Tactics and Skills 71

Error Detection and Correction for Shooting

ERROR A player swivels the ball to the side before shooting, allow- ing it to be blocked or stolen.

CORRECTION Instruct the player to lift the ball straight up as he shoots.

ERROR The ball hits low on the and, with slight contact on the arm, falls short. CORRECTION The player should shoot high off the backboard so that the ball drops in the basket. This way, even if the player is fouled on the shot, the ball will have a chance to go in.

Shooting Off a Dribble When shooting off a dribble, the player should pick up the ball while facing the basket in position to shoot. She shouldn’t reach for the ball but should pick it up in front of her shooting knee with the knees flexed to gain balance for the shot. When a player is to his strong-hand side, he should jump behind his last dribble and pick the ball up in front of his shooting knee. When a player is dribbling to his weak-hand side, he should use a on his last dribble to pick the ball up in front of his shooting knee.

Error Detection and Correction for Shooting Off a Dribble

ERROR A player floats forward, backward, or to a side when shoot- ing. CORRECTION Have the player pick the ball up in front of her shoot- ing knee with her knees flexed to gain balance for the shot.

Rebounding Possession of the ball comes more often from missed shots than any other way. The team that controls the backboards usually controls the game. Offensive rebounding adds to your team’s chances to score, and defensive rebounding limits your opponent’s scoring opportunities. 72 Catholic Coaching Essentials

More than any other basketball skill, rebounding relies on a player’s desire and courage. Good rebounders are able to anticipate missed shots and determine how hard or how soft, or to what side of the rim, the ball will . They also know where their opponents are at all times, and they are able to “box out” their opposing player by getting between the opposing player and the basket and putting their rears in contact with the opponents (see figure 2.48). A player may use a front or rear pivot to turn and box out his oppo- nent. A front pivot allows the defense to turn while watching the offense move toward the rebound. A rear pivot is used to move into the path of the offense without the same visual contact. Encourage defenders to use whichever method gets them in position in front of the offense, sealing the offensive player away from the basket.

Figure 2.48 Boxing out. Tactics and Skills 73

A player should avoid reaching over an opponent when she gets boxed out; she’ll get called for a if she does. Emphasize the importance of jumping straight up for the rebound. By jumping vertically, not only will a player achieve great height, but she’ll also avoid needless fouls. Here are some additional rebounding tips to share with your players:

 A shot taken from the side is likely to rebound to the opposite side of the basket. Therefore, players should try to get positioned on the opposite side of the basket when such a shot is taken.  Once contact is established with an opposing player, the defensive rebounder wants to maintain that contact until releasing to jump for the rebound.  After controlling a rebound, a player should keep the ball at chin level with her elbows out (see figure 2.49). Use the following guidelines in coaching your players to rebound free throws:  Have your best rebounders in the positions closest to the basket.  Remind players to out the players next to them when the op- posing team is shooting.  Designate a player to block out the shooter when the opposing team is shooting.  Have one player near midcourt to pre- vent easy fast breaks by the opponents when your team is shooting.

Figure 2.49 Proper position after controlling a rebound. 74 Catholic Coaching Basketball Essentials

Error Detection and Correction for Rebounding

ERROR Your players watch the ball, and their opponents gain posi- tion for the rebound.

CORRECTION Instruct players to locate their opponents first, get inside position, block out, and then go for the ball.

ERROR Players have trouble holding onto rebounds. CORRECTION They need to catch rebounds firmly with two hands.

ERROR After gaining rebounds, a player has the ball stripped by an opponent. CORRECTION The player must protect the ball, keeping it above her forehead with her elbows out and away from her opponent.

Rebounding Game

Cleaning the Glass

Goal To get the rebound.

Description Play 2 v 2, with the coach as a nonplaying shooter. Each play begins with the coach shooting at the basket, intentionally missing the shot (see figure 2.50). The two players on offense try to rebound and score, and the defense also tries to rebound. If the offense makes a basket or the defense gets the ball, the play is over. Give the offense five straight plays, and then switch offense and defense. Each rebound is worth one , as is each basket. Keep track of points and compare them at the end.

(continued) Tactics and Skills 75

Cleaning the Glass (continued)

O X C X O

Figure 2.50 In position to rebound.

ASEP/E2443/08.50/MA:TomJ/R1 Playing Defense Individual defensive skills are sometimes less appreciated than indi- vidual offensive techniques, but they are just as important. Your players need to learn the basics of player-to-player defense, both on the ball and off the ball, to compete successfully. On the Ball Defenders can best keep their opponents (the players with the ball) from scoring by staying between the opponents and the basket. Defenders should try to maintain an arm’s distance from the offensive player with the ball. Tell your players to consider these things about their bodies and court positions when guarding a player with the ball: Body position  Am I in ready position and alert?  Am I arm’s distance from my player (the ballhandler) and able to put pressure on his ability to shoot, pass, or drive? Court position  Is my player close enough to attempt a good shot?  Am I close enough to the player to prevent an easy shot?  Am I too close, so the opponent can drive around me?  Will a teammate be able to help me if the player beats me with the dribble?