Creating a Culture

This is the latest post I put up on The Hoops Roundtable:

I got hired this summer at Hastings High School in New York as the head varsity girls coach. As soon as I agreed to the job I sat down and really thought about the culture I wanted to create in my program. Along with the different aspects I considered about what to build my program around I considered a variety of strategies and approaches to "making things happen" for us. Here are some of the things I have come up with, and thus far have absolutely proven to be a success for us so far.

Ideas

1. Consistent Wardrobe: each player on my varsity squad gets two pairs of shorts, and one practice jersey. They are required to come to practice every day with these shorts on and the jersey at least in the gym with them. Not only do they have to take responsibility for always having the right clothing with them, but they also look and feel more like a team because of it.

2. A "Rewards" System: I decided that our program would be focused around the quote "every day for each other". I want my players to carry out those words every time they stepped on the court together, or anywhere they go for that matter. In order to help promote this idea I came up with an "incentive/reward" system. Each player has the opportunity to earn what we call "golden laces" (it happens to be convenient that our school colors are green and gold). These laces represent acknowledgement for when one of our players has really gone above and beyond applying the "every day for each other" attitude to their endeavors. Once they earn both shoe laces, there next goal becomes helping someone else earn theirs. After the entire team has earned golden laces, the girls can earn "every day for each other" buttons (pins) to show off their continued commitment to the team. It works in a similar way to the stickers football teams have on their helmets. Just an easy way to acknowledge their commitment to the foundation our program.

3. Putting the Responsibility/Accountability in Their Hands: I ask a lot of my players in terms of communication and commitment. I expect that they always act with the team in mind and represent us the right way. A successful approach I have been using to get this idea across is through relying on them to get specific tasks done. Even simple tasks, the "no-brainers". I have someone get the balls out for us, someone else gets the clock, someone talks to the JV girls if we have a message to relay, there is one girl who will text everyone the important information, etc. This has nothing to do with captains necessarily. I try to choose every girl on my team to do things I know they are capable of, but also something that will help them stretch into a greater role. Some of the tasks are simple, but might be inconvenient or time consuming. This is also a good way to test their character, and help them learn what they really are capable of.

4. Making Appearances: One of the most important things for me as a new coach was getting my players to "buy in". I made this process easier for all of us by investing time and effort into being a presence in the community. I attended all of our fundraising events, loading up on quality time with my players. We never canceled a pre-season session, regardless of if we had 10 girls or only 3. I ran with them, I lifted with them, I met their teachers with them. These simple things go a long way in not only establishing rapport with your players but also with letting them know you care. On top of all those things I even attended some of their non-basketball functions (swim meets, field hockey games, soccer games, etc).

5. Make It Obvious: Like I mentioned before, the staple of our program is "every day for each other". Following that foundation we are built around hard work and being positive. To make this message clear to my girls (and their parents) I live and breathe the things I emphasis. I got great advice from once that what I emphasize was so important. I let them know I am working hard every day for them, that I am always going to be positive, and that I am setting them up for success. By echoing these sentiments they clearly see what I am about, what I tolerate, and what I expect of them.

These are just some of the things we have started building our program around. If there are any more ideas or strategies you want to share I'd be happy to discuss them.

Feel free to reach me in any of the following ways:

Twitter: @twlveplusone

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alyse.lapadula or www.facebook.com/totherackbasketball

Email: alyse.lapadula@my.liu.edu

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An Easy Way to Gauge What Your Players are Retaining

This concept I am about to introduce was actually taught to me in my MSEd program. Since I learned about it I have used it with my Varsity team and it has proven its effectiveness every time.

They're called EXIT CARDS and I give them out to my players once practice is over right before they go home.
Here is the process of making, distributed, and using the Exit Cards:
1) After looking over my practice plan for the day I review what ideas/skills/plays we are going over
2) From there I consider what I want my team to take away from the day's practice
3) Next I develop a question, based on the most important theme from our practice, that requires a thoughtful response
4) I write the question out on 10 index cards (1 for each player). On the front of the card I label the date and practice # and write the question. The back is where they provide their answer
5) At the end of practice I give them each a pen and their card and have them write their name on it. I reiterate that the response should be thoughtful.
6) After they finish I collect the cards and file them in each girl's section of the index card box.
7) When I go to plan my next practice I review the thoughts they wrote down on their index cards. I am then able to gauge where they stand on certain ideas, and how deep their understanding really is.
8) Finally, I plan my next practice according to their level of understanding of what we reviewed yesterday.

What the Exit Cards are good for:

• a quick assessment of how much players understood from the practice session
• how much focus they had during the session
• they reinforce important ideas by having the player rethink about what they just learned

Other uses for Exit Cards:

Not every Exit Card has a question specific to something we just covered in practice. Sometimes the questions/topics are:

• Specific Individual Goals
• Team Goals
• Something you want to work on 
• A class you need help in
• Ways we can improve as a team
• etc

You can use the Exit Card idea in any way you'd like. It can even be distributed to your players before a classroom/video session to sort of see where there minds are coming into a session. I've found the Exit Cards to be a good tool for our program. 

Til next time

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Team Bonding...With Your Team's Parents That is...

Since I got the job at Hastings, I have been doing a lot of reading and research on how to get off on the right foot with my players. Almost everything I have come across over the past few months has not only focused on ways to build relationships with players but also with their parents. Parents play a few key roles in the success of your program, and if you can get them on board with your vision everything becomes so easy.

Here are few things parents can definitely help with:
(1) getting in contact with other parents
(2) access to the district's "basketball community"-meaning AAU, REC, and CYO programs. Keep in mind those programs are essential parts of your program because you get your future players from those groups. Also, those opportunities can provide athletes with the opportunity for player development and a chance to hear from a coach other than you.
(3) Often times, at least in my district, parents are a huge part of the Booster Club. The Boosters provide money and financial backing/support for our athletic programs in Hastings, something which is invaluable to athletics. They provide opportunities for fundraising, and definitely for funding.
(4) They spend the most time with your players, they know their in's and out's and can have insight on how their kids really tick.

Those are just a few great things about parents and what they can bring to the table. An important thing to remember when it comes to parents is that they are resources, not liabilities. I have heard from a couple of places (PGC and my graduate program) that relationships can be thought of like a bank account. Everything you do either makes deposits or withdrawls from that "relationship bank".  By considering this every time we interact with our teams, their parents, or anyone we encounter we can help ourselves build strong relationships on trust and good feelings.

Similar to your athletes, parents want their voices and concerns heard. They like to be cared about, which is a basic need for just about everyone. There are plenty of things you can do to help add "deposits" to your relationship with your team's parents. Here are a few that I am currently using:

(1) a parents meeting at the beginning of the season where we discuss goals for our season, keeping lines of communication open, fundraising opportunities, and other things that are going to happen during the upcoming season. At this meeting also ask them what their goals are for the upcoming season. Ask them to avoid looking only at the win/loss record as major goals, encourage things like: teamwork, having fun, and being competitive. One more thing to consider is that last year is in the past. At the parent's meeting I had earlier this month we did a great exercise about moving on. I had them write down things they didn't like about last season, and right before they got to share it they ripped up their paper and we threw it out. Let them know that you are truly trying to look towards the future, its the healthy thing to do!
(2) Asking them to attend fundraising events, to reiterate that with their help we can make things happen! For example at Hastings my squad will do the concession stand for a few of the varsity football games. Not only do we have the athletes there, but their parents too. Bringing together the entire Hastings Basketball community.
(3) Be flexible and accessible. Let them know that you WANT to hear what they have to say, that you like hearing from them, and that what they have to say is valuable.
(4) Keeping them in the know. Emailing them with important information is one of the best ways to keep everyone informed.
(5) Its as simple as saying "hello". Saying "hello" to someone goes a long way, especially with people you are going to be spending a few months with. Acknowledging one another is a good way to establish rapport and provides you with an opportunity for a few deposits into that bank.
(6) An individualized letter to every parent in your varsity program. Our's are going out soon, but shhh they don't know! This letter can be used as another way to reiterate important information and let the parents know that you really do value their contributions. Think of how rare actual letters are in the mail these days, this is a unique way that only takes a little bit of effort for a major gain.

Those are just a few things I do/will do with my parents (and that is only for the preseason!).
Keep in mind what we talked about before parents are a resource, not a liability. Let them know they are important and it can make a big difference on how your season goes.

over and out.
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A Few Quick Hitters

I've been thinking a lot about primary breaks and the options teams have off of quick hitters. I figured I'd give you guys a few looks I've done before, they're relatively easy to learn and run.

First lets talk primary breaks :

Off a rebound, every team has to have their players in a position to advance the ball down the court immediately. Last post we talked 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 breaks, but now we are focusing on breaking against 5 men back on defense. On the rebound the forward who did not get the rebound is going to be the "rim runner". Call it whatever you want, but the "rim runner" runs as fast as they can down court and to the rim. This way if the ball is advanced up court quickly, you have an opportunity for a layup. The off guards, the 2 and the 3 in this diagram, will fill the wings, and the 4 will be the trailer. The trailer usually follows the ball up the court, to provide the 1 with another option if they are pressured in the back court. This set up of a forward at the rim, two wing players, a trailer and the point guard on top is typical of a lot of team's primary breaks.

Sometimes teams run into problems balancing the court. They have their two wing players on the same wing running down court on a primary break. To better balance the court, try this simple trick that we called "thru" at Purchase.

If two guards are on the same side try running "thru". The second guard, furthest from your scoring basket, tells the guard ahead of them "GO THRU!". The guard ahead runs to the baseline and thru to the other wing, instead of cutting across the court. Cutting across the court wastes time and can ruin other opportunities in the break. Running baseline can catch the defense's attention.

Now that we have the set up down lets take a peek at a few quick hitters.


Here is a stagger look: 

The 1 starts with the ball and reverses the ball to the 4 who reverses it to the 3. As this ball reversal is occurring the 5 is following the ball in the low post, eventually stopping on the ball side block (the 3's side). The 2 is moving towards the corner away from the ball reversal.

Now that the 3 has the ball the 4 and 1 go and get the 2 in the weak side corner on a stagger screen. The 2 sets up their defender and uses the stagger wisely. The  4 who is the second screen in the stagger is "cleaning up the garbage",something we used to say at Purchase, meaning they are finding the 2's defender and making sure to screen them. The 2 then rises to the top of the key for an open shot. Remember this is a quick hitter, so the action has to work relatively quickly.

If the stagger doesn't get the 2 an open shot there is still hope for a bucket off this break. The 5 can then screen across for the 4 who is on the weak side block. The 2 then screens down for the 5 on a screen the screener look. The 5 pops up and should have an open shot at that point of the offense.




Now here is a little back screen action, still off of a primary break: 

Very similar to the start of the stagger quick hitter, the ball is reversed from the 1 to the 4 to the 3. The 5 still follows the ball to the weak side. The 2 keeps spacing and stays idle on the wing.

Once the 3 has the ball the 2 is now ready to move. The 2 cuts to the weak side block and then sprints to the top to back screen the 4's defender. The 4 waits until the screen is set (until they hear two feet hit the floor) and goes tightly off the screen for an over the top pass from the 3. If this doesn't get a layup the 2 can pop for a shot or the action used earlier in the stagger example can be used also.




These are just a couple simple quick hitters to run off of a primary break, against five defenders. If the ball hasn't been moved up the court fast enough it might be wise to just go into a set offense rather than trying quick hitters against a fully settled defense.

Keep in mind:

• Players receiving screens should WAIT, WAIT, and WAIT SOME MORE before going off a screen. The player being screened needs to set up their defender and also prevent the likelihood of a moving screen by waiting for the screener's two feet to hit the floor. 
• The ball should be reversed quickly
• If the ball can be moved up the court it should be done by passing rather than dribbling. The ball travels faster in the air than it does bouncing from the ground back to a player's hand.
• Keep good spacing to make it harder for the defense to cover all the ground. 

That's all I have for now, I hope these quick hitters are helpful.
'Til next time.
thirteen. 

3-on-2 Breaks and 2-on-1 Breaks

Basketball, as I have been taught, is a game of runs and numbers. The team with the more runs, is usually the winning squad. If you can maximize the number of fast break opportunities you have and the amount of times you "have numbers" on your opponent scoring becomes more likely.
So what does "having numbers" really mean? "Having numbers" means that on a possession the offensive team has more players heading down court than the recovering defense. Fast breaks thrive off of the uneven numbers an offense is presented with if they can race the ball down court. Just because the offense team has more players down court doesn't mean that they are guaranteed an easy hoop. By  following these easy steps, a good shot is more probable your players just have to hit the shots!

3 on 2 Breaks
Off a missed shot an offensive team can get an easy fast break opportunity off a solid rebound, a peek at the rim (to check for open players down court) and then a quick outlet pass to the nearest guard. It is likely that the team that just missed the shot already sent back one or two of their guards to defend against an uncontested layup. The rebound is where our 3 on 2 break the other way begins, here are our easy steps following the rebound:

• the rebounder, who is securing the ball in a athletic stance with the ball touching three points of contact -their chest, and both hands (what is called "Power Position"), takes a peek down court to see if there are any open players for an outlet
• once the ball is passed out the ball handler takes the ball to the center and two other offensive players get wide on both sides of the ball (creating the 3 of the 3-on-2)
• racing the ball to the other arc the ball handler is likely to be met by one of the two defenders, once stopped the ball handler passes to a side and goes TO THE BALL SIDE ELBOW

Okay pump the brakes. Why the ball side elbow you ask? Simple, check it out:

What we have here is the ball handler stopped by the top defender, then passing it off to the right side and cutting to the right elbow. By passing right the two defenders have to shift, the one in back goes to guard the first pass and then the top player sinks.

Now from there the back defender is forced to guard two players. If the player with the ball beats their defender that back defender has to guard three players. If the player with the ball passes right back to the player at the elbow and the defender helps up, there is your easy layup. If the player doesn't help up, a quick one dribble jump shot is your's for the taking.

2-on-1 Breaks

Now lets say your team is on defense and one of your quickest defenders gets a steal on the wing. Now your team is heading the other way on a 2-on-1 fast break. How on earth does one decide when to pass the ball up when there is that one defender constantly in the way?

Here are the steps:

• make sure both players stay wide, it allows for better angles to the rim
• the ball should be in the hands of the best dribbler/attacking player of the two running down court
• the ball handler DOES NOT  pass the ball until the defender stops them.
• Once the defender stops them, they fake and pass or shoot if they're open

Think of this: the closer the two players get to the rim the easier it is for one player to guard two (the space between them is shrinking). But if the one defender gets preoccupied with only stopping one, and shifts themselves completely towards the ball, the second offensive player has an easy shot off of a quick, smart pass. If the defender has a lapse of consciousness and neglects the player attacking the rim with the ball then get ready for two more points.

One player attacking the rim hard occupies the defender, who is forced to make a decision of who to guard, and gives the other offensive player an opportunity for an open layup. Fakes and smart passes are necessary to take full advantage of this 2-on-1 situation.

What About the Defensive Tips?

One of the worst things to happen to a defense in a basketball game is for them to be outnumbered by the offense. Though unfortunate, these situations are likely and occur often which means that strategies should be put in place to try and minimize the amount of buckets scored on your team.

So what do we do?

3-on-2 Break Defensive Points

• Make sure the two back defenders communicate, the top player usually gets the ball and the back player guards the first pass. 
• It is important to rotate quickly and jump to the ball on passes
• Keep in mind that these two defenders have the odds against them. It is considered a successful stop if they can prevent a layup or a shot, giving their teammates enough time to recover.
• NEVER, EVER help up. This goes for the player in the middle after the first pass has been made. An open jump shot has a lower percentage chance of going in than an open lay up, think about it. 

2-on-1 Break Defensive Points

• make sure you sprint back to the paint, not too close to the rim but right in the center of the lane 
• Do not fully commit to any one player. Remember it is a 2-on-1, if you only guard one player that leaves the other one wide open
• Your strategy is called: Skirmish (PGC) or Fence & Recover. Think of a fencer, they jab and then step back, jab and step back. You will do the same with your hands. By jabbing at the offensive player you make them think you are committing but then by recovering you limit their passing option. There is also the chance that jabbing at them will freeze them (buying you more time) or make them pick up their dribble.

Charges are always against players who are moving quickly and out of control. Just remember that if you are moving, you will be called for a block. You might be better off just fencing.

Summary

These are just a few things I have learned over my playing/coaching career about the 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 breaks. I have used these tips and been relatively successful on both the offensive and defensive end. Do keep in mind that you are outnumbered in these situations, so no basket is considered a good job as is slowing the offense. On offense you are looking for easy shots, preferably layups but certainly open looks. These breaks work best when the offense moves quickly, because you won't have your numbers advantage forever. 

Over and out for today.

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Lacing up my kicks...

Howdy! This is the first (of hopefully many) posts on this blog. My goal with this is to spread and share basketball ideas and thoughts, as well as broaden my basketball network. I'll share plays, insight, drills, and whatever else I find relevant to coaching, playing, and life. From here I am also looking to advertise my one-on-one training service, get a few t-shirt sales going, and see where it all takes me.

I'm looking forward to the journey that lies ahead. Welcome and stay tuned as we take it to the rack.

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