Are you Communicating or Connecting Part I, by Mike Lee

With access to the Internet, coaches clinics, as well as, attending college and pro practices the wealth of basketball knowledge available today is incredible if you take the time to learn.

While the ability to teach is way different than the ability to work someone out and put them through drills you still need to be able to reach your players, get them to trust you, and show them you care if you want to be able to maximize your influence.

I truly believe that the best way to do this is by showing them that you care about their development as a person and as a basketball player.  How do you do this?

Here are some things I’ve come up with

1 on 1 after practice

If you are still in playing shape and can compete with your players this might be one of the most powerful ways to develop a relationship with players and instant respect from them.

Defend during drills

Players love coaches who will get out on the floor and sweat with them.  Play defense during drills that are typical 1 v 0.  This is a great way to get them quality reps as well.

Shooting Competition

Celtic Threes

The passer/rebounder is under the basket with the ball and the shooter starts in the corner or short corner.  The goal of the drill is to make 2 threes in a row from the corner, wing, top of the key, wing and corner.  Once you get to the opposite corner the drill starts again and you have to make your way back to where you started.  The goal is to finish the drill in under 2 minutes.  To make it competitive see who can finish the drill in the shortest amount of time.

Celtic mid Range

This is similar to Celtic Threes except we start in the short corner and go to the elbow, free throw line, elbow and opposite short corner.  Since this is only 15 feet our goal is to try and finish the drill in 90 seconds.