Keeping yourmindon thejob Tournament survival Planning yourtraining session Athletic testing ALSO: PATHWAY TO THENBA 'S NIKE HOOPSUMMIT WORLD TRENDSAT PATHWAY TOTHENBA ANDREW BOGUT'S NIKE HOOPSUMMIT WORLD TRENDSAT Keeping yourmindon thejob Tournament survival Planning yourtraining session Athletic testing ALSO: THE OFFICIALJOURNALOF THE AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALLCOACHES ASSOCIATION Post-season The finals approach edition

JUNE 2005 Volume 12 Issue 2 CONTENTS 4 EDITOR Rachel Wolters Athletic testing for basketballers - Tony Ward GENERAL MANAGER, COMMUNITY Michael Haynes 8 Planning your training session PHOTOGRAPHY Kangaroo Photos, Defensive Dandenong - Gary Fox LuxeBurrow Photography, 9 Sport the Library, Lorisse Dart, 10 Duke drills Yvonne Milbank. ADVERTISING 11 Duncan's drills - Aussie Hoops Sales & Marketing Department Tel: 02 9764 3482 DESIGN 11 World University Games Southern Design & Print Group Tel: (02) 9587 7722 PRINT Nurturing our sport in Paragon Printers Australasia Tel: (02) 9360 1993 12 CONTRIBUTORS & FEEDBACK We welcome news items, feedback and 13 Andrew Bogut's pathway suggestions. If you have an upcoming event or program you would included, or if you would 14 Tournament survival - Eric Drinkwater like to comment on any of the articles in this or previous editions, you can email us at [email protected], or submit content to us 16 Keeping your mind on success - at the following address: The Editor, Xs and Os, Rosanna Stanimirovic P.O. Box 17, Regents Park BC NSW 2143. Photographs should be clearly marked with caption details including credits. Xs and Os is produced by the Community Basketball and REGULARS Marketing & Communications Departments of Basketball Australia. Xs and Os is a quarterly publication with 18 Basketball Australia cover dates of March, June, September and December and is available through membership of ABCA. competition events 2005 © Reproduction of any material without written 18 ABCA membership permission from the Editor is strictly prohibited. application form Nike Hoop Summit Signed articles represent the views of the author and 1 are not necessarily those of Basketball Australia.

Basketball Australia - www.basketball.net.au Basketball House 1 Herb Elliott Ave Sydney Olympic Park Homebush Bay 2127 Tel: (02) 9764 3482 Fax: (02) 8746 0582

ABCA Life Members Cover Lindsay Gaze Barry Barnes Ian Laurie Photo: Rob Beveridge coaches the Merv Harris Dr Adrian Hurley Patrick Hunt World Select Team at the Nike Ken Watson Brian Kerle Ray Tomlinson Hoop Summit.

Basketball Australia gratefully acknowledges its major sponsors: Xs & Os is proudly supported by: Three Aussies fly flag at Hoop Summit

BY ROB BEVERIDGE Head Coach World Select Team ustralia punched well above its weight in April’s Nike Hoop Summit when three AAussies made the trip with the World U20 Team to Memphis, Tennessee to play against the US. Following his performance as head coach of the Australian Emus who won the 2003 World Championship, NSW Institute of Sport head coach Rob Beveridge was selected to coach the team of high school aged boys from all over the globe, including two young Aussies who attend the Australian Institute of Sport – (TAS) and Ben Allen (VIC). The World Team went down by eight points in the one off match, 106-98, but throroughly Australian Adam Gibson takes flights for the World Select Team. enjoyed the experience on & off the court. “We were hosted by the Memphis Grizzlies and team in a week, so we had to put a system in • Perimeter players were very good ball everything was first class,” Beveridge said of the place for that. Also, we had to stay simple with handlers and good at penetration. event and its facilities. “The Grizzlies will host the offence, so it was a lot of whole teaching, • European players needed ‘encouragement’ the event for the next three years and the staff not whole, part, whole. bent over backwards to accommodate us.” to run the floor! They preferred to play half Beveridge noted the following trends in the court offence rather than run the floor and The NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies played three home American team and the international players. push the ball. games throughout the week and the athletes got to watch the games and meet players like Kobe Trends of US players • All post players could step away from the Bryant and Carmelo Anthony. Offence to shoot the ball. Beveridge expected that the toughest thing • Outstanding /transition basketball, Defence about coaching an international team would be particularly off turnovers. • No desire to play full court defence or the language barrier, but it seemed getting 10 • Great penetration in the half court offence trapping defence. healthy bodies on the floor for a practice session was the hardest of all. (1v1) – e.g., putting the ball to the floor. • Poor application of hand pressure in the “We had four injuries during the week (including • Offensive rebounding – they all crashed the half court. Aussie Adam Gibson). For most of the week we boards. Physically only had nine at practice so we couldn’t go five Defence • Generally the Europeans were not very strong on five at all throughout the week.” • Excellent defensive intensity in first 10 and need work on their bodies. They were big The team had nine sessions and one practice seconds of . but not very strong. game in the week leading into their Saturday night game. Their second session was open to • Excellent pressure on the ball and in the lanes • Guards were quick and physically strong. the public, and both players and coach were early in shot clock. World Select Team overwhelmed when they walked into the small • Played very physical defence in low post. training hall off the main stadium and were Michael Mokongo (France), Martynas Pocius Physically greeted by 100-150 NBA scouts, coaches and (Lithuania), Jevohn Shepard (Canada), Uche ex-players. • All guards and forwards were outstanding Echefu (Nigeria), Dusan Sakota (Greece), KJ athletes with strong athletic bodies. Matsui (Japan), Adam Gibson (Australia), “It was pretty overwhelming,” Beveridge said. “I Ben Allen (Australia), Vilmantas Dilys, knew it was an open session because it said so • Bigs were very big, particularly in upperbody Mohammed Hadidane (Tunisia), Semih on the schedule, but I thought there’d be a and wanted to intimidate our players. Erden (Turkey), Rob Beveridge – coach handful of people there. I thought we had the (Australia) wrong court.” Trends of players in the World Select Team US All-Star Team Beveridge stresses that with such limited preparation time, he had to fast track his training. Offence Greg Paulus, Louis Williams, Monta Ellis, Martell Webster, Tyler Hansbrough, J.P. “I wanted to play an up tempo style of game, • Europeans were very good offensive players, Prince, Brandon Rush, Jon Brockman, but I couldn’t do that much teaching,” he said. particularly in shooting the ball from the , Richard Hendrix. “I couldn’t teach them to play defence as a perimeter.

www.basketball.net.au Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 1 World Select Team game plan possible through: missed basket. Offence • Penetration – two hard dribbles to the basket. From a line situation (coaches call) • Post action – protect the ball (chin it). 50on when it is a made Fast break 12on when it is a missed free throw 2v1, 3v2 etc. Set plays • Motion from dead ball situation. From a dead ball situation in back court Secondary transition • Horns (High and Low) 12on Post feed or ball reversal • Baseline (Blue) From end line out-of-bounds situation Half court offence • High Set May switch to “2” (coaches call) Need good leads/post targets, great ball Defence We will never just run back and play half reversal and patience to make the USA “1” is man-to-man court defence. play defence – attack the defence in last “2” is zone defence We want the USA to take time in breaking 10 seconds. Half court/open court play our pressure defence so we only have to Want to get to the foul line/basket as much as Always in defensive transition on a made or play “Tough defence” for 10-12 seconds!

Blue ‘Baseline’ WORLD SELECT TEAM PLAYS

➃ sets for 1 ➄ and ➃ set down screen for 2 ➄ and ➃ then set another screen OPTION FOR 3 OPTION for 4 MAN ① ➂ receives ball from on wing ➁ cuts off screen for looking for ➂ to come off. While ➄ and ➃ set down screen Instead of ➃ screening away NB. If ① cannot receive pass, ➃ for ➂ cuts off screens for jump shot for ➂, ➂ may cut back and post for ➁ and ➂, ➃ sets an on ball may cut to hoop for lay up or cut ➃ or ➄ may slip screen at anytime or may curl cut to basket if up his player for a power move screen for ①. to short corner as a release. player is tight (particularly if there is a mismatch) ➃ then can pass the ball to ①

High Set Horns High

① passes to ➁ ➁ passes the ball to ➃ ➂ back screen for ➁ If ➂ does not get his shot, ➃ can ➃ and ➄ set on ball screens on ➂ flash cuts to low block ➃ passes to ① ➁ cuts looking for lay up set an on ball screen and play ➁ 3- line ➃ sets back screen for ① If ① is denied he can back cut for lay up ➃ & ➄ set staggered screen for ➂ man game with ➂ ① dribbles off either post player looking to score ➁ looks at pass to ① for lay up ➂ looks for jump shot or curl cut If ① cannot pass directly to ➄ he Opposite post player will dive At any time ➃ and ➄ can slip the screen will pass to ➃ to basket for post up ➃ The man will pop back to 3 point ➁ & ➂ will spot up for shot if their line looking for 3 point shot or pass defensive player looks to help to ➄ who seals his man ➃ can pass to ➁ who then passes to ➄ HORNS LOW Same as HORNS HIGH, except there will be one on ball screen ➃ and one low post ➄.

Rob Beveridge looks on with his team in Memphis. Ben Allen keeps an eye on the ball.

2 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au 12 On 1-2-2 WORLD SELECT TEAM HALF COURT TRAPS

This trap is used to trap the ball carrier when After ➄ inbounds the ball to ①, Should ① pass the ball back to ➄, the trap 1 encourages ① to dribble the ball over it crosses the half way line. 1 ① simply shifts from one side to the other: must match up on as soon as the half way line. 1 must match up on the ball early possible to create pressure 1 picks up ball to create pressure on the ball carrier you do not want ① to make an easy pass. 3 will go and trap the ball carrier as it is dribbled over the 2 shows the sideline to ➄ 2 and3 start toward the middle of the 1 wants to keep the ball out of the half way line. court showing the lane to the sideline middle of the court and encourage 3 covers the split line ① 5 and 2 become interceptors and look 4 and5 start near the foul line to dribble down the sideline. 5 moves to split line to shoot the lane if / when the ball leaves at the defensive end 4 Once the ball is on one side of the court, the trap. moves towards sideline all players must adjust accordingly: ready to trap. 2 must sprint to split line and cover any 4 is the safety player who has to defend pass to the middle 2 players ➂ and ➃ in this instance 4 moves towards split line From this situation, you can go back to 3 and5 move towards the sideline, but man or zone defence. DO NOT block it off. 50 On

In this defence, we are looking at trapping If ① passes to ➁: If ① passes to ➃: If ① passes to ➂: ① the best ball handler. 4 will deny the ball.2 and 1 3 will look to shoot the gap looking for If 3 cannot the ball, he must contain 4 applies enormous ball pressure on ➄ must sprint back behind the line of the steal. If3 cannot this player and slow the penetration down so he cannot make a direct full court pass ball to the steal the ball, he must contain this player to allow other defensive players to get to ➂ or ➃. 3 will look to shoot the gap looking and slow the penetration down to allow back. for steal. If3 cannot steal the ball, other defensive players to get back. 1 and 2 DO NOT DENY – they have to 1 will deny ① the ball. ① ➁ he must contain this player and slow 1 will deny ① the ball. force their respective players ( and ) 5 will initially need to guard 2 players ① the penetration down to allow other to lead for the ball in the corner. If and 2 and4 must sprint back behind the line ( ➁and ➃), and will take the next pass if ➁ defensive players to get back. screen for each other or cross sides the of ball, into the key. made. (5 may be required to hedge and defenders simply switch. 5 will initially need to guard 2 players recover if the second pass is made) (➁ and ➂), and will take the next 3 starts near the top of the circle ready to pass if made. (5 may be required to 2 and4 must sprint back behind the line anticipate and intercept the pass. hedge and recover if the second pass of ball, into the key 3 should be looking at the eyes of the is made) From this situation we can either match up passer.5 is the safety player and must be ready to intercept any long pass in man or zone defence. ➄ in bounds the ball to ①,4 leaves the inbound pass (➄) and applies a trap with 1 in the corner (on ①) with great ball pressure. If ① passes to ➄: 2 will shoot the gap towards ➄ looking for the steal. If 2 does not intercept the pass, he must contain this player and not allow any penetration. If ➄ passes the ball on to ➁,3 will take this player.

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 3 Athletic testing for basketball - Part 2

BY TONY WARD for the invaluable musculoskeletal screening, improve results. The final two tests will be AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT rather it is a useful sample of the expected featured in the next edition. levels that an athlete aspiring to elite junior Incorporating information from: Measuring angles programs should aim at attaining, or ones we AIS department of physical therapies, expect them to have on commencing a The tests in this article refer to measuring AIS strength and conditioning and AIS scholarship at the AIS. In this way, it can be certain angles. A quick way to do that is to use department of physiology in conjunction used as a guide for athletes and coaches in a watch or clock (but not a digital watch!) – with the AIS men’s and women’s preparation for this journey. each 5 minutes represents 30°. basketball programs. It should be noted that each athlete does have This is Part 2 of a three-part series. their individual capabilities. However efforts at Part 1 was published in the March Hip external rotation the earliest stage to work on elements of 2005 edition of Xs and Os. Please flexibility, range of movement, strength and Testing procedure contact Basketball Australia on balance control, reduce the chances of young This passive hip rotation test is used to assess 02 9764 3482 for back issues athlete’s experiences at the elite junior level the isolated range of movement of hip external being over demanding rotation. Indirectly it measures restriction of the Perceived athletic standards hip internal rotators, which mostly reflect muscles of the gluteal complex, as in gluteus asketball is a sport of speed, agility, The checklist medius and minimus. endurance and skill where both athletes’ Perceived ability in a number of testing • Athlete lies in a supine position (on back). Bphysical and mental abilities are called procedures has been shown to have a high • Back and pelvis contact should be maintained upon constantly to enable completion of varied correlation in highlighting those athletes more throughout the test for a positive tasks, both as an individual player and as a at risk of injuries common to basketball. These measurement. collective member of the team. perceived standards are not gender specific, so • The tester holds the leg in a 90-degree hip Due to the nature of the game, injuries are relate to both female and male basketball flexion, 90-degree knee flexion position. common as either an acute (sudden) injury or, athletes. most commonly in basketball, a chronic As an injury prevention strategy test we have • The tester then gentle rotates the upper leg, (overuse) injury. An essential part of early determined seven areas. Apart from the sit and by rotating the foot and lower leg medially prevention at the Australian Institute of Sport reach test all others need to assess both left (inwards) while supporting and maintaining (AIS) involves musculoskeletal screening of and right sides. If right and left side tests are the knee in the same position. scholarship athletes. Through screenings similar, it indicates good symmetry. • The hip external rotation measurement is inadequacies in athletic ability that may relate In the last edition we included the first two tests derived from the rotation the lower leg makes to potential injury risks can be identified. and in this edition we will describe a further from its original resting position or from the This summary is not designed as a substitute three tests and some beneficial stretches to head/ toe alignment.

Athletes name: Date tested:

Test Expected standard Right Left Ankle dorsiflexion 10 cm + Hip extension 30 degrees + Hip external rotation 70 degrees Hamstring 70 degrees + Sit and reach > 0cm TESTS BOTH SIDES Calf strength 30 + single leg Balance control 1min single leg (eyes close)

4 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au (2) 90 degrees KNEE FLEXION 90 degrees

70 degrees

(3) Rotate lower leg in, (1) 90 degrees measure range of movement HIP FLEXION

HIP EXTERNAL ROTATION TEST Athletes should be able to reach 70 degrees of hip external rotation

UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS AND • Athlete lies in a supine position (on back). MAKING NECESSARY CHANGES • Back and pelvis contact should be maintained Restriction of external rotation range of the throughout the test for a positive measurement. hip joint can be indicative of gluteal • The tester holds the leg in a 90-degree hip tightness. This is commonly seen in athletes flexion, 90-degree knee flexion position. who also have limited gluteal control, which • The tester then gentle rotates the lower leg may lead to reduce biomechanical control in into extension, by maintaining the knee/ hip gait (running) and controlled movements as in position and lifting the lower leg behind defensive sliding. These obviously weaknesses the heel. can predispose an athlete to poor performance Gluteal Stretch 2 • The hamstring measurement is derived from and injury. Hamstring the rotation the lower leg makes from its If the restriction in this test can be identified as Testing procedure original resting position or horizontal position. a stretch through the gluteal region, then improvements can be made through stretching This passive hamstring flexibility test is used to • The tester should be aware of the end of range of these structures. Two common glute assess the isolated range of movement of knee in occurring as there is increased tension in the stretches are shown below. a 90 degree bent hip position, it is therefore stretching muscle, resulting in the feeling that the knee actively wants bend again. However if the restriction is felt more through sometimes referred the 90/90 hamstring test. the hip joint, it is possible that a joint or bony Indirectly it measures restriction of the posterior • Use what you feel with the report of the end block may be occurring. Reviewing this muscles that go across the hip and knee joints, of stretch by the athlete. Note 70 degrees scenario with a sports physiotherapist, and those of the hamstring complex, as in biceps extension is also 20 degrees off the vertical possibly a program of joint mobilisation with femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus. position (90 degrees). stretching may be required to improve range. In some extreme cases athletes can have 70 degrees restrictions due to bony restrictions that can cause problems.

0 degrees 0 degrees

(1) 90 degrees (1) 90 degrees KNEE FLEXION KNEE FLEXION

(1) 90 degrees (1) 90 degrees HIP FLEXION HIP FLEXION

HAMSTRING TEST Gluteal Stretch 1 Athletes should be able to reach 70 degrees of stretch in a hamstring 90/90 test

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 5 UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS AND MAKING NECESSARY CHANGES Restriction of hamstring range can be indicative of hamstring tightness or tightness of other structures that cross the hip and knee (i.e. fascia, nerve). This is commonly seen in Support upper leg, actively extend lower athletes who have limited general flexibility. The leg to feel stretch hamstring range obviously being one component. Limited range in this muscle complex will limit running technique, functional tasks such as rebounding, defensive sliding and Area of stretch leave the athlete open to muscle strain injuries.

Ideally, use this test in conjunction with the general sit and reach test, if both are restricted then general flexibility may be the overall issue. If the sit and reach is fine but the hamstring test is lacking then it is probably the hamstring range that can be improved. Poor sit and reach and adequate hamstring may indicate tightness through the spine or neural restrictions. UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS AND The general answer to this problem is don’t MAKING NECESSARY CHANGES underestimate stretching and the need for general flexibility. To see gains in flexibility one To improve this test when restrictions are Restriction of general flexibility will mean there must stretch. And stretch effectively for the evident involves continued stretching of the are restrictions of one or many structures of the structures that are tight. How long do you hamstring complex. It would be suggested to athlete. The problem here lies at either stretch for? 45 minutes of good stretching 4-5 isolate the muscle you are stretching, that identifying the restricting problem or work on all times a week should help flexibility improve. If involves a bent knee as in the testing aspects of your flexibility. In general one could you only stretch pre and post training it will not procedure. Again sustained stretching is assume in most cases that an athlete of improve your flexibility. Unfortunately not indicated as an effective means to improve average sit and reach will have numerous everyone is the same, stretch for your needs range. To make the required gains up to 45 flexibility issues. and that includes area and time. When is the minuntes of extra stretching, 4–5 days a week best time to start? If you recorded a negative would be suggested. Restriction of flexibility can and will leave an athlete at more risk of injury. These can be from score in this test, start now, before it becomes simple muscle strains to general imbalances a problem. In every case the only thing stopping SIT AND REACH through the body resulting in biomechanical you from becoming better is making time to do changes and overuse type injuries. it, we all know how to stretch. TESTING PROCEDURE The sit and reach test can be based as a basic The final two tests in this series will be published in the September edition of Xs and Os. Contact Tony Ward – [email protected] test of general flexibility. There is a level of flexibility required by each athlete in order to reduce injury, especially those involving the general back. In our experience at the AIS athletes who are very much beyond the requirements of neutral sit and reach will have 0 degrees constant battles with back injury and general stiffness. • Athlete sits on the floor in long with legs straight out in front of them. • Knees are to remain in extension (straight). - VE Measurement + VE Measurement • The tester then asks the athlete to reach forward, without bouncing, as far as possible. • A measurement of the distance to the plantar grade foot (positioned at 90 degrees) or beyond the foot can be taken. • Measurements short of the foot are regarded SIT AND REACH TEST as negative, at the foot zero and beyond positive. Athletes should be able to reach 0cm (touch toes in plantar grade)

6 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au

Planning your training session

U12 BOYS TRAINING #1 SESSION #1

DATE: 15 MARCH VENUE: DARWIN PUBLIC SCHOOL FOCUS OF SESSION: 1. DEFENCE 2. PASSING EQUIPMENT: 10 BALLS, 10 SMALL CONES, 10 LARGE CONES ATHLETES: 10

Time Activity Teaching Points 6:30pm Welcome/practice & game preview Communication, train at game pace 6:40pm Warm up and stretching Hold stretches for 15-20 seconds 10min 6:50pm Principles of play – defence Box out 5 min • Massed drill Channel offence to one way 5 min • Corridor drill Slide, run, slide 5 min • 1 v 1 from the wing Big to bigger 5 min • 1 v 1 from the half court Hand on the shooter 7:10pm Principles of play – passing 5 min • Triangle passing Step into pass 5 min • 2 v 0 passing on the move Punch pass to receiver 5 min • Pass – stop - pivot Flick wrist and follow through 7:25pm Review/close

reparation is the key to successful Drill duration should be relatively short and Drill 2 coaching. Coaches should provide a players should hustle through each drill in order • Using a wall, player begins bouncing the Ppositive learning environment both at to obtain full value from their training session. ball against it, jogging on the spot • Swap hands training and in the game. Training must be fun Above is an example of a practice • Team: Each player continues by flicking the and enjoyable, to encourage the players to session outline. ball onto the wall. Each player must keep come back. Teaching players how to learn and the ball alive before it hits the ground. HOW TO GET MORE TIME OUT OF give them a sense of achievement is important Variation: Limitations on what spot the ball can YOUR TRAINING SESSION? in coaching. Encourage them to be good hit on the wall or players can close their eyes to listeners, to ask questions and to pay attention Often training will be held before or after really improve ball handling. to key teaching points. competition games or other trainings. These Drill 3 Coaches should prepare adequately for each activities often run into your team’s training • 2–4 players. Flick passes are thrown that training session by writing a training plan as time giving you less opportunity to practice. are difficult to catch. well as organising appropriate equipment for • Players need to attempt to catch the passes To get more training time, warm-up off the by effectively moving their feet and getting practice. A training session should include: court. Below are some drills to help your team behind the ball when they make a catch. • Introduction: Training rules if you this applies to you: Variation: Jogging on the spot • Warmup Drill 1 If you are extremely late getting on the court • Individual skill acquisition • 2–4 players form a circle you can also try these! • Team principles • Jog on the spot • tapping against the wall • Team play: Game rehearsal • Players roll the ball from one hand to another • Line jumps • Review and evaluation and them to the next player. • passing drills.

8 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au Defensive Dandenong

BY GARY FOX Head Coach Dandenong Jayco Rangers ary Fox is the ‘Price Attack’ WNBL’s most successful coach of recent time. GHe gave the Dandenong Rangers club their first WNBL Championship in 2004 (and was awarded WNBL Coach of the Year in the process), and then backed that up with another Championship in 2005. He has set the club up for another successful outing in 2005/06, re-signing the core of his team and adding two-time WNBL All-Star Shelley Hammonds and two key AIS graduates. He shares a drill from the successful Rangers program with us in this edition. At the Dandenong Rangers WNBL program we like to use drills that replicate game-like conditions, either complimenting our style of play or preparing us for our opponent’s style of play. Our drills are competitive, intense and fun. 5-on-5 full court defensive shell drill with transition To make the drill game-like we keep score. To emphasise defensive intensity we don’t just score baskets. We award one point to the offensive team if they score and one point to the Photo Credit: Kangroo photos defensive team if they get a stop. Dandenong are well-known for their defensive prowess. The teams play full court, stopping after two possessions. One team always starts on You can have your defence play any style of lengthy explanations. offence. Once the defensive team get the ball defence you or your next opponent use, from full This is consistent with our team philosophy and court man-to-man to any trap or press, to a zone (either because the offence score or the culture of helping our players and team get defence that you use or want to work against. defence gets a stop) they immediately take off better every day. in offensive transition as per a normal game We place one of our assistant coaches at the Our offensive team usually run a motion type and the offence retreats back on defence. half court line and the other near the baseline at offence, which can present our defence with the initial defensive end while I usually control Our original defensive team, now in offensive any possible type situation/play that they may the timing of the entry pass to start the drill transition, runs our fast break rules looking to face in a game. We might even run some of our where the drill begins for each two possession score quickly on the break or if nothing is next opponent’s sets just to help us get ready play phase. available on the break will go into our half court for our next game but a motion type offence is offence and work on their offensive execution. The coaches emphasise every aspect of our our usual mode of operandus. defensive philosophy from hand, feet or body We usually play the game up to a score of 11 Our assistant coaches and I will help positioning, to up and towards the ball, to and for motivation and intensity and if the our players in both transition defence here denials, to help, to split line positioning, to our offensive team wins, the defence may possibly along with offensive transition and half court defensive rules, to rotation defensively, to get a 'motivation' drill (penalty). offensive execution. contesting the shot, to blocking out, rebounding Once our original defensive team completes its and starting the fast break back to score. This drill not only helps Dandenong’s defence, chance on offence, make or miss, scores are but also our offensive and defensive transition, Every aspect of whatever defence we are tallied, the ball returns to me on the baseline for as well as our fitness. The drill is game-like, working on, thus we not only get team the offensive team to take the ball out of bounds intense and fun. instruction and improvement but every player again to start a new ‘two possession’ play phase. is getting individual defensive instruction See Gary Fox’s team, the Dandenong After one team scores 11 we reverse each as well and while the drill is running rather Rangers, in action when the ‘Price Attack’ team's role and start a second game. than continual stopping and starting with WNBL tips off in late September.

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 9 Duke drills

Basketball Australia is delighted to announce offence that you will use; Coach throws ball onto backboard, to on that Steve ‘Wojo’ Wojciehowski will be visiting Post players need to have their ‘best move’ the other side of the basket. Post player jumps to Australia in August to conduct a series of and a ‘counter move’ to use when the defence rebound ball and gives ball back to coach who coaching clinics in Western Australia, South take away the best move. Below are the drills throws ball onto other side of backboard. Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Wojo used. This practices getting the rebound from ‘outside’ Queensland. 2-ball your area and players should explosively jump Wojo has just completed his sixth season as • Same time dribble, from one side of the basket to the other. As the assistant coach with Duke University, one of the • Alternate dribble, rebound the ball they must keep it high (chin the premier NCAA Division 1 programs. Since Wojo • Change direction cross over, ball) and land in a jump stop. has been at Duke they have won 152 games • Change direction behind the back, Rebound & finish (including a national championship in 2001) and • Change direction between the legs, Coach stands on the foul line and throws the lost only 26. Wojo also played at Duke and was • Spin dribble, same time bounce. ball onto the backboard. Post starts at foul line named the top defensive player in his senior year. and jumps strongly to rebound (catching it above the ring if they can!). After landing, post At Duke, Wojo is renowned for the work he does Post starts in front of basket and takes one step player must score under pressure from a with ‘bigs’ including current NBA stars Shane to shoot lay-up. The step is a ‘step through’ second coach with a ‘bump bag’ who Battier, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy. (across their body) – to shoot right-handed step continually pushes into the post player. Coaches on Basketball Australia’s 2001 with the left foot. Keep ball high at all times and Overseas Study Tour visited Duke University and ‘rip’ to shoulder (away from basket) as stepping. If there is only one coach, have another player saw a small group session that Wojo conducted Rebound ball out of basket and then one-step throw the ball onto the backboard. with post players. lay-up on the other side of basket. Can have Rebound, outlet & explode At the start of the session Wojo emphasised that: player shoot reverse lay-ups as well. Same as above drill, however rather than In working on individual skills with players you Superman drill scoring, post takes one strong dribble and then should use drills that emphasise the team Post player starts on one side of the basket. makes outlet pass to coach.

7 Point Drill

Coach starts with ball in point Coach dribbles to the wing. Post Coach dribbles to the corner and Coach dribbles baseline, and post As coach dribbles out to wing, position. They drive toward key player must deny ball on the high defender must move to a low side helps to stop drive and then post defender uses ‘X’ footwork to and post player must ‘help and side of offence. denial position. They should use recovers to post player. return to high side denial. recover’. ‘X’ footwork.

Coach puts six balls on The Beast the floor. Player starts at basket and moves to pick up first ball.

They then make a one dribble move into a power lay-up (dunk if they can!). Coach rebounds the ball and keeps it out of the way. Coach skip passes to coach on Coach drives baseline. Post Player steps to the next ball. Coach can apply pressure to the shot other wing. Post moves to split rotates across to take a charge. using a bump bag. Make sure that the player works on both left line. Wing dribbles into key and They must get to the edge of the and right foot pivots. post helps to stop drive and then key before taking charge. recovers to player.

POST DENIAL, 3 LINES Three post players line up at half way, with a coach (or other players) at each wing. One of the wing players has a ball. Coach calls 1, 2 or 3. The first numbered player is on offence and cuts to the basket. The second numbered player is on defence. The third player cuts to the point position and is in a position to pass to post player. The two players in the post play 1v1. It will be interesting to see what drills Coach Wojo has on this tour. Contact your state basketball association for details of when his clinics are on.

10 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au Duncan’s drills

G’day coaches! One thing I have learnt over the last few years a minute or two the kids will quickly get bored. had another great day with the Cartoon is that kids (and adults too) love basketball and One thing you can do is to give the kids that go Network Mega Clinic up in Cairns in May. We usually choose sport to have fun with their out early a quick drink break. If you have Ihad hundreds of Nth QLD kids learning and friends! I have also learnt that what kids hate is another coach at the session, they could go and playing with me, Scooby Doo, Nat Porter and to stand around doing nothing. play another game with that coach. There are players from the . Our next clinic Sometimes when we play games at training, the also a number of drills that keep kids involved is in in July. Keep your eyes glued to kids who go ‘out’ early end up standing around even when they are ‘out’. Here are a couple of the Basketball Australia website for more info while the game finishes. If the game finishes my favourites. Remember, it is important to and how to get kids from your area involved. quickly this can be OK, but if it takes more than teach FUNdamental basketball skills

Circle Dribble Tag Team Dribble Tag The two players inside the One player from each team is in the circle must dribble their ball and try to key way dribbling their ball. They knock the other player’s ball out of the each try to knock out the other circle. If your ball goes out of the circle, people’s balls. or you stop dribbling, you are ‘out’. The teammates stay outside the key The players who are ‘out’ can move and try to knock away balls. They can around the outside the circle and try move around the key and they can to knock either player’s ball away. protect their teammate by stopping other people getting near them. They are not allowed to step in the circle and, if you have enough Once a person is knocked out, the next , they must dribble their person from their team steps into the ball the whole time. key and starts to dribble. LuxeBurrow Photography When a player is out the next player Cartoon Network star Scooby Doo is well-loved wherever he goes. from outside the circle steps in (coach decides who). World’s Uni students take on Turkey ustralia will be strongly represented at This year, the women’s team has no less than of preparation.” The Australian women the World University Games in Izmir, five current Opals squad members and a strong have been drawn in a pool with Turkey, ATurkey from 11-21 August. Brett lineup of WNBL players. Slovakia, Sweden, Lebanon and Thailand. The Coxsedge (NSW ITCP Head Coach) has been With preparation time limited, women’s coach, men are in a smaller pool with Lithuania, Great appointed head coach for the men’s team while Deb Cook, has communicated with players Britain and Lebanon. Debbie Cook (AIS Assistant Coach AIS Women’s via telephone and email and will send Program) will head up the women’s team. players copies of defensive and offensive AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S TEAM Michael Haynes will be the women's assistant systems so players have the opportunity to Eva Afeaki, Carly Wilson, Jenni Screen, familiarise themselves with the various plays coach and Ollie Dudfield is the men's assistant. Jessica Foley, Gabe Richards, Eleanor and philosophy before they touch down in Haring, Marita Payne, Kelly Wilson, Michelle Triple Olympian Rachael Sporn will be the Turkey on 4 August. Musselwhite, Erin Seward, Cherie Smith, manager of the women's team and Greg “The greatest challenge for the team will be Lauren King. Warnecke will manage the men's team. to bring the players together in a very short AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TEAM The Australian men last competed at the Games space of time to perform at a the highest in 2003, finishing a credible 7th, while the 2005 possible standard,” said Cook. “Obviously At time of publication, the men’s team had Games will be the first time the women have the KISS principle will apply and hopefully the not been finalised. competed since 1987. team will be very good with a minimal amount

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 11 MOULDING STARS How the elite pathway is helping our young stars

ith Andrew Bogut widely tipped to that, that we started to see the effects of it take the number one pick in the NBA reasonably well. That WDraft come June 28, his name is on program, combined with the lips of media and basketball fans all over the training they’re given the world. once they graduate from the NITCP into the AIS This future NBA star stands to earn millions in has been a major his first year of professional basketball in the contributing factor to world’s richest sporting league. Like Luc their accelerated Longley before him, Bogut played in the development. prestigious NCAA College league before nominating for the Draft. “What’s happened now is that there is more opportunity to get onto the pathway early and Bogut may be the most hyped, but South knuckle down and make a strong commitment Australia’s Luke Schenscher and West Sydney to making the Boomers or Opals program and Razorbacks guard and 2004 Philips along the way to doing that, they come Championship Rookie of the Year Steven through the NITCP. Markovic have also nominated for 2005. “The common ingredient in these kids is their Add up-and-comers like 2005 Rookie and All- single-mindedness in wanting to represent Star 5 MVP Brad Newley from the Townsville Australia. They are all hard working and Crocs and US college stars , Luke receptive to coaching and are good team Schenscher, and Alex Loughton people. They have strong commitment to each to the equation, and Australian men’s other, they enjoy each others company and basketball looks destined for great things in enjoy playing hard and well and for their team. the future. Brad Newley is making a great name for “Also, these are what I call ‘basketball With Australia winning the 2003 U20 World himself in Australia and around the world. generation kids’. They have played basketball Photo: Sport the library Championship, and nine Australian men as their major sport for a long time and when playing in the 2005 NCAA Finals, there is a they were at an impressionable age in the importance the NITCP is playing in growing the new generation of stars from down under on early 90’s, basketball was in its heyday. number of good coaches in Australia. the brink of success. “As we’ve seen the number of NBL teams “The program will only ever be as good as the Over half the Boomers squad were born in the decline, players from the AIS who were coaches,” Hunt stresses. “There are 10 full 80’s and five are still eligible for the U21 World graduating into the NBL are going overseas to time coaches within the NITCP, but there is a Championships this year. There is definitely a US colleges. network of volunteers underneath this, and the talent glut in the 19-23 year age group. challenge for us is keeping the standard of the “There’s not one definitive thing that has led to “There are several factors in the high number volunteers high. Because family and work these players being so good, but certainly of talented young players at the moment,” circumstances dictate change, these coaches them being involved in the NITCP, the AIS and Basketball Australia’s Manager, National Player move in and out of the sport and a lot of the with BA programs has helped their and Coach Development Patrick Hunt said. coaches move from the NITCP network into the development.” “I think there are sometimes groups of kids ABA system, so we’ve got to continue that But you can’t get great players without great who come through together who are group of coaches coming through. coaches. The second prong of the NITCP is genetically good, like , Penny “What we’re trying to do is develop a critical coach development. The NITCP teaches Taylor and Kristen Veal in the late 90’s. But mass of coaches who can teach the game at coaches the skills of coaching on the floor. more likely, the crop of players we are seeing NITCP level and this will flow through to club The current crop of players have had coaches now have had the full benefit of the National level. All the coaches who are currently at the who have been able to teach the fundamentals Intensive Training Centre Program and the AIS AIS have come through the NITCP as did Rob of the game in individuals and team play. which has accelerated their development, Beveridge (2003 Emus coach) and Guy Molloy combined with BA’s junior international Hunt said AIS head coach Marty Clarke and (2004/05 Crocs coach).” Emus head coach Rob Beveridge played program. If you would like to get involved with the significant roles in the development of the “The NITC program started in 1990 and it National ITC Program as a coach, please current crop of males, but emphasises the wasn’t until after the first five or six years of contact your state or territory association.

12 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au FROM HERE TO THE NBA Bogut won almost every award on offer during the Andrew Bogut’s pathway 2004/05 season.

o how did Bogut find himself in the AIS, he had not only earned a spot on the Emus position of negotiating multi-million squad for the Young Men’s World Championship Sdollar contracts for shoes, clothing and but also become a true star. Bogut wowed the electronic equipment ahead of a possible dozens of international scouts at the number one draft pick? tournament as he led the Emus to a gold medal It started back in Endeavour Hills in Melbourne’s and helped himself to MVP honours. By the Dandenong Ranges when a young Andrew time he stepped on the plane for his return to Australia, he was literally front-page news. Bogut was identified through the local National Intensive Training Centre Program (NITCP). The kid from Endeavour Hills clinched nearly every possible post-season award including the As a part of this program for athletes aged prestigious Naismith Trophy and the Wooden between 14 and 17, Bogut benefited from the Award in 2005, becoming the first Australian to guidance of numerous skilled and well-trained do so. The 20-year-old was a standout for the Australian coaches and gained important University of Utah in his second season of experience of the game at the elite level. college basketball and shone under the national In September 2001, after months of solid work spotlight in the NCAA Tournament. Averaging with Bogut, the NITC videotaped the young 20.4 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, he led unknown for possible inclusion in the Australian the Utes to a 29-6 record for the year. Emus squad for the 2003 World Junior “Andrew is positioning himself to become Championships and a possible Australian Australia's greatest ever basketballer,” Clarke Institute of Sport (AIS) scholarship. says of his former player. “He still has some The tape paved the way for a coveted AIS challenges ahead and has the test of longevity Scholarship, which started when the 213cm to pass. His physical tools have been well centre toured the US with the AIS in documented, but it is his competitive spirit, November 2001. desire to improve and his capacity for work that “The AIS provided the ideal environment for allows him to make the most of his immense Andrew to practice against other outstanding talent.” players on a daily basis, where both basketball Andrew Bogut’s 2005 accolades: and life skill development is nurtured,” current Andrew Bogut made a huge impact on the Wooden Award winner AIS men’s basketball head coach Marty Clarke world of basketball at the Athens Olympic Naismith Trophy winner says. “It also allowed him to successfully Games in 2004. Associated Press Player of the Year complete the education requirements necessary USBWA Oscar Robertson Trophy winner to gain entry to the US college system.” Whilst this in itself shouldn’t have posed a NABC Division I Player of the Year problem, because Bogut had already advised the Bogut remained on scholarship at the Institute Pete Newell Big Man of the Year AIS that he was heading to Utah the Institute had until December 2002 and during that period Basketball Times Player of the Year completely filled their quota of 12 scholarships garnered international experiences which ESPN.com Player of the Year with other athletes. Unable to go to college and helped build the foundation of his international Sports Illustrated On Campus Player of the Year seemingly without a place at the Institute, it reputation. By the end of 2002, that reputation Associated Press First Team All-America seemed that Bogut’s career had hit an early had grown in stature to the point Bogut was USBWA First Team All-America deadend until the AIS came to his rescue. offered a scholarship to the University of Utah. NABC First Team All-America Although the rising star planned to take up the Upon realising the young star’s dilemma, the NCAA Austin Regional Team opportunity immediately and informed the AIS of AIS managed to source additional scholarship Mountain West Conference Player of the Year this, his plan was stymied by NCAA regulations funds. This not only enabled Bogut to meet the Mountain West Conference First Team regarding necessary high school subjects. In stringent NCAA requirements, but also gave the Mountain West Conference All-Tournament order to be academically eligible, Bogut would talented player the chance to gain an additional Team need to complete the appropriate high school year’s development through the AIS Men’s USBWA District 8 Player of the Year subjects in Australia at his last high school, Basketball program. NABC First Team All-District 13 which was Lake Ginninderra College in Canberra And what a difference that year made. By the MWC Player of the Week (Five Times) (the high school which AIS athletes attend). time Bogut had finished his second stint at the Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 13 Tournament survival - Recovery methods for players & referees

BY ERIC DRINKWATER minimise fatigue before players become visibly consume 400ml more water. Lecturer fatigued. A fatigued player may show any of Many coaches wonder about the benefits of the following signs on or off the court: Charles Sturt University commercial sports drinks, especially when they • Poor posture, like dropping their head or hear claims about the importance of replacing laying four quarters of basketball is excessive shoulder movement while walking electrolytes lost in sweat and that these drinks exhausting work and fatigue is a natural or running can be absorbed faster than water. The truth is Pconsequence of playing hard. A player that these drinks can indeed benefit athletes • Increasing expression of emotion such as can minimise the effects of fatigue during a and should be considered by coaches. overt signs of frustration or aggression game by having a high level of fitness. But Basketball players regardless of a player’s fitness, playing seven or • Decline in skills performance, decision are unlikely to lose eight games in a week during tournament play making, and response time enough electrolytes takes its toll on even the fittest young players. • Low motivation, such as lack of excitement during a game or The only saving grace is that the opposing team for a big game or slow to get moving, either tournament to has also endured a similar load and will be on the court or out of bed warrant needing equally as tired. The fatigue of the opposition conscious • Disturbed sleeping patterns and poor gives your team the potential for an advantage replacement, but concentration if you are able to guide your players to proper the electrolytes recover before the game. Any of the above indicates that you’ve got a are an important fatigued player and you need to take ingredient to the The demands on referees in a basketball immediate action. drink for other tournament are not any easier and it is reasons. important that referees also take steps to Hydration manage their fatigue during the tournament. During a game, male basketball players can lose Most sports Photo Credit: Lorisse Dart. Recognising the need for recovery 1.5 litres of water, and females can lose about 1 drinks have litre water from sweat. This is significant to about half to By now most coaches are familiar with the coaches because dehydration can have serious two-thirds of the sugar content of most importance of keeping players hydrated; and performance effects. A 70kg player losing 1.4kg soft-drinks (sports drinks are 6% to 8% sugar that “if they’re thirsty, they’re already during a game (2% dehydration) can lose 6% of while soft-drinks are about 12%). When the dehydrated.” The need for proper recovery is their aerobic power. drink is consumed the body rapidly absorbs similar; a coach must be taking steps to the sugar. Because sugar and salt use the Studies by the Department of Sports Nutrition same kind of transporters to get through the at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) show intestine into the blood, the body absorbs the that typically players consume only enough electrolytes (salt) along with the sugar. Now fluids to replace about two-thirds of this loss. here’s the trick: since the salt concentration is In this study the body weight of each AIS now higher in the blood, water must be player was measured before and after a game absorbed faster than it otherwise would be in and compared that to the amount of fluid each order to dilute the salt. So, because you player consumed. Any body weight lost absorb the sugar you absorb the salt; by between the start of the game and the end absorbing the salt you absorb water faster. presumably was fluid loss. The salt and the sweet taste also encourage Coaches can similarly measure hydration players to drink more. Again, investigations by status in their own teams during practice, the AIS Department of Sports Nutrition show games, and tournaments in the same way with that basketball players drank more when they a basic bathroom scale. Simply record they were drinking sports drinks, even though body weight before and after the practice or players said that they preferred water. game. Obviously you’ll need to account for any The final advantage of sports drinks is that they toilet breaks in this equation, but you will get a provide an easily accessible energy source for reasonable estimate of their hydration status if players. The sugars found in sports drinks are you assume each gram of body weight lost is the preferred energy source for not only muscle one millilitre of water. This means a player activity but also for brain activity. By the fourth losing 400g over a game should try to

14 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au quarter, a player’s body is running low on stored The largest amount of this master hormone is sugars and has to resort to slower stores of released in pulses during the deep stages of energy, such as stored body fat. Consuming sleep, typically starting between midnight and simpler forms of energy allows a player to keep 2 a.m. It is vital to an athlete’s recovery not to playing at high intensity. The extra energy for have this stage of sleep disturbed by things the brain also allows a player to keep their like phone calls and text messages. Ensure concentration and make better decisions. The phones are turned off every night; parents can energy in a sports drink is available about 30 ring you or the hotel in case of emergency. minutes after it is consumed, so a sports drink Hydrotherapy should be considered particularly during the half-time break. This applies to coaches and Coaches in many sports, including basketball, referees as well! have taken a recent interest in the use of water therapy to improve recovery of their While this extra energy is an advantage during athletes. While the value of techniques such as a game, players should be wary that over- the ‘spa and plunge’ are the stuff of legends, consumption of sports drinks can lead to particularly in Scandinavian countries, excess calories being stored as body fat. evidence of their value is limited. Finnish Additionally, the high sugar content means that researchers wrote in a 1995 issue of the players need to practice proper dental hygiene. during the trip back to the hotel. Aim for 1g per European Journal of Applied Physiology about A suitable strategy may be to alternate bottles kilogram of body weight in carbohydrate plus track and field athletes that massaged their of water with bottles of sports drink. 10-20g of protein, at the latest 30 minutes calves, thighs, and hamstrings using jets in a Nutrition post-game. An example may be a tub of spa after an intense training session. The yoghurt and a cereal bar. Such snacks should While sports drinks provide simple sugars that researchers found that athletes maintained leg not entirely replace a full post-game meal. are readily used from the blood, long-term power in subsequent training session better recovery requires much larger groups of sugar Liquid meal supplements available from than those who passively rested. Jet-massage molecules called complex carbohydrates. supermarkets or fitness and nutrition shops has potential applications during basketball These complex carbohydrates can be stored in can also be an excellent recovery snack. tournaments as many hotels have spa pools the liver and muscle as glycogen; it is this Coaches can investigate the economics of next to their swimming pool that players can glycogen that is the primary fuel supply for such products by assessing the cost per serve make use of. most of a basketball game. To maximise compared to the cost of more conventional Interest is also growing in the area of athletes muscle glycogen storage during a tournament, snacks. Often they both will work out to $2 per jumping between baths of contrasting players should be consuming meals mostly of serve, keeping in mind that serving sizes of temperatures (or having ‘hot and cold’ complex carbohydrates such as potatoes, liquid meal supplements might be half the size showers) to improve recovery. Again, solid of that suggested on the container if you aim pasta, rice, oats, and grains. Remember that Cont. Page 17 the cooking process breaks down the complex for 70g of carbohydrate and 20g of protein for carbohydrate into simpler ones so if you have a 70kg player. Be sure to keep in mind that TAKE-HOME MESSAGES any control over the cooking process of what nutritional supplements come in a variety of • Consider supplying your players with sports your players eat try to get potatoes, pastas and qualities and should be assessed by a person drinks, particularly at half time. Sports drinks qualified to consider their nutritional content. are effective for hydration and will get a rice somewhat under-cooked. player’s brain and body ready for the fourth quarter. And, have a drink yourself coach! Canadian research has shown that some protein Sleep • Weigh your players before and after games. with a meal of carbohydrates, such as pasta At least as important to recovery as proper If they’re lighter after the game, they are not with a meat sauce, will peak muscle repair. nutrition is proper sleep. The amount of sleep drinking enough. While simple sugars can be available for an individual needs varies, but there is little • Feed your players 50-90g of carbohydrate doubt that the minimum amount for proper plus 10-20g of protein, at the latest 30 energy quite quickly, more complex minutes after the game. Don’t wait to get carbohydrates take substantially longer to functioning in healthy individuals is between back to the hotel; give them a snack in the digest. A high carbohydrate meal should be seven and nine hours. Growing adolescents locker room or even in the car park if you have to. eaten 2-3 hours before a game. Cereals, whole and athletes may need even more. For physical recovery, one of the most important • Ensure your players get at least eight hours grain bread, and oats make good meals for of continuous, undisturbed sleep. This will morning games. factors of sleep is the release of human ensure optimal secretion and use of naturally growth hormone (hGH). Known as ‘the master produced growth hormone. Restoring glycogen storage levels can take over hormone’, hGH is secreted by the pituitary • Have players spa for three minutes (with jets 20 hours so it’s important to the recovery gland located in the centre of the brain. Just to if possible) and then have a 30 second cold process for athletes to start eating as soon as shower. Repeat three times. A three-minute name a few of its important roles in physical warm shower with 30 seconds in the cold will possible after a game. Players should be and mental functioning, it regulates tissue work too. encouraged to eat simple snacks such as repair and cell replacement, bone and cartilage • Visit the links at www.ais.org.au/factsheet cereal bars, fruit, fruit and nut mixes, and integrity, muscle strength and growth, and for the latest hot topic and information on muffins during the post-game meeting, and sports supplements. immune functioning.

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 15 Keeping your mind on success at the end of the season

BY ROSANNA STANIMIROVIC priorities may change between skills and Coaches should take some time to meet with Senior Performance Psychologist strategy, communication and leadership, or just the team as a group and reflect on the keys to enjoying the game again. Regardless of where winning a basketball game (see –March Xs Australian Institute of Sport your team finds itself at this time in the season, and Os). The team needs to keep perspective s teams get closer to the end of the be aware of the needs of your team to motivate about what will win games and what will not home and away season, a number of behaviour towards the end of the season. win games, particularly when there is meaning Apotential scenarios present themselves. Preparing for the post season attached the outcome (i.e., winning the finals). The pressure of the situation can have a Teams will either be preparing for the post When a team is aware they are progressing to psychological impact as players become season, struggling to make the post season, or the post season, the remaining home and away anxious about the outcome and hence their have no hope of making the post season. games can pose some interesting outcomes. performance suffers. Regardless of the scenario the team faces, Some teams continue to play with discipline there are ways of directing the team focus and hence continue to win. Some teams can On court, reinforce the fundamentals of towards success. become very erratic and start to play with a disciplined play in practice like defensive This article will describe some themes and flair and finesse that can lead to poor decision positioning, ball movement, shot selection, and activities that coaches and players can adopt in making and turnovers and uncharacteristic free throw shooting. Patience and control are the ‘run home’. At different times the team’s losses at the end of the season. important psychological aspects of play that coaches can highlight in training. Teams need to practise being patient and staying in control rather than simply expecting this to occur in games. Create a scrimmage drill where ball movement and shot selection are impeded so that the offence can struggle to regain control when scoring is not free flowing. Debrief this session by asking players to rate their perception of control in offence. Similarly, ask players to rate their perception of control in defence. Use a scale of 0 (no control at all) to 10 (total control). Collect the ratings from players after every scrimmage and get a team average. When players perceive they are in control under pressure, they are better able to manage themselves during competition and individual and team performance will be enhanced. Struggling to make the post season When there is a slim opportunity to make the finals, teams can either play well as a unit or try too hard and hence play poorly as a unit. Interpersonal issues can have the biggest impact on performance when players feel the pressure to win and make the finals. Players become easily frustrated with each other and express the frustration without thinking about the impact on others. Coaches should take some time to clarify the on court roles and responsibilities of each player in the team and be sure that every other player on the team is aware of each Adelaide almost pulled off an upset in the 2005 WNBL Finals by pushing the much-favoured others roles and responsibilities. Also, give Sydney Uni Flames to overtime in the preliminary final. Pic: Yvonne Milbank. every player a specific on-court task to

16 The Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association www.basketball.net.au complete during a game that is not specific to not have to be based on percentage, the fundamentals of the game. For example, rebounds, or any other fundamental statistic. A ask one athlete to keep an eye on which contribution can be ‘psyching out’ the opposition player is getting frustrated and opposition point guard from the bench. Debrief exploit them on and off court, or, get the every game by asking players to rate how players on the bench to clap and cheer to much fun they had when playing. Use a scale create atmosphere, or, ask one player to be of 0 (no fun at all) to 10 (heaps of fun). Collect responsible for bringing the group into a the rating from players after every game and huddle as often as possible to encourage eye get a team average. As the averages increase, contact and communication. It is important players will become more oriented towards that everyone in the team trusts that everyone playing well and will want to win again. is doing everything possible to win. No hope of making the post season Photo Caption When teams are aware that the preseason Laura Summerton led her team well objectives are not going to be fulfilled, players all the way through to the finals series. can start withdrawing from the group or Pic Yvonne Milbank. display amotivated behaviours. Coaches should focus more on how the team can enjoy the game again rather than asking the team to RECOMMENDATIONS work on developing the fundamentals of the • Reflect on the keys to winning when game. the team is preparing for the post season. Ask the players what they enjoy about playing basketball and continue to use the • Towards the end of the home and away season, practise patience and control in theme of enjoyment as a guide to achieve scrimmages to simulate the intensity of success in games. Prioritising enjoyment post season games. allows each player to experience positive • Interpersonal conflicts can often arise emotions rather than experience the negative when a team is trying too hard to win emotions that they have endured after every game to make the post season, consecutive losses during the season. so clarify roles and responsibilities on Experiencing a positive emotion like enjoyment and off court for every player on the team. can lead to enhanced performance. • Make enjoyment the priority when Ask each individual to identify what their experiencing an unsuccessful season personal contribution to the team’s enjoyment with no chance of making finals will be in every game. The contribution does cont from page 15 For your own entertainment value, I massage therapist. While I don’t want to recommend standing in the hall of the hotel dismiss massage as a valid recovery research in the effectiveness of this area is after a game and listening for shouts and technique, applying proper massage is a skill limited and theories to why it may work are that takes specific training. Also, most diverse. Still, once athletes get used to the screams coming from player rooms. basketball teams cannot afford a dedicated shock of using this technique, athlete feedback Regardless of the method, a player should spa massage therapist. is generally very positive with many top or shower in 39 to 40 degrees for three athletes making it an integral part of their minutes and then have a plunge into a cold Conclusion recovery routine. pool or a cold shower of 10 to 15 degrees or Tournaments are tough, even on the fittest of One problem with the spa and plunge for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat this process players. Very little we do as coaches can technique is practicality: having bathtubs of three times. prepare our players for the physical demands very warm and cold water close to each other Massage of playing every day, sometimes even twice in is not practical in the basketball hall or hotel a day for a week straight. Fortunately, setting. Fortunately, complete immersion in the While massage techniques have received more physically fit players have an amazing capacity water may not be necessary and switching attention in the research community than for recovery if we manage their fatigue from cold to very warm showers may have hydrotherapy techniques, the reported properly. We will never be able to entirely similar benefits in assisting recovery. Many effectiveness of massage in promoting eliminate fatigue from playing a role in hotel spas will have a shower next to the spa recovery varies widely from being very tournaments but by managing it properly so alternatively players could spa and then effective to not effective at all. These varying players will be able to give more of themselves have a cold shower, or simply alternate very results are likely at least partially linked to the when it counts and take more from the warm and cold showers in their hotel room. massage technique used and the skill of the experience of being involved.

www.basketball.net.au Official Journal of the Australian Basketball Coaches Association 17 BASKETBALL AUSTRALIA

COMPETITION AUSTRALIAN BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION EVENTS MEMBERSHIP 2005 APPLICATION FORM 8 - 11 June Pacific Rim Sports Tournament – San Diego USA I wish to apply for membership of the Australian 9 - 14 June Opals Camp 1 - Brisbane Basketball Coaches Association and enclose a cheque/money order/credit card details for 9 - 12 June Gliders Camp 2 & Qld. Classic - Brisbane $40 (GST incl) being registration fees for 10 - 13 June Melbourne Junior Classic 12 months. 19 & 20 June International Game - Gems v Japan WNBL All Stars - AIS Name ...... 20 - 24 June Crocs Camp 2 - AIS Address ...... 25 - 26 June International Games - AIS & Gems v Texas Tech Uni USA - Sutherland Postcode ...... 25 June - 1 July Boomers Camp 1 – Gold Coast 30 June - 3 July Gems Camp 3 - AIS Phone (H), ...... 2 - 9 July Australian U/18 Championships - Perth (W) ...... (ext) . . . . . 8 - 15 July Opals International Tournament - China (M) ...... 10 - 14 July Boomers Camp 2 - Melbourne Email ...... 9 - 16 July Australian U/16 Championships - Canberra Basketball Association ...... 16 - 17 July Opals v China - China Date of Birth ...... 15 - 24 July FIBA World Championship for Junior Women - Tunisia N.C.A.S. Accredited? Yes / No Level . . . . . 18 - 21 July Crocs v Slovenia ❑ Male ❑ Female 14 - 16 July 4-Nations Young Men’s Tournament - Greece Do you usually coach? (please tick) 19 - 25 July Test series in Japan v Japanese Men’s National Team - Tokyo ❑ Juniors ❑ Seniors ❑ Male ❑ Female 23 - 30 July William Jones Cup - AIS Men - Chinese Taipei Occupation ...... 23 – 31 July Crocs international tournament – Toronto, Canada 25 July - 1 August Boomers Borislav Stankovic Cup - Beijing Credit Card Details (Diners not accepted) 25 July - 1 August Gliders Spitfire Tournament - Toronto Name ...... 29 - 31 July National Wheelchair Basketball League Finals ❑ MasterCard ❑ Visa ❑ Bankcard ❑ Amex 5 - 14 August FIBA World Championship for Young Men - Argentina Amount ...... 6 - 13 August World Junior Wheelchair Basketball Championships - England Card number: 8 - 14 August Boomers 4-Nations Tournament - Perth & Sydney ...... / ...... / ...... / ...... 11 - 21 August World University Games Men & Women - Turkey Exp: . . . . . / . . . . . 17 - 21 August FIBA Oceania Men’s Championships - New Zealand Signature ...... 19 - 21 August ABA National Finals - Geelong Date ...... 24 - 28 August FIBA Oceania Women’s Championship - New Zealand Twelve month membership 26 - 28 August NBL Pre Season Blitz - Cairns Xs & Os is delivered to ABCA members quarterly. 29 August - 3 September Roosevelt men’s wheelchair tournament – Warm Springs, USA Australian residents $40 (GST inc) 2 September NBL season 2005/06 commences Overseas applicants AUD$62.50 30 September WNBL season 2005/06 commences Send to: 30 September - 3 October Rollers Kitakyushu Cup - Japan Basketball Australia 3 - 7 October Australian U/14 Championships - SA (men) and Darwin (women) PO Box 17 5 - 13 October Qualification for the 2006 World Wheelchair Men’s & Women’s Regents Park BC NSW 2143 Championships - Seoul Fax: (02) 8746 0582