's responsibility. Practices must be planned and organized in advance. Practice must include room for both team and individual development.
Develop a season plan for your team. The plan includes all the things you want to cover from personal skills to team defense and offense. Revise the plan as weaknesses are discovered. Variety promotes interest.
If your players are unskilled, devote the majority of the practice time to the basic personal skills, such as footwork, defensive positioning and rebounding, and the offensive tools: passing, shooting and dribbling (listed in order of necessity). If players consistently fail to maintain a defensive position or cannot retain possession of the ball, the game will be neither enjoyable nor successful. If your league allows full court press defenses, develop press breaker patterns as soon as you can. If you do not, your games will be an exercise in frustration and futility.
If your team has strong individual skills, concentrate on team play. Some leagues offer few opportunities for practice. Don't consume precious court time with free throw practice, for instance. You may devote a short time to free throw technique and encourage the players to practice on their own time. There are bigger dividends to be paid where the team is working in concert, i.e. executing half court offense, learning different defensive options and perfecting specialty plays.
Leave a little time at the end of practice for scrimmaging. It's what your players really want to do. Scrimmage is a good reward and an opportunity to develop team skills.