Newsletter Archives 3

January 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

12/31/2004 ** January 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Get Your Team to Hustle
=> Defense - Force Teams to Their Weak Side
=> Shooting - Keep Head Up When You Drive
=> Passing - Don't Tell the Defense
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Change Your Practice Agenda
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
I have updated the archives! You can check out back issues
at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

Also, one of the questions I get asked a lot is about
coaching your own child. Whether it's dealing with your
child or with other players or parents comments, I have
seen it all over my career! So I am finishing up a new
manual on "Coaching Your Own Child". I will let you know
when it is ready to go.

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Get Your Team to Hustle
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------

Happy Holidays to everyone! Can it be possible that we
are already 2 months into our season? It seems like we just
got started. But here it is the beginning of January, and
for my team, it's the midpoint of the season.

As the season goes on, players start to become fatigued.
They may not be as mentally sharp as they were when the
season began. That's what happens when you play a number of
games in a row, then have practice thrown in too.

One thing I always stress to my players is to continue to
hustle. Give me everything you have when you are on the
floor. It doesn't matter if you make mistakes. Everyone is
going to commit fouls and turnovers! But hustling and giving
a 100% effort will help offset the mistakes that are made.

Getting your players to hustle will make your defense much
more aggressive. That will help create turnovers. It may also
lead to a few more fouls, but that's OK. I'd rather have my
team going for the ball rather than standing around, as long
as it's a foul going for the ball and not a silly foul 30 feet
from the basket.

So stress to your team that they need to give a full effort
and hustle when they are in the game. Don't be afraid to take
a player out who is not hustling. Explaining to them what you
want, and letting them see how their teammates are playing
will quickly lead to them getting with the program, and
helping your team become more successful!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Defense - Force Teams to Their Weak Side

One of the first things I notice about an opponent is
what side of the floor they keep going to. If they go to
both sides, I know they are a balanced team. But if they
keep going to one side, usually the right side, I will use
that to my team's advantage.

I do this by having my guard on defense force the other
team's playmaker to the left. Most players are right-handed,
and aren't comfortable going to the left side. By having
my defender slightly overplay them, we can force them to
that side. If they try to go to the right, they will many
times turn the ball over, or we can steal it when they
dribble it in front of our defender.

In older players, I watch if the point guard is right
handed or left handed and force them to their weak hand.
If I see the player can handle the ball equally well, which
is how we want our players to be, then I will play them
straight up. If they have a weakness to one side or the
other though, I will try to take them out of their offense.

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Keep Head Up When You Drive

I teach my players to look for openings on the other team's
defense. Whether it be from the wing position or the baseline,
I want my players to drive if it is available. A lay-up is
a better percentage shot than a 15 foot jump shot!

But I can't have my players dribbling with their heads down.
You can't see where the defenders are if your head is down,
and you can't see where your teammates are. You also can't
see where you are going to shoot.

I like to set up drills where players must drive from the
wing or along the baseline. We will have a coach either
step in their way or let them drive. Players must keep their
head up to see, because if they get cut off, I want them to
pass into the post. It's a fun drill for them and teaches
them a skill that is valuable during a game.

------------------------------------------------------------
Passing - Don't Tell the Defense

Young players like to stare at whoever they are going to pass
to. Why is this bad? Because the defense is looking there also!
That leads to the pass being picked off and turned into a
fastbreak layup.

Tell your players to make the pass as soon as the receiver
is open. Players like to wait and check a few times, but the
open player is then no longer open. Get them the ball as soon
as they are open! The other thing is for players to know where
their teammates are going to be on offense. That makes it
easier to know where to look, instead of having to look all
around and waste time.

As players get older, they should know where everyone else
on offense is moving to. This will help to find the open player
more quickly. Lastly, when the player is open, make a good
pass to them!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Change Your Practice Agenda

Doing the same drills in the same order becomes very boring
for players. This leads to a lack of concentration and effort.
So I try to change things up to keep my players attention.

There are a few ways to do this. First, don't do things in
the same order. Even if you want to work on the same drills
as the previous practice, change the order of them. This
forces your players to think.

Another way is to add a new twist to a drill. You can add
a defender where there wasn't one before, or add a shot to
a dribbling drill. Something to make them focus.

You can also add a brand new drill. Players like to learn
new things, so they will focus as you explain what is
going to happen. A focused player is one who is going to
benefit from practice. So I'll do whatever I can to keep
them focused on the skill we are learning.

------------------------------------------------------------
Have a Happy New Year!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

February 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

01/31/2005 ** February 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Push the Ball or Hold Up?
=> Defense - When to Use Your Hands
=> Shooting - Keep Non-Shooting Hand on Side of Ball
=> Rebounding - Block Out First!
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Step Back and Review Your Team
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
I have updated the archives! You can check out back issues
through December 2004 at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

Also, one of the questions I get asked a lot is about
coaching your own child. Whether it's dealing with your
child or with other players or parents comments, I have
seen it all over my career! So I am finishing up a new
manual on "Coaching Your Own Child". I will let you know
when it is ready to go.

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Push the Ball or Hold Up?
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to another edition of my newsletter! Well, here we
are, the beginning of February. From the coaches that I
correspond with, everyone seems to be in full swing. I hope
your season is going well, I know mine is.

I was watching some tournament games at our school this
past weekend. I saw a lot of aggressive defense, which led to
a lot of steals. But after the steal, there was a problem that
came up many times - should the ball be pushed down the court,
or should it be held up and set up the offense? Let's look at
this in a little more detail.

A big change of momentum can occur when a steal is made and
converted into an easy layup. You can see the wind taken out
of the sails of the team that committed the turnover, while
the team that scores is pumped up. So I tell my players that
if they make a steal and have an open court in front of them,
go in for the layup! Even if the defensive player is running
on the side of them, they should take the ball to the basket.
The worst that will happen is they get fouled.

However, if the defender is in front of them, and they don't
have an open lane, and a teammate is not open in front of them,
then they need to slow down. They need to keep their dribble
going, get off to the side, and find our point guard. We can
then set up our offense. We are then in control of the ball
and can get a good shot.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Defense - When to Use Your Hands

I am constantly telling my team, "Move your feet and don't
reach in!". But there are a few occasions when you want your
team to use there hands on defense.

The first one is when your opponent is dribbling the ball
right in front of you. As you know, you should be playing
defense with your palms up when you are guarding the player
who is dribbling. When the ball is put in front, the defender
can pop the ball up for an easy steal. Remember, don't come
from the top down, or you will most likely be called for a
foul.

The second is when you are playing defense on a player
without the ball. Your hands need to be up to deflect and
possibly steal a pass made near you. If your hands are down,
there is no way for you to react. Keep your hands up and
moving so that you are ready for any ball coming near you,
including a rebound!

Remember, we don't want our players to reach in and commit
silly fouls. But when we have the opportunity, we want to
take advantage and make a steal.

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Keep Non-Shooting Hand on Side of Ball

Whether a player is shooting a jump shot or a lay-up, I
always want their elbow to be straight and the ball off to
the side of their body. The opposite hand is basically used
to steady the ball during the whole shooting process.

What I see a lot of times is the opposite hand getting too
involved in the shot. Young players want to shoot with both
hands with the ball in the middle of their body. That is not
the correct technique! Or the player will let the opposite
hand get in front of the ball, which also throws off the shot.

If I see players having a hard time with this, I first have
them go through the shooting motion with their hands in the
correct position. Then I move them in front of the basket
and have them shoot from about 3 feet away. Finally, I let
them add the opposite hand in, making sure that it just there
to balance the ball and not get involved in the shot. Once
players can get that part down, their shot will greatly
improve.

------------------------------------------------------------
Rebounding - Block Out First

To be a successful team, you must block out and rebound.
The more times you let an opponent get rebounds and shoot
again, the more likely the ball is going to go in the basket.
So rebounding is a skill that must be worked on and emphasized.

An important part of rebounding is the block out, where we
stop the player we are guarding from getting the rebound.
When a shot goes up, the first thing that your players must
do is find the player they are guarding and block them out.
The biggest problem I see players have is that the first
reaction when a shot is taken is for them to move toward the
basket. This leads to no block out being performed, and the
ball will many times go right over your player's head. Instead,
I want my players to make the block out, then go for the ball
when it comes off the rim.

We run some simple drills to get this through to our players.
One is where we set up 2 lines, one on the baseline and one
at the elbow or choke area. The baseline player throws a good
bounce pass to the first player in the other line, then comes
out with his hands up. The player receiving the pass gets ready
and shoots, while the player coming from the baseline now tries
to block him out. We have coaches watch, and if the defender
goes toward the basket instead of first making contact and
blocking out the shooter, he has to do 5 push-ups or a lap
around the gym, whatever we decide on. This simple drill has
helped many of my teams remember to rebound correctly.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Step Back and Review Your Team

Since most teams are into their season, it's a good time
to step back and objectively review your team. How are
things going compared to how you thought they would be
going at this point in the season? Is your team meeting the
expectations that were set, or were the goals set too high?
Is your team overachieving or underachieving?

Once you have a good idea of what you and your assistants
are thinking, then plan accordingly. You might need to go
back to the basics on certain skills, so you would want to
implement that in your practice plan. You might need to run
a different offense or defense if it is not being effective.
Whatever the case may be, it's never too late to adjust and
get your players to perform at their best!

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

March 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

02/28/2005 ** March 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Teamwork is the Key
=> Defense - You Need to be Active
=> Shooting - Expect to Get Bumped on the Inside Shot
=> Dribbling - Keep Your Dribble
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - End of Season Talk
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Teamwork is the Key
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------

No matter how good the players are that you have, they will
not be successful unless they work together. A team that works
well together will beat a team of talented individuals that
play as individuals. Teamwork is the key ingredient for any
successful team.

Just what do we mean by teamwork? Coaches have different
interpretations of this. For me, teamwork starts even before
the players get on the court. I want all of my players to get
along. That is not always possible, with many different
personalities on a team. But I stress to my players that we
are all here with one goal in mind - to be the best basketball
team that we can be. No one player is better than anyone else
and no one player is indespensable. We all need to get along
and work toward our goals.

Another area of teamwork is on the court. Finding the open
player and getting them a good pass is part of teamwork.
Helping out on defense if a teammate gets beat is part of
teamwork. Once again, it's all players coming together and
contributing toward your team's success.

We have all heard the saying, "There is no I in Team."
That is very true. Even on teams where there is a "Superstar",
a good supporting cast is needed. One player can't do it alone.
They must be part of a system where the players can rely and
depend on each other.

So stress teamwork to your team during practice and games.
Get them to work together and learn where other players are
moving on offense. Then they can look to hit their open
teammates. Once a few get into this habit of working together
as a unit, it will become contagious for the rest of the team.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Defense - You Need to be Active

The only way to be an effective defender is to constantly
be active. A defender that is standing still is being a
spectator! On defense, you must be moving to cause the
offense to do something that they don't want to do.

This pertains to whether you are guarding the player with
the ball or whether you are on the weak side. You need to
be ready to make the offense do what you want, not what they
want! Being active by moving your hands and being ready to
move on your toes is the most effective way. Moving your
head and keeping an eye on your player and the ball is
another. Just don't stand still!

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Expect to Get Bumped on the Inside Shot

A difficult part of basketball to teach players is that not
all contact will be called a foul. As players get older, more
contact seems to be allowed under the basket. So I tell my
players to expect contact when you are getting a rebound or
going up for an inside shot. This doesn't mean that a foul
won't be called, I just want them to be aware of the situation
and concentrate on the shot, possibly making a 3-point play
when a foul is called and the basket is made!

So how do you get your players to expect contact? Let them
go 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 during practice! Teammates always seem
to play aggressively against each other. You can also have
players get a rebound and have to power back up against one
of the coaches. Just be careful, you don't want to knock
your own players to the floor.

No matter what drills you do, the main objective is to
concentrate on the task at hand, whether it's getting a
rebound or putting a shot in off of the backboard. Get your
players to block out the distractions and see how those
inside shots begin to fall!

------------------------------------------------------------
Dribbling - Keep Your Dribble

A situation I never like to see on the court is when a player
receives a pass, immediately starts to dribble, then picks the
dribble up. They are now stuck with nowhere to go!

I instruct my players not to start dribbling until they know
where they are going. Don't just dribble to do it. If you have
an opening, or you are looking to avoid a trap, then by all
means dribble to get out of trouble. But don't start dribbling
without a plan. Save it until you need it!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - End of Season Talk

As we are now into March, my season will be ending shortly.
Though the basketball season can seem long at times, I don't
like to see it end. Especially when my team is coming together
and playing well as a unit.

When the season ends, I get my team together for a final
practice. Between myself and my assistants, we talk to the
players and review the season. What went well and what do
we still need to work on, both as a team and as individuals.

I always make sure that this ends on a positive note. I want
my players to be confident as they leave, and want them to
practice what we have talked about over the summer months. I
want them to be enthusiastic about next season and look to
improve their skills. By doing this, they will be in a good
frame of mind and have their skills improved come next fall.

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

April 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

03/31/2005 ** April 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Using Your Time Outs
=> Passing - Lead the Receiver
=> Shooting - Be Ready When you are Open
=> Defense - Get on the Floor for a Loose Ball
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Get Info Out on Summer Camps
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

Also, do you have a topic that you would like to see covered
in this ezine? Let me know!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Using Your Time Outs
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------

Depending on your league rules, each team is given a certain
number of timeouts. In our conference, we are given 3 full
time outs (1 minute each) and 2 30-second timeouts. We all
know as coaches that we have these at our disposal, yet do
you know how to use them? There are 5 main ways that I use my
timeouts. I'm sure there are others too.

The first reason I will use a timeout is to break the other
team's momentum. If they get a few quick buckets and I can
feel they are getting ready for a big run, I will call a
timeout. I can get my players to regroup and not panic.

The second reason I will call a timeout is to straighten out
something on our offense or defense. Even if the other team is
not making a run at us, I may want to get all of players on the
same page, or take advantage of a situation I see on the court.

The third reason is to give my players a quick break. If we
are playing hard on defense and it looks like we are getting
winded, I will give them a quick break to catch their breath.

The fourth reason is to get a sub in the game. If I want to
change personnel and there doesn't seem to be that a break will
be coming, I will call a timeout to get the players in. I can
then take some time to make sure everyone knows their position,
etc.

The fifth reason is to set up a specific play, especially
at the end of the half or the game. I can then diagram what
I want run.

Which timeouts should you use, a full or a 30-second? How
many timeouts should I use during a game? I'll cover these
issues in next month's newsletter.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Passing - Lead the Receiver

As you have probably seen during the NCAA Tournament, the
back door cut is one of the most popular plays to run
against the man-to-man defense. It requires good
communication between passer and receiver, and requires an
accurate pass. The passer must throw the ball leading the
receiver toward the basket.

I like to work on leading the receiver in many of our
drills. Whether it's when we are on offense, or when we
are playing our man-to-man defense, a pass made to a
cutter must be in front of them. Throw it behind your
target and it's either not going to be caught, or it's
going to be knocked away.

You can set up simple drills to get your players in
sync with this. Set up 2 lines, one being the passing
line and the other being the line cutting to the basket.
Have the cutter make a jab step away from the basket,
then cut to the basket, receive the pass, and either take
a jumpshot or go in for a lay-up. Rotate players around
so that they are not throwing to the same teammate all
of the time. They need to get used to the methods of
different players, where to lead them and how quickly
they will move to the basket. Once they get this
concept down, you will notice better passes and easier
baskets being made during the game.

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Be Ready When you are Open

One area I like to work on is having my players be ready
whenever they are on the court. This is very important on
offense when you are trying to get an open shot.

I like to set up small drills where we reverse the ball
from one side of the court to the other, alternating who
shoots. I have the players get ready to receive the pass,
get into their shooting position, and put up the shot.
I don't want them to just throw the ball at the basket, but
to put up a good shot. By having the hands out and ready,
stepping toward the basket with your inside foot and squaring
up, you can be ready to go up with a good shot that has a
chance to go in.

There is precious few seconds that you will normally be
open. By being ready, you can get a good look at the basket
without having a defender put a hand in your face. This will
lead to more good shots and more points for your team.

------------------------------------------------------------
Defense - Get on the Floor for a Loose Ball

As I talked about last month, you need to be active on
defense. Standing around will allow the offense to go right
by you. Besides being active, I also want my players to go
after any loose ball. By doing this, we are telling the other
team that we mean business. We want the ball and will do
whatever we have to do to get it back. This will a lot of
times make your opponent more tentative, as they don't want
to turn the ball over, or make it available to your team to
steal.

One drill I like to run for this is to set up 2 lines
under the basket, 1 on each side of the lane. I have a coach
stand between the lines and have the first player in each line
step forward. The ball is rolled out toward the free throw
line, and when the whistle is blown, the 2 players go after
it. The player that gets the ball turns and comes back to
the basket, while the one who doesn't has to play defense.

Remind your players that pushing is not allowed in this
drill, as well as no rough play. We want them to be aggressive,
but we don't want them out of control so that they hurt
another player or themselves!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Get Info Out on Summer Camps

Can you believe it's April already? Summer is coming up
very fast. That means summer leagues and camps. It's a
great way for your players to work and improve on their
skills.

To make it easier for players in our basketball program,
I put together a sheet containing many of the local camps
that our players have gone to in the past, as well as some
new ones that players have recently attended. I give them
the dates, website address and other contact info. This
makes it easier for them to plan their schedule, and gives
them one less obstacle, as they don't have to search for
all of the info.

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

May 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

04/30/2005 ** May 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Which Time Outs do you Use?
=> Rebounding - Square Up After you Get One
=> Shooting - Follow Your Shot
=> Dribbling - Work on Weak Hand
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Coaching Clinics
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

Also, do you have a topic that you would like to see covered
in this ezine? Let me know!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Which Time Outs do you Use?
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------
Last month I talked about when to use time-outs. But one
question I get asked a lot is in what situations should I use
what type of time-out? Do I use a full time-out or a 30 second
time-out? If your league only has one type, then you have no
issue with this. But in our leagues, for example, you get
3 full time-outs and 2 - 30 second time-outs. Let me explain
my strategy in using these.

First of all, unless the game is a blowout, use your
time-outs! You can't carry them over to the next game, so by
all means take advantage of them. On the other hand, don't
call them all in the first quarter, then have none left.

My method for deciding on timeouts depends on what I am
calling the time-out for. If my team is really out of sync, or
if we are playing hard and really need a break, I will call a
full time-out. This gives them a chance to grab a seat, get a
quick drink of water and catch their breath while I give
instructions. I like to use one of these in each half,
depending on the tempo of the game.

If I see some minor adjustments that need to be made, or if
I want to run a specific play, or if I just want to make a
personnel change, I will use a 30 second time-out.

One thing I always want to do is to have a timeout left in
a close game. I also try to make sure it's a full time-out.
I want this so that I can take the time and design a play
that my players understand, then go over it again so that
we are all on the same page. So in this case, a full is
better to have than a 30 second. Though if that is all you
have left, it's better than nothing!

Time-outs are a valuable tool in basketball. Evaluate the
situation before you call a time-out so you know what to say
to your team. That will save time and give your team the
full benefit.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Rebounding - Square Up After you Get One

When you block out and get a defensive rebound, you have
stopped the offense from scoring. That is great! But now, you
need to get your team into their offense.

The key to starting a fastbreak or finding your team's
point guard is to square up and face the basket you are
heading to. By doing this, you can see if you have a teammate
open down court, where your teammates are at, and where the
defenders are. This gives you the opportunity to make a good
outlet pass. The last thing you want to do after stopping your
opponent from scoring is to turn the ball back over to them!

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Follow Your Shot

A bad habit that I notice is players not following their
shots. I think a lot of players pick this up from watching
their favorite professional players. They see these players
put up a shot and start heading back down the court. That's
fine when the shot goes in, but what happens when it doesn't?

Teach your players to go straight up with their jump shot,
then come down and follow their shot. Many times the ball
will come right back in their direction, giving them a good
chance at an offensive rebound and a second shot. Taking off
down the court, or standing there watching the shot doesn't
help your team. It actually helps your opponent, because now
there is one less person for them to block out.

------------------------------------------------------------
Dribbling - Work on Weak Hand

As players get older, they must be able to handle the ball
with both the left hand and the right hand. A one dimensional
player is easy to trap and push to one side of the floor, so
being able to dribble with both your right and left hand is a
definite asset.

How do you accomplish being able to handle the ball equally
well with either hand? Practice, of course! With summer coming
up, that's a perfect time to work on the weaker hand. By
doing both dribbling with your weak hand and practicing layups
with the weak hand, you can build up the weak hand without
yourself under a lot of pressure. Then when basketball season
starts, you'll be prepared.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Coaching Clinics

One of the best ways to learn new coaching techniques and
drills is to attend a coaching clinic. I have gotten a number
of emails from coaches asking about different coaching clinics.
Any clinic run by an established high school or college coach
would be worth going to. To find them, browse the internet
to see if a university near you is having a coaching clinic.

No one ever knows everything about the game. Going to a
clinic gives you a different perspective on the game and how
to teach it. It also helps network with other coaches in your
area. Many of the clinics will have players demonstrating
drills and plays. It's a great way to keep your mind in
basketball mode, and help get you and your coaching staff
ready for next season.

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

June 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

05/31/2005 ** June 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Defense and the NBA Finals
=> Defense - Stay on your Feet
=> Shooting - Use a Consistent Method
=> Passing - Use your Body
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Make Yourself Available
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

Also, do you have a topic that you would like to see covered
in this ezine? Let me know!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Defense and the NBA Finals
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------
As I write this, the NBA is down to their "Final Four".
I enjoy watching the games at this point because they are
almost always competitive. The pretenders are gone, and only
the contenders have survived!

One important ingredient for any team to survive is defense.
The teams that play good defense will do well, no matter what
level you are speaking of. You have probably heard the saying
"Offense wins games, defense wins championships". I have to
agree. Defense isn't glamorous, and it is sure a lot more
fun to score a bucket, but stopping the other team is what
will win your team the ultimate prize.

Why is defense such an important factor? I think it is both
physical and psychological. From the physical point of view,
defense is preventing your opponent from putting the ball in
the basket. Your team scores more points, and you win! From
a psychological point of view, stopping your opponent at
critical times during a game can be a crushing blow to their
confidence. Whether it be a quick steal or a good blockout,
you can take your opponent completely out of their game. They
must then change their game plan to try to compensate. It
gives your team a big advantage!

So remember as you start your season, work on defense drills.
Don't get me wrong, you have to learn how to shoot, dribble,
pass and everything else in order to score. But spend some time
on defense to prevent your opponent from doing the same!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Defense - Stay on your Feet

Everyone wants to be a shot blocker! whether they are 4 foot
tall or 7 foot tall, everyone wants to block shots. In college
and the pros, blocking shots is part of the game. But at the
junior high level, I want my players to stay on their feet.

Why don't I want them blocking shots? There are 2 main
reasons. First, many times the players will try to block the
shot and just clobber the shooter. This gives the offense a
chance to then make free throws, or possibly a 3-point play.
This can really hurt during a close game. The second reason
is that it takes our defender out of rebounding position. As
the player goes for the block, the offensive player can get
by them and get inside rebounding position. This puts us at
a disadvantage on the boards.

I teach my teams to put their hands straight up when the
player they are guarding is going to shoot. Then when the
shot goes up, they can turn and block out the offensive
player. If the shot goes in, their is nothing we can do.
But if the shot misses, we have good rebounding position
to control the boards. And since more shots at the junior
high level miss then go in, that's a better percentage play
for our team!

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Use a Consistent Method

I think the most important part of shooting is being
consistent on your method. The shooting method that I teach
I believe is very straightforward and easy to understand. I
have done this purposely so that players use the same method
for each shot, whether it be a free throw, a lay-up, or a
jump shot.

So I stress to both players and coaches alike - use the
same shooting technique all the time! Don't shoot the ball
differently for a free throw than on a jump shot. Use the same
form! This has 2 huge benefits. First, it helps train you
to get your body in the same position, keeping that elbow
in, hands in the right place, etc. Second, by shooting the
same way, it will becomes second-nature to you, and you won't
have to think about it. The key to all of this is repetition.

So concentrate and use a consistent method. It will help
improve your all around shooting. Coaches, get your players
to get a lot of shots during practice and the off-season.
It will help your team come next season.

------------------------------------------------------------
Passing - Use Your Body

To throw a pass around a defender, you must use your body
to shield the ball. By putting your body between the defender
and the ball, you are protecting the ball as you pass it. You
perform this by taking your non-pivot foot and stepping to
the side of the defender. When done correctly, even if you
are being closely guarded, the only way the defender can get
to the ball is to foul you!

To work on this technique, set up a line at half court.
You can put a coach up as a defender on the player with the
ball, then have one player at each wing position. Now have the
player with the ball use their non-pivot foot (pivot foot must
stay planted) to step around the defender and deliver a good
pass. Players can then rotate so everyone gets a chance to
pass and receive.

This technique comes in very handy when your opponent plays
pressure defense on you. By working on this during practice,
your players will have seen it and not get rattled or
intimidated during a game.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Make Yourself Available

One thing I try to do is to get my players together over
the summer. Even if it's just a few open gym sessions, I
want to make sure I am available to answer any questions,
or help with any shooting problems they may be having.

I also give out my home phone number so that players,
parents or other coaches can contact me. They might have
questions on drills, basketball camps, or problems they
have run into. I can help them with the problems if I know
about them.

These are just a few ways to make yourself available. It
helps me keep in contact with my players to see if they are
having any basketball issues. I can also make sure they are
remembering to practice! But the most important thing is
to give players, parents and coaches a resource to use
during the off months.

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

July 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

06/30/2005 ** July 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - What Type of Offense Should You Run?
=> Offense - Learning In-Bound Plays
=> Shooting - Should You Jump on Free Throws?
=> Dribbling - Working on Your Own
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Getting Your Team to Listen
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

Also, do you have a topic that you would like to see covered
in this ezine? Let me know!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, What Type of Offense Should You Run?
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------
One question I get asked quite often is about what type
of offense should a team be running. Should they stick with
a basic offense, or should they be going with some type of
motion offense? Let's look at this problem a little closer.

First of all, look at the age group that you are coaching.
If they are beginners, just install a simple offense. A few
players cutting and breaking out to receive a pass is all
you need. Keep it simple until they know what they are doing.
There is no sense running a complicated offense that no
one can execute correctly!

Next, look at how your team is talent wise. Are they
capable of running a motion offense? Do they have the
mental capacity to remember what to do? If they are, then
give it to them. It is a good challenge and will help the
players, especially the ones that are going on to the next
level. Just be careful, you don't want to ocverload your
players and have them be frustrated.

The last thing to look at is what type of defenses are you
playing against. If you are playing against mainly 2-3 zones,
a motion offense is probably not the thing to run. If you are
playing against a lot of man-to-man defenses, then a motion
offense is a possiblt solution.

Whatever you decide, be patient. I have had 8th grade teams
that have been successful running only a basic offense or
two. It's more important HOW they execute their offense,
rather than WHAT offense they are running!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Offense - Learning In-Bound Plays

An important part of the game is inbounding the ball,
whether it be under the basket, on the sideline, or on the
baseline. Yet for how important it is, not enough practice
time gets devoted to it. We have to get the ball in, right!

Make sure that as a coach, you practice your inbound
plays. All of your players should know at least 2 different
positions on your plays. I like to run a line play, where
we line up in a line formation and the players break
differnet ways, and I also like to use a box play under the
basket, where my players line up on the blocks and at the
free throw line.

As your players get older, add different twists to the
plays. You can line up the same, but add different cuts
and moves. This keeps the defense off balance and can
lead to some easy baskets.

But the important thing is to constantly review the plays
during your practices. If plays don't run them very often,
they tend to forget them during a game. You can then start
committing costly turnovers. So practice them and be prepared
for any situation.

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Should You Jump on Free Throws?

A question that I have been asked by a few different
people is should a player jump when they shoot a free throw.
Let's look at if a player should jump or keep their feet on
the ground.

When players first start out, I encourage them to jump
when they shoot a free throw. They are not strong enough to
make it all the way to the basket, so the jump gives them a
little more power. As long as they don't cross the free throw
line and commit a violation, there is nothing wrong with having
them jump. The only thing to have them do is move back a little
so they don't cross the free throiw line.

As players get older and stronger, they can keep their feet on
the ground. By this time, they should be using the proper shooting
technique and getting the power from their legs. They can plant
their feet and not have to worry about crossing the free throw
line.

As you can see, either way is acceptable. I tell my players
to do whichever way feels more comfortable to them. Then they
need to practice that technique so they shoot it the same way
each time.

------------------------------------------------------------
Dribbling - Working on Your Own

With summer here, I always encourage my players to keep
practicing. Whether it be an open gym or working on their own,
this practice will benefit them.

But some things are hard to practice on your own. Take
dribbling for example. It's easy to do, but if you don't have
someone or soemthing else there, it can get boring. Having
a friend play defense helps, and both of you can work on
getting around a defender.

If you have no one to practice with, you can still get some
good things done. All you need is a folding chair! Set the
chair up as a defender, then you can practice your dribble
spins and crossover dribble. Once you clear the "defender",
you can go in for a lay-up or pull up and take the jump shot.
Remember, use the right hand for the right lay-up and the left
hand for the left lay-up!

This trick works for shooting also. Just come up to the
"defender" and put up a shot. Then go around the chair and
get a rebound. You will be surprised how that carries over
when you go against a real defender!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Getting Your Team to Listen

Does your team pay attention to you, or do they daydream
a lot? With young players, there are going to be days that
they are just not into it. How do you get them to all listen?

First, set the tone at the first practice. Make sure that
they know what is expected of them. You can't let players
do their own thing, then get upset during a game when they
don't listen. When correcting them, tell them something good
that they have done before you tell them what they did wrong.
For example, you might say, "That was a nice pass that you
threw, but let me show you how to lead the player." I have
noticed over the years that this keeps the players attention
and makes them want to get better. Coach said I did something
good, and young players and older players alike want to hear
that positive reinforcement!

If my players start losing it during a practice, I will just
stop. Once they realize what they are doing, they quickly
get back under control. Once again, this technique won't the
first time, but keep using it and they will catch on.

If players won't get under control, you might have to take
a more assertive course. Running sets of lines, or being put
on the bench during a practice or a game will definitely catch
a players attention. A player will quickly learn that they
must listen in order to play. Once players start to listen
and follow your instructions, the more successful they will
be!

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

August 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

07/31/2005 ** August 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Fire Up Your Team!
=> Offense - Work on Breaking a Press
=> Shooting - Don't Let Ball Sit in Your Palm
=> Passing - Drills With Movement
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Review the Rules
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

Also, do you have a topic that you would like to see covered
in this ezine? Let me know!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Fire Up Your Team!
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------

One thing to always remember when you are coaching is that
the players look up to you. They will follow your lead. Your
team is a reflection of your personality and style. They will
do as you do!

This can be both good and bad. As a coach, you must keep
your emotions in check. You don't want to lose your temper
with an official and be arguing calls all the time. Your
team will take this to mean that it is OK for them to do this,
and they will start complaining every time you do. That's not
what we want, and that's not what youth sports is about! There
are times that you are going to have to stand up for your team
and talk to the officials about a call. Just do it under
control and in a respectful way.

The good part about your team following your lead is that
you can get them fired up. If you are really into the game,
so will they. Cheer them on and keep encouraging them, and
they will respond in a positive manner. It's OK to get a
little intense to fire up your team just keep it in
perspective. You want your team to play well and respond to
you, not to go run in a corner because they are frightened.
Be involved, be encouraging, and your team will play to the
best of their ability!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Offense - Work on Breaking a Press

Last month, I talked about finding the time to work on
in-bound plays. Just as important is working on a press break.
Even though we are all limited on practice time, this is
another area that you must find time for.

Even before I teach my team's how to apply a press, I teach
them how to break a press. I can always pick up full court
man-to-man if I need to, but teaching a press break on the run
is very hard to do. So I make sure I plan time during my
preseason to go over this. I try to do it close to our first
game so it is fresh in my player's minds.

The most important thing on any press break is to keep the
ball in the middle of the floor. Unless you have a clear path
down the sideline, you are most likely going to be trapped.

I go into more detail about press breaks in my Advanced Series
manual. Check it out at www.scoremorehoops.com for more info.

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Don't Let Ball Sit in Your Palm

If you watch any good shooter, you will see good rotation
on the ball as it is going to the basket. Even if the ball
doesn't drop, you will a lot of time see the ball hit off the
rim or backboard and roll in. That's what we call "The Shooter's
Roll".

How do you develop this? With the proper shooting technique, of
course! You must get the proper spin on the ball. This is achieved
by using the fingertips when you shoot. Let the ball roll off of
the fingertips to get the ball the correct backspin.

Just don't let the ball sit in your palm! If the ball sits in
the palm and not on the fingertips, you will not get any spin.
The ball will not have any spin, and insted will act like a knuckle
ball. You should not be able to read the writing on the ball as
it goes to the basket!

So make sure your players are forming a small pocket and letting
the ball come off of the tips. Start in close to the basket if they
are having problems, then move them back as they get the feel. This
will definitely improve your team's shooting percentage.

------------------------------------------------------------
Passing - Drills With Movement

Once a team learns to pass the ball correctly, make sure to
add movement to the drills. During a game, you are not going
to be throwing the ball from a stationary position to a player
standing still very often. So get your team used to moving.

Some easy drills can get your players to move to the ball and
gets your passers to lead the receiver. Having players in 2 lines,
shuffling down the court while passing will help. A 3 lane passing
drill with 1 player in each lane going down the court while
passing will also help. What I like to call Speed Passing, which
is when you have a player run straight down the court while
passing to outlets is another example.

These are all simple drills, yet they will get your players into
the routine of leading the receiver aand getting the ball down
the court quickly and efficiently.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Review the Rules

Each year as the season approaches, I look over the rules
of our conference. What rules have changed and what new ones
have been added? By doing this, I am not caught by surprise.
I can also ask questions of the conference if I need any
additional interpretation.

Even for a rec league, you need to be aware of the rules.
Make sure you read and understand them. First, you want to
play fair and by the rules, and second, you want to be
prepared in case the other coach and team disputes something
that is going on. By reading and knowing the rules, you will
be prepared!

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

September 2005

------------------------------------------------------------
Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter

"A newsletter of proven tips for youth basketball coaches"

08/31/2005 ** September 2005 Issue **
Steve Pavlovic, Editor, Steve@scoremorehoops.com
------------------------------------------------------------
By subscription only! Welcome to the current issue of
"Coach Steve Pavlovic's Coaching Basketball Newsletter".
You are receiving this newsletter because you
requested a subscription. Unsubscribe instructions
are at the end of this newsletter.

** Feel free to forward this ezine to any coaches that you
think this would benefit, or direct them to:
www.scoremorehoops.com
so that they can sign up for this newsletter! **

Welcome to all new subscribers! This ezine is published
monthly, usually sent out on the first of each month.

------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------

=> Sponsorship Notice
=> Feature Article - Being a Youth Coach
=> Defense - Break in Slowly
=> Shooting - Work With Your Eyes Closed
=> Passing - Getting the Ball Inside Quickly
=> Coaching Tip of the Month - Keep Drills Short
=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information

------------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP NOTICE
------------------------------------------------------------
Learn about my proven techniques at:

www.scoremorehoops.com

See how I teach shooting, defense, passing, dribbling,
rebounding and advanced skills!

Also, do you have a topic that you would like to see covered
in this ezine? Let me know!

------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURE ARTICLE, Being a Youth Coach
by Steve Pavlovic
------------------------------------------------------------

Can it possibly be September already? My children are back
to school, the temperature is finally cooling off, and the
football season is starting. Can the basketball season be
far behind?

One thing I always remind my coaches of at the beginning of
the season is to remember their purpose of coaching. Why are
you here? Take a few moments and reflect on why you are
coaching and what you hope to accomplish.

As a youth coach, you should be here to help your players
better understand the game of basketball and to improve their
skills. Your players have joined because they enjoy the
game of basketball and want to play it. They are looking to
you to help them improve. That's a big responsibility to have
on your shoulders!

Youth basketball is not all about winning and losing. It's
about getting better and having an enjoyable time. It's about
practicing hard and making a commitment to the team. It's
about learning teamwork. All of these things will be useful
even after your players have stopped playing basketball.

So think about these things before you start your season.
Focus on teaching the fundamentals. Make it challenging, but
also enjoyable. Have patience with your team, but don't let
things get out of control. By doing these things, your team
will improve, and wins and losses will take care of themselves!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Defense - Break in Slowly

As your players come back from their long break, coaches
are sometimes tempted to cover a lot too soon. Running a
lot of defensive drills will get my team into shape
quickly, right? Well, that's not necessarily the case.

I always like to break my team back in slowly. Get them
to stretch and run some sprints and do some shuffling
drills. But I don't want to do too much. That's how
injuries happen, either muscles being pulled or players
tripping over their own feet. I like to build my team up,
doing some basic drills first, then adding more defensive
drills at each future practice.

I have found this to be successful for 2 reasons. First,
it allows my player's bodies to adapt to the new season.
Second, it gives them a variety, which will help keep
their attention and focus during practice.

----------------------------------------------------------
Shooting - Work With Your Eyes Closed

As a coach, I find teaching a player how to shoot can be
either a rewarding experience or a frustrating experience.
It's rewarding when you finally get a player to consistently
shoot using the correct form. It can get frustrating when a
player keeps making the same shooting mistakes.

One technique I like to use with my junior high players is
to practice their shot with their eyes closed. This can be
done with or without a ball, and can be done a few feet in
front of a basket, or even without a basket.

What is the purpose behind this technique? To make the
player focus on the shooting form, not where the ball is
going! Many times, player's will worry about the ball going
into the basket. It might go in sometimes, but they might
not be using the correct technique. By having them take
practice shots without the ball with their eyes closed, I can
get them to focus on the movement of their body rather than
where the ball is going. You can even add a ball and have
them shoot a few feet in front of the basket, but don't
let them open their eyes until the ball is released. By
doing this, you will increase the amount of shots that the
player makes.

------------------------------------------------------------
Passing - Getting the Ball Inside Quickly

There are 2 important parts to getting the ball passed
inside on your offensive set. First, work with your players
on properly receiving a pass and getting into the triple-
threat position, where they can either shoot, pass or dribble.

The second part is knowing where your offensive players are
going to be moving. As players mature, they need to know not
only their positions that they play, but where the other players
are going to be at.

By working on these 2 areas, your offense can receive a good
pass and quickly hit their open teammate before the defense
can react!

-------------------------------------------------------------
Coaching Tip of the Month - Keep Drills Short

As you go about getting your team back in the groove,
remember to keep the attention of your players. The most
effective way is to keep your drills short, no more than
8-10 minutes each. The younger the players, the less time
it takes for them to lose focus.

By changing drills and making your players think, they won't
have time to get bored. If you are trying to stress a certain
skill, don't be afraid to go through a drill, go on to
something else, then come back to that same drill later in
the practice. Just keep the drills short, keep your players
attention, and your players will keep improving!

------------------------------------------------------------
Good Luck to you and your team!
------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Pavlovic

Send any questions, comments, or ideas to me at:
Steve@scoremorehoops.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 2005 by Stephen Pavlovic. All rights Reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------

October 2005