Basketball Coaching Tips

Basketball Coaching tips come from many directions. Begin with the tips listed below. Master those. Then move on to others.

Mention the name of each one of your players during the first 20 minutes of practice…this shows each player they are valuable to the team and you are paying attention.

Keep stats of all shooting drills. Increases players’ concentration and concentration. Allows you to justify any playing time issues.

Always change practice partners. Keeps players from slacking and allows them to experience different players styles and intensity.

Use a variety of drills to keep things fresh. Prevents players from “going through the motions”.

Do all your conditioning drills with a basketball. Many coaches believe you can get a lot more cardio work without complaints.

Utilize your assistants. Shows them you care about future head coaching opportunities for them. Allows practices to be sharp and effective if you cannot be there.

Coaching Tips for Practice Plans

1. Always put your practice plan on paper – never attempt to wing it. (Keep copies from your first practice to most recent) Bill Self, Roy Williams, Coach K have practice plans from 15 years ago.

2. Stay with your schedule

3. Alternate hard and easy drills

4. Practice the way you play

5. Plan your practice for 70% individual skills and 30% team development

6. practice to improve your team first, then practice to prepare for your opponent

7. Schedule no less than 20 minutes of shooting every practice

8. Shorten your practice time as the season progresses – never let the intensity decrease

9. Include a special situations practice

10. Shorten practice day prior to game day

11. Begin and end practice with a meeting

More Coaching Tips from Coach Survey

Be detailed with everything…chart stats, plays, what works, when plays work, drills that produce results.

Team chemistry is most important. Do not feel bad placing bad attitudes on the bench.

Assistants do a much better job when they are involved. Give them responsibilities early and reap the results later.

Always give your team an “edge” attitude…even when you are on a winning streak.

Doc Rivers preaches, “Never lose a chemistry guy”. They’re as valuable as your star.

Keep scouting reports simple. Players do not remember them if they don’t apply to the individual.

Rebounding and free throws win games…have your assistants chart and record every session.

Put aside 15 minutes a day to read articles from magazines or web based material. Use information you’ve found to apply to your team. You will be surprised what stories/info will have a strong effect on your teammates.

If you borrow a play, drill, idea from another coach….make sure you can teach it. Verbally and visually.