Basketball Coaching

The basketball coach is the backbone of a team. Coaching is the act of instructing and strategizing the players’ behavior in a team. Basketball coaching includes the improvement and overall performance of players, offensive and defensive skills in a team and training players through physical fitness or conditioning. A Basketball coach usually handles the team single handedly or with help from one or more assistants.

Coaches generally use a sketch board to describe game strategies to their players. Often we see coaches using their index finger to point or direct players in the court.

Proper development of young basketball players depends upon their training under a skillful coach. Coaches should have a good control over their teams. They should be able to build a passion in their players for the game. Unless a coach teaches the fundamentals of basketball it is difficult for players to understand and perform well in the games or competitions. Basketball coaches usually teach their teams basic skills in the following areas:

Their fundamental lessons and training would include basic shooting, passing, dribbling, defensive and rebounding skills and drills.

The coach also covers different kinds of defenses such as Man-to-Man defense, Zone defense, Junk Defenses, Pressing Defenses and 2-3 zones.

Different kinds of offenses such as Motion Offenses, Continuity Offenses, Set Plays, Press Offenses and Inbounds Plays are taught.

As far as practice is concerned, most coaches favor at least a two-hour session or more per day during weekdays. During off seasons or between game seasons, weightlifting and other physical training workouts are encouraged.

How does a coach motivate his team?

It is difficult to bring a team together and make them perform well as a team. Here are some common methods coaches use to get their basketball team motivated to practice and play well:

-> Reward the basketball team for its team efforts -
instead of singling out a single player coaches motivates the majority of the players or the whole team when they come together for practice and performance. When teammates do not cooperate they may have to work harder at practice and they miss out on rewards. This step would make them attend their practice sessions regularly.
-> Set a goal along with the team before each game -
when the teams are involved in setting goals, they are more realistic and motivated to reach set goals.
-> Impart the importance of practice – coaches should communicate effectively and tell the players that unless they practice hard they cannot go to a higher level in a game.

A little fun now and then and constant encouragement are some important steps a coach could take to make his team perform well in a game.