10 Ideas for Players and Coaches on how to practice with little Gym Time

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches, For Parents, For Players | 0 comments

It is almost impossible to compete against other basketball teams with little time of preparation. However, this can happen. Sooner or later, you might have the chance to experience it. Let me try to show you some scenarios with little time to practice.

If you are a working student and, at the same time, you are also a member of the school’s basketball team, it is possible that you can have little time to practice, right? How about professional players? They travel from one place to another. Look at the NBA: Teams travel by bus or by plane just to play in the home court of their rivals. And then after that, they travel again, either back home or to any other place, to play another basketball game. There is more about travelling and stuffs like that.

Maximizing the Benefits of Time-Outs

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches | 0 comments

Fans and players alike occasionally misunderstand the importance of a time-out. It can make or break your game. A poorly timed time-out can derail a good drive, or it can provide that break you need to turn the tables around in your favour. The timing isn’t the only crucial element of the time-out, the actual use of the time is absolutely crucial. You get a small amount of time and you cannot afford to waste it period. It is up to the coach to set the tempo and purpose right off the bat and get done what needs to be done.

Things that are as simple as using the time-out to refresh your players by getting them a quick moment to grab a breath and a drink of water. While they are doing this, the coach could go over some plays, and relay some potential trends observed in the opposition. This could give the team just the right amount of edge and allow them to finish off the game for the win.

It can also be used to allow the coach a moment to bang heads with his players, a coach doesn’t always have to have every answer, and a player might have noticed something and would need to relay the information to the coach.

It is the responsibility of both player and coach to ensure that only the necessary information is relayed and that chatter is cut out entirely, there is plenty of time after the game to socialize with your friends. The time-out is serious, and needs to be treated as such. The pace will be set depending on the condition of the game, if your team is winning; the time out might be either an attempt to “ice” the other team’s defence, or to give your team a quick breather.

“Icing” a defence is a common use of a time-out. The time-out is taken to break-up a defence’s hot streak and cause it to sit around for a short time and cool down. This can work both positively and negatively. It has grown in popularity over the years and recently has become a widely used tactic.

Players need to go into the huddle with a singular mindset. The team as a whole needs to go into the time-out as a whole, and come out showing a united front. While this has been said before, and will be said again, it cannot be said enough. Teamwork is absolutely crucial, on and off the court. If player’s went into a time-out all thinking for themselves and speaking their own takes on every single aspect of the game, then your time-out would be spent arguing, and completely wasted.

If the coach highlights the positives of the game so far, a few improvements, and discusses a quick game plan that maximizes the team’s winning potential, then you are set. Players should just simply take the time to listen, and get a quick breather in!

Photo credit: Dave Shearn

Recreational Activities for Post Game

Posted by Eitel in For Coaches, For Parents | 0 comments

Post game is a good chance for all coaches to build their team’s togetherness and harness on a hard played game to further cement their team mentality. Win or a loss, you will find that players will often go out for a drink, go hang out, or do something together that is fun. The key thing here is fun; the team just physically and mentally exerted themselves, and regardless of the end game result, are looking simply to unwind with some friends. This is a chance for the coach to set up some activities that aren’t based off the game result, but simply meant to cement the team image and structure.

Some Simple Ideas

1. You could have your entire team just go out for a nice dinner somewhere and just unwind. Good food and good friends always put anyone at ease and allow them to just unwind and refuel their batteries. No matter the result of the game, the players are people, and people need entertainment and food. Fulfilling these needs together kills two birds with one stone.
2. Going to watch a professional league sports game together is another fun way to build the team. Many professional teams offer discounts, and often are even willing to put on little tours and small meet the player sessions that can mean a lot to your player. You going a little out of your way for your player’s happiness can go a long way the next time they step onto the court for you.
3. Heading out to the movies or arranging a movie night at your own house can also just melt away the game day stress. Everyone watches movies, and even if they aren’t interested in a particular movie, they likely will be interested in the companionship. They will get to know other people on the team that they otherwise may not be familiar with and it may break some ice that otherwise would remain solid.

   Sometimes these simple gestures post game can go a long way in ensuring that your team gets along and gets to know one another. Sometimes people need a gentle nudge in the right direction, and sometimes people just need to be pointed the right way. In the end people simply need to remember that basketball players are just people, and that they will feel good or bad, win or lose, without fans needing to tell them which to do or feel. Coaches are not only around to help their players grow as players, but to help them grow as people. That includes team recreation, and team building exercises. Not everything can be done on the court, and when you put together the full package that includes on and off court activities, you will find that your team will not only perform better, and feel like a cohesive unit, but they will just feel better, and without the distractions and the stress, they will be able to concentrate more on the game!

Photo credit: ricardodiaz