On defense at St. Anthony's
By Jill Lieber, USA TODAY
JERSEY CITY — Bob Hurley is a giver. As head basketball coach at St. Anthony's High School the past 31 years, he has given 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year to aspiring students from the downtrodden, drug-infested neighborhoods of this city.
Basketball star Terrence Roberts rests inside decrepit St. Anthony's gym. The wall behind him is rotten and falling apart.
He has given as a coach, teacher, father figure, advisor, mentor and friend.
He has nurtured his players with love and nourished them with meals. He has carted them to and from practice and found them jobs. His wife, Chris, has tutored them and prepared them for their SATs. The Hurleys have hauled them to tournaments in California, Hawaii and Florida and taken them on family vacations to their house on the Jersey Shore.
And when his players have been hassled, stabbed or shot at, Hurley has vehemently protected them, standing up to the gang members in the projects.
Now the time has come for Hurley to switch roles, and he's in quite a quandary. Because of a decrease in charitable donations since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, St. Anthony's has fallen into such dire financial straits that it will probably be forced to close at the end of this school year.
"St. Anthony's is a value center in that community," says Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who lists Hurley's oldest son, Bobby, among his prized pupils. "To remove that, you stand to risk losing the worst you can lose, a place kids learn to play together, to be honest people. That would be such a shame."
After saving hundreds of lives, Hurley has no clue how he's going to save the tiny, yellow brick school on Eighth Street.
"I'm very uncomfortable asking for help," he says. "I've never done it, and I don't know who to ask. Who is my potential audience? Do I say, 'These are good kids who grow up to become productive adults?' I'm happy with that, but is it enough for a potential donor?"
Being in a financial crisis is nothing new for St. Anthony's. Founded in 1952, it was the parish school of the Polish Catholic church five blocks up the street. "Konfesjonal" is still embossed on the confessional booths, but most of the congregation has moved on, a result of "white flight" in the late '70s and early '80s. The dying parish declared St. Anthony's an "independent" school, which eliminated the church from any financial obligation.
By 1991, the school was on the verge of shutting down. St. Anthony's now has a $1.6 million annual operating budget. But because of a steadily declining enrollment, and the school's inability to raise tuition because students can barely pay as is, the school needs at least $500,000 a year to remain up and running. A board of trustees was formed to raise the money each year.
"And every year it's a survival test," says Sister Felicia, the school's principal.
Dual-career track
Although he's too humble to do so, Hurley, 55, probably ought to tell potential donors his story, because that unique little school, and that legendary basketball program, truly are his heart and soul. He's Jersey City, through and through. Born in the Greenville section, in the southern part of the city. Raised in St. Paul's parish. His father a Jersey City cop. His wife a Jersey City girl, from neighboring Sacred Heart parish.
During his sophomore year at local St. Peter's College, Hurley realized he wasn't in the Peacocks' plans, so he walked off the varsity basketball team and right into a volunteer job coaching a CYO grammar school team in his parish. Although he'd wanted to be a teacher, a substitute stint after graduation turned him off. His father suggested he apply as a probation officer, and he held that post for 30 years until retiring last July. He now heads the city's department of recreation.
Coaching, Hurley says, is his avocation, his salvation.
"After working 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., supervising men on probation, poor souls who made bad decisions and wound up with no education and criminal records, I'd be wigged out," he says. "Then, I'd open the gym in the late afternoons, have kids from the same neighborhoods, but see they've got tremendous potential as people. There, I could make an important, lasting impact."
His youngest son, Danny, a former Seton Hall star who's now the head coach at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, says his father's greatest gift is his ability to "penetrate the hardest hearts and the stiffest souls," a talent put to the test in the probation department and in coaching.
"He has an innate feel for kids and what they can do," Danny says. "He knows how to make the most out of what others see as seemingly very little."
Over the years, Hurley has built the Friars into a national powerhouse, and himself into a mythical figure in basketball, amassing a 755-86 record. His teams won 23 state championships, one shy of tying the national record held by Cheyenne (Wyo.) Central.
He makes $6,500 at St. Anthony's but ends up spending more than that on basketballs, Gatorade, water, pizzas, Quarter Pounders and anything else that fuels teenage boys. He regularly donates money to St. Anthony's from his speaking engagements and basketball camps.
Because the school has no gym, the Friars practiced at 25 facilities, the main site at the White Eagle Bingo Hall on Newark Avenue. Hurley renovated the joint, refinishing the basketball court and building a weight room in the basement.
The Friars have played "home" games in nine gyms, including the Jersey City Armory, where Hurley also constructed a court and put up a scoreboard. The team currently plays "home" games at the Golden Door Charter School, across the street from St. Anthony's.
His house is their house
All but one of Hurley's players have gone onto college. Five have played in the NBA, including his son, Bobby, an All-America guard at Duke. Two others are playing Major League Baseball: John Valentin of the New York Mets and Willie Banks of the Boston Red Sox. A dozen have become coaches. Three dozen work with at-risk, inner-city youth, teenagers and adults.
Hurley has inspired the faculty and student body to strive for excellence, too. Although 60% of students come from families living below the federal poverty line of about $15,000 a year, every graduate has been accepted to college each of the past 10 years. Last year's valedictorian, Joshua Madrid, who played basketball on the freshman and junior varsity teams, is now at Dartmouth. His parents are laborers who speak little English.
"We really have a place that's almost too good to be true in the way people care about kids," says Sister Alan, the school's athletic director. "You warm to these kids. You love them. St. Anthony's is a place you give your heart to."
It has often been said that kids don't play for Hurley, they enlist. A strict disciplinarian, Hurley demands total commitment. They attend study halls before practice, train all year and live by a narrow set of rules. But in return, the Hurleys are even more committed, embracing their players as family, showering them with unconditional love and support.
"Melissa has been to every game," Chris says of their 21-year-old daughter. "She started going when she was two months old. Bob would take Bobby and Danny to practice to give me a break, and they'd fall asleep on a bed made out of the players' coats."
Just the thought of the school closing has ripped people's hearts out. "Coach Hurley and the St. Anthony's program have been one of the few, if not only, pathways of light to getting out to areas of opportunity," says former Notre Dame star David Rivers, an '84 St. Anthony's graduate. "It's a place rich with discipline, tradition and honor. It prepared me for life. It would be a tragedy, a devastation to Jersey City, if St. Anthony's closes."
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Missed Opportunities
We definitely are going to look back at last night's game with Shade and think about missed opportunities...we missed free throw opportunities, offensive opportunities and defensive opportunities. Most importantly we missed an opportunity to send a huge message to the rest of the West PAC last night with our loss to Shade 63-59.
No Need to Worry...Yet!
Even with the missed opportunities last night, there is still no need to worry about the direction that our season is heading. Once again, I stress that the win/ loss column does not indicate success! I am still extremely excited about how we are continuing to improve as both individuals and as a team. We continue to see positive things out of each and every game. One, we showed again that we have the capability of coming back from a 10 point deficit. Secondly, we showed last night that we are capable of going on the road to play a very good team and performing well. Our shooting is improving with each game and we continue to have guys step up and take shots and make shots in key situations. Our decision making on the court and ball handling is getting better, too.
A Tale of Two Halves
There is a famous saying from Coach Charney that there are 'four quarters to a basketball game'. He is absolutely right. We outplayed Shade last night for about 2 1/2 quarters, outscoring them in the 2nd half to cut their 10 point lead to take a 1 point lead in the 4th quarter. However, missed opportunities at the foul line and our defense did us in at the end. We also learned last night how important it is to get stops on defense, especially in critical times. So, we have showed that we can step up on offense at key times and make baskets, now we must be able to show that we can step up defensively at key times and get stops! We must, however, not take anything away from Shade. Their effort and preperation was excellent, especially on offense. They were disciplined on offense, handled our pressure, set good screens and stuck to their offense and worked for a good shot. Most importantly, they made their free-throws down the stretch by making 10-12 from the line in the 4th quarter, when it mattered most. There is a reason they are undefeated! They have a well balanced team with quality guards and strong post players. We are all starting to understand and see why we are getting beat, now we will have an opportunity to take advantage of a 10 day layoff to dive into the details and really work on some of the most important things.
Attitude is Everything!
Certainly, it is disappointing every time you lose because you go into every game expecting to win and compete at a high level, it does not matter if you are playing Meyersdale, Shade or George Jr. Republic...YOU ALWAYS EXPECT TO WIN! I am still excited with the direction we are heading. We must continue to improve each and every day and learn from each game. We must continue to work hard on our defensive positioning, communication and intensity. Offensively, we need to work on going strong to the basket, drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Our attitude, togetherness, pride and desire to compete each and every day will determine the outcome of our season. We need to approach each and every practice and game with focus, energy and intesity. I am still excited to find out what we will improve on today!
No Need to Worry...Yet!
Even with the missed opportunities last night, there is still no need to worry about the direction that our season is heading. Once again, I stress that the win/ loss column does not indicate success! I am still extremely excited about how we are continuing to improve as both individuals and as a team. We continue to see positive things out of each and every game. One, we showed again that we have the capability of coming back from a 10 point deficit. Secondly, we showed last night that we are capable of going on the road to play a very good team and performing well. Our shooting is improving with each game and we continue to have guys step up and take shots and make shots in key situations. Our decision making on the court and ball handling is getting better, too.
A Tale of Two Halves
There is a famous saying from Coach Charney that there are 'four quarters to a basketball game'. He is absolutely right. We outplayed Shade last night for about 2 1/2 quarters, outscoring them in the 2nd half to cut their 10 point lead to take a 1 point lead in the 4th quarter. However, missed opportunities at the foul line and our defense did us in at the end. We also learned last night how important it is to get stops on defense, especially in critical times. So, we have showed that we can step up on offense at key times and make baskets, now we must be able to show that we can step up defensively at key times and get stops! We must, however, not take anything away from Shade. Their effort and preperation was excellent, especially on offense. They were disciplined on offense, handled our pressure, set good screens and stuck to their offense and worked for a good shot. Most importantly, they made their free-throws down the stretch by making 10-12 from the line in the 4th quarter, when it mattered most. There is a reason they are undefeated! They have a well balanced team with quality guards and strong post players. We are all starting to understand and see why we are getting beat, now we will have an opportunity to take advantage of a 10 day layoff to dive into the details and really work on some of the most important things.
Attitude is Everything!
Certainly, it is disappointing every time you lose because you go into every game expecting to win and compete at a high level, it does not matter if you are playing Meyersdale, Shade or George Jr. Republic...YOU ALWAYS EXPECT TO WIN! I am still excited with the direction we are heading. We must continue to improve each and every day and learn from each game. We must continue to work hard on our defensive positioning, communication and intensity. Offensively, we need to work on going strong to the basket, drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Our attitude, togetherness, pride and desire to compete each and every day will determine the outcome of our season. We need to approach each and every practice and game with focus, energy and intesity. I am still excited to find out what we will improve on today!
Monday, December 17, 2007
One Under the Belt!
After the snow and ice cleared, all that was left was a well deserved win on Friday night against Meyersdale. Just when you think the program is experiencing difficult times, you face a team like Meyersdale! Give credit to the Meyersdale players and staff for continuing to coach and play hard! When you experience success like our program has experienced over the last 30 years, sometimes winning is taken forgranted, until you lose a few in a row and then that hunger for victory is restored!
Well, the hunger was restored on Friday night as we beat a Meyersdale basketball team who was not very good. Yes, we should have beat a team like that by 20+ points. However, there were still some very good things done. One, Blake Henger finally stepped in to take a charge! Secondly, our press was impressive and it had nothing to do with Meyersdale's inability to handle the basketball, but it had everything to do with us playing with alot of energy and intensity and being in the right positions. It does not matter if you are playing the best team in the state or the worst team in the state, when you play with energy and you are in the right positions, good things are going to happen. The energy was great, hopefully the couple days rest paid off. Now, we must continue to improve each day and forge ahead. Continue to practice and play with poise, focus and a sense of purpose! Prepare like a Champion! Shade has no idea what they are in for! What will we improve on today?
Well, the hunger was restored on Friday night as we beat a Meyersdale basketball team who was not very good. Yes, we should have beat a team like that by 20+ points. However, there were still some very good things done. One, Blake Henger finally stepped in to take a charge! Secondly, our press was impressive and it had nothing to do with Meyersdale's inability to handle the basketball, but it had everything to do with us playing with alot of energy and intensity and being in the right positions. It does not matter if you are playing the best team in the state or the worst team in the state, when you play with energy and you are in the right positions, good things are going to happen. The energy was great, hopefully the couple days rest paid off. Now, we must continue to improve each day and forge ahead. Continue to practice and play with poise, focus and a sense of purpose! Prepare like a Champion! Shade has no idea what they are in for! What will we improve on today?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ohhh and Four!
The Bad News...
Okay...so we definitely did not get off to the start that we had hoped for. The bottomline is that we can very easily be 3-1 instead of 0-4 right now. However, despite shooting a dismal 20% from the field against Richland, 22 turnovers against Westmont and giving up 29 points to Somerset in the 3rd quarter, we have had many bright spots in the first four games with some bad breaks. When you start the season 0-3 or 0-4 you start to question alot of things...normally. However, in this case when you factor in the amount of bad "breaks" that we have had, we feel pretty positive in the direction we are heading.
First, we get word at the beginning of December that we will be without our returning leading scorer and best defender from last year, Mike Webb. Then our starting point-guard and returning letterman, Taylor Keiper goes down with a sprained ankle against Westmont. During the very next game, our best outside shooter and 6th man freakishly gets kneed in the stomach, resulting in a hospital visit and bruised kidney. Ohhh, then you throw 2 players with stiches above thier eyes into the mix as well. What do you get...2 bum ankles, 2 bloody eyes and one bruised kidney!
On a more serious note, our basketball program revolves around several key personalities: precise patterns on offense which demands crisp passing and screening with judicious shot selection. It relys on position defense, that commits few fouls, and most importantly masters all those little things better known as fundamentals, discipline and teamwork. Over the past 30 years, those traits have turned our program into one of the areas elite programs.
We have yet to find not only the win column, but we have yet to find our poise. In our first four games, we have tossed the ball away too many times, looked on defense as if our feet were nailed to the hardwood, been out rebounded and consistentantly been inconsistant! There are many other issues that need to be addressed by the time the West PAC conference scheduled begins in January, but many of the issues are centered around one single fact. Our team is not yet as disciplined and fundamentally sound as it needs to be. The solution...more focused practice time. The repetition in practice is critical in teaching our young players how to play the game correctly.
The Good News...
The good news is that we will get healthy. The good news is that we are learning. The good news is that we are gaining experience. The good news is that we are still hungry for success. The good news is that we will have an opportunity to rest and become re-energized before the Rotary Tournament. The good news is that we are getting significant contributions from players unexpectedly. This however is bad news for the rest of the West PAC Conference and District. It will take some time, but these players will grow up, be fun to watch and be competitive! The scoreboard does not determine overall success.
The truth is that we have shown signs of becoming a great team. We have outplayed two of the top teams in the Laurel Highlands in Westmont and Somerset. Westmont, who lost by 2 points to the top single A team in the state (Kennedy Catholic), was on the ropes in the first half against us. Coach Roman's commented as we were jogging off the War Memorial floor, "Windber's jogging off and we are walking off...that's the story of the first half!" We are still holding teams to under 50 points defensively and our shooting on offense is starting to improve. The turnovers need to come down, preferably to what we had against Richland (12). But, our players are stepping up with great courage, especially Blake Henger who made his starting line-up debut by pouring in 14 points against Somerset. You can't forget about Chad Garlena's efforts against Richland, after being cut above the eye early in the JV game, he sprints the length of the floor to take a charge during the varsity game. If that is not an example of a "Rambler basketball player", then I must be from Township! Each and every day, I come to practice or games, not concerned, not down, not frustrated...but filled with excitement! I look forward to seeing what will come together today, what will we improve on today?
Our Identity...Play hard, Play smart, Play together, Play with Pride!
Maybe it is that our team identity is that we are a close knit, blue collared team full of pride, who plays hard, sometimes too hard, is most times under sized, out manned and out talented, but makes no excuses! Wait...isn't that always a Windber basketball team's identity? Play hard. Play smart. Play together. Play with pride!
Have we had some tough games with some tough breaks to start off the 2007-08 season? Yes, indeed we have experienced some adversity in playing some top local talents while missing some key players. Have we been undersized and out numbered in a few of our games? Yes. But, we refuse to make or except any excuses. We still must prepare to practice and play like champions through focus, discipline, determination and preparation. If we can do that, then we will make a habit of playing like champions. And, if you have the habits of a champion, then you will eventually become a champion! This segment of the season will make us better players, better coaches, but most importantly, it will make us better people!
Okay...so we definitely did not get off to the start that we had hoped for. The bottomline is that we can very easily be 3-1 instead of 0-4 right now. However, despite shooting a dismal 20% from the field against Richland, 22 turnovers against Westmont and giving up 29 points to Somerset in the 3rd quarter, we have had many bright spots in the first four games with some bad breaks. When you start the season 0-3 or 0-4 you start to question alot of things...normally. However, in this case when you factor in the amount of bad "breaks" that we have had, we feel pretty positive in the direction we are heading.
First, we get word at the beginning of December that we will be without our returning leading scorer and best defender from last year, Mike Webb. Then our starting point-guard and returning letterman, Taylor Keiper goes down with a sprained ankle against Westmont. During the very next game, our best outside shooter and 6th man freakishly gets kneed in the stomach, resulting in a hospital visit and bruised kidney. Ohhh, then you throw 2 players with stiches above thier eyes into the mix as well. What do you get...2 bum ankles, 2 bloody eyes and one bruised kidney!
On a more serious note, our basketball program revolves around several key personalities: precise patterns on offense which demands crisp passing and screening with judicious shot selection. It relys on position defense, that commits few fouls, and most importantly masters all those little things better known as fundamentals, discipline and teamwork. Over the past 30 years, those traits have turned our program into one of the areas elite programs.
We have yet to find not only the win column, but we have yet to find our poise. In our first four games, we have tossed the ball away too many times, looked on defense as if our feet were nailed to the hardwood, been out rebounded and consistentantly been inconsistant! There are many other issues that need to be addressed by the time the West PAC conference scheduled begins in January, but many of the issues are centered around one single fact. Our team is not yet as disciplined and fundamentally sound as it needs to be. The solution...more focused practice time. The repetition in practice is critical in teaching our young players how to play the game correctly.
The Good News...
The good news is that we will get healthy. The good news is that we are learning. The good news is that we are gaining experience. The good news is that we are still hungry for success. The good news is that we will have an opportunity to rest and become re-energized before the Rotary Tournament. The good news is that we are getting significant contributions from players unexpectedly. This however is bad news for the rest of the West PAC Conference and District. It will take some time, but these players will grow up, be fun to watch and be competitive! The scoreboard does not determine overall success.
The truth is that we have shown signs of becoming a great team. We have outplayed two of the top teams in the Laurel Highlands in Westmont and Somerset. Westmont, who lost by 2 points to the top single A team in the state (Kennedy Catholic), was on the ropes in the first half against us. Coach Roman's commented as we were jogging off the War Memorial floor, "Windber's jogging off and we are walking off...that's the story of the first half!" We are still holding teams to under 50 points defensively and our shooting on offense is starting to improve. The turnovers need to come down, preferably to what we had against Richland (12). But, our players are stepping up with great courage, especially Blake Henger who made his starting line-up debut by pouring in 14 points against Somerset. You can't forget about Chad Garlena's efforts against Richland, after being cut above the eye early in the JV game, he sprints the length of the floor to take a charge during the varsity game. If that is not an example of a "Rambler basketball player", then I must be from Township! Each and every day, I come to practice or games, not concerned, not down, not frustrated...but filled with excitement! I look forward to seeing what will come together today, what will we improve on today?
Our Identity...Play hard, Play smart, Play together, Play with Pride!
Maybe it is that our team identity is that we are a close knit, blue collared team full of pride, who plays hard, sometimes too hard, is most times under sized, out manned and out talented, but makes no excuses! Wait...isn't that always a Windber basketball team's identity? Play hard. Play smart. Play together. Play with pride!
Have we had some tough games with some tough breaks to start off the 2007-08 season? Yes, indeed we have experienced some adversity in playing some top local talents while missing some key players. Have we been undersized and out numbered in a few of our games? Yes. But, we refuse to make or except any excuses. We still must prepare to practice and play like champions through focus, discipline, determination and preparation. If we can do that, then we will make a habit of playing like champions. And, if you have the habits of a champion, then you will eventually become a champion! This segment of the season will make us better players, better coaches, but most importantly, it will make us better people!
With Gillispie at helm, hard work now the norm at UK
By Marlen Garcia, USA TODAY
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Between his ultra-short haircut that keeps every strand in place and his talk of team building and unity, Billy Gillispie almost comes off like a military man. The Kentucky men's basketball coach, in his first season with the Wildcats, is all about effort.
"We're going to work hard, absolutely," Gillispie says with a Texas drawl. "You can't attain the success we've had — going to places that weren't winning and start winning immediately — without working hard. What do you want to do? Have a country club? Is that what you're supposed to do? If you're not going to have high demands, you're going to get what you ask for."
A relentless work ethic brought Gillispie here to one of the most storied programs in college basketball to replace Tubby Smith last spring. Smith departed for Minnesota amid mounting discontent from restless fans. He led Kentucky to an NCAA title in his first season, in 1998, but the Wildcats have been in a Final Four drought since.
With go-getting flair and competitiveness, Gillispie is shaking up the culture of Kentucky basketball. Growing pains are part of the process, Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart says.
"There have been bumps," he says. "There may be more."
By its standards, Kentucky (4-3) is struggling, evident in the Wildcats' 70-51 loss at Indiana on Saturday and the 84-68 upset loss at home Nov. 7 to lightly regarded Gardner-Webb in perhaps the biggest stunner of the season. Injuries are a factor, most notably to sophomore guards Jodie Meeks (recovering from a stress fracture in his pelvis) and Derrick Jasper (microfracture knee surgery in June).
In addition, talented freshman guard Alex Legion, from the Detroit area, quit last week to seek a transfer. He later asked Gillispie to reinstate him, but team spokesman Scott Stricklin said Tuesday that Legion has been released from his scholarship. Legion, a top-50 recruit according to Rivals.com, averaged 6.7 points and 17.5 minutes.
It can take time to warm up to Gillispie, who paid his dues coming up through humble ranks coaching at the high school and junior college levels. That could be why, whether he's working with a McDonald's All-American or an unknown walk-on, he doesn't compromise his coaching principles. The 48-year-old native of small-town Graford, Texas (an hour northwest of Fort Worth), has been a head coach for only five years, but his standards are set in stone.
"He'll never question what he does," says Florida International coach Sergio Rouco, a friend and assistant to Gillispie at Texas-El Paso. "He's not going to change."
When he's not coaching, Gillispie is consumed by recruiting, another area in which he excels. "Our fans enjoy that as much as the game itself," Barnhart says.
Fans were elated that shortly after coming to Kentucky, Gillispie secured the arrival of Patrick Patterson, who has the makings of an All-American. The 6-8 forward from Huntington, W.Va., is second on the team in scoring with a 16.1-point average and first in rebounding (8.3).
Last month his diligence paid off when Gillispie signed two top-35 recruits for 2008: 6-6 forward Darius Miller of Maysville (Ky.), an hour northeast of campus, and 6-6 guard DeAndre Liggins of Chicago.
Yet not every blue-chip prospect can handle playing for Gillispie, Rouco says.
"You better be a grinder to play for him, a blue-collar guy," Rouco says. "He's not Disney World. He's Possum Kingdom Lake." The latter is the best Graford has to offer, beautiful in its own right but far from glitzy and glamorous.
Gillispie is known as a workaholic and demands similar dedication from others. "He's a bear to work with," Rouco says. "He wants you to keep pace with him."
Details, details
His players — two seniors, one junior, the rest freshmen and sophomores — are adjusting to tough practices, even on game days. "I wouldn't say it's a bad thing, but it's something we needed to get used to," says senior point guard Ramel Bradley, who is averaging 12.7 points and 3.1 assists.
They are learning that every detail related to the game counts, that lapses in judgment won't go unpunished. Bradley had started 39 games in a row until Dec. 1, when Gillispie brought him off the bench in an 86-77 loss to North Carolina, then ranked No. 2 and now No. 1. Without elaborating, Bradley said he had been selfish during practice earlier in the week.
During a 62-52 win against Stony Brook on Nov. 27, Gillispie benched 6-8 freshman forward A.J. Stewart and had him face reporters to explain why he didn't play. Stewart said he had fallen asleep during a team meeting. Asked about it later, Gillispie said only, "You don't need to humiliate him anymore." He had done so sufficiently by making the player accountable publicly.
Accounts from players, past and present, offer two sides to Gillispie: the relaxed guy who has players come by the office every day for small talk, and a side full of intensity — a bull in a china shop.
"I prefer him off the court," Patterson says. "On the court he's really strict. He's the type of guy that wants to get it done the right way more so than get it done the wrong way and win."
Patterson is still trying to figure out "the right way" by Gillispie's definition. "I don't know," he says. "I'm so curious about that."
Can always be better
In an 83-35 rout of Texas Southern on Nov. 24, Kentucky gave up only five second-half baskets. Gillispie noted four could have been prevented with better defense.
He's looking for perfection, no doubt a reason he sleeps only two to three hours a night. But is it realistic to try to win 76-0? Gillispie says every effort should be made.
"Who said it's impossible?" he asks. "Just because you win by 48 points — giving up a basket when you didn't perform well, it's supposed to be OK? Then you lose next week by one point. You gave up the same basket. The scoreboard doesn't indicate whether you're successful or not."
These are the principles that elevated Gillispie from coaching high school to junior college to becoming a Division I assistant at Baylor, Tulsa and Illinois. He got his first head coaching job in 2002 at Texas-El Paso, where he followed a forgettable 6-24 rookie season with a 24-8 record and an NCAA tournament berth. That launched his rise that took him to Texas A&M, where in three seasons he built a Sweet 16 team.
Making sacrifices
Gillispie has been handsomely rewarded for his efforts. About five years ago, as an assistant to then-Illinois coach Bill Self, Gillispie was making $98,880 annually. As Kentucky's coach, he'll earn $2.3 million.
"If someone deserves the money he's making, it's Billy," Rouco says. "He's busted his tail. He sacrificed having a family."
Gillispie is uncomfortable talking about his personal life, including a divorce several years ago. He is single with no children.
"Every coach sacrifices a tremendous amount," he says. "Every player sacrifices a lot. That's what team building is all about, sacrifice for the benefit of others. That's what makes you successful" in coaching.
For many fans, everything about Kentucky basketball is personal. Retired teachers Joe and Linda Heagen of Middletown, Ohio, 30 miles north of Cincinnati, camp out in tents for four days before the ticket release of season-opening Midnight Madness practice to be up close and personal with players and coaches who stop by.
"You get to know them," Linda says.
When Gillispie bought a 12,000-square-foot house with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms for $1.45 million in August, as reported in the Lexington Herald- Leader, it was news. "Whatever," Gillispie says. "It's not like people aren't going to know where the coach lives in a town the size of Lexington," which, according to the U.S. Census Bureau estimate in 2005, had a population of almost 270,000.
Like his players, he also must adjust to the demands on a high-profile coach.
In October, his assistant for scheduling declined the local Rotary Club's invitations to address 380 members. The group includes several business leaders who had been phoning and e-mailing the executive director, Nell Main, because they didn't want to miss the coach's preseason talk.
That's a tradition Main says began during the era of Adolph Rupp, a Kentucky icon who coached from 1930 to 1972 and won 876 games and four NCAA titles.
"He's probably snowed under with things to do," Main says of Gillispie.
She's right. Gillispie says he has a lot of work to do. "We've got a long ways to go," he says. "A long ways to go."
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Between his ultra-short haircut that keeps every strand in place and his talk of team building and unity, Billy Gillispie almost comes off like a military man. The Kentucky men's basketball coach, in his first season with the Wildcats, is all about effort.
"We're going to work hard, absolutely," Gillispie says with a Texas drawl. "You can't attain the success we've had — going to places that weren't winning and start winning immediately — without working hard. What do you want to do? Have a country club? Is that what you're supposed to do? If you're not going to have high demands, you're going to get what you ask for."
A relentless work ethic brought Gillispie here to one of the most storied programs in college basketball to replace Tubby Smith last spring. Smith departed for Minnesota amid mounting discontent from restless fans. He led Kentucky to an NCAA title in his first season, in 1998, but the Wildcats have been in a Final Four drought since.
With go-getting flair and competitiveness, Gillispie is shaking up the culture of Kentucky basketball. Growing pains are part of the process, Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart says.
"There have been bumps," he says. "There may be more."
By its standards, Kentucky (4-3) is struggling, evident in the Wildcats' 70-51 loss at Indiana on Saturday and the 84-68 upset loss at home Nov. 7 to lightly regarded Gardner-Webb in perhaps the biggest stunner of the season. Injuries are a factor, most notably to sophomore guards Jodie Meeks (recovering from a stress fracture in his pelvis) and Derrick Jasper (microfracture knee surgery in June).
In addition, talented freshman guard Alex Legion, from the Detroit area, quit last week to seek a transfer. He later asked Gillispie to reinstate him, but team spokesman Scott Stricklin said Tuesday that Legion has been released from his scholarship. Legion, a top-50 recruit according to Rivals.com, averaged 6.7 points and 17.5 minutes.
It can take time to warm up to Gillispie, who paid his dues coming up through humble ranks coaching at the high school and junior college levels. That could be why, whether he's working with a McDonald's All-American or an unknown walk-on, he doesn't compromise his coaching principles. The 48-year-old native of small-town Graford, Texas (an hour northwest of Fort Worth), has been a head coach for only five years, but his standards are set in stone.
"He'll never question what he does," says Florida International coach Sergio Rouco, a friend and assistant to Gillispie at Texas-El Paso. "He's not going to change."
When he's not coaching, Gillispie is consumed by recruiting, another area in which he excels. "Our fans enjoy that as much as the game itself," Barnhart says.
Fans were elated that shortly after coming to Kentucky, Gillispie secured the arrival of Patrick Patterson, who has the makings of an All-American. The 6-8 forward from Huntington, W.Va., is second on the team in scoring with a 16.1-point average and first in rebounding (8.3).
Last month his diligence paid off when Gillispie signed two top-35 recruits for 2008: 6-6 forward Darius Miller of Maysville (Ky.), an hour northeast of campus, and 6-6 guard DeAndre Liggins of Chicago.
Yet not every blue-chip prospect can handle playing for Gillispie, Rouco says.
"You better be a grinder to play for him, a blue-collar guy," Rouco says. "He's not Disney World. He's Possum Kingdom Lake." The latter is the best Graford has to offer, beautiful in its own right but far from glitzy and glamorous.
Gillispie is known as a workaholic and demands similar dedication from others. "He's a bear to work with," Rouco says. "He wants you to keep pace with him."
Details, details
His players — two seniors, one junior, the rest freshmen and sophomores — are adjusting to tough practices, even on game days. "I wouldn't say it's a bad thing, but it's something we needed to get used to," says senior point guard Ramel Bradley, who is averaging 12.7 points and 3.1 assists.
They are learning that every detail related to the game counts, that lapses in judgment won't go unpunished. Bradley had started 39 games in a row until Dec. 1, when Gillispie brought him off the bench in an 86-77 loss to North Carolina, then ranked No. 2 and now No. 1. Without elaborating, Bradley said he had been selfish during practice earlier in the week.
During a 62-52 win against Stony Brook on Nov. 27, Gillispie benched 6-8 freshman forward A.J. Stewart and had him face reporters to explain why he didn't play. Stewart said he had fallen asleep during a team meeting. Asked about it later, Gillispie said only, "You don't need to humiliate him anymore." He had done so sufficiently by making the player accountable publicly.
Accounts from players, past and present, offer two sides to Gillispie: the relaxed guy who has players come by the office every day for small talk, and a side full of intensity — a bull in a china shop.
"I prefer him off the court," Patterson says. "On the court he's really strict. He's the type of guy that wants to get it done the right way more so than get it done the wrong way and win."
Patterson is still trying to figure out "the right way" by Gillispie's definition. "I don't know," he says. "I'm so curious about that."
Can always be better
In an 83-35 rout of Texas Southern on Nov. 24, Kentucky gave up only five second-half baskets. Gillispie noted four could have been prevented with better defense.
He's looking for perfection, no doubt a reason he sleeps only two to three hours a night. But is it realistic to try to win 76-0? Gillispie says every effort should be made.
"Who said it's impossible?" he asks. "Just because you win by 48 points — giving up a basket when you didn't perform well, it's supposed to be OK? Then you lose next week by one point. You gave up the same basket. The scoreboard doesn't indicate whether you're successful or not."
These are the principles that elevated Gillispie from coaching high school to junior college to becoming a Division I assistant at Baylor, Tulsa and Illinois. He got his first head coaching job in 2002 at Texas-El Paso, where he followed a forgettable 6-24 rookie season with a 24-8 record and an NCAA tournament berth. That launched his rise that took him to Texas A&M, where in three seasons he built a Sweet 16 team.
Making sacrifices
Gillispie has been handsomely rewarded for his efforts. About five years ago, as an assistant to then-Illinois coach Bill Self, Gillispie was making $98,880 annually. As Kentucky's coach, he'll earn $2.3 million.
"If someone deserves the money he's making, it's Billy," Rouco says. "He's busted his tail. He sacrificed having a family."
Gillispie is uncomfortable talking about his personal life, including a divorce several years ago. He is single with no children.
"Every coach sacrifices a tremendous amount," he says. "Every player sacrifices a lot. That's what team building is all about, sacrifice for the benefit of others. That's what makes you successful" in coaching.
For many fans, everything about Kentucky basketball is personal. Retired teachers Joe and Linda Heagen of Middletown, Ohio, 30 miles north of Cincinnati, camp out in tents for four days before the ticket release of season-opening Midnight Madness practice to be up close and personal with players and coaches who stop by.
"You get to know them," Linda says.
When Gillispie bought a 12,000-square-foot house with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms for $1.45 million in August, as reported in the Lexington Herald- Leader, it was news. "Whatever," Gillispie says. "It's not like people aren't going to know where the coach lives in a town the size of Lexington," which, according to the U.S. Census Bureau estimate in 2005, had a population of almost 270,000.
Like his players, he also must adjust to the demands on a high-profile coach.
In October, his assistant for scheduling declined the local Rotary Club's invitations to address 380 members. The group includes several business leaders who had been phoning and e-mailing the executive director, Nell Main, because they didn't want to miss the coach's preseason talk.
That's a tradition Main says began during the era of Adolph Rupp, a Kentucky icon who coached from 1930 to 1972 and won 876 games and four NCAA titles.
"He's probably snowed under with things to do," Main says of Gillispie.
She's right. Gillispie says he has a lot of work to do. "We've got a long ways to go," he says. "A long ways to go."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Passion Wins & Make Something Happen
Be a sponge! In order to be successful, you have to be willing to learn from other people who have been successful. Most successful coaches will tell you that they created nothing, everything they know was taught, learned or taken from somebody else. To do this, I believe that you have to be willing to become a "sponge" and soak the information in. This goes for everything you do in life...no matter if you are an accountant, teacher, athlete, parent or coach. As coaches, we strive for our players to become students of the game, but we too must continue to be students of the game. I love to read articles from other people who have been successful, not just basketball coaches. You learn so much when you get the perspective of other professionals. Basketball coaches do not need to be your only resource for learning. Take Lance Armstrong for example, we can learn so much from him about his desire to be successful and his views on life in general.
Below is an article from a very successful Lacrosse coach, Diane Geppi-Aikens. A former coach at Loyola (MD) University, who unfortunately became a victim of cancer in her 30's, but her passion, courage and desire to teach were not effected by her cancer as she continued to coach, teach and inspire others. Coach Geppi-Aikens led her Loyola Lacrosse team to the NCAA Finals just before passing away at the age of 40. "Every morning after breakfast, I would see Diane pulling into the parking lot in her car. I'd see her and my day would get off to a great start. ... She made me want to bring more energy, more focus, more vision to my job," Loyola President Rev. Harold Ridley said. As a coach or a teacher, one of the greatest compliments you can receive is someone telling you that you were an inspiration to them. I don't know much about Coach Geppi-Aikens as I have just started learning more about her, but I do know that she was an inspiration to all that were surrounded by her. A book has been released on her, where her former players reflect by telling inspirational stories that teach about passion, making time, adversity, honesty, love and respect. The book is called Lucky Every Day, 20 Unforgettable Lessons From a Coach Who Made a Difference and is written by Chip Silverman who is a former lacrosse player and coach.
Also below, is a great quote from Astronaut, James A. Lowell, who talks about being successful. It is important that we teach our kids to learn and become sponges, but those that we learn from do not have to necessarily be professional athletes.
PASSION WINS!
"Passion is everything."
-- David Copperfield, magician
-- David Copperfield, magician
Diane Geppi-Aikens was an incredibly passionate coach. As women’s lacrosse coach at Loyola (MD), she preached passion and she won.
She didn’t let anything get in the way of her passion for coaching lacrosse.
She was diagnosed with brain cancer in her early 30s. She coached her last eight years despite the cancer.
Sometimes from a wheel chair.
Always in pain.
And she won.
She died at the age of 40.
In the book Lucky Every Day: The Wisdom of Diane Geppii-Aikens, author Chip Silverman wrote . . .
She made us close our eyes and hear the singers she was passionate about: Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin.
“Listen to the joy in their voices,” urged Diane.
“It’s not the words or the music. They sing with such great passion, such heart and soul. You can feel how the singers love what they’re doing. It’s not just a job to them. If you want to excel at anything, you must be passionate. Otherwise, why waste your time?”
Passion wins.
She didn’t let anything get in the way of her passion for coaching lacrosse.
She was diagnosed with brain cancer in her early 30s. She coached her last eight years despite the cancer.
Sometimes from a wheel chair.
Always in pain.
And she won.
She died at the age of 40.
In the book Lucky Every Day: The Wisdom of Diane Geppii-Aikens, author Chip Silverman wrote . . .
She made us close our eyes and hear the singers she was passionate about: Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin.
“Listen to the joy in their voices,” urged Diane.
“It’s not the words or the music. They sing with such great passion, such heart and soul. You can feel how the singers love what they’re doing. It’s not just a job to them. If you want to excel at anything, you must be passionate. Otherwise, why waste your time?”
Passion wins.
ADVICE FROM AN ASTRONAUT:
Here is a great quote from Astronaut, James A. Lowell:
"There are people who make things happen.
There are people who watch things happen.
And there are people who wonder, “What happened?”
To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen."
There are people who watch things happen.
And there are people who wonder, “What happened?”
To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen."
Monday, August 27, 2007
"Be A Champion"
This weekend I was watching a college football preview show and they were doing a special segment on the University of Florida's football team and their strength and conditioning program. Watching the special segment, I happened to hear a comment made by one of the football players to another player during their workout. It was at a time where the player was visually fatigued towards the end of a specific workout and the other player motivated him by saying "be a champion". This short little modo or quote really caught my attention because as I started thinking more and more about the short little clip, I began to realize why the University of Florida has recently been so successful...they think and prepare like champions. After seeing this short clip on ESPN and then reading an article featuring Urban Meyer and Billy Donovan, Florida's head football and basketball coaches, detailing thier friendship and strong relationship, I believe Florida will continue to be college sports'...true champions!
Below are a few experpts from an article by Donald Trump, "Focus on the Top and You'll Get There". The article explains the same information on how to become a "champion" and what it takes to become a 'champion'.
"Some champions are born and some champions are made. A champion may be someone who shows marked superiority, who places first in a competition. A champion can also be someone who comes out on top, overcoming obstacles and beating the odds. Endurance, self-sacrafice and determination are the qualities of a true champion."
"Champions want to achieve something special. Ordinary wouldn't be enough for someone who has the mindset of a champion. Champions think big. Champions work toward big goals. Champions are focused. Champions are disciplined. Champions think like champions." As Jack Dempsey once was quoted, "A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."
You can learn alot from watching professionals, whether it is in sports, the arts, or whatever. One thing they all have in common is the same mindset- they WANT to win, they WANT to be the best, not the runner-up: the best! That's a very rare and important quality. I have seen very talented people fail because deep down inside they were afraid of winning. "Winning comes with responsibility." Champions rise to take on that responsibility. Are you ready to take on that responsibility?
Not everyone can be a champion, but you can strive to be the best you can be. Striving to be the best is the first step in becoming a champion. "Champions go the extra mile. We all know when we've done just enought to get by and when we have really exerted ourselves. Make an effort to exert yourself-every day. Don't fail because you never allowed yourself to get started!"
Any champion will tell you that preparation is the key to success. "The difference between someone who is successful and someone who isn't is not about talent; it's about preparation." A perfect example of this would be the Windber boy's basketball team in 1999, who advanced to the PIAA State semi-finals. Being faced with an extremely talented, athletic George Jr. Republic team, with several division I college basketball prospects, nobody was giving the Ramblers a chance against what many were calling the best team in the state! Who would...the Ramblers were out-sized, out-talented, they were slower and weaker than George Jr. But the Ramblers were not out-prepared or out-disciplined or out-worked. The Ramblers had more heart. The Ramblers believed in themselves and their coaches and overcame the odds to not only beat George Jr., but completely shocked the entire state of Pennsylvania by winning by more than 20 points. The Ramblers were able to win because of their preparation and belief in themselves and their coaches...they had mindsets of true champions! They prepared themselves, expecting to win. This attitude enabled them to achieve victory. They were not afraid to miss a shot or loose the ball or have their shot blocked...they were not afraid of failing because failing never crossed their minds.
What do team sports do for you in the 'game of life'? Those who were involved in athletics are taught how to handle pressure, control doubt, and come through in difficult times. "Some people are born with the confidence to win, but most people acquire that self-confidence through a powerful combination of ambition and discipline." These attributes can be achieved through participating in athletics. "The imagination to dream big combined with the focus and self-discipline needed to realize the dream is the mark of a true champion."
Champions also know how to handle losing better than the average competitor. When they lose they do not become distracted or demoralized. Instead, they turn failure into an opportunity to learn from it. A perfect example is the USA senior olympic team, coached by Mike Krzryewski of Duke. A team assembled last spring, made up of NBA superstars, failed to win the tournament last summer that would have guaranteed them a spot in the 2008 Olympics. This failure opened up a wave of criticism and questioned whether the rest of the world was passing the US by in basketball. However, instead of buying in to the critism and questioning, the USA team re-assembled this summer to prepare themselves for the preliminary tournament, that would give them another chance to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. The USA team did not become distracted and remained focused toward winning the tournament. They are more prepared and committed toward achieving success. A loss does not define the team or an athlete. Instead, it teaches them what they need to do next time.
So ho do you become a winner? As stated earlier, you have to be willing to put forth the time and sacrafice. You have to have the willingness to prepare. You have to have a goal and the ambition and discipline to keep you on path towards achieving that goal. You cannot be afraid of failure and willing to learn from previous failures. You also have to be willing to learn from those who have been winners themselves by studying their habits and routines. You must believe within yourself and your teammates and coaches. You must believe that you deserve to win. "To be a champion, you have to think like a champion!"
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Coaches Corner: An Overview of the Point Guard
I have posted an article that was found in the New York Times about the point guard position. The article talks about how the game of basketball has changed to having a bigger emphasis on the scoring guard and post player. But what some people tend to forget is how important the point guard is to having a successful season. I tend to be biased when it comes to talking about the importance of the point guard position becuase I grew up playing the point guard position. Therefore, I feel strongly about the importance of having a good leader on the floor to run the offense, distribute the basketball and be an extension of the coach.
As we continue to discuss leadership and the attributes to becoming a good leader, the point guard position falls right in line with those attributes. You want your point guard, no matter what grade level, to have those same attributes. In order for your team to buy in to your system and philosophies, you must first get the buy in of your point guard. It is then up to the point guard to have the enthusiasm and discipline to get the buy in from the other players. No matter how the game has changed, one thing still remains..."all great teams, have a great point guard." If you look at the teams that have been successful in college basketball, they all have one thing in common...a solid floor leader at the point guard spot. For example, North Carolina's Ty Lawson; Texas A&M's Acie Law; Ohio State's Michael Conley Jr.; and Texas' DJ Augustine. To see the video that went along with the article, click on the link under the videos section to the right.
Lately, Guards Are Just Unable to Get the Point
By THAYER EVANS and PETE THAMEL
Published: March 22, 2007
SAN ANTONIO, March 21 — Great guard play wins games in March, or so the cliché goes. Teams like Texas A&M, Nevada-Las Vegas, Ohio State and North Carolina have reached the Round of 16 at the N.C.A.A. tournament on the backs of their stellar point guards.
Players like Acie Law IV, Kevin Kruger, Mike Conley Jr. and Ty Lawson have led their teams by looking to set up teammates for scoring opportunities, rather than by scoring themselves. Those players, however, have become more the exception than the rule in recent years.
Coaches, N.B.A. scouts and talent evaluators say there are a variety of reasons why the pass-first point guard seems to have gone missing. But the primary reason they point to is that a generation of players weaned on Allen Iverson crossovers does not value passing as an art.
“No one wants to set the table anymore,” Mount St. Mary’s Coach Milan Brown said in a telephone interview. “Everyone wants to eat.”
Before the N.B.A. established an age limit last year, high school stars — especially the taller ones — were flying to the pros, leaving the college game virtually void of talented big men. The impact of the draft rule has been obvious during this N.C.A.A. tournament, which has showcased players 6-foot-9 and above, like Ohio State’s Greg Oden, Texas’ Kevin Durant and North Carolina’s Brandan Wright.
But the less publicized and perhaps even more meaningful trend in the college game has been the absence of pass-first leaders at the point-guard position the past few years.
Traditional point guards like Bobby Hurley, Kenny Anderson and Mateen Cleaves, who dominated past N.C.A.A. tournaments, have become as rare in college basketball as thigh-hugging shorts. Since 2000, the number of players averaging more than seven assists a game has decreased from 11 to 2.
“They’re hard to come by,” Texas Coach Rick Barnes said of point guards in a telephone interview. “It’s a talent now.”
There are differing opinions among college coaches and N.B.A. personnel as to why there is a dearth of true point guards.
Barnes said the shortage had been caused by an increased emphasis on scoring. In an era of highlight dunks and a college 3-point line that has been called too close to the basket, the craft of running a team and distributing the ball is not viewed as being glamorous, he said.
Barnes has been lucky to be blessed with point guards while at Texas. He coached T. J. Ford, one of only three point guards in the past decade to win the Naismith Award, which is given annually to college basketball’s top player.
Since then, Barnes has sent point guard Daniel Gibson to the N.B.A. and has another potential N.B.A. point guard in the freshman D. J. Augustin. He averaged 14.4 points this season and led all freshmen with 6.7 assists a game.
True point guards, Barnes said, have common characteristics.
“They see things a little bit differently,” he said. “The ones that I’ve been around have been very, very unselfish.”
The Utah Jazz scout Troy Weaver, a former Syracuse University assistant, said the definition of a point guard for younger players had been clouded by those who looked to score first.
“I think Allen Iverson messed up the game,” Weaver said in a telephone interview. “All these little guys dribble around instead of passing the ball.”
Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl said that many talented high school players avoided playing point guard to bolster their exposure to college coaches. Many guards, he said, believe the only way they can get noticed is by scoring points.
“There’s a lot of shooting guards out there that could be great point guards,” Pearl said in a telephone interview.
In high school, Conley said, there was a negative perception of being a point guard. He is averaging 10.6 points and 6.2 assists for the Buckeyes. “If you’re not a scoring point guard, people don’t think of you as highly,” Conley said. “They don’t think of you as the type that’s going to make an impact in college because you’re not trying to score 20 points a game. You’re more trying to get 10 assists.”
But Pearl said he believed that more young players would want to be point guards in the future. He compared the situation to an increased number of football players seeking to become cornerbacks instead of wide receivers.
“For years, everybody wanted to be wide receivers,” Pearl said. “Now, the guys that get paid the most are the cover corners. At some point, these shooting guards are going to figure out there’s a lot of guys that can score with the ball, but their best chance may be as a point guard.”
The N.B.A. draft last year showed signs of the lack of floor leaders; only one point guard, Villanova’s Randy Foye, was selected among the first 20 picks.
Law is projected to be the only point guard in the first 20 picks of this year’s draft. N.B.A. scouts say the Marist senior point guard Jared Jordan is the best passer in this year’s point-guard class.
“There’s immense value in having a true point guard,” Marty Blake, the N.B.A.’s director of scouting, said in a telephone interview. “It’s as important as any other position but center. Point guards don’t get traded very often.”
As we continue to discuss leadership and the attributes to becoming a good leader, the point guard position falls right in line with those attributes. You want your point guard, no matter what grade level, to have those same attributes. In order for your team to buy in to your system and philosophies, you must first get the buy in of your point guard. It is then up to the point guard to have the enthusiasm and discipline to get the buy in from the other players. No matter how the game has changed, one thing still remains..."all great teams, have a great point guard." If you look at the teams that have been successful in college basketball, they all have one thing in common...a solid floor leader at the point guard spot. For example, North Carolina's Ty Lawson; Texas A&M's Acie Law; Ohio State's Michael Conley Jr.; and Texas' DJ Augustine. To see the video that went along with the article, click on the link under the videos section to the right.
Lately, Guards Are Just Unable to Get the Point
By THAYER EVANS and PETE THAMEL
Published: March 22, 2007
SAN ANTONIO, March 21 — Great guard play wins games in March, or so the cliché goes. Teams like Texas A&M, Nevada-Las Vegas, Ohio State and North Carolina have reached the Round of 16 at the N.C.A.A. tournament on the backs of their stellar point guards.
Players like Acie Law IV, Kevin Kruger, Mike Conley Jr. and Ty Lawson have led their teams by looking to set up teammates for scoring opportunities, rather than by scoring themselves. Those players, however, have become more the exception than the rule in recent years.
Coaches, N.B.A. scouts and talent evaluators say there are a variety of reasons why the pass-first point guard seems to have gone missing. But the primary reason they point to is that a generation of players weaned on Allen Iverson crossovers does not value passing as an art.
“No one wants to set the table anymore,” Mount St. Mary’s Coach Milan Brown said in a telephone interview. “Everyone wants to eat.”
Before the N.B.A. established an age limit last year, high school stars — especially the taller ones — were flying to the pros, leaving the college game virtually void of talented big men. The impact of the draft rule has been obvious during this N.C.A.A. tournament, which has showcased players 6-foot-9 and above, like Ohio State’s Greg Oden, Texas’ Kevin Durant and North Carolina’s Brandan Wright.
But the less publicized and perhaps even more meaningful trend in the college game has been the absence of pass-first leaders at the point-guard position the past few years.
Traditional point guards like Bobby Hurley, Kenny Anderson and Mateen Cleaves, who dominated past N.C.A.A. tournaments, have become as rare in college basketball as thigh-hugging shorts. Since 2000, the number of players averaging more than seven assists a game has decreased from 11 to 2.
“They’re hard to come by,” Texas Coach Rick Barnes said of point guards in a telephone interview. “It’s a talent now.”
There are differing opinions among college coaches and N.B.A. personnel as to why there is a dearth of true point guards.
Barnes said the shortage had been caused by an increased emphasis on scoring. In an era of highlight dunks and a college 3-point line that has been called too close to the basket, the craft of running a team and distributing the ball is not viewed as being glamorous, he said.
Barnes has been lucky to be blessed with point guards while at Texas. He coached T. J. Ford, one of only three point guards in the past decade to win the Naismith Award, which is given annually to college basketball’s top player.
Since then, Barnes has sent point guard Daniel Gibson to the N.B.A. and has another potential N.B.A. point guard in the freshman D. J. Augustin. He averaged 14.4 points this season and led all freshmen with 6.7 assists a game.
True point guards, Barnes said, have common characteristics.
“They see things a little bit differently,” he said. “The ones that I’ve been around have been very, very unselfish.”
The Utah Jazz scout Troy Weaver, a former Syracuse University assistant, said the definition of a point guard for younger players had been clouded by those who looked to score first.
“I think Allen Iverson messed up the game,” Weaver said in a telephone interview. “All these little guys dribble around instead of passing the ball.”
Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl said that many talented high school players avoided playing point guard to bolster their exposure to college coaches. Many guards, he said, believe the only way they can get noticed is by scoring points.
“There’s a lot of shooting guards out there that could be great point guards,” Pearl said in a telephone interview.
In high school, Conley said, there was a negative perception of being a point guard. He is averaging 10.6 points and 6.2 assists for the Buckeyes. “If you’re not a scoring point guard, people don’t think of you as highly,” Conley said. “They don’t think of you as the type that’s going to make an impact in college because you’re not trying to score 20 points a game. You’re more trying to get 10 assists.”
But Pearl said he believed that more young players would want to be point guards in the future. He compared the situation to an increased number of football players seeking to become cornerbacks instead of wide receivers.
“For years, everybody wanted to be wide receivers,” Pearl said. “Now, the guys that get paid the most are the cover corners. At some point, these shooting guards are going to figure out there’s a lot of guys that can score with the ball, but their best chance may be as a point guard.”
The N.B.A. draft last year showed signs of the lack of floor leaders; only one point guard, Villanova’s Randy Foye, was selected among the first 20 picks.
Law is projected to be the only point guard in the first 20 picks of this year’s draft. N.B.A. scouts say the Marist senior point guard Jared Jordan is the best passer in this year’s point-guard class.
“There’s immense value in having a true point guard,” Marty Blake, the N.B.A.’s director of scouting, said in a telephone interview. “It’s as important as any other position but center. Point guards don’t get traded very often.”
Friday, August 10, 2007
Friday Leadership Lesson: Areas of Emphasis
SELF…Being a leader that others will want to follow. First, you must have the ability to lead yourself.
- Recognizing all the different types of leaders
- Having the confidence to bring out the leader in you with good decision making.
- Self-discipline, self-respect and respect for others
- Integrity...do what you say; say what you do!
- Time management- be on time for all events
- Recognizing all the different types of leaders
- Having the confidence to bring out the leader in you with good decision making.
- Self-discipline, self-respect and respect for others
- Integrity...do what you say; say what you do!
- Time management- be on time for all events
TEAM… Being a positive leader on your team.
- Being a good listener, communicator - How do you find your voice? - Respect leadership from others such as coaches and team captains
- Decision-making that can affect team chemistry - Establish good relationship with coaching staff - Team leaders must be the hardest workers on the team - Understand and promote the team philosophies and goals to others - Be positive and enthusiastic
SCHOOL/HALLWAYS…Setting an example of leadership on and off the field.
- Overcoming obstacles that may impede good leadership
- Become a mentor; Helping others deal with difficult situations
-Verbal leadership -Respect fellow classmates, teachers and administrators
COMMUNITY… Being a leader in your own community.
- good leadership = creating leaders around you
- Community Service- learning the value of giving back in life
- "Pay it forward" approach
Live. Lead. Pass it on!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Coaches Corner: 1 on 1 Player Development Drills
Known as one of the nations top individual skill developer, Kevin Eastman is the director of player development for the NBA's Boston Celtic's and was chosen to be the skills director of Nike's first skills academy offered to the nations most elite players. Below are a few drills demonstrated at a few Nike coaching clinics he has spoken at. All 3 drills focus on attacking the basket, 1 on 1 against a defender. These drills work on ballhandling, shooting and one on one offensive moves. The drills also help to work on the defensive side too, focusing on stop the dribble penetration before the offensive player gets to the paint area.
These drills are for guard workouts, but post players would also benefit from these drills since its always good to have them work on the same skills.
1 on 1 Attack Drill:
-Same action as the 1 on 1 attack drill, with the addition of a second offensive player on the opposite wing.
-Offensive player will attack the defender and must choose to either attack the basket and shoot or pass off to the wing player.
Baseline Touch 1 on 1 Drill:
-Both players simultaneously sprint from the foul line to touch the baseline.
-The offensive player must work to get open to recevie pass from the coach or passer.
-Once the offensie player receives the pass, they look to go 1 on 1 against the defender.
These drills are for guard workouts, but post players would also benefit from these drills since its always good to have them work on the same skills.
1 on 1 Attack Drill:
-Offensive player starts with the ball by speed dribbling from the baseline around the cone or chair.
-The defender sprints around the second cone or chair.
-The offensive player then looks to attack the basket against the defender 1 on 1.
-The defender attempts to stop the ballhandler before they get into the paint area.
-Same action as the 1 on 1 attack drill, with the addition of a second offensive player on the opposite wing.
-Offensive player will attack the defender and must choose to either attack the basket and shoot or pass off to the wing player.
Baseline Touch 1 on 1 Drill:
-Both players simultaneously sprint from the foul line to touch the baseline.
-The offensive player must work to get open to recevie pass from the coach or passer.
-Once the offensie player receives the pass, they look to go 1 on 1 against the defender.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Friday Lesson in Leadership: Vision
I am starting a Friday routine, that will post a topic relating to Leadership and Character Development. Leadership comes in many forms, however before you become a leader you must first learn to lead yourself. This can be done through self-respect, confidence, good decision making and a commitment to developing yourself, personally, academically and athletically.
Once you have learned to lead yourself, then you must gain the respect of others. You must respect others in order to be respected. Respect is gained by understanding leadership from listenting and communicating with coaches and team captains.
This first lesson on leadership talks about vision. It was taken from a article posted on another site. Vision is a great place to start understanding leadership because it is the foundation of leadership on all levels...business, athletics, polically, etc. In order to lead others, you must provide them with a vision.
Discovering Vision
"Where there is no vision, the people perish"
One of the desirable characteristics of diamonds is that they have the ability to refract light. That is, diamonds turn white light into the colors of a rainbow as seen in the sparkle of a diamond in the sun or under a bright light. That sparkle is eye-catching; it grabs people's attention as do visionary leaders. When we break up the light of our vision into a colorful rainbow, a preferred picture of the future that can be visualized and understoof by our followers, then we have begun the work of a leader- to cast vision. Never underestimate your diamond-like characteristic to bend your light and break it up into a colorful picture of what is in store for those who are following.
Once you have learned to lead yourself, then you must gain the respect of others. You must respect others in order to be respected. Respect is gained by understanding leadership from listenting and communicating with coaches and team captains.
This first lesson on leadership talks about vision. It was taken from a article posted on another site. Vision is a great place to start understanding leadership because it is the foundation of leadership on all levels...business, athletics, polically, etc. In order to lead others, you must provide them with a vision.
Discovering Vision
"Where there is no vision, the people perish"
The very essence of leadership is vision. The greatest motivational principle in the world is this: people do what people see. People don't follow a dream itself. They follow the leader who has that dream and the ability to communicate it effectively. A well articulated vision in the beginning of any process will make a leader, but for that vision to grow and demand a following, the leader must take responsibility for it.A vision is a direction—an attractive and attainable picture of the future. And it is important that every individual, group and organization have one that they can articulate. A vision isn't a statement on a laminated card that everyone is to carry. It is meant to solve real issues and move people to new behaviors. As a leader, if you don't know where you are going, you are irrelevant to you followers. With a vision you can inspire and lift individuals and groups to new heights—an important function of any leader.
It is not merely a dream but a realistic picture of what could be. It should be pragmatic. In addition, it should be something that you are sincerely passionate about. If you are not passionate about it, it will be difficult for you to get others to get on board and sustain it.
One of the desirable characteristics of diamonds is that they have the ability to refract light. That is, diamonds turn white light into the colors of a rainbow as seen in the sparkle of a diamond in the sun or under a bright light. That sparkle is eye-catching; it grabs people's attention as do visionary leaders. When we break up the light of our vision into a colorful rainbow, a preferred picture of the future that can be visualized and understoof by our followers, then we have begun the work of a leader- to cast vision. Never underestimate your diamond-like characteristic to bend your light and break it up into a colorful picture of what is in store for those who are following.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thought of the Day: July 31, 2007
"Well Begun is Half Done"
The following is an article written by former Memphis Assistant coach, Ed Schilling Jr. The artilce talks about an interesting phrase that he often uses regarding player development and fundamentals of basketball called "well begun is half done". This is a great phrase to reference to when talking about how important those "little things" are to a player's and team's fundamental improvement. The article was taken from Ed Schilling's Champions Academy website.
It’s that time of year, when summer “vacation” has come to an end. You’ve played in summer leagues, open gyms, gone to camps and AAU Tournaments as well. Summer offers a great opportunity for development. We are grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to train you and play a role in your development.
a teaching point called, “Well begun is half done.” The purpose of this teaching point is to help you understand that how you begin, most often, has a big effect on how you finish. For instance, if you start low and on balance you have a greater chance of being strong and explosive at the finish.
The same concept is true on your teams. Most great practices begin with high energy, sharp focus and team spirit. How about in games? Can you win a game after being down 20 at half time? Certainly! But, it’s a lot easier to win if you’re up 20 at half time and shooting free throws in the fourth quarter.
For most, the 2006-2007 school year has begun; the beginning of a new academic year is here. “Well begun is half done.” We want to encourage you to do every thing in your power to get off to the best start possible. Here are some tips to help:
1. Set academic goals:
a. Make them challenging, yet attainable.
b. Make short term, intermediate, and ultimate. (ie: “My first grade in this class will be…my mid-term grade will be…my final grade will be…”
c. Write your goals down in a visible place (like the front of your note book.)
d. Share your goals with someone like a parent, counselor or perhaps a teacher.
2. Be prepared for each class. Hand every thing in on time. Be neat and organized.
3. Get to know your teachers. Speak to them each day. Stay alert and maintain eye contact. Ask them at least three questions about their subject each day.
4. Study, study, study. Read, read, read. Write down questions as you study and read.
5. Dare to stand alone. Not all your friends will share your goals or your desire to achieve.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share in your development. Make the 2007-2008 year a great one, on the court and in the classroom. “Well begun is half done!”
The following is an article written by former Memphis Assistant coach, Ed Schilling Jr. The artilce talks about an interesting phrase that he often uses regarding player development and fundamentals of basketball called "well begun is half done". This is a great phrase to reference to when talking about how important those "little things" are to a player's and team's fundamental improvement. The article was taken from Ed Schilling's Champions Academy website.
It’s that time of year, when summer “vacation” has come to an end. You’ve played in summer leagues, open gyms, gone to camps and AAU Tournaments as well. Summer offers a great opportunity for development. We are grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to train you and play a role in your development.
a teaching point called, “Well begun is half done.” The purpose of this teaching point is to help you understand that how you begin, most often, has a big effect on how you finish. For instance, if you start low and on balance you have a greater chance of being strong and explosive at the finish.
The same concept is true on your teams. Most great practices begin with high energy, sharp focus and team spirit. How about in games? Can you win a game after being down 20 at half time? Certainly! But, it’s a lot easier to win if you’re up 20 at half time and shooting free throws in the fourth quarter.
For most, the 2006-2007 school year has begun; the beginning of a new academic year is here. “Well begun is half done.” We want to encourage you to do every thing in your power to get off to the best start possible. Here are some tips to help:
1. Set academic goals:
a. Make them challenging, yet attainable.
b. Make short term, intermediate, and ultimate. (ie: “My first grade in this class will be…my mid-term grade will be…my final grade will be…”
c. Write your goals down in a visible place (like the front of your note book.)
d. Share your goals with someone like a parent, counselor or perhaps a teacher.
2. Be prepared for each class. Hand every thing in on time. Be neat and organized.
3. Get to know your teachers. Speak to them each day. Stay alert and maintain eye contact. Ask them at least three questions about their subject each day.
4. Study, study, study. Read, read, read. Write down questions as you study and read.
5. Dare to stand alone. Not all your friends will share your goals or your desire to achieve.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share in your development. Make the 2007-2008 year a great one, on the court and in the classroom. “Well begun is half done!”
Monday, July 30, 2007
North Carolina Secondary Break
Below is a link to Roy Williams' secondary break offense that is so highly spoken about and used at the University of North Carolina. Please click on the link to view the information (must have Adobe software to view).
http://www.fiba.com/asp_includes/download.asp?file_id=547
http://www.fiba.com/asp_includes/download.asp?file_id=547
Thursday, July 26, 2007
URBAN MEYER ON MOTIVATION & TEAM BUILDING
Florida football coach Urban Meyer has quickly ascended up the coaching ranks after stops at Utah, Bowling Green, Notre Dame, Illinois State, Colorado State, and Ohio State.
Why has Coach Meyer been so successful? Perhaps because Meyer uses a variety of cutting edge ideas to help keep his team motivated, committed, and unified.
Here are some of the motivational methods that Meyer uses that you might be able to adapt to your team:
Leadership Committee
Because Coach Meyer ultimately wants his players to be accountable to each other and not just the coaching staff, he created the Leadership Committee. The Leadership Committee consists of six seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and two freshmen - and is voted on by the team.
The Leadership Committee is in charge of representing the team, establishing team policies, being a liaison with the coaching staff, and policing academic and social issues. The committee meets regularly throughout the year with Coach Meyer and the coaching staff.
Coach Meyer says, "We are looking for the Leadership Committee to enhance team chemistry, police the team from within and exemplify what it means to be leaders, both on and off the field."
Champion's Club
The Champion's Club is an incentive program designed to reward players who excel in the classroom, offseason conditioning, and in their personal lives.
Four times a year, the Champion's Club members are treated to a steak dinner served on fine china with linen tablecloths. The players who are not in the Champion's Club get paper plates and eat potato salad and hot dogs with soggy buns. They are also in charge of cleaning up.
Meyer says, "We are not fair in our program. We reward achievement."
Player Profiles
Because effective leadership is all about building solid relationships, Coach Meyer creates Player Profiles for each of his athletes. He wants his coaching staff to know as much about the players as possible including names of girlfriends, friends, parents, majors, grade point averages, projected graduation dates, and important phone numbers.
Associate head coach Doc Holliday says, "You get so tight with your players that they can't let you down. They don't want to let you down. They're going to play for you. That's why we do all we do."
Why has Coach Meyer been so successful? Perhaps because Meyer uses a variety of cutting edge ideas to help keep his team motivated, committed, and unified.
Here are some of the motivational methods that Meyer uses that you might be able to adapt to your team:
Leadership Committee
Because Coach Meyer ultimately wants his players to be accountable to each other and not just the coaching staff, he created the Leadership Committee. The Leadership Committee consists of six seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and two freshmen - and is voted on by the team.
The Leadership Committee is in charge of representing the team, establishing team policies, being a liaison with the coaching staff, and policing academic and social issues. The committee meets regularly throughout the year with Coach Meyer and the coaching staff.
Coach Meyer says, "We are looking for the Leadership Committee to enhance team chemistry, police the team from within and exemplify what it means to be leaders, both on and off the field."
Champion's Club
The Champion's Club is an incentive program designed to reward players who excel in the classroom, offseason conditioning, and in their personal lives.
Four times a year, the Champion's Club members are treated to a steak dinner served on fine china with linen tablecloths. The players who are not in the Champion's Club get paper plates and eat potato salad and hot dogs with soggy buns. They are also in charge of cleaning up.
Meyer says, "We are not fair in our program. We reward achievement."
Player Profiles
Because effective leadership is all about building solid relationships, Coach Meyer creates Player Profiles for each of his athletes. He wants his coaching staff to know as much about the players as possible including names of girlfriends, friends, parents, majors, grade point averages, projected graduation dates, and important phone numbers.
Associate head coach Doc Holliday says, "You get so tight with your players that they can't let you down. They don't want to let you down. They're going to play for you. That's why we do all we do."
Thought of the Day: Thursday, July 26, 2007
Little Eyes Upon You
Here's a great reminder that your attitudes and actions set an example for many. You are more than just a varsity basketball player in our program, you are a role model. You are all looked upon by siblings, younger students, teammates and other members of our community. Take pride in that you are looked upon by so many and conduct yourself accordingly. Your actions have an impact on the future of our program, school district and community.
Your thoughts become your words, and your words become your actions, and your actions become habits, and habits determine your character. Always remember that CHARACTER COUNTS!
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming
of the day he'll be like you.
You're the little fellow's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly,
holds all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way
when he's grown up just like you.
There's a wide-eyed little fellow
who believes you're always right;
and his eyes are always opened,
and he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting
to grow up to be just like you.
- Author Unknown
Here's a great reminder that your attitudes and actions set an example for many. You are more than just a varsity basketball player in our program, you are a role model. You are all looked upon by siblings, younger students, teammates and other members of our community. Take pride in that you are looked upon by so many and conduct yourself accordingly. Your actions have an impact on the future of our program, school district and community.
Your thoughts become your words, and your words become your actions, and your actions become habits, and habits determine your character. Always remember that CHARACTER COUNTS!
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming
of the day he'll be like you.
You're the little fellow's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly,
holds all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way
when he's grown up just like you.
There's a wide-eyed little fellow
who believes you're always right;
and his eyes are always opened,
and he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting
to grow up to be just like you.
- Author Unknown
Monday, July 23, 2007
Thought of the Day: Monday, July 23, 2007
Bruce Pearl on 'Pressing and Roles of Players':
"We'll press you from the minute you step off the bus! We are committed to full-court pressure. I don't need 13 guys that can shoot, I don't need 13 great ball-handlers or great rebounders or great defenders. But, put those pieces of the puzzle together and I think that's how you have a great team."
"GAME-LONG, season-long, our team is going to run a press. That's the identity of our team. Everyone knows that we run a press, and our whole program believes in the system. We've found, as have several other championship teams, that you can extend the floor defensively with full-court pressure and still get back in time to protect the basket.
Few things in this game can be controlled by a coach, but tempo is one of them."
WHY PRESS?:
-Exhausting Your Opponent
-Aggressive Play
-Disruption Of Offense
-Different Style
-Come-Back Ability
-Score In Bunches
-Creates Turnovers "In The Red Zone"
-Builds Chemistry
"We'll press you from the minute you step off the bus! We are committed to full-court pressure. I don't need 13 guys that can shoot, I don't need 13 great ball-handlers or great rebounders or great defenders. But, put those pieces of the puzzle together and I think that's how you have a great team."
"GAME-LONG, season-long, our team is going to run a press. That's the identity of our team. Everyone knows that we run a press, and our whole program believes in the system. We've found, as have several other championship teams, that you can extend the floor defensively with full-court pressure and still get back in time to protect the basket.
Few things in this game can be controlled by a coach, but tempo is one of them."
WHY PRESS?:
-Exhausting Your Opponent
-Aggressive Play
-Disruption Of Offense
-Different Style
-Come-Back Ability
-Score In Bunches
-Creates Turnovers "In The Red Zone"
-Builds Chemistry
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thought of the Day - Friday, July 20, 2007
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot...and missed! I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And, that is why I succeed! -Michael Jordan #23
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Enthusiasm
“Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do.”
Enthusiasm cannot be learned, coached or taught. You don’t get enthusiasm from reading about it in a book or by listening to people talk about it.
Enthusiasm comes from somewhere that is much deeper than the surface. It comes from your heart. It comes from having a passion and desire for something. That “something” can be a job, a profession, a person, an object, a goal or commitment, an objective. You can have enthusiasm for anything…education, sports, religion, or love. It’s having the passion and drive to achieve at a higher level of success, wanting something more and not settling for ordinary. Enthusiasm is the fuel that ignites people to achieve greatness.
Enthusiasm is shared through passion. A passion for what we are doing. A passion for each other, and a passion for success.
Enthusiasm is not just shared through actions. It can be shared through laughter or communication. It can be shared by leading. It can be shared through wanting to achieve a common goal.
Enthusiasm can be contagious, and when it is shared with others collectively, it builds toghetherness and unity.
Enthusiasm is having fun!
- Coach Manippo
“Enthusiasm releases the drive to carry you over obstacles and adds significance to all you do.”
Enthusiasm cannot be learned, coached or taught. You don’t get enthusiasm from reading about it in a book or by listening to people talk about it.
Enthusiasm comes from somewhere that is much deeper than the surface. It comes from your heart. It comes from having a passion and desire for something. That “something” can be a job, a profession, a person, an object, a goal or commitment, an objective. You can have enthusiasm for anything…education, sports, religion, or love. It’s having the passion and drive to achieve at a higher level of success, wanting something more and not settling for ordinary. Enthusiasm is the fuel that ignites people to achieve greatness.
Enthusiasm is shared through passion. A passion for what we are doing. A passion for each other, and a passion for success.
Enthusiasm is not just shared through actions. It can be shared through laughter or communication. It can be shared by leading. It can be shared through wanting to achieve a common goal.
Enthusiasm can be contagious, and when it is shared with others collectively, it builds toghetherness and unity.
Enthusiasm is having fun!
- Coach Manippo
The Comfort Zone - Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.
I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.
If you're in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!
I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.
I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.
If you're in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!
Tips for the Point Guard
A. Mental Attitude and Approach, Communication
Be a leader.
Be an intelligent player.
Be a communicator.
Be a floor coach; the team will follow your example
Be confident.
Be unselfish, bring out the best of your teammates.
Be a promoter; promote team spirit and unity.
Support and commit to the goals and philosophies of the team
“Play hard, Play smart and Play together.”
B. Defensive Attitude and Approach
Set the intensity level on defense.
Be aggressive - avoid fouling.
Commit to pressure on ball.
Commit to denying every pass - 1 pass away.
Keep the ball out of the middle of the floor.
C. Offensive Attitude and Approach
Set the tempo on offense- know when to break and when to pull it out.
Know every position on offense.
Court balance.
Be an offensive threat- always catch the ball in Triple-threat position.
Handle the ball with confidence- keep your head up.
Make the easy pass- don’t telegraph your passes.
Read the defense- see the mismatches or openings in the defense.
Outlet Pass - call for the ball quickly - yell "OUTLET" - above foul line extended.
Always get back on Defense to prevent fast breaks.
D. Making the Entry Pass
Pass to the low post from below the foul line extended. Above this line, creates a bad
passing angle.
Make quick, sharp passes. No floaters- Fake a pass and make another.
Bounce passes to the low-post.
H. Know the game situation
Know the game, score, clock.
Know how many time-outs your team has.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the game!
A. Mental Attitude and Approach, Communication
Be a leader.
Be an intelligent player.
Be a communicator.
Be a floor coach; the team will follow your example
Be confident.
Be unselfish, bring out the best of your teammates.
Be a promoter; promote team spirit and unity.
Support and commit to the goals and philosophies of the team
“Play hard, Play smart and Play together.”
B. Defensive Attitude and Approach
Set the intensity level on defense.
Be aggressive - avoid fouling.
Commit to pressure on ball.
Commit to denying every pass - 1 pass away.
Keep the ball out of the middle of the floor.
C. Offensive Attitude and Approach
Set the tempo on offense- know when to break and when to pull it out.
Know every position on offense.
Court balance.
Be an offensive threat- always catch the ball in Triple-threat position.
Handle the ball with confidence- keep your head up.
Make the easy pass- don’t telegraph your passes.
Read the defense- see the mismatches or openings in the defense.
Outlet Pass - call for the ball quickly - yell "OUTLET" - above foul line extended.
Always get back on Defense to prevent fast breaks.
D. Making the Entry Pass
Pass to the low post from below the foul line extended. Above this line, creates a bad
passing angle.
Make quick, sharp passes. No floaters- Fake a pass and make another.
Bounce passes to the low-post.
H. Know the game situation
Know the game, score, clock.
Know how many time-outs your team has.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the game!
Shooting Workout for Perimeter and Post Players
Shooting Program for Guards
Length of time: Apporx. 90 minutes
Form Shooting: use only one hand and focus on technique (elbow straight, release, follow-thru…); stand approx 2-3 ft. under the rim.
10 from each spot (right side, center, left side) = 30 total
“Mikan Drill”: Rotate side to side, while keeping the ball above your eyes = 40 total
Regular Mikan – 20 shots
Reverse Mikan – 20 shots
“Spin & Catch” Jumpers: spin, catch and shoot (no dribbles); approx. 10-15 ft. range
*** Be sure to square your shoulders and feet to the basket before shooting, this should be done by using a jump stop.
10 from each spot (short corners, left elbow, right elbow) = 40 total
Free Throws: 15 total
“One Bounce” Jumpers: spin & catch with one dribble; 5 shots from left and right wings; 10-15 ft. range = 30 total
Spin, catch & shot fake – body stays low, ball comes above the eyes
Spin, catch, Jab & Go
Spin, catch & rip thru
Free Throws: 15 total
“Around the World” Jumpers: shoot 5 shots from each of the 5 spots (left corner, left wing, top of key, right wing, right corner) = 25 total
Optional – shoot 3-pt. shot instead of mid-range jumpers
Free Throws: 10 total
“Around the World” Pull-up Jumpers: same as above, but with one dribble pull-up from each of the five spots = 25 total
“1 on 1 Dribble Moves”: execute each dribble move and finish with a jump stop and lay-up at the rim; execute each move from left and right wings = 30 total
“Hesitation” dribble – sell it with your shoulders
“In & Out” dribble –hand must stay on top of the ball
“Cross-over” dribble (between legs is optional) – ball must stay below your knees
Reverse lay-ups: drive baseline and shoot 5 from each side = 10 total
Free Throws: 10 total
Shooting Program for Post Players
Length of time: Apporx. 90 minutes
Form Shooting: use only one hand and focus on technique (elbow straight, release, follow-thru…); stand approx 2-3 ft. under the rim.
10 from each spot (right side, center, left side) = 30 total
“Mikan Drill”: Rotate side to side, while keeping the ball above your eyes = 40 total
Regular Mikan – 20 shots
Reverse Mikan – 20 shots
Free Throws: 15 total
Drop Step Moves: 5 shots with ea. move from left and right low blocks = 40 total
Out-side drop step with power dribble & shot fake
In-side drop step with power dribble & jump hook
Inside fake with outside drop step
Outside fake with inside jump hook
Free Throws: 15 total
“Catch & Face” Moves: 5 shots with ea. move from left and right short corners = 40 total
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), jumper
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), shot fake and drive (one dribble)
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), shot fake and reverse lay-up
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), jab and jumper
*** always use a jump stop when finishing at the rim
*** when finishing with a lay-up, you want to finish with the opposite hand. For example, if you drive from the right elbow, you should finish with the left hand. If you drive from the left elbow, you should finish with the right hand.
Free Throws: 10 total
“Flash Cut” Jumpers: 5 shots with ea. move from left and right elbows = 40 total
Spin, flash (from opposite low block), catch & face, jumper
Spin, flash (from opposite low block), catch & face, lay-up
*** always use a jump stop when finishing at the rim
*** when finishing with a lay-up, you want to finish with the opposite hand. For example, if you drive from the right elbow, you should finish with the left hand. If you drive from the left elbow, you should finish with the right hand.
“Mikan” Drill: 20 regular; 20 reversed = 40 total
Free Throws: 10 total
Length of time: Apporx. 90 minutes
Form Shooting: use only one hand and focus on technique (elbow straight, release, follow-thru…); stand approx 2-3 ft. under the rim.
10 from each spot (right side, center, left side) = 30 total
“Mikan Drill”: Rotate side to side, while keeping the ball above your eyes = 40 total
Regular Mikan – 20 shots
Reverse Mikan – 20 shots
“Spin & Catch” Jumpers: spin, catch and shoot (no dribbles); approx. 10-15 ft. range
*** Be sure to square your shoulders and feet to the basket before shooting, this should be done by using a jump stop.
10 from each spot (short corners, left elbow, right elbow) = 40 total
Free Throws: 15 total
“One Bounce” Jumpers: spin & catch with one dribble; 5 shots from left and right wings; 10-15 ft. range = 30 total
Spin, catch & shot fake – body stays low, ball comes above the eyes
Spin, catch, Jab & Go
Spin, catch & rip thru
Free Throws: 15 total
“Around the World” Jumpers: shoot 5 shots from each of the 5 spots (left corner, left wing, top of key, right wing, right corner) = 25 total
Optional – shoot 3-pt. shot instead of mid-range jumpers
Free Throws: 10 total
“Around the World” Pull-up Jumpers: same as above, but with one dribble pull-up from each of the five spots = 25 total
“1 on 1 Dribble Moves”: execute each dribble move and finish with a jump stop and lay-up at the rim; execute each move from left and right wings = 30 total
“Hesitation” dribble – sell it with your shoulders
“In & Out” dribble –hand must stay on top of the ball
“Cross-over” dribble (between legs is optional) – ball must stay below your knees
Reverse lay-ups: drive baseline and shoot 5 from each side = 10 total
Free Throws: 10 total
Shooting Program for Post Players
Length of time: Apporx. 90 minutes
Form Shooting: use only one hand and focus on technique (elbow straight, release, follow-thru…); stand approx 2-3 ft. under the rim.
10 from each spot (right side, center, left side) = 30 total
“Mikan Drill”: Rotate side to side, while keeping the ball above your eyes = 40 total
Regular Mikan – 20 shots
Reverse Mikan – 20 shots
Free Throws: 15 total
Drop Step Moves: 5 shots with ea. move from left and right low blocks = 40 total
Out-side drop step with power dribble & shot fake
In-side drop step with power dribble & jump hook
Inside fake with outside drop step
Outside fake with inside jump hook
Free Throws: 15 total
“Catch & Face” Moves: 5 shots with ea. move from left and right short corners = 40 total
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), jumper
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), shot fake and drive (one dribble)
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), shot fake and reverse lay-up
Spin, catch & face (reverse pivot), jab and jumper
*** always use a jump stop when finishing at the rim
*** when finishing with a lay-up, you want to finish with the opposite hand. For example, if you drive from the right elbow, you should finish with the left hand. If you drive from the left elbow, you should finish with the right hand.
Free Throws: 10 total
“Flash Cut” Jumpers: 5 shots with ea. move from left and right elbows = 40 total
Spin, flash (from opposite low block), catch & face, jumper
Spin, flash (from opposite low block), catch & face, lay-up
*** always use a jump stop when finishing at the rim
*** when finishing with a lay-up, you want to finish with the opposite hand. For example, if you drive from the right elbow, you should finish with the left hand. If you drive from the left elbow, you should finish with the right hand.
“Mikan” Drill: 20 regular; 20 reversed = 40 total
Free Throws: 10 total
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