Newsletter #143

Today's Theme... Preparing for a new season

You must start planning for the upcoming season.   After your pre-season conditioning program, you must be ready to teach basketball.

Your team will need a half-court man-to-man offense, a zone offense, several plays, a few OB plays, and a press-breaker.  Defensively, you must decide what your half-court defense is going to be (man-to-man or zone) and whether or not you want to use a press defense, either full-court or half-court.   But don't make it too complicated!

Develop a system that is effective, yet simple, that satisfies your coaching philosophy and the physical and athletic make-up of your team.  Plan your practices and how you are going to step-wise teach your system and fundamentals. Here are some helpful pages:

Planning Practices 

Selecting and Using Drills

Selecting Your Half-Court Offense(s)

Selecting Your Half-Court Defense(s)

Selecting Your Press Defense(s)

Selecting a Press Offense, Secondary Breaks

Selecting Plays - Quick Hitters, Out-of-Bounds Plays

Teaching Fundamentals 

Have a pre-season meeting(s) with your coaches and discuss thoroughly the following topics:

1. Review all terminology and concepts that you will use during the season.
2. Review all drills that you will utilize during your season.
3. Review man-to-man and zone quick hitters.
4. One-on-one player evaluations.
5. Develop your master practice plan.
6. Understand what you DON'T know but you need to know.
7. In-Season weightlifting and conditioning plan.
8. Be sure your tryout and cut process in place.
9. Preseason scrimmage and scouting schedule.
10. Plan for your player/parent preseason meetings.

See:  Coaches Preseason Checklist: A Quick Guide to Preparing for the Season