Stephen Theodore retweeted
Counting fall and spring AAU, I’m about to start my 34th season coaching youth basketball.
Here are a few principles that guide me: substack.com/@jamiegallaghe…
Thanks to @BBallImmersion, @brianmccormick, @SAVIcoaching, and @HardwoodJungle for the thought-provoking ideas.
Here are a few principles that guide me: substack.com/@jamiegallaghe…
Thanks to @BBallImmersion, @brianmccormick, @SAVIcoaching, and @HardwoodJungle for the thought-provoking ideas.
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
#1 Most Liked Teaching Video of October
The science is clear: play more basketball.
Ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach aren’t asking for fancier drills. They point to one thing: practice should look like the game.
A 2v0 passing drill, a three-man weave, or with no defense is not playing basketball. Playing basketball means offense against defense and making decisions under pressure.
Those drills remove the problem. No defender to read. No choice to make. No uncertainty. The game is none of that.
The research wants more of the game: players solving problems against a defense, making mistakes, and adapting.
Messier is fine. Controlled lines aren’t basketball.
If they’re deciding against a defender, they’re playing. If they’re rehearsing movements with nobody guarding them, they aren’t.
Play more basketball. Your players will get better.
There is no where better to learn more about this, and how to apply it to your coaching, than in our community. DM to jump start your learning.
The science is clear: play more basketball.
Ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach aren’t asking for fancier drills. They point to one thing: practice should look like the game.
A 2v0 passing drill, a three-man weave, or with no defense is not playing basketball. Playing basketball means offense against defense and making decisions under pressure.
Those drills remove the problem. No defender to read. No choice to make. No uncertainty. The game is none of that.
The research wants more of the game: players solving problems against a defense, making mistakes, and adapting.
Messier is fine. Controlled lines aren’t basketball.
If they’re deciding against a defender, they’re playing. If they’re rehearsing movements with nobody guarding them, they aren’t.
Play more basketball. Your players will get better.
There is no where better to learn more about this, and how to apply it to your coaching, than in our community. DM to jump start your learning.
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I look forward to this letter every week during basketball season.
@jamiepgallagher thank you!
jamiegallagher.substack.com/p/54-practical…
@jamiepgallagher thank you!
jamiegallagher.substack.com/p/54-practical…
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Coaches are learners too.
If we expect players to explore problems without always knowing the answer, we should be willing to experience some of that uncertainty ourselves when developing our coaching.
If we expect players to explore problems without always knowing the answer, we should be willing to experience some of that uncertainty ourselves when developing our coaching.
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
If you're a coach, read this now
Joe Mazzulla has been practicing what he preaches at the Boston Celtics…
He’s been handing over coaching responsibilities. Giving his assistants opportunities to lead. Giving veteran guard Mike Conley responsibility for managing substitutions. Allowing people to experience and responsibility from a different perspective.
I love this.
Because coaches often talk about wanting more leadership from their players.
Ownership.
Accountability.
Independence.
But here’s my question…
What opportunities are you actually giving your players to develop these qualities?
Leadership doesn’t magically appear because a coach demands it. Leadership needs to be developed. Through experiences. Through conversations. Through decision-making. Through responsibility. And, importantly, through mistakes.
Think about it…
When a coach makes every decision, provides every answer, and solves every problem, what are the players learning?
Perhaps they’re learning to become dependent. Perhaps they’re learning to wait for instructions. Perhaps they’re learning that leadership belongs to somebody else.
Now contrast that with a coach who deliberately creates opportunities for players to think, communicate, collaborate, and make decisions. A coach who asks questions rather than immediately providing answers. A coach who gives players responsibility and then helps them reflect. That’s a coach developing independent competitors.
And independence matters enormously in sport. Because when the whistle blows, players must perceive, decide and act. They must respond to changing circumstances. They must communicate and coordinate. They must take control and take charge.
So here’s a challenge for coaches…
Don’t simply demand leadership. Design opportunities for leadership. Evrty day of every week, and in every training session.
Because the best leaders don’t just lead…the best leaders create more leaders.
***********************************
There’s a great source here on the work of Coach Mazzulla: buff.ly/Tt9oCJ7
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
I didn't expect a paper about chess to get me thinking so much about coaching.
It didn't necessarily change how I coach, but it gave me another lens and some language to better describe what good coaching looks like.
One idea in particular really stuck with me 👇
It didn't necessarily change how I coach, but it gave me another lens and some language to better describe what good coaching looks like.
One idea in particular really stuck with me 👇
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Newton South Girls Basketball is looking for a JV Girls Head Coach. Please DM me if you’re interested.
@BayStateJags @MAHuskies @B2LAAU
@BayStateJags @MAHuskies @B2LAAU
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
The best player development is not teaching players more moves.
It’s teaching them to make better decisions.
When to attack.
When to pass.
When to cut.
When to defend.
When to make the simple play.
Moves get attention.
Decisions keep you on the floor.
It’s teaching them to make better decisions.
When to attack.
When to pass.
When to cut.
When to defend.
When to make the simple play.
Moves get attention.
Decisions keep you on the floor.
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
The 1st week of Season 5 for the Youth and HS Basketball Coaching Newsletter.
With tips from @BBallImmersion and @brianmccormick
jamiegallagher.substack.com/p/51-coach-wit…
With tips from @BBallImmersion and @brianmccormick
jamiegallagher.substack.com/p/51-coach-wit…
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Great coaches don't yell at players just to release frustration and satisfy their own egos. Everything they say, and how they say it, is meant to help their players learn and perform as best as they can.
~ via @SportPsychTips
~ via @SportPsychTips
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Before you ask what play to run, ask what the possession needs.
đź”´ Disadvantage: protect the ball and get back to good spacing.
đźź Neutral: use an action or movement to create an advantage.
🟡 Small advantage: keep the ball moving to expand your advantage
🟢 Big advantage: Find and finish it.
Teams who can read the defense need fewer play calls.
đź”´ Disadvantage: protect the ball and get back to good spacing.
đźź Neutral: use an action or movement to create an advantage.
🟡 Small advantage: keep the ball moving to expand your advantage
🟢 Big advantage: Find and finish it.
Teams who can read the defense need fewer play calls.
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Coaching is service. The way kids experience it can build them up or break them down. Every interaction shapes how they learn, grow, view authority & even their futures. Coaches don’t just teach skills; they shape young lives. Serve kids well because they’ll carry it forever.
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
If I had to change one thing in the player development industry…
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Week 401 #GBetBBChat: Planning Defense for the Upcoming Season
Q5: What is your plan to teach players effective communication on defense?
Q5: What is your plan to teach players effective communication on defense?
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Week 401 #GBetBBChat: Planning Defense for the Upcoming Season
Q4: In one word, how would you describe your defense for the upcoming season?
Q4: In one word, how would you describe your defense for the upcoming season?
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Week 401 #GBetBBChat: Planning Defense for the Upcoming Season
Q3: How do you plan to incorporate defense into practice the first week of the season?
Q3: How do you plan to incorporate defense into practice the first week of the season?
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Week 401 #GBetBBChat: Planning Defense for the Upcoming Season
Q2: What are the points of emphasis on defense for your team this season?
Q2: What are the points of emphasis on defense for your team this season?
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Stephen Theodore retweeted
Week 401 #GBetBBChat: Planning Defense for the Upcoming Season
Q1: What is one area on defense that you would like to see your team improve from last season?
Q1: What is one area on defense that you would like to see your team improve from last season?
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I would like to thank a few people. Thank you to my 2 mentors Joe Killilea, & @jamiepgallagher for the countless conversations we had over the years. Your mentorship has helped me beyond what I understand. @CoachB_ASAHoops for giving me the opportunity to move over to the girls side of basketball.
@SAVIcoaching for teaching & giving me the tools to be a better coach. I am the HC of Newton South HS Girls Basketball.
Thank you! Let’s Go Mighty Lions!
@SAVIcoaching for teaching & giving me the tools to be a better coach. I am the HC of Newton South HS Girls Basketball.
Thank you! Let’s Go Mighty Lions!
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