Basketball Sense Magazine Volume 13 Number 1 September, October 2006 Female Hoops: Changing the Culture by Brian McCormick, CSCS (1) Educate Coaches As a substitute teacher, I visit Almost anyone qualifies to numerous schools each year, usu- April marks the 10-year an- coach a youth basketball team, ally to teach PE. There are stark niversary of the WNBA’s birth (play so teams are stuck with parents differences between grades 1-3, began in the spring on 1997). At volunteering, or high school kids grades 4-6 and grades 7-8. Some the time, the public hailed the earning their community service of the differences result from the WNBA as a means to elevate the credits, or PE teachers coaching physiological differences associated women’s game, provide more op- a sport they never played. Some with puberty; however, many dif- portunities for female athletes, and youth coaches are great and some ferences are socialized, as girls and spark interest in women’s basket- possess amazing credentials, as boys strive to meet the standards ball at every level. In ten years, it well as a passion for teaching and and expectations the society puts has had mild success providing op- basketball. Unfortunately, many forth for them. portunities and sparking interest, do not. Many may possess the In grades 1-3, all the kids play but the level of play has remained passion and the desire to learn together and everyone is relatively consistent. More girls are play- and become a better coach, but equal; one or two fake injuries or ing basketball, more professional few resources exist to train and stomach aches to avoid playing, opportunities exist, more college teach coaching. Sure, dozens of but the majority of kids just play scholarships exist, and athletes are videos exist to illustrate a run-and- and have fun and do not seem to more athletic than in years past, jump defense or an offense to use worry about being good or bad or but the actual basketball skills, against an even-front zone defense, what their skill level may do to flow of the game, and aesthetics of but little exists in the mainstream their reputations. In grades 4-6, the game have changed little. to educate coaches on coaching; most kids play together and are The WNBA was an attempt the psychology of coaching, the still relatively equal, though a few to change and improve women’s physiology of basketball, the learn- boys typically stand out as the basketball from the top. A better ing styles of children, etc. best athletes, though sometimes alternative is to change the game If we as a society are seri- it is a girl who actually is the best from the bottom. The proliferation ous about sports, and everything athlete. Girls tend to worry more of AAU basketball has certainly indicates we are, why leave play- about being with friends than be- changed the American basketball ers in their formative years in the ing on the best team. In the 7th landscape and provided more com- hands of novices without offering and 8th grade, most boys enjoy petitive opportunities for female any means of proper training or playing and are the aggressors players. However, a greater move- self-education? Why does USA and best performers; some girls ment is needed to capitalize on Basketball abdicate its responsibil- participate; but, many-boys and these resources and further elevate ity to train the next generation of girls-prefer to sit around and talk, the female game. The following coaches? Better coaches using bet- play hopscotch, flirt, or play video changes will not change women’s ter training methods will develop games rather than play the activ- basketball overnight, and the better players. ity, as games are more competitive WNBA may not even survive long and less about fun. (2) Make youth leagues (pre- enough for the changes to bear Sometime between the third puberty) co-ed fruit, but these ideas provide a and seventh grades, things change; Very few differences exist revolutionary change to the way we the change is most apparent with physiologically between a ten year approach youth sports, especially the girls, but also affects some old girl and a ten year old boy. girl’s basketball, and should shape boys too, as not all boys excel in However, once boys and girls play societal agendas, as well as basket- sports, so they fail to meet the organized athletics, cultural and ball skills. norms society sets and thus try to social stereotypes influence the sports development of the sexes. continued on page 4 www.basketballsense.com Think About it Praise in public. Criticize in Deeds, not words. Contents private. The heights by great men There is nothing wrong with reached and kept were not at- being tough-minded and tender- tained by sudden flight, But they, Femal Hoops: hearted. while their companions slept, Changing the were toiling upward in the night. Honesty and pregnancy have Culture .......................... 1 this in common: Either you are or –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow you aren’t. Do not let what you cannot Mr. Meant-to has a comrade, do interfere with what you can Think About It .............. 2 And his name is Didn’t-do; Have do. you ever chanced to meet them? Your mind is like a para- Did they ever call on you? chute. It only works when it is Helping Your These two fellows live together open. Student-Athlete in the house of never-win, A tiger never growls after a And I’m told that it is haunted kill. Choose a College ........ 3 By the ghost of Might-have-been. You should never have an off- –Benjamin Franklin night on defense. Practices are for coaches. Don Meyers Any team can run an offense. Definite Dozen .............. 5 Games are for players. Good teams execute an offense. Don’t give directions that can Defense is rules. Offense is be understood, but give directions principles. that can’t be misunderstood. Teaching Individual The best coaches are the Defense......................... 6 –General Douglas McArthur least tolerant. BASKETBALL SENSE is pub- Financial Well lished eight times a year: fall (Sept/ Coming In Oct), Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, spring Being ............................. 8 (Apr/May), summer (Jun/Jul/Aug). One-year subscription: $39.90. Two- November: year subscription: $69.90. Books: Don Meyer’s © Copyright 1994-2006 by Basket- The Amoeba Defense Playbook..................... 11 ball Sense. It is illegal to photocopy or reproduce this magazine in any by Lason Perkins way. All correspondence should be The Set Play 2 sent to: by Lason Perkins Modified Motion ......... 12 Basketball Sense The 1-3-1 Gap Offense PO Box 1667 Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 by Mike Phelps 800-545-9065 Maximum Offense Sense Quiz ................. 16 FAX 910-784-8547 by Larry Lindsay E-mail: [email protected] Publisher: Murray P Pool, Sr. DVDs: Player Parent Editor in Chief: Nicholas Abbott Open-Post Offense by Lason Perkins Coaches Meeting ....... 17 Editor: Larry Lindsay High-Low Triangle Associate Editor: Lason Perkins by Lason Perkins Associate Editor: Chris Kennedy Secrets of International General Manager: Angie Pool Basketball by Lason Perkins Production Design CRI Designs, Scoring in Ttansition and Copy Editing: Raleigh, NC by Lason Perkins Basketball Sense Magazine 2 Volume 12 Number 8 www.basketballsense.com Helping Your Student-Athlete Choose A College by Brianna Finch needs to make you happy. College What is the practice, workout, is where you will meet new friends, and weightlifting schedule? It’s that time of year; seniors develop relationships, find new in- Can you play another sport? are cramming for the SAT’s, mak- terests, challenge yourself athleti- Can you play intramurals? ing one last attempt to bring up cally, and learn who you are and What role does the coaching their GPA, and filling out college what you hope to be; so it needs to applications for that all-elusive staff foresee for me in its ath- be a place where you feel comfort- letic program? college of their dreams. Well, the able experiencing this growth. What are the year-round re- same is true for student-athletes, In order to help in this pro- quirements of a participant in except they also have to factor in cess, below are a list of academic, my sport? the recruiting process and the ath- basketball-related, and miscella- letic element of their college career. neous questions that you should Does the athletic department or I’ve heard one collegiate coach refer ask coaches, counselors, or col- university provide access to or to the recruiting process as simi- lege team members at the institu- assistance with summer jobs? lar “to asking a date to the prom”; tion you are interested in. Don’t What is your policy/belief on sometimes you may get rejected be afraid to ask questions. This is red-shirting athletes? over and over before finding the a huge investment in your future Under what conditions or right one. and you have every right to have circumstances are scholarship High school athletes, parents, your questions and concerns an- athletes cut from the program? and coaches need to remember swered. What is the existing contract that not all players are Division I status of the head coach? players, and there are numerous Academic options to explore. There are many What is the academic reputa- Is any part of the athletic pro- reputable Division II schools and tion like? gram currently under sanction or probation of any kind for athletic programs, many that rival What is the student/teacher ratio? rules violation? the low-major Division I schools What is the team graduation rate? in competitiveness.