Jim Larranaga of and Tennessee coach , who guided UW-Milwaukee to a Sweet 16 three years ago, reveal the secrets of a Cinderfella.

1. Balance. "You have to have balance in your offense and defense," Larranaga said. "For example, in 2006 we had five guys averaging double figures and we were 15th in the country in field-goal percentage offense. That's very efficient. And you have to be good defensively. We were 10th in the nation in field-goal percentage defense. We were good at both ends of the floor. When you get to that level, people can really take advantage and exploit any weaknesses. You can't be good on only one end of the floor."

2. Seniors. "Senior leadership is very important," Pearl said. Larranaga concurred. "You have to have guys who have tremendous confidence and enough experience to get the job done," the GMU coach said.

3. An aggressive non-conference schedule. "Look at what Butler and Southern Illinois have done; they've scheduled up," Pearl said. "We beat Purdue and Hawaii on the road that year. We lost at Kansas, lost at Wisconsin. We won some big road games and lost some, but we scheduled a lot of them against good competition. Schedule yourself up early in the season and give your kids confidence that you can compete with those guys."

4. Good guard play. "They're the ones who take the big shots and big free throws," Larranaga said. "If you're a very good interior team but weak at guard it will be very, very hard to get by the second round."

5. A loose attitude. "I think something that's very important for mid-majors is not to put a whole lot of pressure on yourself," Larranaga said. "Enjoy the opportunity and put all of the pressure on the higher seed and the bigger name. Keep your team relaxed. Let your opponent feel the stress."

6. No stars. "I think a guy like that gets all the attention," Larranaga said. "The teams you're playing are too good. They'll find a way to take him out of the game, especially if he's a big guy. He's not getting the ball. Teams will surround him." ______

Christian Thoughts for the Day: 1. Satan hits you with two big things: 1. DOUBT...he will tell you are not a Christian, or you are a terrible coach: 2. DISCOURAGEMENT...This is a terrible job you have, or I have no players. *When you get hit by these things don't quit, there is something good just around the corner. (I really believe this) DS 2. If you are going through a TEST (Big Problem) remember it is an OPEN BOOK TEST...Read your Bible to find the answer. The Bible is God talking to us and Prayer is us talking to God. 3. God's Delays are OKAY: Jesus delayed two days before raising Lazarus for the dead. Lots of my prayers have taken 20 years or more to be answered. When I pray for my wife when she has a bad headache or chronic fatigue syndrome it usually takes about 30 minutes for her to feel better. -- From Coach Duane Silver ______

Why You Should NOT Compromise" By John MacArthur (Minister) *This is a true story. In the 1924 Olympics Eric Ladell of England their fastest 100 meter runner was scheduled to run on a Sunday. Eric was a Born Again Christian and he did not find out that the race was on a Sunday until he got to the Olympic games. Eric in his heart knew he should follow the fourth commandment (Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it Holy) and not compete that day. Eric was heart broken, but he lived by his convictions and told the English authorities he would not be able to participate. After the meeting with the governing body Eric was told that one of their 400 meter runners was very sick and that he could not run in his event later on in the week. They ask if Eric would like to take his place. Eric said I will give it a try, but I have never run a 400 meter dash before. Well guess what? Who do you think is the men's 400 meter champion in the 1924 Olympics? You are right Eric Ladell. He won it with a time of 47.2. *Here is the point of this true story. If you will not Compromise, GOD WILL REALLY BLESS YOU. *Later on in life Eric became a Christian missionary to China and he died there in 1945 standing for Christ. -- From Coach Duane Silver ______

The Indian Creek boys basketball team showed discipline and toughness, forcing Big Red to commit several offensive fouls

Indian Creek’s strategy from the opening tip seemed to be letting Big Red’s players drive the lane and stepping up to draw charges, taking advantage of Steubenville’ s aggressive style of play.

“They are very aggressive and very quick,’ he said. “ And we have some kids that are gutsy and that is what it takes to stand in there and take a charge. It is all about heart and guts. I was watching a game on ESPN and they said that taking a charge is the most unselfish act in basketball. I agree with that and I was really happy with the way our kids did that tonight,” Dunlevy said in the locker room after the game. “When you have a big, strong kid coming down the lane, it takes a lot of guts to stand in there and take it.

“But, if you take a charge, you get a foul on the other team, it is a turnover and it’s your ball. On the other hand, if you block a shot, the other team could get it back. We would rather take charges than block shots.” ______

Put Some Z.I.P. Into Your Relationships Put some ZEST into your relationships. Cultivate more INTIMACY in your relationships. Develop a PURPOSE in your relationships. ______

When things were going tough for us at this time of the year and maybe there was some finger pointing.... . I talked about TEAM WORK and a few other things. I asked them, "Did you play hard"? "Did you execute on defense"? "Did you do ANY of the little things that can make the difference in a close game"? "Did you dive for a loose ball, take a charge at a key time, deflect a pass, make a steal, get that key rebound"? Before you accuse anyone else of not doing something at practice or in a game... ask YOURSELF these questions. -- Ken Sartini ______

"A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better." -- Jim Rohn ______

"Time is a commodity. How are you spending yours?" -- Bob Perks ______

Life is an education meant to be shared...not a waste of time. ______

It's not where you are planted, but how much you "Grow." ______

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; When health is lost, something is lost; When character is lost, all is lost! -- German Proverb

"Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been erected to a critic." -- Jean Sibelius

CHANCE favors the PREPARED mind! ______

There are three kinds of people: those who make things happen; those who watch things happen; and those who don't know that anything is happening! Be actively involved as a doer ______

For when the One Great Scorer comes To write against your name, He marks - not that you won or lost - But how you played the game. Grantland Rice ______

What is a WINNER! A Winner is one who Works Hard, Shows Improvement, Never Gives Up, Never Complains, Shows Energy and Enthusiasm and is Responsible and Respectful

W = Works Hard

I = Improvement

N = Never Give Up

N = Never Complain

E = Energy and Enthusiasm

R = Responsible and Respectful

-- Creighton Burns

We all get report cards in many different ways, but the real excitement of what you're doing is in the doing of it. It's not what you're gonna get in the end - it's not the final curtain - it's really in the doing it, and loving what I'm doing. -- Designer Ralph Lauren ______

"We don't get to decide our future, but we do get to decide out habits. Our habits decide our future." -- J.D. Mayo Dallas Skyline H.S. ______

"It's not the position of the players that wins the game its the DISPOSITION of the player. -- Ronnie Jones ______

"Players with Character improve as the season goes along, but players without Character seldom improve at all." -- Duane Silver ______

"A good coach makes you do what you don't want to do so you can be what you want to be." -- (Jim Sweeney ______

"If a team has to work really hard to score it is going to lose.” -- Peter Swhwethelm ______

"A GREAT player raises the play of his whole team." ______

"PARENT TIPS" 1.Parent Rule-- Talk to parents about anything except playing time. 2. Do not talk to a parent after a game. You may both get upset and say things that you will both be sorry for. 3. Tell the parents of the non-players their son/daughter will not get to play in most games and if the parent or player complains that will be it for them being on the team. 4. I don't know if you can tell kids this or not, but some kids playing time will only be practice not in the games. 5. Do NOT raise your voice with a parent. -- Don Meyer ______

"The No-Repeat Rule" Once a topic is covered in a coach and parent meeting the parent cannot come back to that topic again. It is amazing how short parent conferences are when they are not allowed to keep talking about the same issue. Just say we have covered that and is there any other problem. -- Ray Murphree ______

You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do. -- Henry Ford

______"HOW TO MEASURE DEFENSIVE EFFORT" 1. Deflections (a fingernail touching the ball counts as is a deflection) 2. Draw Charges (Even if they call a blocking foul) 3. Making the opponent pick up their dribble. 4. Getting on the floor after loose balls. 5. Not being screened by beating the screen over the top. -- ______

1. If the players don't take OWNERSHIP of the team you are in for a long year. Dave Bliss

2. The best asset a coach can have is poor hearing. -- Chuck Daly

3. If you whip a thoroughbred he will run faster, but if you whip a donkey he will lay down. This is just like our players and a lot of coaches who cannot take constructive criticism.

4. Most people are of average intelligence (C Students) so why do you think you are so smart? -- UCLA

5. The key to great restaurants is the COOK just like the key to great teams is the COACH. -- Bill Gerecke, MD

6. Teams that make the extra pass win, also the kids have more fun playing the game! Quin Snyder

7. BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER: From kids that that make good grades to dope smokers. All kids find a group -- James Dobson Focus on the Family

9. You can modify behavior, but you can't modify Character. --

10. There is hardly no young man in prison that had a good relationship with his father. -- -- Zig Ziglar

1. If you are not a great player you must have great CONCENTRATION. --Bobby Knight

2. Character and Passion These are the two thing Rick Majerus looks for when he recruits. (Talent is a given)

3. 's pet peeves: one hand catches and one handed rebounds.

4. The CHARGE is the biggest play in the game. A. It changes momentum, B. Personal Foul on your opponent, C. Team foul, D. You get possession of the ball or free throws.. --Brian O'Neil

5. You can't do it alone -- even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. ______

DEFENSE IS A SIMPLE GAME 1. No Uncontested Shots 2. No Penetration 3. No Second Efforts ______

"COMMON ERRORS MADE IN REBOUNDING" 1. Watching the flight of the ball. 2. Assuming the shot will be made. 3. Assuming a teammate will rebound the ball. 4. Relying too much on jumping ability of size not blocking out on the shot. 5. Running under or getting pushed too far under the basket. 6. Moving into a position directly behind and opponent. 7. Not wanting the ball and fighting for good inside position. 8. Not anticipating and going to the spot where the ball will be rebounded. 9. Rebounding with on hand, and not grabbing or protecting the ball. 10. Making a bad outlet pass or throwing the ball away after obtaining the rebound. ______

*The Four Laws of Learning: 1. Proper Demonstration 2. Imitate the demonstration 3. Correct the demonstration 4. Properly and quickly repeat the demonstrated skill to perfection. ______

"Coaches need Time and Experience. Young coaches cannot understand this. Success in coaching is the TEST of TIME." --Bill Walsh ______

"HOW TO TELL IF YOU LOVE TO COACH" -- Duane Silver 1. You draw plays on napkins when you go out to eat. 2. You go to clinics to learn some new things. 3. Scouting your opponent is important to you. 4. You have a system that is very important to you. 5. You have Saturday practices when you don't have tournaments. 6. Studying video tape is a big deal to you. 7. You want to help you assistant coaches get better. 8. You tape games on TV and then study them later. 9. Your locker room is kept neat and so is your office 10. A great coach will love to X and O with other coaches. NOTE- If you don't do most of these you are probably more of a supervisor than a coach.

"Pat Riley on How to Have Team SUCCESS"

1. "Preparation is the single biggest ingredient to having success as a team.

2. "In practice, you must do two things: play hard and play unselfishly."

3. "Each player must build a mental toughness equal to their God given talents. That's what allows them to break through their individual limitations to reach their potential."

4. "Every player should aim for the best statistics of their career, in at least one, but ideally several, areas. Each player would have a different emphasis, depending on his role within the team."

5. "Each player has to develop an attitude of excellence that is always defined as wanting to do better.

6. "The key to success isn't in great talent. The key to success is to learn how to do something right. Then do it right every time. Do it the same way every time."

7. "Our philosophy is that you reach a championship with hard work, good organization and a minimum of distractions."

8. "Your team is a family. The dynamics that go on are family dynamics. There are predictable ups and downs that have to do with the cycles and rhythms of a family's life. Some family members get selfish and they need to be brought back to a team first attitude. Some members get hurt and alienated and they need to be reminded how important they are."

9. "The key to teamwork is to learn a role, accept that role, and strive to become excellent playing it."

10. "The coach has a role too: to organize and direct, to create an environment where talent can flourish, to do everything possible to enable them to win." ______

When a team tries to conserve fuel [cruise] it becomes more susceptible to failure. Treat each challenge the same-- 100%.

One way to do this is to develop more players so the starters don't wear down. Most likely there is someone on the bench that can contribute. In business there may be someone sorting letters that has great potential. take the time to develop them and always demand 100%. ______

There is a revealing story about Saint Mary's basketball coach Randy Bennett, told by longtime Gaels assistant Kyle Smith.

Bennett and Smith were coaching at the University of San Diego, sharing a hotel room in Los Angeles before a West Coast Conference game against Pepperdine.

Smith woke up in the middle of the night and saw Bennett — still asleep — standing on top of his bed with his knees bent and his hands out in a defensive "ready" position. The man who might be at the top of Oregon State's wish list as it searches for a new coach has been described as feisty, intense, highly organized, incredibly loyal to his assistants, and very deliberate when he makes important decisions. ______

One of the best ways to persuade others is with your ears--by listening to them. -- Dean Rusk ______

As I've traveled, I've always noticed that no matter how cloudy it is when the plane takes off, above the clouds, the sun always shines. Look up! It's not your outlook but your "uplook" that counts. Keep this important principle in mind, not all obstacles are bad. In fact, an opportunity's favorite disguise is an obstacle!

Conflict is simply meeting an obstacle on the road to your answer. It reveals what we truly believe, and who we really are - it introduces you to yourself. When God's at our side He helps us to face the music, even when we don't like the tune.

Your struggle may be lasting but it is not everlasting. No one is immune to problems - but take heart - "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed, and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going." ( II Cor 4: 8,9 Living Bible)

Even the lion has to defend himself against flies! Don't just look to God through your circumstances, look at your circumstances through God. "In the presence of trouble, some people grow wings; others buy crutches." (Harold W. Ruoff)

When the fight is good; it is proof that you haven't quit. If you want your place in the sun you'll have to expect some blisters. But remember, your problem many times is actually your promotion.

Thomas Carlisle said, "The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong."

- John Mason, from the book You're Born An Original Don't Die A Copy ______

Live up to the best that is in you: Live noble lives, as you all may, in whatever condition you may find yourselves. --Henry W. Longfellow ______

There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up. -- Booker T. Washington ______

The Power of Attitude -- "Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst...a spark that creates extraordinary results." ______

“Four short words sum up what has lifted most successful individuals above the crowd: a little bit more. They did all that was expected of them and a little bit more.” ~A. Lou Vickery ______

SUCCESS "The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money." -- Bernard Meltzer

"The most absurd and reckless aspirations have sometimes led to extraordinary success." - - Vauvenargues

"Success is living up to your potential. That´s all. Wake up with a smile and go after life & Live it, enjoy it, taste it, smell it, feel it." -- Joe Kapp

"Personal satisfaction is the most important ingredient of success." -- Denis Waitley

"There are no shortcuts. To be a big success, start a little earlier, work a little harder, and stay a little later." Brian Tracy ______

TEAMWORK "Light is the task where many share the toil." -- Homer

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." -- Helen Keller

"Difference is the beginning of synergy." -- Stephen R. Covey

"A team is a group of people who may not be equal in experience, talent, or education but in commitment." -- Patricia Fripp ______

The Practice Plan

▼ Make sure that your explanation provides a quick description of the drill, including rotation. Provide step-by-step technique suggestions and tips following an order of priority. ▼ Have your practice sessions move from ball drills to drills where all players need their own ball, then go with 1 ball for every 2 players, then 1 ball every 3 or 4 players, then 1 ball for 5 on 5. ▼ Make sure you have all players involved and make sure you can use all basket available. ▼ If you have your assistant coaches, have them work with players on the other baskets. ▼ Rotation is critical and make sure there is not wasted time. Run to get to new position. ▼ Have the player know that a clock is working and time is elapsing. Players need to understand that in practice session, like in a game, time is a critical factor. Players need to have game clock on their mind. ▼ Use quick correction. Stop the drill when the execution is completely wrong and it is evident that a new explanation is necessary. If necessary, stop and make a point when you see that the same mistake is common among many of the players. ▼ Drills must follow a logical sequence and increase in difficulty(teaching progression). ▼ Use a variety of drills. ▼ Call each drill by a name so in a short time you just call the name of the drill and everybody will be ready for that drill. ▼ Keep a journal of your practices sessions.

Building a Practice Plan (break it down in segments of 10 minutes each)

▼ Shooting (1 drill of technique acquisition, 1 drill of game situation). ▼ Individual fundamental (ball handling- dribbling – cross over – 1 on 1 moves). ▼ Defense (individual and team strategy). ▼ Pressing (for your defense, but for your offense as well). ▼ Fast break (from 2 on 1 to 4 on 2 plus 2 recovering). ▼ 3 on 3 /4 on 4 ( team fundamentals). ▼ 5 on 5 half court (spacing, rhythm, decision making, set execution). ▼ Special situations (inbound plays, jump ball, last shot possession, defense on last shot, etc). ▼ Scrimmage (translate and apply teaching into the game situation). ▼ Shooting (repetition and feeling for the shot). ▼ Conditioning. ▼ Free-throws (these win basketball games). -- Assist Magazine #30 ______

Early Offense vs.2-3 Zone Defense 1. 2. ______

Zone Attack

3. 4. It is vitally important that the players be able to read and recognize the defensive variations and slides. Being able to engage two defenders by staying in between their spots will often create problems and doubts for the two defenders. They may not realize who is supposed to cover the offensive player (diagram 3), and when this occurs, it is a chance to get an open shot.

Driving right in the gaps to divide the zone is also one of the oldest and most efficient ways to beat the zone—although it’s also one of the least used attacks. Dribbling straight into the gaps of the zone forces sudden defensive adjustments and provides us with an advantage, usually on the opposite side of the court (diagram 4).

In order to split a zone defense, direct screens on the ball help achieve the necessary effect. To make it work effectively, the angle of the screen becomes critical. You want to keep the defender blocked so they can’t move. When it’s not well executed, the defender can get away and force the offensive player towards the sideline (diagram 5). Next page.

5 6 Ball reversal is another important action against a zone defense. However, many teams do not pass the ball as well as they should. Instead, they pass the ball as if they were playing handball and pass it only around the lane. What they really need to do is make passes that will split the defense (diagram 6).

A good way to split the defense is to pass inside, followed by an outside pass. This causes the defense to compress and decompress and affords the offense a chance to break the defense and get an open shot. When the ball comes in the paint, the zone collapses. Quickly passing the ball outside creates a certain defensive imbalance and this offers the chance to get open shots or better drives to the basket (diagram 7).

7. 8. Skip passes, which are passes from one side of the court to the other, are suitable yet risky if the players have not practiced them enough. Players must be able to read the slides of the zone, especially on the weak side. They must be able to recognize when the defenders on the weak side collapse too much. With skip passes, we are able to force the defender of the last line of the zone to come out and cover the player who receives the pass. This defender has a lot of distance to cover and this will often allow our player to get an open shot (diagram 8).

The ideal way for getting a shot after a reversal pass comes from the use of screens on the weak side. The players not directly involved in playing near the ball can screen on the weak side, while the ball is reversed. This creates the opportunity for an open shot because the defender on the weak side is usually watching the ball side of the court and usually isn’t aware of what is going on the other side (diagram 9).

9. 10. A major goal is to create a situation where there are two attackers against one defender. To reach this situation of defensive upset, we’ll use any kind of variation of the options previously explained. We can create them just after having split the defense up with passes, cuts, screens, and by driving into the gaps of the zone. It demands a lot of patience and ability on the part of the players to reach this point (diagram 10).

11. Another point to remember is to space the lines out as much as possible. Often, the defender of the zone may find himself in a situation where he has to guard two attackers at the same time because of the excess traffic we created inside the zone. The idea here is to look for any kind of cut, especially on the weak side, that allows us to get behind the back of the defenders near the baseline. This will force them to stay in this area while the rest of the players move over the free throw line, or almost at the level of the three-point line. This movement creates a big space (diagram 11).

-- Assist Magazine, #30 Half court 3-2 Zone Trap

2-3 Half Court Trap - Traps & Slides

______

DOUBLE-TEAM RULES

There are five basic double-team situations in every type of defense:  the guard with the guard  the guard with the forward  the forward with the guard  the forward with post  the guard with the post.

The double-team is based on quickness and surprise, and all the defenders should follow the following rules:

▼ Three steps rule. The defender, who goes to double-team, must be able to reach the ball handler in three rapid steps. ▼ Don’t break up the double-team rule. The defenders must assume a large base and put one of their feet as close as possible to their teammate’s foot. ▼ Active hands rule. The defenders must have their hands active trying to deflect the ball. ______WHEN TO DOUBLE-TEAM

The defenders must know when to go to double-team. Some of the best situations include the following offensive situations:  a pick and roll  a dribbling weave  a guard passing the ball to the forward and follows the pass to receive a hand-off pass  a pass to the post and the passer goes to the angle.

When a team knows when and how to double-team, there are several tactics of double- teaming that can be used with every type of defense. ______

LEADING GUIDES TO DOUBLE-TEAM

There must be guideline rules for double teams, but also that coaches must be flexible and permit their players to be creative. Hubie Brown identified these as the most important principles to follow in order to double-team. The best spots on the court where double- team are the sidelines, the baselines, the angles, and the half court line. Play at contact with the ball handler and close to him. Do not let the ball handler pass through the double- team. Once you decide to double-team, do not to stop or hesitate and stay in the “no men’s land.” Teach players not involved in the double-team to understand what the double-teamed player may try to do. Once the double-team is done, let the most distant player from the ball free. Do not permit the offensive players on the help side to cut quickly toward the ball to receive a pass. Coach the defenders on the rotation on the help side. Keep the double-team until the ball handler passes the ball and the ball is in the air. Do not permit a penetrating pass that goes out of the double-team. If a back pass is forced, keep on playing zone defense, and try to double-team again. Guard the shooters closely and do not let them get free. ______

DEVELOPING AGILITY

To improve agility, you must perform quality repetitions of a variety of agility drills that mimic the movements required during the game. Agility drills train the body to react more quickly and under control. By performing drills repeatedly in a practice setting, you become better when the skill is needed during the game. Just as shooting jump shots and free-throws will help you become a better shooter, practicing agility, thereby making you a better, more efficient all-around player. By practicing agility movements, you will learn to cut down on the wasted motions that cause fatigue faster. And by learning to do the drills correctly and under control, you will learn to move more efficiently. Because of individual physical differences, agility movements and technique are described only in general terms. Players move through a number of horizontal and vertical planes and must perform a variety of unpredictable movements rapidly. Agility involves acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction while moving at a fast speed and under control. The development of these components involves speed, power, quickness and balance. Basketball agility requires you to move rapidly and under control. You must train other components- flexibility, strength, speed, power, and balance- because these components contribute to improve agility.

YEARLY TRAINING SCHEDULE

Agility training should play a major role in a yearly conditioning program.

Off-season: During the off-season, players should make their greatest gains because they have more time to train. The off-season is the time to learn new drills and develop proper technique for all drills. Entire workouts can be devoted to agility training. Agility training should be done 2 days a week.

Preseason: Agility training continues, but the workouts are shorter and the work gets sharper. Agility workouts should be once or twice a week, depending on the needs of individual players.

In-season: Agility training is limited to a few drills that may be done as part of the daily dynamic warm-up. Players who do not play many minutes can continue agility training throughout the season. The amount depends on the needs of individual players.

GUIDELINES FOR AGILITY

Agility training requires proper footwear (basketball shoes) for agility drills. Drills should be done on a non slip surface, such as a clean gym floor. Perform drills at slow speeds first, beginning with a proper technique and footwork. When you can perform repetitions successfully and under control, you can increase speed. For every agility drill, start in the ready position: feet shoulder-width apart; ankles, knees and hips flexed in a quarter-squat position; head and shoulders slightly forward with hips and ankles in a straight line. Keep knees and hips flexed and your center of gravity over the feet. The body cannot move quickly when it is standing straight up. From this position, you are ready to move in any direction and can hold this position if bumped from any angle. This

ready position is the most efficient position for moving and reacting. Agility drills should be short in duration (anaerobic), approximately 20 to seconds. Each workout should include a variety of drills that involve multiple changes of direction as well as sprints, backpedals, shuffles, hops, skips, turns, rotations and jumps. Workouts should start with a good warm-up and flexibility program and finish with a cool-down.

AGILITY DRILLS

Lane shuffle, sprint, backpedal 1. Start in the ready positions at the right corner of the baseline and lane, facing the court. 2. Shuffle to your left across the lane. Touch the line with your left foot, change directions and shuffle back to the start. 3. Immediately sprint up the free-throw line. Shuffle to your left across the lane and back. 4. Quickly backpedal to the starting position. Caution: be aware of the baseline wall during the backpedal finish.

Lane Agility Setup: Set a cone in each of the 4 corners of the free-throw lane. 1. Start in the ready position outside the left hand corner of the free-throw line extended, facing the baseline. 2. Sprint to the baseline past the cone. Defensive shuffle to the right past the cone. Backpedal to the free-throw line past the cone and defensive shuffle to the left to the starting edge of the free throw lane. 3. Immediately change directions and defensive shuffle to the right past the cone, sprint to the baseline past the cone, defensive shuffle left past the cone and backpedal through the starting line.

Four Corners 1. Start in the ready position at the center of the lane facing the free-throw line. 2. Sprint to corner 1 and backpedal back to the start (diagram 1). 3. Shuffle to the right to corner 2 and shuffle to the left back to the start. 4. Backpedal to corner 3 and sprint back to the start. 5. Shuffle to the left to corner and shuffle to the right back to the start.

Jump, Shuffle, Jump 1. Start in the ready position in front of and below the right edge of the backboard, facing the baseline. 2. Jump up as high as possible with both hands above your head. Touch the backboard if you are able. 3. Land on both feet and immediately shuffle left. Jump as high as possible in front of the left edge of the backboard. 4. Shuffle back to the right edge of the backboard and jump as high as possible. 5. Continue this over-and-back pattern for 3 to 5 repetitions.

Extended Lane Drills Acceleration, deceleration, backpedal, jump and shuffle Setup: Set 4 cones feet apart along the free throw line extended, starting 3 feet from the left sideline. Set cones at 3 feet, 6 feet, 9 feet and 12 feet from the sideline (slightly less than 1, 2, 3 and 4m). 1. Start in the ready position behind the left corner of the baseline and sideline, facing the court. 2. Sprint to the first cone and backpedal to the baseline (diagram 2). 3. Sprint to the second cone and beck pedal to the baseline. 4. Sprint to the third cone and backpedal to the baseline. 5. Sprint to the fourth cone and backpedal to the baseline and the edge of the lane. 6. Immediately jump as high as possible and then shuffle across the lane on the baseline and back. Caution: Do not step on the cones. Advanced version: Repeat the drill all the way back to the starting position.

Four Way Closeout Setup: This drill is done along the free-throw lane. 1. Start in the ready position at the baseline along the left side of the lane, facing the court. 2. Sprint up the lane to the free-throw line and stop quickly in a defensive stance. 3. Shuffle left a 45-degree angle for 2 shuffles and right for 2 shuffles, then backpedal to the start. 4. Repeat this sequence on the right side of the lane.

Five Spot Closeout Setup: Spread out 5 cones evenly around the three point arc. 1. Start in the ready position under the basket, facing the court. 2. Sprint to the first cone, jump stop, and backpedal to the start (diagram 3). 3. Repeat the sequence to the second, third, fourth, and fifth cones. Advanced version: a coach or teammate stands at the first cone with a basketball. Sprint to the coach and react to the coach. If the coach pump fakes, react to block the shot. If the coach moves to the right or to the left, defensive shuffle a step or two to cut off the coach. Immediately backpedal to the start as the coach moves to the second cone. Repeat the sequence to the second, third, fourth and fifth cones.

Full Court Drill -- Circle Run 1. Start in the ready position on the baseline at the end of the right lane, facing the court. 2. Run up the right lane and run counterclockwise around the first jump circle (diagram 4). 3. Continue to the left of the half-court jump circle and run clockwise around the circle. 4. Continue to the right of the far jump circle and run counterclockwise around it. Finish at the baseline. 5. Return from the left lane so the pattern on the way back is opposite.

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Terminology -- TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE OFFENSIVE ACTIONS

“Crackdown” - baseline screening action with 4 & 5 setting down screens for 2 and 3.

“Hawk” - post up with 2 starting at the top of the key and getting a pick from a big (4/5) at the elbow. Similar to a UCLA cut.

“Horns” – 4 and 5 at each elbow with 2 and 3 in the corners. 1 can use either big for a pick and roll.

“Munch” – Out of a box set, 1 swings the ball to opposite side of the floor and then the big gets a double back pick for a post up.

“Pinch Post” – guard with the ball at the top of the key, big at the elbow. Guard passes to the big and gets into a two men game off the elbow. ______OTHER RANDOM NBA TERMINOLOGY

“ATO’s” – after time out plays

“Basket cut” – guard feeds the post and cuts over top (middle) of the big.

“Go cut” – guard feeds the post and cuts below (baseline side) of the big.

“Butter” – our call at the end of the shot clock (5 seconds remaining).

“Drag” – pick and rolls in transition.

“Lifted” – refers to a big being high, spaced for a jump shot, as opposed to low on the block.

“Pocket pass” – the pass we make when a guard curls versus a hard show. On the catch we immediately look to bounce pass to the screener since his man showed up and left him open. ______