The “20” Offense a MAN-TO-MAN OFFENSIVE PLAY

N.4 MARCH OFFICIAL DIGITAL MAGAZINE APRIL 2020 DON SHOWALTER The “20” Offense A MAN-TO-MAN OFFENSIVE PLAY

Mick Downer Building a Defensive System (Second Part)

Mike Thomson Deliver (Communicate) Post-Game Feedback Interview with Ryan Tanke The Culture of Care: Staff and Fan

TABLE OF CONTENTS AdB Hoops Publisher Editorial Referees Is a digital pubblication of the Alqueria del Basket, C/ Bomber Ramon Duart S/N Let's go... 5 Deliver (Communicate) 34 46013, Valencia, Spain Giorgio Gandolfi Post-Game Feedback Editor-in-Chief coaches Mike Thomson Giorgio Gandolfi Editorial Office The “20” Offense 6 Rules QUIZ 38 Tel.+39-0372-460585 Don Showalter Roberto Chiari E-mail: [email protected] Building a Defensive system 10 MARKETING, MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL Art Director: Lisa Cavallini (second Part) The Culture of Care: Staff and Fan 40 The magazine is published Mick Downer Interview with Ryan Tanke six times per year Giorgio Gandolfi Valencia BC, Alqueria del Basket, and the Various topics Editor-in-Chief Giorgio Gandolfi are not What Basketball Means to me… 18 ALQUERIA NEWS responsible for the opinions expressed in Stefano Michelini First national Basketball Chair 46 the articles. All rights reserved Video library Alqueria Events 48 All information in this digital publication are Thumb Series (sec. Part) 22 provided as news matter only and is not to Alqueria SERVICES 50 be used to violate any local or national laws Thumb Fist Produced in Italy eCoach - NBA Coaches Association HOOPS FOR ALL Copyright 2020 by Alqueria del Basket, The ‘’Art of War’’ 23 Baskin - The Abilities Assessment's Valencia, Spain Claudio Prieto Grid during the Game 52 The articles received by the authors, by any means (e-mail, fax or by postage) will be Step-Up Screen & Nash Zone 24 Deaf Basketball 56 property of the above Publisher, and the for a Better Spacing DIBF 3 x 3 World Cup authors will automatically granted to the Pascal Meurs Publisher the right to publication without Wheelchair Basketball- The Game, asking any fee now or in the future Mini Basketball the League and the Post Season 58 Mini Basketball, Haj Bhania ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Where IT ALL BEGINS 26 AROUND THE COURT We would like to thank for their Antonio Carrillo collaboration: NBA HomeCourt and Global 60 All the authors, who, with a great Strenght & Conditioning Coaches Scout Apps enthusiasm, shared with us their Into the Squat 30 Giorgio gandolfi with Tom Marchesi, knowledge. Jacopo Torresi NBA EME Sr. Director of Communication Ms. Lisa Cavallini as Art Director, Mr. Carles Orive, for the Spanish translation, Ms. Elisa Michel for the English editing, Mr. Alberto Chilet, Media Manager of L’Alqueria del Basket, for the help and collaboration, Mr. Tom Marchesi, Senior Director Comunications NBA EME for the collaboration and for the NBA Photos, Ms. Laura Janquart, Executive Assistant Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx for the collaboration and the photos of the interview with Mr. Ryan 18 46 60 Tanke, Ms. Jenny Johnston , Assistant VARIOUS TOPICS ALQUERIA NEWS Around the Court Director Communications of the USA What Basketball First national The NBA HomeCourt and Basketball for the collaboration and the Means to me… Basketball Chair Global Scout Apps photos of the article of Don Showalter Stefano Michelini Alberto Chilet alqueriadelbasket.com 3 Ford Focus Active Totalmente equipado por 145€/mes* Entrada 5.458€. Cuota Final 9.590€. 49 meses. TAE 9,30%

Conducir el Ford Focus Active es sentir la libertad de todas las formas posibles. Gracias a sus 5 m odos de conducción, estarás siempre preparado para sacar el m áximo partido a c ualquier camino. A ﬁn de c uentas, si e s tu libertad, es natural que pue das personalizarla a tu ma nera. Descubre más en ford.es

Calle La Costera S/N Autos Montalt Mislata (Valencia) Tel.: 96 013 04 09

GAMA FORD NUEVO FOCUS SIN OPCIONES: CONSUMO WLTP CICLO MIXTO DE 4,3 A 7,1 L/100 KM. EMISIONES DE CO2 WLTP DE 116 A 187 G/KM (DE 92 A 179 G/KM NEDC), MEDIDAS CONFORME A LA NORMATIVA VIGENTE. Los valores de emisiones de CO2 pueden variar en función del equipamiento seleccionado. Los valores NEDC serán los que se consideren para el cálculo de la fiscalidad asociada con la adquisición del vehículo. *Focus Active 1.0 Ecoboost 92kW (125cv) con radio SYNC 3 con pantalla táctil 20,3cm (8") y 6 altavoces, llantas de aleación 43,2cm (17"), modos de conducción seleccionables, luces diurnas LED, asistente de arranque en pendiente, mantenimiento de carril y pre-colisión con frenada de emergencia. La oferta incluye IVA, IEDMT (Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte, que varía por Comunidad Autónoma, por lo que se recomienda revisarlo en cada caso), transp., dtos. promocionales, aport. Concesión y dto. por financiar con FCE Bank plc S.E., aplazado mín. 9.000€ y permanencia mín. 25 meses. Oferta de MultiOpción de FCE Bank plc S.E. a 49 meses y 20.000 kms/año. Precio final 18.401,87€. Importe total del Crédito 12.943,87€. 48 cuotas de 145€/mes. Comisión de apertura 440,09€. TIN 7,80%. Importe total adeudado 16.990,09€. Precio total a plazos 22.448,09 €. Operación sujeta a valoración crediticia. Oferta aplicable a unidades pedidas y matriculadas en el mes. El modelo visualizado puede no coincidir con el vehículo ofertado. Válido en Pen. y Bal. Hasta fin de mes. No compatible con otros dtos. ford.es Ford Focus Active Giorgio Gandolfi } Editor in Chief Totalmente equipado por LET’S GO… 145€/mes* Entrada 5.458€. Cuota Final 9.590€. 49 meses. TAE 9,30% e at Alqueria and at AdB Hoops In the section “Around the Court”, only one word would like to send a strong mes- can describe the HomeCourt and the NBA Global sage to all our readers around the Scout apps and that is: “Incredible!” And here are world: don’t give in to panic, fight the two main reasons why. First, these apps can to live your lives as before, but with help youngsters from all over the world improve Wgreater caution, be aware and employ common their basketball skills. Secondly, they can dream of sense! becoming NBA players, of being selected to participate in NBA and FIBA Basketball Without Bor- In these times, when the coronavirus has exten- ders events, or to be selected for the elite NBA ded its worldwide “full court press,” we cannot sit Academies that USA pro leagues have in different paralyzed on the sidelines and wait for it to stop countries. creating huge health problems and the return of better times: we need to move on. We must still Don’t forget to try your hand at our Rules Quiz. do what we like even more, we need to try to make our lives as close as possible to what they were Please enjoy the issue … before, naturally with the proper precautions ta- Let’s go forward! ken.

We hope that this issue of AdB Hoops, its fourth edition, will give you some small relief from the strain that we are all going through. The distraction of reading about our basketball topics, including mes- saging for the best coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, executives, referees, and clubs that in several HomeCourt & NBA countries of the world can- Global Scout Apps not be on the courts, will be informative as well as a di- for players straction. worldwide One of our authors in this is- Conducir el Ford Focus Active es sentir la libertad de todas las sue is Don Showalter, who has formas posibles. Gracias a sus 5 m odos de conducción, estarás never lost a game in his tenure siempre preparado para sacar el m áximo partido a c ualquier camino. A fin de c uentas, si e s tu libertad, es natural que pue das as head coach of the USA Under 16 and 17 National teams, and has personalizarla a tu ma nera. Descubre más en ford.es collected five FIBA World, and five FIBA Americas Championships along the way. Calle La Costera S/N Autos Montalt Mislata (Valencia) Mini Basketball is the first step that a child ta- Tel.: 96 013 04 09 kes into playing the game of basketball. After a previous article on the topic by Italian instructor, GAMA FORD NUEVO FOCUS SIN OPCIONES: CONSUMO WLTP CICLO MIXTO DE 4,3 A 7,1 L/100 KM. EMISIONES DE CO2 WLTP DE 116 A 187 G/KM (DE 92 A 179 G/KM NEDC), MEDIDAS CONFORME A LA NORMATIVA VIGENTE. Los valores de emisiones de CO2 pueden variar en función del equipamiento seleccionado. Los valores NEDC serán los Maurizio Cremonini, we asked a Spanish instruc- que se consideren para el cálculo de la fiscalidad asociada con la adquisición del vehículo. tor, Antonio Carrillo, to talk about the Spanish ap- *Focus Active 1.0 Ecoboost 92kW (125cv) con radio SYNC 3 con pantalla táctil 20,3cm (8") y 6 altavoces, llantas de aleación 43,2cm (17"), modos de conducción seleccionables, luces diurnas LED, asistente de arranque en proach to mini basketball. pendiente, mantenimiento de carril y pre-colisión con frenada de emergencia. La oferta incluye IVA, IEDMT (Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte, que varía por Comunidad Autónoma, por lo que se recomienda revisarlo en cada caso), transp., dtos. promocionales, aport. Concesión y dto. por financiar con FCE Bank plc S.E., aplazado mín. 9.000€ y permanencia mín. 25 meses. Oferta de MultiOpción de FCE Bank plc S.E. a 49 meses y 20.000 kms/año. Precio final 18.401,87€. Importe total del Crédito 12.943,87€. 48 cuotas de 145€/mes. Comisión de apertura 440,09€. TIN 7,80%. Importe total adeudado 16.990,09€. Precio total a plazos 22.448,09 €. Operación sujeta a valoración crediticia. Oferta aplicable a unidades pedidas y matriculadas en el mes. El modelo visualizado puede no coincidir con el vehículo ofertado. Válido en Pen. y Bal. Hasta fin de mes. No compatible con otros dtos. ford.es alqueriadelbasket.com 5 COACHES} Don Showalter } USAB Youth Div. Director Coach Development THE “20” OFFENSE A Man-to-Man Offensive Play

n nine years at the helm of USA Basketball Un- THE ACTION der 16 and 17 National teams, I had the privilege We start in a one-four set, with two big men at the of coaching several great players, among them elbows of the free-throw area, two wings and one Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, Jabari point guard. Player 1 passes to 2 and makes a hard Parker of the Atlanta Hawks, and Jayson Tatum cut to the opposite corner, while, on the help side, 5, Iof the Boston Celtics. When creating a team in one of the two big men, dives to the block (diagr. 1). a short period of time, I always tried to keep our offense simple, while playing a hard-no- sed defense.

Since 2016 I have been USA Basketball Youth Division Director of Coach De- velopment where we work for the FIVE GOLD improvement of youth coaches. MEDALS AT FIBA I would like to describe the “20” WORLD AND FIVE offense, which we employ based on players’ movements and on AT FIBA AMERICAS their skills in reading the defensive situations and reacting to what CHAMPIONSHIPS the defenders give them.

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TEACHING POINTS TEACHING POINTS } Player 1 cuts hard to the opposite corner between } Player 5 should set the screen with his back to the 4 and 5, but not making a UCLA cut (a cut on a ver- elbow. tical screen of the big man, editor’s note). } Player 2 comes off the screen of 4 with two drib- } There is no screen of 4 and 5 for getting 1 free. bles, and reads the roll of 5, as well as of a possible } In the meantime, 3 moves up, staying high and pass to the opposite post 5, to 1 in the corner, or to wide. 3, who goes up wide. } 4 rolls hard to the basket, looking for a low pocket THE ACTION pass from 2. } Player 4 screens for 2, and then rolls to the basket. } Player 2 looks to get to the elbow to make a play. If THE ACTION no solution is available, 3 goes up wide and the } Player 1 lifts to the wing to receive the pass, while ball is swung across the court from 2, who got over the post 5 flashes to the high post spot. the screen of 4, to 3 (diagr. 2). } After the ball is swung to the wing 1, 3 makes a cut

alqueriadelbasket.com 7 COACHES } THE “20” OFFENSE

4 5 6 to the opposite corner, and pushes 2 to the wing out- TEACHING POINTS: side of the three-point lane (diagr. 3). } 5’s screen is set with back to the three-second area for a better angle. TEACHING POINTS } Player 1 clears the screen with two dribbles, } Player 3 now makes a hard cut to the corner, cut- looking for three possible options: passing to 5 ting between 5 and 4. on the roll, to 4 on a short corner, or to 3 at the } Player 2 should stay high and wide now for ball three-point line. reversal. } 2 goes high and wide for a possible reversal pass THE ACTION: } Player 1 comes off the screen from the 5, while 4, Let’s see another possible 2009 3 and 1 form a weak side triangle (diagr. 4). solution, on “20” offense . NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR

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THE ACTION As seen before, 1 passes to 2 and makes a hard cut TIDBITS to the opposite corner, while on the help side 4, one of the two big men, dives to the block and 3 goes up Showalter grew wide. But, in this option, 5 screens on the ball for 2 up on a farm (diagr. 5). near Kalona, Iowa } TEACHING POINTS } Again, 5 must screen with his back to the elbow He is author of of the free-throw area. several technical DVDs on THE ACTION individual skill development, 7 Player 2 comes off the screen with two dribbles, lo- practice sessions, oking to shoot or to pass to 5 on the roll after the zone and man-to- screen, to 4 on the opposite low post spot, or to 3 man offense and outside of the three-point area (diagr. 6). full court press defense TEACHING POINTS } The player must read the defense and react with the proper passing to the open teammates. THE ACTION If there is no solution and the ball is passed to 3, 3 passes the ball to 1. Then 1 recei- 8 ves a screen from 4, who popped out from the low post spot, while 3 cuts on the corner on the other side of the court, and 2 goes up wide (diagr. 7). TEACHING POINTS } In every offensive play, the spacing on the court, the timing of the cuts and the screen—run with the proper angle— are of the utmost importance for the Career success of the play. 1974 - 1976 1984 -2012 2009-2018 THE ACTION Lone Tree H. S. Mid - Praire H.S. USA Under 16 & 17 Player 1 has three Coach Coach National Team Coach different passing options: to 4, after 1976 -1984 2012 - 2016 2016 he has rolled to the Cent. Elkader H. S. Iowa City H.S. Youth Division basket, to 5 on the Coach Coach Director of Coach opposite low post, Development or to 2, who is set outside of the three- point line (diagr. 8). alqueriadelbasket.com 9 COACHES } Mick Downer } CANTERBURY RAMS HEAD COACH BUILDING A DEFENSIVE SYSTEM (SECOND PART) Overcoming Limitations in Time and Resources with Creativity and Innovation

DEFENSIVE BUILDING BLOCKS START THE Using Constraints, Incentives and Drill DEFENSE WHEN Manipulations THE BALL IN THE AIR We use these three basic guidelines in our teaching WITH NO POSSESSION methodology and delivery. These are the founda- We always start with “Rebounding Coverage”. Neither tion concepts for everything we do on the basketball team has possession of the ball in this moment and court as coaches. with a predictable shot we are, in a great position to get ready to defend. As a by-product of moving forward and getting ready to defend, we often put ourselves in a position 2019 to compete for the offensive boards. NBL CANTERBURY This is now referred to “Tagging (” or “Jamming” up. It’s an aggressive de- RAMS BEST fensive concept that we introduced DEFENSIVE with the Cairns Taipans under head TEAM coach Aaron Fearne (diagr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6).

Some of the key concepts: } Great offense forces rotations or mismatches over 50% of possessions. } Start defense earlier. } 50/50 rebounding contests. } Through the elbows / over the top on the shot. } Responsibility (decision to tag or safety) more important than a match-up. } Traditional safety players sprint to the mid line of the court and to cover the offensive players running down. } Immediate ball pressure. } Higher players dive down the court. } Defensive transition into disruption on the fly of the ball. } Organic disruption reads.

10 alqueriadelbasket.com 1 2 3 REBOUNDING COVERAGE INBOUND OR OUTLET RUNNING DOWN On perimeter shots After a made or missed shot we A2 shoots the ball, B2 runs down A2 and A4 (wings & corners need to "jam" the ball in the middle of the court players) come back "thru the and guard any offensive player, As A4, highest player on the floor, elbows" who runs down. Other defenders sees B2 running down, he runs in B2 and B4 (players on the paint) plug the floor. a "safety" position. go over the top After the shoot A2 sprints back to halfway near the midline of the court.

alqueriadelbasket.com 11 COACHES } BUILDING A DEFENSIVE SYSTEM (SECOND PART)

4 5 6 SPILLS DEFENSIVE REBOUND FIND, CONTAIN, DISRUPT After the A2’s drive to basket, en- A5 “jam” the ball. Find where is the ball & get on ding over baseline, A4, the highest A3 on the ball side guards any the help positions. player on the floor, sprints back as offensive player running down. Contain the ball on the "sideline" safety. A2 runs high in the the middle and until there is the help and com- We apply the normal weak side A4 goes deep down. municate. Disrupt (turn, hit, blitz) rules on going to the rebound read the situation once the other through the elbows. defenders are set on their spots.

OUR HALFCOURT DEFENSIVE IDENTITY We are a “Pack” defensive team, with some key concepts in a basic 3 vs 3 drill (diagr. 7, 8, 9 and 10). Below is a table of some of these concepts.

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PACK CONCEPTS CLOSEOUTS PACK DEFENSE 3 V 3 The coach passes out the ball to 3. Start in “pack” help: your proper Practice on two-third of the court. Closeout: in a "straight up" posi- position is your help. Two dribble limit, no screens. tion. The shooter / driver reads The defender, based on shooter/ Score in the paint or with a three- the defender gap, but the defender driver reads, decides on how early point shot. must have always have high hands to leave “pack” help. Ball side defense: guard on open stan- One-way movement to your man. ce in a "pack" line help. Weak side defense: on the lane line help.

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CONCEPT DISCUSSION POINTS “Live” v “Dead” Ball We are in “Pack” positions on a live ball. When the ball is picked up or driven into the “Red zone” (below the backboard) we come out of a pack position and deny. Denial Defense We chart “Dead” deflections in games and often incorporate deflections into our scoring manipulations at practice. Standard Closeouts We deny with a hand (not body) in the lane, so on a back cut we can check the cutter or go with him, so we don’t give up lay-ups. HOT Closeouts High hands with hips down, regardless of a shooter or driver. The angle is “square” (back to basket) unless a corner shooter, where we aim to “pin” the ball in the corner. We take away the rhythm for the three-point shooters with a hard closeout, where as a driver, we closeout short, but with high hand to influence any pass. Push Points Players identified as “HOT” are run off the three-point line and forced to drive. We attack the shooters, shooting hand and “plant” our foot outside the 3-pt line. Key is to “show” hands to the officials. It is an expectation that you chase the shooter down on a drive and keep chasing until a “pack” defender yells “Stay” or “Go”. On a long/late closeout, leave your feet early so as to land inside the 3-pt line and not foul the 3-pt shooter – this MUST be practiced. Let the players make decisions. Either send to weak hand, smallest space to guard or to your closeout “Pack” defender. This is covered in scout preparation. As a general rule sending the ball outside the elbows or below the low hash mark (baseline drive) is a pass mark on a 1 vs. 1 drive.

PACK DEFENSE Drive & kick, or pass & cut One-way closeouts

alqueriadelbasket.com 13 COACHES } BUILDING A DEFENSIVE SYSTEM (SECOND PART)

DEFENSIVE STYLE OF PLAY SCORING We use a variety of scoring manipulations and incen- There is a myriad of scoring manipulations and ga- tives to improve our defense. We have a standard mes that can be played at practice to keep things SOP scoring system that the players learn early on fun, break up monotony or narrow a focus on a spe- in the pre-season. Then we will add a variety of ma- cific skill. When we bias the defense or it’s a defensi- nipulations to re-enforce a particular skill and shape ve drill at practice, we always use a defensive target habits. / scoring system to find a winner.

VALUE DESCRIPTION STANDARD SOP 1 stop Standard stop on a missed 3-pt shot or shot in the paint DEFENSE 2 Dead defections in a possession

2 stops Standard stop on a missed mid-range shot Turnover generated No stop Offensive rebound conceded, but not converted (repeat possession) -1 stop Converted offensive rebounded

VARIOUS COMMON No Stop If defense gets lifted on an up fake MANIPULATIONS Kill Game 3 stops in a row wins Target Game Set a target, i.e. 5 stops wins (get a stop = stay on D) Repeated mistakes, lack of talk, uncontested shot = off D

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STAY/GO DRILL READS DRILL CHASE DOWN DRILL Designate a “Captain”, who can X2 expected to stay & chase down 2 with the ball: on coach’s clap, he yell: the ball, but, if X4 yells "Go", then drives into the paint - "Stay" = stay with the ball X2 runs on into a rotation X2, beside or behind 2, chases him -"Go" = go & run onto a rotation X3 rotates on the “Go” signal to on coach’s clap. - "Dead" = ball below the back- X2. Based on “Stay/Go” of the “cap- board or dribble picked up by the X4 guards the ball handler. tain”, the defenders must be ready offense to rotate

14 alqueriadelbasket.com ADVANTAGE / DISADVANTAGE OF CONSTRAINT DRILLS Manipulating a drill is a great way to alter the conditions, to increase the amount of specific defensive decisions you want your players to make. Below are a few examples of some drills that can help facilitate the quick defensive decisions that must be made during games (diagr. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15). Please note these are prescriptive concept diagrams/drills. The quicker you arrive at using random or dynamic starts to drills the better.

The more unpredictable the conditions the more relevant they are to a game. When you can artificially create game like situations that are randomly generated the greater chance of retention in real games occurs. TIDBITS He loves playing golf } Surfing is another of his passion } 14 He spends as much time as “ROVER” CLOSEOUTS DRILL possible with his On a weak side kick out pass from wife Mel and his the coach, X 2 closes out on 1, whi- daughter Evie le X1 slides toward the ball.

KICK OUT PASS CONCEPTS On a pass from 1 to 2, X 1 guards the player, who can drive (no more than two dribbles), shooting, or passing (extra). This is part of our "split-kick-extra" concept.

alqueriadelbasket.com 15 COACHES } BUILDING A DEFENSIVE SYSTEM (SECOND PART)

RANDOM AND DYNAMIC DRILL STARTS Coaching creativity when it comes to the start of drills should be encouraged to simulate the dynamic nature of a real game. It’s a part of the program that we enjoy discussing as a staff to keep our players mentally fresh but challenged. Below is a list of a few favorites that we use in our practice sessions. SAMPLE PRACTISE SESSION PLAN Below is an extract of a practice session conducted early in the regular season.

Career 2008-2009 2011 2012-2016 Perth Wildcats AUS Assistant Australian Men’s University Australian Men’s National National Team Coach Team Assistant 2009-2015 Cairns Taipans AUS Assistant 2015-2016 2016-2019 Basketball Queensland AUS Coach Brisbane Bullets AUS Assistant 2009-2013-2015 Development Manager Australian Men’s University 2019 National team Assistant Canterbury Rams NZ Coach

16 alqueriadelbasket.com DESCRIPTION DIAGRAM 4 IN 6 OUT • 2 players from each team start inside the paint • 3 players from each team start outside the 3pt line

• Coach shoots, drops, passes, rolls the ball anywhere to start

• Whoever gains possession is on offence or defense (depending on the drill) and clears the ball before drill is live

LINE TOUCH • Drill Commences with 5v5 halfcourt play • On coach’s clap (or whistle) on ball defender must touch a line (sideline or baseline) before re-joining the drill

• Player with ball must either “drive the paint” or make a pass

5V4 +1 This is one of my favourite drills to simulate rotations, long closeouts and “Stay/Go reads. It’s a drill taken from coach Mark Radford (Basketball Tasmania Head Coach). Over the years I’ve evolved the drill to make the start more dynamic.

l 5th defender (X2) starts near halfway facing the far end with their back to the play l Drill is live when coach enters the ball l On either: 3rd pass (diagrammed), shot or paint penetration the 5th defender sprints in Variations:

l Have the 5th defender on the baseline l Run it as a 4 v 3 +1 drill l Nominate only 1 defender who can talk l Allow freedom of movement for the offence (off ball screens, cuts) l Limit offence to no dribbles or 1 dribble until 5th defender is in (this incentivizes aggressive play and shot making in the 5v4 component)

alqueriadelbasket.com 17 VARIOUS TOPICS } Stefano Michelini } Coach and TV Analyst WHAT BASKETBALL MEANS TO ME… BASKETBALL: AN EXTRAORDINARY METAPHOR FOR LIFE he game is played in tight spaces, to be shared, not divided: the continuous flow of the game favors exchange, and, as in life, in- tegration. We fight hard to conquer a position and, then, after a couple of seconds, we Tleave it in favor of another, always in search of new positions - the wonder of the continuous discovery of new opportunities Former great Coach Petar Skansi and Having, made one decision, we look forward to the Michelini next. After eight seconds we must have crossed the mid-court line, and, then, once crossed it, there’s no going back: this non-recrimination leads us to accept the facts and avoid the easy shortcut of an alibi/ excuse.

18 alqueriadelbasket.com SINCE 2009 TV ANALYST FOR THE ITALIAN STATE TV

We must accept favoring a partner who has a better they will understand it: passion will be born, it will be- opportunity than our own, in the interest of the team/ come more, it will remain for life. community. The assist, intended as help to others, is Especially nowadays, when young people have superfi- in the common interest. cial models, short highlights of the most spectacular actions as examples, they suffer the negative impact of the You have to accept being replaced on the court, even search for episodic prowess to satisfy themselves. if you don't want to be: this teaches us not to overes- timate our own value and to appreciate the contribu- Have them practice to the rhythm of the game, so tions of others. they will dive into it completely, turning mistakes into opportunities. Small, seemingly insignificant particulars can make us It will be the stimulus of wanting to improve in what he lose a game: we learn that only by paying attention to loves that will drive the young player to strive to increase the small things, can big things arise. the speed of execution: he will accept errors; he will not become a victim of them. We learn to play and live within time, not against it: the time of the game, those numbers on the display Respect the proportions of the game, that require board, are the joy of possibility we live in together, not you to play: an obstacle that separates us from personal affirma- } 90% without the ball tion. } 10% with the ball

Triumph and disaster (the “great impostors” of Rud- The better I play without the ball, the better I put my- yard Kipling’s famous poem, “If”) must be accepted for self at the disposal of others, the easier I will play with a millimeter or a hundredth of a second: transforming the ball (through teamwork). disappointment into new challenges, and exaltation Today, it is just the opposite; it is more usual to have team into positive motivation.. game models where the top players go one on one and the other four teammates do a lot of standing around HOW TO PRACTICE THIS WONDERFUL METAPHOR? looking at them. Make sure that the protagonists have a complete sense of the play. Then, they will be interested in it, Are we so sure that starting to practice with a ball for alqueriadelbasket.com 19 VARIOUS TOPICS } What Basketball Means to Me…

each player is really educational in relation to a sense of respect for the play? Is it really no longer form- 386 ative to start by shar- GAMES WON ing the above mentioned proportions IN 25 YEARS (90% without ball, 10%, with ball), thus OF CAREER bringing the young player along with the correct emphasis? Practice the play in the right sequence: otherwise the message is diverted and misleading and becomes the “fuel” of exaggerated individualism.

Recognize numbers and time limits as tools to con- firm our experiences, and track our team and individual improvements. By having team and personal records to chase—always raising the bar a little bit higher - gives the group and the players great positive energy, acceptance of their defeats and regressions (often physiological) and the ability to learn to start again. Write down numbers and times, starting again from these data every practice! se technique, tactics and strategy to give concrete goals to our highest dreams. } Technique (from the Greek “Teknica”): Set of rules and practical methods on whose knowledge and application the conduct of sports activity depends.

} Tactic (from the Greek "Taktikè"): Isolated actions that take advantage of the opportuni- } Tactic … Defender close? I beat him by driving. ties offered by an opponent. Defender far? Shoot. } Strategy … Practice plan, game, only after having } Strategy (from the Greek "Strategia"): developed the previous aspects: let's not feel like Lines of action to follow in order to achieve the strategists without a motivated, aware and pre- final goal. pared "army"! IN SUMMARY How to quantify the commitment, the job, without We require: wanting to run too much or be left behind? } Understanding of the sense of play. Let’s use the example of when we fall in love: } Training to the rhythm of the game, accepting errors, transforming them into opportunities and } QUANTITY at the beginning of the youthful pas- objectives. sion: } Correct adherence to the proportion between play Use shooting as an example: continuous repeti- without the ball and play with the ball. tions to obtain fidelity, reliability and speed of the } Technique … The fundamentals. gesture. 20 alqueriadelbasket.com } QUALITY in maturity: Ask the player to achieve a certain percentage of @stefanomicheli2 TIDBITS execution at maximum speed, for example 3 on 5, 5 on 7, 7 on 10, 11 on 15, etc. stefano.michelini.7 Loves dancing to the music } CONTINUITY at the end of our trip: of the 70s And so, also, at the end of the game where in- Special Reverberi Award } creasingly high, consecutive goals have been set. for his contribution Favorite places: For example, teams are formed by two, three or to the Italian basketball Sardinia four players, with the target of being the first to and the sea get 12-15 consecutive points by making 2 or 3 } Plays cards

Career point shots (the choice of the type of shot is made 1979-1982 1994-2002 by the player). Winning or losing is to be deter- Fortitudo & Virtus A2 Series Different Teams mined by a free-throw. This is the key moment Bologna A1 Assistant and Coach where the young player stands alone, in front of everyone, where he can bring his own teammates Youth Teams 2000-2006 to success with a seemingly simple gesture. Nat- 1982-1992 Reyer Venice urally, all this is based on the specific practice’s program. B Series Different Teams Women’s Coach Coach 2012 PUSH THE PLAYERS TO FULLY IMMERSE THEM- 1992-1995 Youth Level SELVES INTO THE EXECUTION OF THEIR PLAY, (CAR- Italian National Team, Coach, Modena PE DIEM), AND THEN ACCEPT THAT THEIR ACTION Assistant and Scout PRODUCED THE FATED OUTCOME. alqueriadelbasket.com 21 VIDEO LIBRARY THUMB SERIES (SECOND PART): “THUMB FIST” erry Stotts, head coach of the Portland Trail screen, sets a screen on the ball for a pick & roll. Blazers since 2012, shows another solution, The defender of the player, who received the Tthe “Thumb Fist” which originates from the flare screen and then gets on the wing, is on help “Thumb Set”. position and he opens the court, so there are “The set is the same with two big men at the two solutions after the pick & roll: a pass from elbows of the free-throw area, two wings on the player, who has been screened, to the big the corners and the point guard in the middle man rolling to the basket or the drive of the ball of the court. This offers the chance to begin the handler to the rim.” play from one side or the other of the court.” he explains. “You can see that we run a wide pin down (horizontal screen to the corner), a hand back (hand-off pass), ball screens, and flares (a screen away from the ball), as in the previous play. But on this play, the big man, after the flare eCoach is the official technical video company of the NBA Coaches Association (NBCA, www. nbacoaches.com). Several NBA head and assistant coaches share their drills and plays. There are different sections of the library, from children, to youth, to pro level. You can obtain more information about the company and its services by going to www.ecoachbasketball.com

22 alqueriadelbasket.com VIDEO LIBRARY “THE ART OF WAR”

The ability to disguise an enabling environment to In this video, you’ll see the winning out of bounds play achieve a clear advantage and be able to attack it, versus Real Madrid in a EuroLeague game. Emerging always taking into account the weaknesses of the rival, as ‘’Constantino in Constantinople’’, Obradović, the the stage and the right time. head coach of Fenerbahçe Istanbul, makes it clear who he is. He’s putting the ball in the hands of his Adapted from The Art of War by Sun Tzu best offensive player who goes one-on-one against his defender looking to score cleanly or with the eljko Obradović, the winner of nine EuroLeagues, possibility of drawing a foul along the way. Know the has the baggage, the temperament and the weaknesses of the rival and your own strengths. Žabsolute experience to design the tactical out of bounds, last second play for a winning shot at the ideal moment, obviously taking into account the characteristics of all the players.

Claudio César Prieto Argentinian professional coach, who also holds Spanish citizenship, he has attended many clinics and been the guest of teams worldwide, including the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. Prieto was on the staff of the Michael Jordan Brand Classic in Barcelona. He has coached Catalan teams, has the top Spanish and Argentinian coaching licenses, and is an expert in video analysis. www.thecoachclaudioprieto.com

alqueriadelbasket.com 23 VIDEO LIBRARY

STEP-UP SCREEN AND NASH ZONE TO BETTER SPACING ince the game of basketball has drastically players looking at the ball. With a proper replacement changed, most teams have less low-post along the three-point line, this can create several Splayers with moves with the back to the basket. shooting options. However, it is still very important to have these “paint In this video breakdown, I highlight how Coach touches” (inside-outside game) in order to have a Obradovic uses both weapons with Fenerbahce to proper offensive spacing. feed his shooters (and the best way to stop it!). Once the ball is on the low-post, a good alternative is a “STEP-UP SCREEN”. This means that the big man passes the ball to the wing and sets an outside ball screen, giving an option to the wing to attack the baseline. This step-up screen also allows the ball to enter to the “NASH ZONE” (from the former NBA MVP Steve Nash), which is the area between the two blocks and the baseline. Whenever the ball crosses this “Nash Zone”, the help side defense becomes the ball side defense and vice versa. This often turns into a completely collapsed defense, with all defensive

PASCAL MEURS currently works as the head coach of EuroProBasket International Basketball Academy for professional players at L’Alqueria del Basket in Valencia. He has experience as a head coach at the highest level in Belgium, The Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. He is an expert in advanced basketball analytics and a skilled speaker at coaching clinics. He also runs a coaching website and newsletter: www.pascalmeurs.com

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alqueriadelbasket.com 25 MINI BASKETBALL } Antonio Carrillo } Director & Tecnical organizer Mini basketball MINI BASKETBALL, WHERE IT ALL BEGINS THE CHILD: THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN SPORTS INITIATION

oach: you are essential/fundamental be- The day you think more about yourself, the team, or cause the child is the most important per- the club, and not in supporting him; when you forget son in sports initiation. He does not belong what motivates you, you depart from that initial mo- to you, you aren’t his boss, no—but you are tivation and from what drew you to basketball in the responsible for his training. first place (which is very different from your ambi- C tions), that day, you do away with your dream. The third edition of the dictionary of the Royal Acad- emy of Language defines “dream” as “a hope whose achievement appears especially attractive.” And more colloquially, between you and me, it’s understood as the force that drives you to coach day after day all season long. And that’s where you come in (what you do, how you do it, and above, why you do it), undert- stood as “what serves as the reason or is primary in something.” For that reason, you are FUNDAMENTAL. One could approach the topic in many different ways, focusing on one aspect or another (technical, tactical, psychological, sport and/or educational value); mean- ing, one could write various books about this chapter of crucial training in the child’s learning and training. But today I will only try to touch on ideology, and above all, how to implement it in practice. For me, mini basketball is a philosophy, an idea, a concept, and a way of proceeding. } Philosophy: Believe in each child one by one. Start with him. } Idea: Nothing denotes failure. Errors are a part of learning. Manage them and teach from them. } Concept: Make it all simple, easy and fast.

26 alqueriadelbasket.com MINI BASKETBALL } Antonio Carrillo } Director & Tecnical organizer Mini basketball

} Way of proceeding: Design tasks with uncertainty So, having fun, teaching and advancing that you work into the session at the same time— that teaching encompass anoth- have opponents, limit time, space, actions and, er higher stage: knowing how to above all, how decisions are made different from train. AUTHOR the preconceived ones you start with. Keep him Knowing how to train is to cre- thinking at all times. ate learning spaces where the OF SIX BOOKS Mini basketball could be defined as a way to have fun, player acquires the necessary ON MINI to teach and to advance that teaching. confidence to practice without Amusement/fun comes from the Latin divèrtere, fear of failure, punishment, ad- BASKETBALL “carry on several sides”, it means to entertain and ba- monishing looks, loud rebuking sically recreate. Why? Because the child lives playing yells—where everything is within and plays living. Use the game as a means of teaching his reach, but without its being given among other situations in which he feels he is playing. away. Teaching comes from the Latin insignáre, "to point." That is to say, to instruct, to teach, to teach with rules LET THE DRILLS BEGIN or precepts. But beware that you can go wrong here, Each side runs the same drill. There is constant role it’s tricky. Why? Because the learning you propose, change to maintain attention and concentration in can lead to imitation and copying or to the search and the drill. We use both sides of the court to take ad- study of what has been done already. Be careful be- vantage of the court time. Six players on one side of cause you might "load" the creativity of the child and the court, the offensive players, and the other six on inhibit his innate talent. the other side. To teach is "to excite because only then do you learn Diag. 1: The players start playing "catching (touching)" what you love" recalls Francisco Mora (Doctor in Neu- (1 vs. 5) on the half court. This means that they must roscience and expert in neuro-education). touch one of the other players, who then becomes To Progress comes from “progress.” That is, to move the “catcher”. Then it becomes 2 vs. 4. forward, evolve, improve, make advances in a certain Diag. 2: The defender that "catches", carries a ball area. If the child does not progress, he stagnates. If he with one or both hands, and must touch the offensive stagnates, he gets worse. If he gets worse, boredom player with the ball. You can add another defender appears. If he gets bored, he abandons the task alto- and remove an offensive player, so that the intensity gether. His improvement and growth is in your hands. of the drill does not decrease. All players with a ball in

alqueriadelbasket.com 27 MINI BASKETBALL } MINI BASKETball, WHERE IT ALL BEGINS their hands means greater coordination. from the 6.25m line. Changing Diag. 3: Now the same drill, but all players drible. As options is important for player before, the defender changes roles when he "catches" adaptation. an offensive player, but, after he “catches” an offen- Diag. 7: Keep working on the TEACHES sive player, he then must score a basket before joining same drill, but then begin COURSES AND the drill again (attention and concentration is impor- limiting where the play- tant here). A variation can be to score on the opposite ers can attack the basket HOLDS NATIONAL AND basket, which introduces the transition from one bas- from. We are limiting the ket to the other. The game continues there. lanes that they can use. INTERNATIONAL Diag. 4: The players form groups of three near the This will help them work on CONFERENCES baseline on each half courts, with cones on the court their focus on the court. For to create three parallel lanes. They move freely example, with such few op- through the lanes from one basket to another, ending tions, this will really help them with scoring on the opposite basket. You can increase work on not losing the ball. A varia- traffic on the court by having all players dribble to the tion can also be that the coach walks around t h e basket simultaneously. There is a time factor— five entire court and keeps announcing what lanes to the seconds to finish. basket are open or closed. Diag. 5: The same drill, but now they must go through Diag. 8: If two players find themselves crossing the each lane from a different angle. This teaches them same lane, but going in the opposite direction, they how to attack the basket from different areas. They “greet” ("'saludo"' on the diagram, editor's note) each can also try to go to the basket with their weaker other differently. Give freedom to the child's creativi- hand or even by dribbling between their legs or per- ty without losing sight of the goal. forming a cross- over dribble. Diag. 9: Continue to work on the initial drill, but now Diag. 6: Same drill, but they must dribble with their include a variation with the defenders passing the ball head up and not collide with other players. They need to the offensive players. They can use their right or left to listen to the coach’s direction here. One player at- hand, or make a two-handed pass. Now, the offen- tempts a lay-up, and the other two players shoot sive player must decide to play 1 vs. 1 or go through outside the painted area. The drill always ends with the open lane. If the defender steals or knocks away a scored basket. The coach can decide on different the offensive players ball, they change roles. Also, if shooting options: inside the lane, outside the lane and the defender has their back to the offensive player,

28 alqueriadelbasket.com the lane is considered open. Diag. 10: I finish the progression of this drill by playing TIDBITS three simultaneous 1 vs. 1 competitions at each basket. You can limit dribbles if you want (only Loves Spanish 3 dribbles) or limit where they can shoot movies from (outside the lane) or even limit the } amount of time they have to score a bas- Enjoys ket (5 seconds). practicing different sports }

Likes living near the sea

Career If we want the child to progress, he not only has to have fun, but he has to learn, and then build from there. 1980 2015 Learning technical details or the fundamentals at this stage, is very important. This is only going to make Mini Basketball Technical Co-Organizer, them better, which is when the fun begins. And that's Instructor Mini Basketball when he starts having fun. Remember, as a coach, the International sooner you start coaching with patience, without too 2015 Clinic, Imortal Basket, many rules in the drills, and allowing for the children to Technical Director of Albufeira (Portugal) be creative, the quicker you will be able to start making the Imortal Basket Camp, informed decisions start making informed decisions. Albufeira (Portugal) alqueriadelbasket.com 29 STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH } Jacopo Torresi } S & C Coach Vanoli Cremona INTO THE SQUAT he primary reason for lower body training is TO INCREASE LOWER BODY STRENGTH to achieve most effectively three important goals: increase lower body strength, which AND MINIMIZE THE RISK OF INJURIES is thought to carry over to athletic performance, minimize injury risk during train- Ting, and decrease injuries in the competitive season. Although I agree that functional lower body strength should be the primary emphasis in any high-quality training program, my lower body strength training usually begins with learning to body weight , squat and barbell deadlift.

The squat and hinge are considered fundamental movement skills at the same level of other fundamental movements. However, for many athletes more hip-dominant exercises, such as deadlifts, are better starting points than squats. Deadlifts can be easier to learn and are often less limited by mobility issues.

The squat is one of the most popular exercises for devel- oping lower body strength, but, technically speak- ing, the squat can be a difficult exercise for many athletes to perform correctly. Teaching an athlete to perform a body weight squat is important, though, and will reveal vital information about flexibility and injury potential.

My current approach is to work on mobility to develop the squat pattern step by step, and I use that pattern to work on squat mobility, especially during warm up. Proper squat pat- terning involves teaching the athlete to keep 30 alqueriadelbasket.com A the weight on the heels and to sit The gluteus, just as in the initial back into the squat. PROFESSIONAL phase, intervenes in the terminal Sitting back into the squat, also phase of the ascent, provided that known as the hip hinge, should be PLAYER FOR 14 it is stimulated by the high speed of used to initiate the eccentric portion YEARS execution. If the ascent is not explo- of the lift. Sitting back allows the glu- sive (the jump is the maximum ex- teus maximus to immediately become pression) the gluteus is not involved. a part of the lift. Research shows that Engaging the glutes also has the effect sitting back and preventing the knees from of preventing excessive lumbar lordosis. moving too far beyond the toes does increase hip torque. This same research and more has shown The gluteus maximus has the ability to resist exces- that sitting back to minimize anterior translation of sive anterior tilting of the pelvis, because it offsets the knees will also decrease torque at the knee joints. the pull of the lumbar paraspinals, to keep the lumbar The quadriceps are still a major component of the lift: spine in a neutral position. It has been suggested that the greater the angle of bending increases, the great- repetitive hyperextension movements (extension of er the engagement of the quadriceps with respect to the lumbar spine beyond the anatomical limits) place the other muscle groups, while the gluteus decreases stress through the pars interarticularis. its intervention.

The ability to maintain a neutral lumbar spine throughout the lift has been shown to increase stability through the spine, allowing it to bear greater compressive loads, and reduce shear forces.

Athletes, who cannot squat to a position with the thighs parallel to the floor, tend to be deficient in ankle or hip mobility, hamstring flexibility, or a combination of the three. Sometimes the squat is described solely based on knee angle or by the parallel relationship of the femurs to the floor. The key to teaching and learning the squat pattern is to combine these two points of view to limit the athlete’s knee flexion range of motion and, at the same time, to get the athlete’s thighs parallel to the floor.

alqueriadelbasket.com 31 STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH } into the squat

AN AVID the momentum of the center of mass READER OF via eccentric con- TEXTS ON HIS tractions of the leg extensor muscles. PROFESSION Effective change of direction then requires the athlete to get low with an increased trunk flexion angle to effectively recruit the glutes. ‘‘Sitting back’’ places the hip joint farther behind the feet.

Because the squat moves the body’s center of mass Starting from the baseline for the body weight squat, posteriorly, maintaining weight over the feet requires begin with hands on hips and elbows as far back as some form of compensation to prevent falling back- possible. The chest should be up, and the upper and ward. This is usually accomplished by anterior lean lower back should be slightly arched and tight. Feet of the trunk, ideally from increased hip flexion while should be approximately shoulder-width apart and maintaining a neutral spine. However, this requires slightly turned out, approximately 10-15 degrees. Be- adequate hip range of motion (ROM) as well as back fore descending into the squat, inhale deeply through extensor strength and spinal stability. Otherwise, an the nose. When descending into the squat, concen- athlete must flex the spine to maintain balance, pre- trate on sitting back and placing the body weight senting well-documented risks that contradict ac- on the heels. Sitting back can be an advantageous cepted squatting guidelines. teaching tool because of the greater amount of hip extension and contribution from the glute complex. Restricted anterior movement of the knees during Descend slowly; in the descent the knees should stay squatting increases loads at the hip but also causes over the toes. Do not pinch the knees in, allow the excessive forward lean of the trunk and is likely to knees to spread outward over the toes. inappropriately transfer load to the lower back. Al- though reduced knee flexion is purported to decrease On the ascent, the athlete has to concentrate on driv- stress in the knee, it may also compound risk to the ing upward with the chest out, bringing the hips up and spine by limiting hip ROM afforded by the two-joint forward. Drive the heels into the floor and exhale by hamstring muscles. Thus, in an attempt to protect the blowing out forcefully through pursed lips. To change knee, ‘‘sitting back’’ may pose additional risk to the direction quickly, an athlete needs to be able to resist spine. 32 alqueriadelbasket.com STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH } into the squat https://www.facebook.com/JacopoTorresi5 @iltorres84 iltorres TIDBITS Further, recent evidence suggests that excess flex- may require different positioning. loves to travel ion can aggravate hip joint pathology (e.g. acetabular ‘‘Knees behind the toes’’ is likely not and to sail impingement and/or labral tears) in some athletes. an appropriate strategy for every- } A more anterior knee position usually implies great- one. Al Pacino is his er ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion, which are of- favorite actor ten said to pose a risk to the knee. Evidence to date, Finally, rejecting a ‘‘sit back’’ ap- } however, suggests that thigh-parallel squats are safe proach should not be interpreted Formentera is for healthy athletes, although deeper squatting might as endorsing a ‘‘kneel forward’’ one. his preferred pose additional risk to the knee menisci or ligaments Excessive anterior movement of the place (principally the posterior cruciate ligament). knees may shift weight too far forward onto the toes, again producing It should be noted that many athletes have restrictions instability. Correct squatting technique should empha- in dorsiflexion ROM that compel them to ‘‘sit back,’’ size a stable platform with weight evenly supported causing similar concerns. Corrective measures could underfoot, a neutral spine, and knee, hip, and ankle include mobility/flexibility training, limitation of squat ROM within safe/tolerated ranges. depth and changes in barbell load. In general, differenc- es among individual athletes, for example, limb length, Variations in joint loading may be accomplished by changing trunk position, barbell load, and/or squat depth—as acceptable within these criteria—depending upon an individual athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and training goals. After appropriate movement is mastered at some level, it’s time to add load.

There are many tools for load, including, but limited, to barbells, kettlebells, dumbbells, rocks and bricks but always keeping in mind: appropriate movement first. Although viewing bilateral squatting as nonfunction- al may be considered extreme, it is essential to use single-leg exercise in any strength program. Sin- gle-leg strength is specific and cannot be developed through double-leg exercise. The action of the pelvic stabilizers is different in a single-leg stance than in a double-leg stance.

Single leg exercises force the gluteus medius, adductors, and quadrates lomborum to operate as stabilizers. In addition, single-leg strength is now recognized as key in injury reduction and has become a staple of all rehab, recondi- tioning, and knee injury prevention programs. Starting from a baseline single-leg strength exercise like split squat, athletes can move to the next Career single-leg strength exercise in the progression: the rear-foot 2010 – 2012 2012 -2014 2019 elevated split squat, until the Montegranaro Sutor Montegranaro Vanoli Cremona A1 single-leg squat, the “king” Youth Team S & C Coach A 1 Serie Assistant Serie S & C Coach of single-leg exercise. The S & C Coach Poderosa and Osteopath single-leg squat requires the use of a single leg without any Montegranaro B Serie contribution to balance or sta- S & C Coach bility from the opposite leg. alqueriadelbasket.com 33 Referees } Mike Thomson } FIBA Referee Instructor DELIVER (COMMUNICATE) POST-GAME FEEDBACK WHAT DO WE PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON?

s I sat down to prepare this article, I turned , on the TV to a pre-recorded broadcast of a Women’s Olympic Qualifying game, from Ostend, Belgium - host Belgium playing Canada. I looked-up and saw the referees Aon the game were all people that I have had the pleas- ure of working with in my role as a FIBA Referee In- structor. There was Ademir Zurapovic (BIH), Gina Cross (USA) and Andreia DaSilva (BRA). The game started slowly, it was only 12-7 after the first quarter, and the three referees are working hard. My mind immediately turns to – if I was the assigned FIBA Referee Instructor for this game – what would be my approach afterwards? In a recent edition of this magazine Roberto Chiari, a friend and col- league, wrote about “IOT’s – In- dividual Officiating Techniques”, and what goes into making a top referee today. After the training and preparation that Roberto Chi- ari spoke [on the last issue] about comes the feedback loop, the post- game discussion, the evaluation of the referee’s performance in a game. Where we always go back to the IOT’s. Years ago, the feedback loop for referees was limited, it might have been peer based, other members of the crew, reactions from players and coaches – and other adhoc feedback loops. What was missing was a post-game feedback loop where the referees could be provided with evaluation of their performance. We can look at the Referee Instructor as Referees } Mike Thomson } FIBA Referee Instructor

being a “Referee Coach”. Someone that can make Feedback” at the game site – in the dressing room or suggestions, provide guidance, provide tools to allow a connected room. This allows for the discussion to the referee to adjust to improve their performance for be time-boxed, limited to a target of 20 - 30 minutes. the next game. Seems obvious, but this was missing, It is a review of themes, trends from the game, not a in an effective way in many basketball cultures. play-by-play breakdown. The referees can do that on So, what is “Post-Game Feedback” about, where, their own, through video, later. It is about helping them when and why is it done? What is delivered as part of to understand what to look for. No question if there is the feedback, who delivers it and most critically how a “big” problem in the game – a last 2-minute error – it is delivered. we need to address it, immediately. The advantage of It should be obvious but the delivering “Post Game the game site is it is the workplace – the referees office Feedback” has a singular goal, a goal of improvement. – where it is business, all business, all the time. What It is not about identifying what went wrong, it is about ever happened in the game, when the crew leaves the identifying what can be improved, what changes can game site it is over for that night. be made to be better the next time out. It is not about identifying how great the crew was, it is When to deliver the “Post Game Feedback” is crit- about recognizing the journey of continuous improve- ical. If there are no issues in the game, we give the ment. We need to recognize the good things that oc- officiating team a small amount of time to digest the cur, but it is neither an exercise in over exaggerating game and settle. We let the crew start the discus- a positive performance, nor is it, or can it be, all about sion amongst themselves, but don’t allow enough the negative, criticism of what went time for the crew to develop an “alibi” where there wrong. has been an issue. Feedback must be delivered when the memory is fresh: “At 3:12 of the 4th quarter white Proverb: You can’t teach an old N. 3 attempted a three-point shot, in your primary, dog new tricks, BUT you are table side and he ended up on the floor: we had no 2000 never too old to learn. call, what did you see?” The referee will remember the Where possible we try play, because they sense where a mistake might have Olympic Games and deliver “Post Game been made and now, we can talk about what must referee

alqueriadelbasket.com 35 REFEREES } Deliver (Communicate) Post-Game Feedback happen differently next time. Is it position, so an open look, is it not staying with the play, TIDBITS but following the ball, is it not refereeing the defense and being surprised by illegal contact He loves golf that created a consequence? We always link and travelling the discussion to the IOT’s. } Sport enthusiast Why do we do it? Referees are human, just like he is a fan of everybody else without a whistle. They want ice hockey and to be better; they want to learn and improve. professional They want to “move up” the refereeing ladder. football Feedback must be focussed on improvement. Referees hear negatives for much of a game, and can be (naturally) insecure and need positive re- inforcement to improve. The game benefits from improved officiating, we deliver positive feedback to create the best for the game. Man is a strange animal. He generally can’t read the handwriting on the wall until his back is against it. – Ad- lai Stevenson (Politician and Diplomat).

Why not? Post game feedback is not about identifying the best officials – that is a different task. It is not about seeing an official’s limitations. It is not about the What do we provide feedback on? We need to focus Referee Instructor showing off their knowledge: it is a on “big picture” items. Those things that matter to referee centric feedback loop for improvement. a quality refereeing performance. Communication, Teamwork, Decision Making, Call Quality, Consist- We usually see only the things we are looking for – so much ency and Game Control. FIBA’s golden rule is “Game so that we sometimes see them where they are not. Control”, ensuring the smooth running and dynamic Eric Hoffer (Writer and Philosopher) game where players can showcase their basketball skills. The above items are key to ensuring the game is always in control and these elements contribute to a positive refereeing performance. We get to the important things quickly – Call Quality and Game Control. The word is call quality not selection, it is decision making not judgement. One to three calls per official, a maximum of 5 on occasion. We, whenever possible, use game video to look at these plays. In game control did the officials create uncertainty or confusion? Was there any “what was that’s” or big “oops”? Were there bench decorum issues, or were proper standards of behaviour, decorum adhered to?

Get the call right and there is no comeback.

Step outside the box, find the value that the official is looking for and go there, challenge the official. What are the skills that the best referees have that this referee lacks? Be honest, but be positive.

Only dead fish swim with the stream all the time. Linda Ellerbee (Journalist) 36 alqueriadelbasket.com Who are you when you deliver feedback? Be ap- Have the referees do most of the talking – the person proachable you, be supportive you, be philosophical who leads the conversation may speak very little. The you, be nurturing you, be encouraging you. basic tool of referee coaching is the question. How, let’s talk communication skills. You can tell a man is clever by his answers. You can tell a The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that man is wise by his questions. it has taken place. Naguib Mahfouz (Writer) George Bernard Shaw (Playwright) We always choose “nutritious” conversations over To be a good communicator you must be trusted. It “junk food”. Make sure the conversations nourish the is about your credibility and your character. Trust is referee – that they increase the energy, the desire, earned over time, but it is easily broken. It is about the of the referee to be better. Nourishing conversations emotional connection you make with others. When provide a mental stimulus. they feel what you say matters to them, and you care about them, your influence is considerable. If you can Deliver (Communicate) Post Game Feedback with a genuinely empathize with the officials, they become goal of improvement. open to your message. It is not a critique, but a conversation where the referees identify the tools, they need in their game to be As noted, we use video to show the referees where better. they can improve. Video has become critical to effective delivery of post-game feedback. It is “fact and We all want a better game: evidence based” – and it shows the we can help that outcome referees how you arrived at your by creating better refer- conclusions. ees. 2003 University Games Championship final game

Career 1979- 2019 1989-2008 Canadian National FIBA Referee Referee 2012 1982-2019 FIBA Commissioner Canadian University Top Division Referee 2015 FIBA Referee Instructor

alqueriadelbasket.com 37 Referees } Roberto Chiari } FIBA Referees Instructor RULES QUIZ 1) A GAME CANNOT BEGIN IF ONE OF THE TEAMS 7) WHICH ONE OF THESE TWO SENTENCES IS NOT ON THE PLAYING COURT WITH: IS CORRECT? } 7 PLAYERS READY TO PLAY } AFTER A JUMP BALL, THE TEAM THAT GAINS } 6 PLAYERS READY TO PLAY CONTROL OF THE BALL WILL BE ENTITLED TO } 5 PLAYERS READY TO PLAY THE FIRST ALTERNATING POSSESSION. } AFTER A JUMP BALL, THE TEAM THAT DOES 2) IF A TECHNICAL FOUL IS COMMITTED, NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE BALL WILL HOW MANY FREE THROW(S) ARE AWARDED BE ENTITLED TO THE FIRST ALTERNATING TO THE OPPONENT? POSSESSION. 3 } 2 8) WHAT HAPPENS IF A PLAYER DELIBERATELY } 1 SCORES A FIELD GOAL IN HIS TEAM'S BASKET? } 0 } IT IS A VIOLATION AND THE GOAL DOES NOT COUNT. 3) THE 3-POINT LINE IS PART OF THE 3-POINT } THE GOAL COUNTS 2 POINTS. AREA? } FALSE 9) DURING A JUMP BALL, IF THE BALL IS NOT } TRUE TAPPED BY AT LEAST ONE OF THE JUMPERS, THE JUMP BALL SHALL BE REPEATED. 4) THE SHOT CLOCK SIGNAL SOUNDS WHILE } FALSE TEAM A IS IN CONTROL OF THE BALL. } TRUE THE BALL BECOMES DEAD IMMEDIATELY. } FALSE 10) HOW LONG DOES THE INTERVAL OF PLAY LAST } TRUE BEFORE THE GAME IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN? } 20 MINUTES 5) PLAYER A1 NUMBER IS INCORRECTLY } 30 MINUTES RECORDED ON THE SCORESHEET. THE ERROR } 15 MINUTES IS DISCOVERED AFTER THE GAME HAS STARTED. COACH A SHALL BE CHARGED WITH ANSWERS A TECHNICAL FOUL, RECORDED AS 'B'. 1) 5 Players ready Art. 9.3 OBR } FALSE 2) 1 Art. 36.3.2 OBR } TRUE 3) False Art. 2.4.4. OBR 4) True Art. 10.3 6) A PLAYER COMMITS HIS 2ND 5) False Statement 7-4 OBRI UNSPORTSMANLIKE FOUL AND IS 6) False Art. 36.2.3 OBR DISQUALIFIED. HE MAY REMAIN IN HIS TEAM 7) The team that does not gain control of the live ball on the playing court after the BENCH AREA AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIS jump ball will be entitled to the first TEAM. alternating possession. Art. 12.5.2 OBR } TRUE 8) The goal counts 2 points. Art. 16.2.2 OBR } FALSE 9) True 10) 20 minutes Art. 8.5 OBR OBR = Official Basketball Rule OBRI = Official Basketball Rule Interpretation

38 alqueriadelbasket.com Referees } Roberto Chiari } FIBA Referees Instructor

alqueriadelbasket.com 39 MARKETING MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL } Ryan Tanke } COO NBA Minnesota Timberwolves & WNBA Minnesota Lynx THE CULTURE OF CARE: STAFF AND FAN EVERY MOMENT MATTERS INTERVIEW WITH GIORGIO GANDOLFI yan Tanke is the Chief Operating Of- ficer of the NBA Minnesota Timber- wolves and the WNBA Minnesota Lynx. He was instrumental in having , his team, the Timberwolves, be the Rfirst in the NBA to employ electronic ticketing; he was also very successful in introducing other aspects of Timberwolves business practices. He oversees the sectors of sales and service, including ticket sales, corpo- rate partnerships and premium seating, in addition to areas of business intelligence, fan experience, communications and Basketball Academy.

40 alqueriadelbasket.com MARKETING MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL } Ryan Tanke } COO NBA Minnesota Timberwolves & WNBA Minnesota Lynx THE BOOK Would you kindly explain how I read in one of your interviews you reached the top of the Tim- “START WITH that the book Start with Why: berwolves organization, after How Great Leaders Inspire starting out selling tickets at WHY” MADE Everyone to Take Action by the box office of the Target Simon Sinek had an impact Center, the renovated home A BIG IMPRESSION on your work culture and phi- court of the Minnesota Timber- ON ME losophy. Which concepts in the wolves? book most inspired you and how I started out selling tickets at the did you apply them to your work ticket window on game nights. Then, with the teams? I was able to get an internship and I I love Simon Sinek (an English writer spent five years working full time on tick- and essayist, and naturalized American, ets sales for the Wolves and then also in 1998 for editor’s note) and I’ve read all his stuff. I love the the WNBA Minnesota Lynx, our women’s team. mentality of starting with “Why”, and all of us get- In 2003 I left Minnesota and the NBA and became ting into business with a purpose. The purpose may Director of Ticketing Season and Group Sales at the evolve over time, but you must always ask ‘’Why, why San Diego Chargers [of the National Football League, am I here?” Having your personal “Why” allows you editor’s note]. Two years later I came back to the Tim- to continually reflect on your purpose and, organi- berwolves as Vice President of Ticket Sales. It was zationally, it justifies the structures you put in place: really great to be back here and I was really fortunate “Why” we exist, “Why” we are working every single over the last 15 years to have had the opportunity to day to try to build that purpose. The book Start with work and grow with this organization. Why certainly made a big impression on me, and all

alqueriadelbasket.com 41 MARKETING MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL } The Culture of Care: Staff and Fan

Sinek’s other books, messages and talks have been Unlike the USA franchises, the European basket- very impactful. ball clubs put much more human and economic resources into the team, and far, far less into the “off How did you translate and apply these concepts to the court” staff. How do you build your staff? your staff at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Min- So much of success depends on the people that you nesota Lynx? bring into the organization and recently we have We created an organizational purpose years ago, so focused a lot on making sure that we have diversi- we got an organizational “Why” and this had a big ty in our leadership team, in addition to diversity of impact on the people who come and work here every thought, and diversity of experience. We are very single day; we are doing this together, we are a part proud of the fact that we have a leadership team in of something bigger than ourselves. This thinking also the organization that is approaching 50% in terms of extends to the fans and the community that we serve diversity, including gender, race, age, and ethnicity. as we are making sure that we create an environment And this really has helped us build a more diverse or- and an experience that our fans are proud to be a part ganization that better represents the community. of. We want to be sure that our organization is not just about the players on the court, but it’s about every- How do you reward and motivate your staff? body, all who are connected to the club, all who watch We focus on three core areas. First, which is perhaps or attend the games and who want to feel a part of most basic, is compensation and we have done a full something very special. review of our compensation across the board. We have 42 alqueriadelbasket.com MARKETING MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL } The Culture of Care: Staff and Fan }

to credit our ownership with looking at The third area that we focus on today is how we compensate the staff in order staff training and development. What to be competitive in this area, so we we are doing is making sure that have made significant changes in our staff is trained to be suc- how we compensate our peo- cessful and we strive to put ple. Second, in 2020 the flex- WE WANT them in an opportunity where ible work environment has they can continue to grow become an important com- TO KEEP OUR STAFF and develop as people and ponent in the workplace and AND OUR BRAND professionals. We spend a our staff wants the ability lot of time and resources on to choose the type of work IN CONTACT WITH training and development of schedule that works for our staff. them. In addition, we get to THE FANS maximize leveraging technol- How is the care and respect ogies so that people can do the THROUGHOUT THE of the staff translated to the same tasks in the office and out YEAR fans, the ‘’customers” of the of the office. We are very flexible franchise? about working remotely, on when and I think it’s an internal approach. We where people work. talk all the time about this as it starts

alqueriadelbasket.com 43 MARKETING MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL } The Culture of Care: Staff and Fan

from us. If we take care of our team and we do the right basic ideas that can enhance a basketball club out- thing as an organization for our people, our people will side the USA? take care of our fans and put them first in everything I think building a great sports organization has four that we do. I think that there is an absolute connection key components. between the organization that does a great job in tak- Number one is creating a winning culture. Are you hir- ing care of its staff and how its staff takes care of the ing the right people and taking care of the people that customers/fans. you have? Two, is having a world class fan experience. Every In your job you are dealing with so many different day that you come to work are you focused on what aspects, from tickets sales to fan experience, to that experience is? I call it a drive-to-drive experience. communication. Can you share with us some of your From the time fans leave their homes, until the time they get home, how do you positively impact their ex- Ray Tanke with the Timberwolves perience? Are you focusing every single day on mak- former player Cherokee Parks ing the best customer experience that you can? Three, you have to have a strong focus on maximizing revenue and too often I don’t think that a team spends enough time thinking about selling tickets, selling sponsorships, as well as other revenues: suites, merchandising, concessions. You have to have a strong leader who creates an impact on those things every day. Every single person inside a sports organization has to take part in selling or supporting the sales process that helps the team to be successful. This is something we certainly focus on every day. The last, fourth, phase is the community focus. Sports organizations are oftentimes owned privately or by an ownership group, but more than any other business I think we are very much a public company. What I mean by that is that the fans can vote every single day whether to support or not support us. So what are the things you are doing inside the community that you serve? Are you taking care of people who are either underprivileged or unsupported: supporting the people in your community and the people who will support you.? In short, a winning culture, drive-to-drive experience, maximizing revenues, and community focus are the four key points that I would share with every other sports organization looking to follow our lead.

Can you give me an example of customer care at the Timberwolves? We were the first team to roll out a program where all our season ticket holders will receive 50% off food and beverage, and merchandise next season at the Target Center. Recently we conducted a great deal of research into customer care and we listened to the fans in focus groups. They all talked about the over- all expense of going to the game, not just the ticket prices, but as a complete value proposition. They ex- pect to find this when they go to the arena. This really created significant internal dialogue and conversation 44 alqueriadelbasket.com MARKETING MANAGEMENT & DIGITAL } The Culture of Care: Staff and Fan @ryantanke TIDBITS https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-tanke-74bb165/ He earned a business management degree from St. www.nba.com/timberwolves/ Mary’s University, Minnesota. }

He serves on the board of Twin Cities that enabled us to launch this plan that nobody had Boys and Girls Club.

} done before. Providing our tickets holders with 50% off on food and beverage and merchandising begin- He is involved in the Timberwolves and Lynx ning next season has been a great story for us locally FastBreak Foundation and a longtime supporter of Big and around the country. But it all starts by listening Brother Big Sisters. to your fans.

You do a great job in creating fan experience during the season. In the rest of the world, clubs usually forget the fans, their “customers,’’ in the off-season. What are you doing for your fans in the off-season? We look at a 365 day a year relationship with the fans. It begins with the off-season events strategy. We look at the calendar and we plan events from there, such as the [NBA] draft where we organize a draft party. It could be looking at the [NBA] Summer League, and as our team gets together we can have an open house with our staff. We want to keep our staff and our brand in contact with the fans throughout the year. For our fans, particularly the season ticket holders, entertainment is all year long.

How do you communicate your plans inside the organization and to the media? We have two types of communications. One internal and one with the outside press. We place a lot of importance on how we communicate with our staff— that communication comes first and must be correct. We do that with a combination of monthly staff meetings, where we bring everybody together; we then have staff newsletters every two weeks, and weekly and daily department and staff meetings. Externally, the big shift that we made is how we approach the relationship with the local and national media. We treat Career them the same way that we treat our “customers.” We try to create 2003 – 2005 2013 -2019 an experience for the media and San Diego Chargers NFL Minnesota Timberwolves & Linx we focus on investing energy in everything we do with them, from Director of Sales & Services Chief Revenues Officer the way we treat them at the game, 2012 -2014 2019 to the way we engage with them throughout the year. We make sure Minnesota Timberwolves & Linx Timberwolves that we are continually building up Sr. Director of sales & Premium Chief Operating Officer those relationships and that they Seating are where they need to be. alqueriadelbasket.com 45 ALQUERIA NEWS } media Officer L’Alqueria del Basket FIRST NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAIR IT IS ALREADY A REALITY

his season the University of Valencia and L'Alqueria del Basket have signed on to endow the first specific Basketball Chair at the national level, under the name L'Alqueria del Basket Basketball Chair. TThe rector of the university, Maria Vicenta Mestre, and the CEO of Valencia Basket, Paco Raga, put their signa- tures on the agreement that certifies the collaboration between both entities. This represents a huge step forward in the objective of , promoting research and innovation in basketball, improving training, and sharing knowledge; these are the main pillars of L’Alqueria LAB, the new department within the house of European basketball training. Rector Mestre appreciated the importance of the agreement between the parties. “With this Chair, we generate reaching everyone. The field of sport is very important a legal framework of collaboration between both enti- for us,” she explained. ties, which will help to set objectives and projects that On the club side, it was the Director of Operations and we can do together, contributing to something that we Institutional Relations, Jose Puentes, who valued the col- are always seeking: the transmission of everything we laboration. “For us, it is an honor to participate in this first do here in training and research to the greater society, basketball Chair in Spain together with the University of Valencia. In addition to bearing the same last name of our great city, “Valencia,” it is essential for the club, to create these alliances with institutions that develop knowledge. This is one of the main axes of our Strategic Plan—we want our young athletes in l’Alqueria to develop not only physical, but mental talent, while generating knowledge in the ecosystem,” he said. FULLY ACTIVE AND READY TO ROLL From there, the Chair has not stopped growing. In De- cember, it started to take first steps. The Basketball Department of L’Alqueria del Basket, organized its first training day in the house of European basketball training in conjunction with the University of Valencia, and reg- istered more than 120 participants. Physiotherapy was the central theme of the first program. Rubén Pons, a physiotherapist with Liverpool’s soc- cer team, was the first to speak with his lecture on the "Functional Recovery of the Knee." As per Pons, "It is very interesting for those of us who love this profession and for people who have just studied and want to continue training, to be in an environment like this that supports this type of event.” He continued, “Frankly, it has surprised me a lot; it is very much appre- 46 alqueriadelbasket.com ALQUERIA NEWS } media Officer L’Alqueria del Basket agreement signed by to keep moving forward and I would like this example to be used as a reference point within the community." she FIRST NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAIR Maria vicente mestre explained. University of valencia Finally, Pablo Martínez, a physiotherapist at Valencia Basket, discussed “The Approach to Knee Structures by rector and Paco Raga Electrolysis”— valencia Basketball “This is much more than a club. And L’Alqueria LAB is the pinnacle. With this, all of us who love science have a greater ceo motivation to continue growing in this club, not only through the sporting side, but through the scientific side as well. It is essential that knowledge reach many more people who are able to disseminate it. It is an exciting day for me, to be able to collaborate in this milestone that promotes science and training” he concluded. The feedback from this first joint action between L’Alqueria LAB and University of Valencia could not be more positive in that it showcased the great interest that is being generated around the project. This is an example of the potential of a Chair that has many more activities planned for 2020, including conferences and studies that encourage the growth of our sport. The signature message of the Chair is one of the first im- ciated that institutions like this exist." portant steps of L'Alqueria LAB, the new R + D + I + Co Cristina Sánchez, physiotherapist specializing in Ultra- Department of L'Alqueria del Basket. This is the realiza- sound, explained how the "Ultrasound Assessment of tion of one of the main projects within the second phase the Knee" is performed. "This event is very positive, ini- of the Strategic Plan of the largest basketball facility in tiatives such as this one allow the scientific community Europe.

alqueriadelbasket.com 47 ALQUERIA NEWS } events

SPECIAL VISITS TO THE FACILITY These have been months full of visits to our world facility, and that is very impressive” he said. class basketball facility from numerous personalities The Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club chairman, Shi- within the world of sport. Mario Gomes, Technical mon Mizrahi, did not want to miss it either. "I'm very Director of the Portuguese Federation and coach of impressed. You have wonderful facilities here. I don't the Portuguese National Team, has been able to visit think many EuroLeague clubs have a facility like this many basketball facilities thanks to his international and now I understand exactly why the club is suc- experience, but L’Alqueria del Basket has dazzled him ceeding,” said Mizrahi. There is no one with as much like no other. After exploring the installation in detail, experience in the world of basketball better able to the coach transmitted his feelings. "I loved it. Here assess the possibilities that L’Alqueria has to offer. you can’t help but work at ease, completely relaxed. “Of course it is because I see that many children from This is fantastic, it's very good, very well presented. different schools are coming here; they’re moving There are no frills or whims, but it has everything that forward and becoming future professionals. It is very is essential to our sport and besides, I know that it has important that you have 600 children here every day. outstanding coaches working here. For me it is per- It is very large and can readily accommodate them,” fect. I don't see any mistakes,” said the Portuguese he commented. visitor. Edli Marcus, CEO of the Israel Basketball Super Lea- Taking advantage of his presence in Valencia for the gue, also wanted to value what he had seen. “I think EuroLeague game against Valencia Basket, legendary these are great facilities; they are in step with today’s coach, Rick Pitino, currently coach of Panathinaikos young players in the city. They are the best facilities Athens, also learned all the details of a stop at Alque- I've seen in Europe, they have everything: places to ria del Basket that left him very surprised. “It is one train, medical facilities, study rooms—I think it's a of the most impressive facilities I've seen. I think the perfect place for children to play basketball,” he said. owner is trying to beat Real Madrid and Barcelona in terms of quality. Very impressive. It is a great city, and obviously a great owner, whom I have not yet met, but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owz9KIW_I2U&fea- I know that he will build a new Arena, a great training ture=emb_logo 48 alqueriadelbasket.com A SUMMER FULL OF ACTIVITIES is made manifest in the third annual gathering of Fe- Easter and summer activities are just ahead in 2020. male Technification Camp to be held on Campus offe- Easter offers two options in unique multi-sports faci- ring various players the option of improving their per- lities such as the Iale Sport Center, or in the house of formance on court with much more specific work, and European basketball training, L’Alqueria. with the best coaches. Games, activities, contests and And in summer, the options multiply: Valencia Basket above all fun, lots of fun, will be enjoyed by all—always brings you a unique opportunity to enjoy your favorite with the orange ball as the central protagonist. You can sport in The Summer Camp, which will be held as always register now! at the Calvestra Adventure and Leisure Center which CAMPUS VALENCIA BASKET offers the possibility of improving your basketball skills surrounded by nature and multi-adventure activities. https://alqueriadelbasket.com/?r=activida- Meanwhile, the little ones can choose between L’Alque- des/Campus&idioma=cas ria del Basket and the Iale Sport Center as an alternative to enjoy their favorite sport. VALENCIA BASKET SCHOOLS On another note, our Culture of Endeavour philosophy https://alqueriadelbasket.com/?r=activida- des/Escuelas&idioma=cas

COLLEGIATE CUP INTRODUCED Last February the seventh Valencia Collegiate Cup was presented at L’Alqueria del Basket, in the most important year of the competition in the city. This year, 2020, Valencia will host the beginning and end of the Copa Colegial since, on January 8, the national presentation was held at El Pilar school. From May 22nd to 24th, the National Grand Finale will be played here. This is where the eighteen champion teams from all the Collegiate Cup venues will participate and crown the winner of this year's contest. alqueriadelbasket.com 49 ALQUERIA NEWS } services

RENTAL OF THE COURT SCHOOLS

Eight the court of the facility are open to all au- The little ones also have their space in L’Alqueria diences. Our website has a rental service with the del Basket. The schools that house the facilities aim that any team, group, school or organization become the perfect occasion for them to have can make use of them. Some of the most com- their first contact with basketball in Easter, mon formulas are usually training or games, both Christmas, and summer, while playing, learning, friendly and official. having fun with other children.

The most recurring activity on our CAMPS courts are the basketball camps, PRE-SEASON AND PRE TOURNAMENT PRACTICES especially during holiday periods. Children and young people have the opportunity National or club’s teams can choose L’Alqueria del to use their free time to improve individually and , Basket as a place for their pre-tournament and collectively in a relaxed environment with peers pre-season practices. For example, the facilities of their age. The Valencia Basket Camps in Easter, hosted the Spanish women’s basketball team Christmas, and summer, the School of Female for some days just before competing in the FIBA Technical Improvement, the Shooting Academy Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2018. or the Skills Camp are some of the already consolidated camps. TOURNAMENTS The amount of courts and the variety of services offered by our facility allow to host any CAMPS AND CLINICS ABROAD type of first level youth tournament. To date, House of European Youth Basketball: L’Alqueria L’Alqueria del Basket has been chosen to com- del Basket has become an international model, pete in the previous phase of the Endesa Mini which has already overcome Spanish barriers. Our Cup, the Adidas Next Generation Tournament, coaches have already shared the way of wor- the Valencia Basket Cup or the Spanish Women’s king basketball training in various countries. Last Cadet Championship among others. summer, with the help of the company Assist Basketball, Australia already lived this experience, as well as the Worcester Camp , for the fifth year in the UK. Training, clinics, talks... The Alqueria model reaches everywhere.

50 alqueriadelbasket.com The final stretch of the summer L’Alqueria del Basket is not EVENTS PRESEASON is a good time to prepare the just a place for basketball. The new season. Some American wide spaces of the courts and Universities such as Central Florida, George- the available rooms make it an ideal space for town and Louisiana, among others, have chosen companies or organizations to host events of L’Alqueria del Basket as one of their stops to any kind. The presentation of the Giant Awards, train and play friendly games during their prese- the Marketing Meeting of the Valencia Basket, ason tours. Another event that we are used to is the presentation of the FER Project, several live that one of Europrobasket, a program involving radio programs... A wide variety of possibilities. players from different countries, who practice for several weeks together for the new season under the supervision of a coaching staff. VISITS Many schools, teams and individuals can discover every corner of L’Alqueria del Basket thanks to the organized visits offered by the facility. The thirteen courts, the gym, the medical and physiotherapy rooms or the Innovation Room are some of the most relevant locations of the largest basketball house in Europe.

The philosophy of the steady im- CLINICS provement in L’Alqueria del Basket is not only for the players, but also for the coaches. The facility hosts from open training days such as the Raúl Jiménez Memo- rial or the Valencia Basket coaches’ talks, to professional courses such as Procoach, which has brought world-class coaches to share their knowledge and experiences. Many players prefer to INDIVIDUAL WORK work alone, especially in the summer season, and choose L’Alqueria del Basket to carry out their set-up for the new championship. We have some examples with the Valencian player Ana Suárez, the Virtus player Angela Salva- dores, the Spanish international María Araujo or Jad Khalil, a Lebanese international.

L’Alqueria del Basket is a basketball generating center, which also aims to become a benchmark for innovation in our sport. To this end, the installation is in a process of constant improvement, open to new ideas and projects. You can find all the information about the installation and you can contact us by our web site: www.alqueriadelbasket.com alqueriadelbasket.com 51 HOOPS FOR ALL } BASKIN THE ABILITIES ASSESSMENT’S GRID DURING THE GAME FUNCTIONALITY IS THE KEY TO THE GRID'S INTERPRETATION

PURPOSE The following grid, now in its second version, is used for the assessment of abilities during the game, and its purpose is to streamline and improve the correct classification of assigned roles. In addition to the “classification test” already in use, it will replace the entry “assessment in the game”, in order to make it as objective as possible. Every role is characterized by specific abilities that, while different for each single player, help to define their limits. It is, of course, understood that in Baskin the individual players are so different from one another that clear-cut classifications, as found in other sports, are impossible. However, trying to use even greater precision and objectivity is possible and proper in order to speak the same language on the court and to avoid misunderstandings. istics of a player, to assess his functioning during the Keeping this in mind, we tried to assess not so much the game, his ability to understand a situation, process a effectiveness and performance (dependent variables) solution and execute it. The lower the functionality, the of the players, as, instead, the singular abilities shown less the ability to find a solution to a problem, the higher in the course of the game (independent variables) with the functionality, the better the ability to find the best as much objectivity as possible. solution, to the point of “creating the game”. By “creat- While the assessment test for the routes aims at the ing the game” we mean the ability, from the start of the evaluation of the “Motor Scope” and the “Technical situation, to finding a solution that gives an advantage Scope” of each player, this grid is aimed at the assess- to the player, but, above all, to his teammates. ment of the “Tactical Scope”, i.e. the attention, analysis and decision-making abilities FUNCTIONALITY that deal with the different situations that occur in each Five abilities were selected and five levels of “expres- phase of the game. sion” were identified for each of them, in ascending The key to the interpretation of the grid is “function- order. A score is matched to each level, ideally corre- ality”, leaving out the physical and technical character- sponding to:

ROLE 3 ROLE 4 ROLE 5 LIMITED OR PARTIAL PARTIAL OR ALMOST COMPLETE COMPLETE FUNCTIONALITY FUNCTIONALITY FUNCTIONALITY

SCARCE or NO ability to create LOW or MEDIUM ability to create GOOD or HIGH ability to create the game the game the game

52 alqueriadelbasket.com 1. Role 3 low profile The grid is the tool used by the members 2. Role 3 high profile of the Technical Commission in each 3. Role 4 low profile regional section to evaluate the cor- 4. Role 4 high profile rectness of the enrollments during 5. Role 5 The sum of the games; however, this tool can and shall be used by the coach- The sum of the five scores yields roles from 1 to 5, es to determine if their players a result that shall be compared were correctly enrolled and to to these approximate thresholds never beyond constantly monitor their improve- belonging to each role: ment. a total of 23 If the assessment of a player 5 to 10 points = role 3 yields a different result from his/ 11 to 20 points = role 4 her actual enrollment, then the play- 21 to 25 points = role 5 er SHALL change his role. The regional commissions shall determine the timing of Two “Malus” coefficients were added to this the change, which can be immediate (even in the second version; they shall be applied to the score ob- course of a match, if the incorrect enrollment is so tained, in the following cases: unbalanced, as to affect the result of the match) or later in time, if the technical commission believes Score role 3 or 4 (5 to 20 points) with a height of less that the player needs a period of time to train and than 155 cm improve some abilities for the new role that he does Score role 5 (21 to 25 points) with prosthesis / phys- not possess at present. ical impairment of the lower limbs DUBIOUS CASES These negative coefficients aim at lowering the pre- The local technical commissions of the regional sec- vious score, to balance a non-modifiable physical tions have full power of decision making about the component that can affect unfavorably the confron- enrollment of the players in their own section. tation with players of the same role. In all cases when the correct enrollment of a player LONG-FORM TABLE OF THE DIFFERENT CASES is difficult to determine, due to either strong “bor- derline” characteristics between roles, or wide dif- Since the assessment grid is, by its functional and ferences among assessments, or cases not provided practical nature, an artificial tool, we thought of cre- by the rules, or external factors, the local technical ating and attaching a table to describe in greater de- commissions can refer and/or consult with the Na- tail how each role defines its own abilities. This table tional Technical Commission to settle the issues. does not replace the assessment grid, but, rather, clarifies it— consider it an “extended form” of the ETHICAL ISSUE five abilities in the grid—to help the assessor better While using this assessment grid, one basic issue understand the different cases when these abilities must be kept in mind: can be observed in the various roles during a phase Clear your mind of any previous judgment and opin- of the game. It also includes a few observations that, ion about the player to be assessed. due to the above mentioned reasons of brevity and Starting from the premise that each coach, play- objectivity, were not included in the grid. er, manager and any other person belonging to the Baskin world is joining this sporting activity in total ASSESSMENT MODE AND TIMING good faith, the technical commissions and the tools The grid is used for the assessment of a single player, they employ play a vital role in keeping an objec- is valid for Roles 3, 4 and 5 and shall be filled dur- tive balance; this is not always possible, in cases of ing the observation of one or more matches. Ideally, the assessment of one's own player/acquaintance/ if the championship timing and organization allow it, friend. That, however, shall not exempt the coaches the player should be observed at least two different and other persons from constantly assessing the times, and be assessed by at least two different as- correctness of the enrollments, to ease the task of sessors. In case of more assessments, the mathe- the commissions and to keep Baskin consistently matical average of the results shall be determined. balanced.

alqueriadelbasket.com 53 HOOPS FOR ALL } BASKIN

ASSESSMENT GRID OF THE ABILITIES IN THE GAME (REV. 2/2018) KEY: } * By “forcing the shot” we mean a situation where the choice does not guarantee a high probability of success. } ** By “situation of advantage” we mean a situation where the choice guarantees a high probability of success. The criteria to assess the probability of success can be: distance from the objective, shooting angle with respect to the basket, possible inter- ference of the defense, among others } *** By “external stimulus” we mean a suggestion/ order from the coach or teammate. } **** By “being in difficulty” we mean that the solution found is no longer feasible or has a high risk of failure. } ***** Some players (often role 3) can sometimes perform continuous changes of the objective that seem to be adjusted to what is happening, but are often automatic movements learned in the course of practice and therefore not dependent on the game situation. In this case, these abilities do not count as “voluntary”. } ****** By “advantageous position” we mean taking a position on the court that facilitates the offensive/ defensive actions of one's own team. The assess- defensive position to obstruct the offensive player ment criteria can be: finding a position where you and tries to modify it in accordance with his move- can receive the basketball without it’s being inter- ments. Can also obstruct the higher roles. cepted by the defense, looking for a free position 5. Follows the offensive player with or without the ball, near one of the two baskets, looking for a position trying to anticipate his decisions. Always chooses a that does not hinder the movements of your team- defensive position to obstruct the offensive player mates (above all, when in possession of the ball), and his ball reception and constantly changes it to looking for a position allowing you to prevent your anticipate him and to respond to court conditions. opponents from reaching the baskets, as examples. QUALITY OF SHOT CHOICE DEFENSE 1. Always forces the shot, independently of the situa- 1. Has difficulty in staying with the offensive player tion and the shot outcome. and/or keeps forgetting to defend. His defense sel- 2. Finds it difficult to assess the outcome of a shot, dom obstructs the offense. therefore often forces the choice. 2. Keeps up with the scorer, but is easily distracted 3. Rarely forces the shot and can nearly always assess and loses the man when not in possession of the the outcome of the choice he is going to make. ball. His defensive stance rarely obstructs the of- 4. Only shoots if the situations seem favorable to him, fensive player. otherwise renounces and looks for another solu- 3. Can follow the offensive player with continuity, tion. Sometimes, but not often, he can create a shot even without the ball. Sometimes also tries to ob- with a personal solution, but rarely facing the oppo- struct the higher roles. Tries to choose a defensive nent in a one on one from the dribble. He can per- position that can obstruct the offensive player, but form shot fakes to trick the opponent, but can rarely finds it very difficult to anticipate ball reception. obtain a better shot. 4. Can always follow the would be scorer, looking for 5. Chooses carefully the time to shoot creating an ad- a tactic to obstruct his ball reception. Chooses a vantageous personal situation of one on one. Uses 54 alqueriadelbasket.com https://www.facebook.com/baskin.cremona/ https://baskin.it/

shot fakes to trick the opponent and obtain a better 3. Can pass the ball to his teammates if in difficulty, shot. but usually looks for a personal solution. 4. Often passes the ball to his teammates, some- USE OF THE TWO BASKETS times, but not often trying to create an advanta- 1. Always heads towards a single objective without geous situation. changing direction, unless affected by external 5. Keeps looking for and creating advantageous situ- stimulus ations to pass the ball to his teammates involving 2. Usually heads towards a single objective, but can them in offensive actions. change direction if in difficulty, voluntarily or after external stimulus. MOVEMENT WITHOUT THE BALL 3. When in difficulty, changes his objective voluntarily. 1. Usually stands where he is told and, if he has to 4. Makes his own assessments and voluntarily de- choose by himself, never stands in an advanta- cides, sometimes in advance, if and when to change geous position for the game. his objective. 2. Often stands only where he is told and, if he has to 5. Creates situations deliberately to take advantage choose by himself, this is rarely advantageous. from the change of objective, for himself and his 3. Often stands where he is told and sometimes looks teammates. by himself for an advantageous position in the game, even if he finds it difficult to draw a real ad- TEAMMATE INVOLVEMENT vantage from it. 1. Looks for a personal solution, never passing the ball, 4. Can almost always find an advantageous position unless occasionally and only after external stimu- to stand by himself, sometimes but not often man- lus. aging to anticipate the game. 2. Looks for a personal solution, passing the ball very 5. Anticipates the game always looking for the best few times and only if in difficulty and after external position to place himself in, to draw an advantage stimulus. for himself or his team. alqueriadelbasket.com 55 HOOPS FOR ALL} DIBF https://twitter.com/deafbasketball http://www.dibf.org 3 X 3 WORLD CUP SEPTEMBER 6TH-10TH, RAMAT GAN, ISRAEL e, the Deaf International Basketball have culminated in the realization of a dream for many Federation (DIBF), are pleased to an- deaf players: to be able to enjoy this beautiful sport. nounce, officially, the premiere of our The first edition of the DIBF 3 x 3 World Cup will be DIBF 3 x 3 World Cup. After numerous held in Ramat Gan, Israel, very close to the famous years of waiting and working on infor- city of Tel Aviv. The duration of this first event is five Wmation regarding rules, procedure and knowledge of days, from 6th to 10th September 2020. The playing this sport we are happy to announce that the maximum venue is on the grounds of the Kfar Maccabiah Ho- number of male and female teams will be participating. tel which houses outstanding athletic facilities that After creating something from nothing these new rules, extend over the 20 acres hotel complex including the procedures, technical regulations, and match tables playing, courts that are also used for the FIBA 3 x 3.

The participants from all over the world will be: l Twenty men’s teams l Twenty women’s teams representing the four DIBF zones: } Africa } America } Asia-Pacific } Europe We at DIBF could not be more excited about this first DIBF 3x3 World Cup, and we can't wait to initiate this tradition for our participating teams. Below are the DIBF Men’s and Women’s World Rankings.

56 alqueriadelbasket.com alqueriadelbasket.com 57 HOOPS FOR ALL} HAJ BHANIA } GREAT BRITAIN MEN’S WHEELCHAIR NATIONAL TEAM COACH THE GAME, THE LEAGUE AND THE POST SEASON A DEEPER LOOK INSIDE THE WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL ontinuing the theme from the previous arti- position; ability to push the wheels (24”/25”/26”/27” cles, a brief comment on equipment and the wheels), type of tire and air pressure, location of the sports chair. Other than starter or develop- hand-rim (material, spacing), strapping, material, Vel- ment athlete chairs, most sports chairs are cro or click lock, width, length, location, position of the custom made or made to measure. The con- footplate and material. Cstruction of the chairs are subject to IWBF rules gover- A number of other things are considered in the con- ning size and dimensions (hei- struction, of the sports chairs and these may be stan- ght) at various points, height dard manufacturers products or at a players request and shape of the front bar and include castor wheels, material, size and position; and the placement and seat cushion size and material; wheel spokes; the height of the anti-tip/’fi- backrest and under chair support material and fixing; fth’ wheel/s. The rules side guards size and material. have a purpose that re- Lower classification players prefer softer cushions and late to a player’s own material as extended period training and playing can use and for on court lead to skin irritation and sores. They will generally safety to the player and use 24”/25” wheels. Higher classification players will others.Players will need usually have firm cushions and use 25”-27” wheels. to feel comfortable in Players and manufacturers continue to adapt and their seating evolve the sports chair to give optimum use and advantage. Players and manufacturers have trialed and produced ‘molded’ seats and although effective, they are used by very few players. Most sports chairs are made from aluminum and heat treated for strength. There have been some chairs made from carbon-fiber, but cost and repair make this functionally limited. As strong and hard wearing as the sports chairs may be, they can suffer wear and tear damage and parts of the frame can snap requiring welding repair. The average cost of a high-quality performance sports chair is in excess of €5,000. THE LEAGUE Players are approaching the end of their league se- asons and preparing for league play-offs. Those not making the play-offs will be considering plans for next season and some players may be looking for fresh or different challenges at different clubs or countries. The more successful clubs will be more stable and retain many of their players and look to strengthen based on classification and position needs. Many clubs will be preparing for or have already com- 58 alqueriadelbasket.com MOST SPORT CHAIRS ARE MADE FROM ALUMINIUM AND HEAT TREATED pleted their preliminary FOR STRENGTH rounds of the Euroleague. This is a high quality competition which includes the ‘’Champions Cup’, played over three rounds, preliminary, quarter finals and four teams finals. Below there is the Euroleague 1, 2 and 3 cup tournaments played over two rounds, preliminary, and eight team finals. Each round has an eli- mination process. The ‘’Champions Cup’’ finals are the pinnacle, usually comprising the best four teams in Europe. The players in these teams will be a representation of high level international players. Spectator support at the Euroleague games, the lea- that there are sufficient similar or multiple classifica- gue games and the play-offs continue to grow and all tion players to make classification changes without teams have a good following. All these games are live disrupting the make-up of the team streamed and many games are now broadcast on national television. All games are also available to watch The teams for the Paralympic games have now been later and posted on various media broadcast channels confirmed except the one men’s team and one wo- and outlets. men’s team from the Africa zone. Their qualification tournament takes place in early March. The qualified POST SEASON teams from each zone are – After a high intensity and demanding league season, the players will have a short break then join their national teams for the summer to prepare for the next Men’s major international competition. This year it is the Americas: Canada, Colombia, USA. Tokyo Paralympics. Most players and teams will be Europe: Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Turkey together for extended periods during the summer. The Asia Oceania: Australia, Iran, Japan, Korea program will include training and invitational preparation competitions and involve some travel. Women’s During the program, it is essential to provide support services to all players. This will be individualized and Americas: Canada, USA include fitness training, physiotherapy and medical Europe: Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, support after a long season, sports psychology for in- Spain. dividuals and the team as required and coaching sup- Asia Oceania: Australia, China, Japan port. Athlete welfare is vital to ensure they are as well prepared as they can be as we approach the games. The Paralympic Games start in August after the During the preparation period, the teams will comple- Olympics. As soon as the games finish, the players te their selection process and this is a very demanding will have a short break and return to club pre-season and emotional time for players, the support staff and and the cycle starts again the coaches In wheelchair basketball, even though the squad will comprise high quality players, the coaches have to se- lect a balanced classification team. Coaches have to https://iwbf.org ensure they have selected their optimum line-ups and alqueriadelbasket.com 59 AROUND THE COURT } Giorgio Gandolfi with Tom Marchesi Sr. Director Communication NBA EME NBA HOMECOURT AND GLOBAL SCOUT THE AI AND AR POWERED BASKETBALL TRAINING APPS

he NBA scouts are unceasingly searching for new talent all over the world and one of the most amazing discoveries by the Milwaukee Bucks scouts has been Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ‘’Greek Freak’’, and Tlast year’s NBA Most Valuable Player. But now there are also digital devices to support their work. HomeCourt, introduced last year, and the NBA Global Scout, presented this year, are two apps that can help the NBA teams and their scouts to discover the newest talents even in the most secluded parts of the globe. HOMECOURT APP The primary aim of the HomeCourt app is to help young male and female players worldwide to improve their basketball skills, and, maybe, to be noted by the NBA teams. It is ready to be used and you only need an IPhone and a tripod to use it. It is a mobile basketball training application that uses advanced machine learning and computer vision to unlock potential in every player. The partnership le- verages HomeCourt’s technology to develop and train players at all skill levels and is an integral part of the NBA’s youth basketball development initiatives around the world. By giving players everywhere access to HomeCourt’s technology, the NBA has the opportunity to identify and discover basketball talent Using the AI, artificial intelligence and AR, augmented reality, technologies, this app tracks a basketball shot and draws real-time information, including kinematics, trajectory, and the A MOBILE number of shots made, but that’s TRAINING not all. In fact, HomeCourt records the performance of the player on APPLICATION FOR the court, automatically edits and produces video clips, and tracks and EVERY PLAYER analyzes the real-time data in order to improve their skills. And now Ho- meCourt has been adopted by teams and players in more than 100 countries and several NBA teams.

This app was developed by Nex Team, a startup ba- 60 alqueriadelbasket.com AROUND THE COURT } Giorgio Gandolfi with Tom Marchesi Sr. Director Communication NBA EME

sed in San Jose, California, whose Co-Founder and CEO is David Lee, a former senior manager at Apple. Lee, born in Hong Kong, where the Nex Team also has an office, had the idea of creating this app after a weekly pickup game. This company got funding from the NBA, as well as from several NBA players, such as Jeremy Lin, Al Hor- ford and Bradley Beal among others as well as Sue Bird, a current WNBA player. In addition, former NBA MVP, Steve Nash, former Philadelphia 76ers Gene-

ral Manager, Sam Hinkie, the Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, Brooklyn Nets co-owner, and Alibaba Group (the Chinese e-commerce giant) Vice Chair- man, Joe Tsai, and the actor Will Smith with his Drea- mers Fund have all invested. HomeCourt combines proven training concepts with advanced artificial intelligence to provide real-time analytics that help players of any skill level advance their game. It calculates shot accuracy, progress over time, and key performance metrics such as speed, vertical jump, release time and ball handling. Most importantly, HomeCourt creates an entirely new basketball experience that is fun, engaging, and ac- alqueriadelbasket.com 61 AROUND THE COURT } HomeCourt and NBA Global Scout

cessible globally with just a mobile phone using iOS. marquee league events such as MGM Resorts NBA The app offers three NBA challenges, including a Summer League and Jr. NBA Global Championship, shooting contest, ball handling contest, and achie- and during elite youth programming development, vement badges. Additional interactive training drills, including Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and challenges and joint initiatives have been developed FIBA’s global basketball development and community in partnership with the NBA and its teams during key outreach program, and NBA Academies, a network of events throughout the NBA season. elite basketball training centers around the world for top male and female prospects from outside the U.S. HomeCourt will also collaborate on opportunities at “NBA teams and players have already found Home-

62 alqueriadelbasket.com www.fastcompany.com/90464531/this-app-is-going-to-help-the-nba-find-the-next-giannis-antetokounmpo

IT ALLOWS PLAYERS TO Court to be an important training the June NBA Draft. platform and we believe this tech- SHOWCASE THEIR Any player with the HomeCourt nology is critical to the development POTENTIAL app will be able to perform skill of players of all levels,” said Amy development drills and share their Brooks, President, Team Marketing & anthropometric measurements— Business Operations and Chief Innova- such as wingspan, height and verti- tion Officer, NBA. “HomeCourt is not only cal leap— to be evaluated and iden- an engaging channel for youth basketball tified for future basketball development players, but will also be a valuable tool for the NBA to opportunities. identify talent globally.” Players, who participate in NBA Global Scout on Ho- meCourt, will be eligible to be considered for NBA and NBA GLOBAL SCOUT APP WNBA youth and elite basketball development pro- A step forward has been made with the NBA Global grams, camps and events. Scout, which uses the mobile technology of Home- Court. In February, at the 2020 NBA All-Star Tech The platform aims to eliminate the geographical bar- Summit in Chicago, the NBA introduced this new app. riers to international scouting and democratize global The NBA Global Scout allows players to showcase talent identification by providing access and oppor- their potential by taking part in NBA Combine, where tunities for top players around the world, no matter they can display their measurements, as well as dif- where they live. HomeCourt and NBA Global Scout ferent positional skill development exercises inspired also provide comprehensive training and player de- by the NBA Draft Combine, the athletic, medical and velopment tools that are accessible to anyone using technical tests performed on college players before the application on their iPhone or iPad. alqueriadelbasket.com 63 Cno. Alcora, 8 Apdo. Correos 14 12550 Almazora - Castellón - SPAIN tel: +34 964 50 75 00 www.pamesa.com