Monday, December 23, 2013

Game 3: Dec 23, 2013, Sun, Framingham - 18 Arlington - 19


This week's homework is about developing an inner coach. The girls need to watch the video at the link below and fill out the form which can be down loaded here.



Next game's starters are:
1. Hannah for her A defense and team high shot percentage.
2. Jazlynn for her A defense.
3. Katie for her  5 steals, 2 blocks and A defense.
4. Celine for her 8 rebounds, 5 steals and B+ defense.
5. Vienna for her aggressive drives to the basket.

 

Turn Overs Shots Taken Shots Made % Offensive Rebounds Defensive Rebounds Steals Assists Blocks Jump Balls Defensive Grade Challenge Did Well Goals for Week
Jazlynn 0 4 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 A Rebound. Excellent Defender! 4 rebounds 8 shots 1 foul line trip
Celine 2 22 1 (Made 2 of 4 foul Shot 50%) 42 4 4 5 0 0 0 B+ Go in for LAY UPS! Excellent Rebounding 3 foul line trips
Chloe 0 4 0 0 4 1 2 0 2 0 B Pick up dribble only to shoot or pass. Nice job on Defense 6 rebounds 6 shots
Hannah 1 7 3 42 0 1 4 1 0 0 A Shoot! Drive! Make them foul you. Excellent Shooting! 4 rebounds 4 shots 1 foul line trip
Katie 1 3 0 0 2 2 5 0 2 1 A Shoot! Drive! Excellent Defense! 4 shots per game
Nilijah 2 6 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 B Quiet on Bench! Nice Hustle! 2 Jump Balls per game
Sofia B n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 rebound 1 shot 1 jump ball
Tayja 0 18 4 (Made 0 of 2 foul Shots) 22 10 6 4 1 2 0 B Go in to contact on LAYUP Excellent Rebounding 10 rebounds 3 assists 75% fouls shots 10 drives 5X foul line
Sophia F 2 9 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 1 B Drive! Good job getting shots up! 2 shots per shift
Brooke 2 6 0 0 1 0 6 0 0 1 B CUT after a pass! Move you FEET! Aggressive Ball Hawking! 1 rebound 2 DRIVES per shift
Vienna 4 8 0 (Made 0 of 2 foul Shot) 0 1 3 1 0 1 1 B Rebound. Excellent Driving! 2 rebounds 1 drive to basket per shift
Paige 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 1 B Rebound. Good job D 1 rebound 1 shot per shift
TEAM 15 89 8 8 23 23 33 2 7 7 B+ TALK! RUN on cuts. Less than 10 TURNOVERS! Ball is GOLD! Excellent defense in Transition Everyone shooting. 7 people making a basket. 2 trips to foul line each quarter.

Turn Overs Shots Taken Shots Made % Offensive Rebounds Defensive Rebounds Steals Assists Blocks Jump Balls Defensive Grade Challenge Did Well Goals for Week

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Parent Repot

1. Every player has an exam which is due no later than the last practice of the year (Monday, Dec 30.) I have received one so far.

2. Every player must bring a bag to practice containing:
      A. First aid kit (team issued)     
      B. Ice packs (team issued)
      C. Jump rope (team issued)
      D. Play book (team issued)
      E. A basketball
      F. Basketball shoes
      G. A pen or pencil
     
They must also bring a bottle of water. The players have been told this more than once yet come unprepared for practice. Basketball shoes are not to be worn to the gym. They must be carried. This keeps the floor cleaner and dry.

3. I play favorites. All coaches do. I favor players who give the team the best chance to win by playing defense and shooting the ball, who have great attitudes, who work hard every day, who embrace their role (regardless of what that role is) and who support the Destroyer's culture of team work. Games such as last weeks make it hard to narrow down my week's favorites to 5 starters! I love being in that situation.

4. As far as playing time goes, if your child is playing hard on defense in practice and in games they will play. If not, they won’t play much. This is hard for me because I am an equal playing time coach. And I have to get rid of the attitude of entitlement that developed in summer league and the preseason and, at the same time, hope to cure the standing around on defense. I plan each game to go for equal time for the first three quarters and then play those who earned it in the fourth quarter. Last game EVERYONE earned 4th quarter time. All the girls did THAT well on Double D. Our Havoc still needs a lot of work.

5. To be a good defensive team we must do four things: 
      A. Stop penetration (passes and drives) in to the paint 
      B. Stop the other team's lay-ups 
      C. Contest all shots 
      D. Rebound

6. Good defense takes mental toughness.

The girls must:
      A. Understand how to get into position
      B. Understand how to get into position very quickly
      C. Understand how to get into position very quickly with a high level of aggression
      D. Understand how to get into position very quickly with a high level of aggression and be able to THINK the game.

      We are still trying to reach the first step for most of the girls in Havoc and most are nearing the second in DD. My goal is to get most of the girls to level C for both by the playoffs. I will also introduce an aggressive 23 zone and a sagging helping man to man before the playoffs. Those most likely will not reach more than level A before summer.

7. If your child isn’t getting the playing time they feel they deserve, use that experience as a teaching tool. Teach them how to own it. Teach them what they can do in the future to possibly get a different outcome. This year the magic bullet is working hard on defense.

8. Thank you for not coaching your child from the sideline. The only ‘voice’ a player should receive instructions from is the ‘voice’ of their coaching staff.

9. Keep cheering for them. I love that our parents are the loudest in the gym. Keep applauding the makes as well as the misses and the effort as well as the achievements. I have the best parents in the game!

10. Tell your daughter often that you love to watch her play.

11. I love the our team parents do not berate the referees. The referees are doing they best they can. Remind the girls that no matter what the call the refs are ALWAYS correct.

12. Don’t push your child too hard. (That is MY job.) It is OK to encourage. It is OK to suggest.

13. Please review their weekly report card and goals with them before the game. Have them read and review the information in their play books. They get new stuff most weeks and we don't have time to read it over in practice.

14. Hold your child to a very high standard of excellence but don’t force them to ‘get up extra shots’ or get in extra workouts. That has to come from them, not you. If they choose to do those things on their own, be supportive. Help make it happen. If they choose not to, if they choose to only do the bare minimum, they will eventually learn a potent life lesson (not make the team, not get much playing time, etc.).

15. Please encourage your child to tell ME any issues, questions or concerns they have. If they don't understand something I need to know so I can find a way to work thru the confusion.

Robin

Here is a copy of the exam

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Player Notes

TALK to each other.
- Call for the ball on offense when you are open.
- Say whom you are guarding on defense.
- Call out and echo which defense you are playing.

HUSTLE
- Go take the ball when someone picks up their dribble. If on offense you go to receive a pass. If on defense you go to TAKE the ball from the ball handler.
- SPRINT from end to end on transition. A transition is going from offense to defense or defense to offense.
- SPRINT out of the inbounds plays.

STOP THE BALL
- Every time. Even if it is not your mark with the ball, it is the BALL which is important. If it is coming towards you, step up to help stop it. If it is near you, step over and help stop it. You MUST see the ball at all times to stop the ball.

SHOOT the ball!
- If you are standing in the paint with the ball shoot it. Don't pass the ball out of the paint. Force it up and make the defense foul you.

CARRY YOUR HANDS CORRECTLY
- On defense, carry your hands HIGH to contest the shot
- On defense, carry your hands WIDE with palms up to deny the ball
while STAYING DOWN LOW IN YOUR STANCE
- On defense, keep your hand OFF YOU MARK.
- On offense, keep your arm bar up between the ball and your defender
if you have the ball
- On offense, keep your hands up ready to receive the ball

REF IS ALWAYS RIGHT
- Even if you think the call was incorrect, KEEP PLAYING. Do not stop and stare at the referee. HUSTLE to get the ball back.
- A FOUL is anytime you make contact with a player on the other team and the referee blows the whistle on anytime you LOOK LIKE you make contact with a player on the other team and the referee blows the whistle. The referees are ALWAYS right. Know and respect that even when YOU disagree with the call.
- When you swat downward at the ball, it LOOKS LIKE you have fouled. Keep your palms up.
- When someone fouls you and the Ref does not blow the whistle, KEEP PLAYING.
- DO NOT allow other players, spectators, referees or coaches to push your emotional buttons. You are always in charge of your emotions and mind – don’t ever forget that!

CARRY YOUR HANDS CORRECTLY
- On defense, carry your hands HIGH to contest the short
- On defense, carry your hands WIDE with palms up to deny the ball while STAYING DOWN LOW IN YOUR STANCE When you swat downward at the ball, it LOOKS LIKE you have fouled. Keep your palms up.
- On defense, keep your hand OFF YOU MARK.
- On offense, keep your arm bar up between the ball and your defender if you have the ball
- On offense, keep your hands up ready to receive the ball

Be DECISIVE
- Know what you plan to do with the ball before you get it.
- When in doubt, catch and immediately shoot.

The ball is GOLD
- Protect the GOLD
- Demand the GOLD
- Secure the GOLD before you start to dribble
- Dribble with the GOLD close to your body and use your body to protect the GOLD
- Chin the GOLD when you rebound
- Rip the GOLD away from the defender
- Don't pick your dribble (the GOLD) unless you have a shot or an immediate pass.
- Keep the GOLD below you knees when you dribble because it makes the GOLD harder to steal.
- Keep the GOLD out of the coffin.

KNOW YOUR SHOOTING RANGE
- If you can't make a 3 in practice, don't shoot them in games.

REASONS to DRIBBLE
1. To drive to the basket
2. To get a better angle to pass in to the post
3. To get some one to cut (Dribble AT) so you can pass to them on their cut.

CORNERS ARE COFFINS
- Don't dribble there
- Don't pass there
- If you receive the ball in a corner, dribble out, catch and shoot or drive to the basket.

TRAP the BALL
- If the opponent takes the ball in to the corner, trap them with two defenders.
- If the opponent picks up the ball, trap them with two defenders.
- If the opponent brings the ball over the mid line, trap them with two defenders.
- If the opponent dribbles the ball up the base line, trap them with two defenders - one with a foot on the baseline.

DOUBLE "D" Rules
- We play the BALL, not a zone of space on the floor.
- IF you are marking the ball handler, you STAY IN FRONT of THAT person AS LONG AS THEY have the ball no matter WHERE they take the ball. When they pass the ball, someone else pick up the the new handler on the fight of the ball. You want to meet the ball slightly before it arrives at the new handler.
- TALK TO EACH OTHER!
- The STOPPING BALL is everyone's responsibility.

FOCUS
Persistence, Determination and Resilience are possibly the most important and fundamental mindset you need. 
 _________
Many of our turnovers are the result of poor passing.

1. What is a good pass? A good pass is one that is caught in a spot on the court where something good can happen. A pass might be "on target" but if it's too hard for the receiver to catch, it's not a good pass. Or if the pass is caught by the receiver, but she is surrounded by defenders, it's not a good pass. we want to deliver a pass to a cutter early in the cut and not wait until the cutter is already at the basket.

2. "On-target" A good pass needs to be delivered precisely in the right place, "on target", where the receiver can easily catch it and execute. If a pass is a little too high, too low, or a little off to the side, it might be caught, but the brief second required for the receiver to gather the ball allows the defender to adjust, and now the open shot is not there.

When passing into the post, we want the target up higher near the post player's face so she can catch the pass and "chin the ball" with elbows up and out, or go right up with the shot. Post players have a difficult time catching and using passes below their waist. A bounce pass is good for feeding the post if it's not below the post player's waist. It is okay to make an air pass to the post player's upper body or head area.

3. "See the defense" Passers must "see the defense". Avoid passing into traffic where there are two or three defenders waiting. Pass away from the defense. LOOK before you pass.

4. Make the "sure" pass Make the "sure", easy pass, not a risky pass that might not be caught, or might be deflected or intercepted, or has only a 50% chance of success.

5. Keep it simple Make the easiest pass that will get the job done which is usually a two-handed, sure pass. One-handed passes are good to use for a curl-bounce into the low-post, or when attacking on the fast-break. The behind the back pass is fun and sometimes is the correct pass to make, but most often the best pass is the simple two-handed pass.

6. Use pass-fakes Fake a pass to make a pass. A passer can get the defense to move or shift simply by faking a pass in another direction, and this will often open up the intended passing lane.

7. Don't hurry – patience! Be patient. Look before you pass. When a lay up off the break is not there, bring the ball back out on top and run the offense patiently and get a good shot. Catch the ball, look at the rim, look into the post, look at cutters and see the floor before passing. Only dribble for one of the three reasons: 1. To drive to the basket; 2. To get a better angle to pass in to the post; or, 3. To get some one to cut (Dribble AT) so you can pass to them on their cut.

8. Keep grounded Avoid the jump-pass. More often than not, the jump-pass results in a turnover. Stay grounded and make good, controlled two-handed passes.

9. Receivers give a hand target Holding your hand ups as a target for the pass. This helps avoid the problem of the passer passing the ball out-of-bounds just as the intended receiver starts to a cut in another direction. When the cutter starts the cut, she drops target hand down, and puts it back up when ready to receive the pass. Players do not pass to another player unless she is showing a hand target.

10. Use the dribble to create a passing lane Making one dribble either left or right before making the pass inside to the post or the cutter.

**Unless you are bringing the ball up the floor, only dribble for one of the three reasons: 1. To drive to the basket; 2. To get a better angle to pass in to the post; or, 3. To get some one to cut (Dribble AT) so you can pass to them on their cut.

___________
 
We believe in pressure offense, pressure defense, and especially pressure on the backboard. We want our defense to create our offense. We want to win games by getting “cheap” points. We like to press for 94’ - the entire length of the basketball court. We don’t want to concede 1 floorboard. Go to the baseline the and say, "We’re fighting for all of it."

You must have all five ladies playing hard. No traitors. If 4 people are busting their butts, one person can’t loaf. Don’t be soft, don’t be a traitor. Our press is a man press that begins in a zone alignment.

The first person is on the ball as soon as it comes out. If the referee doesn’t have to move you back you haven’t done your job. The next person is at the Left elbow. The third person is at the right elbow. The fourth is at the arch. The fifth is the Back and under the basket. he top three are only in that zone press for about 1 or 2 seconds. Sprint to spots then find someone on the other team. That becomes your mark.

You must practice getting there quickly and picking up quickly. We are in full denial. Don’t let your mark catch the ball. Switch all screens / picks. Don’t let the ball in, you are trying to steal it. NO TRAITORS. *Of course, the ball usually comes in bounds.

The best traps are “surprise” traps. Positioning is key to this. Stay between your mark and the ball. Don’t allow it to be passed up the court. We will practice quick up a lot. You must fight the natural tendency to get back on defense. You must be committed, we are trying to steal the ball.

Once the ball is inbounds positioning is very important. We don’t want them to be able to pass the ball up court. You must force them to dribble the ball up court. Once the ball is inbounded, the person who was guard the inbounds retreats to the level of the ball.

Remember stay between the man and the ball. Don’t trap non-ball handlers. We are trying to make their best ball handler give up the ball. We don’t want their best ball handler bringing the ball over half court.

Trap rules:
1. Don’t foul in the trap. Block with your lower body. DON'T reach.
2. Don’t get split.
3. Sprint out of traps.
4. Remember that this is a person to person press.

Be aggressive. If we get a trap we should steal the next pass. “Trap it, steal it.” Once you commit to a trap, you should stay in it.

Don’t go for steals you can’t get. If it’s a steal, steal it. If we don’t steal it, we still want to give them a tough trip up the floor. Going for bad steals kills us. Remember, it isn’t where you trap, it’s who you trap. We want someone besides the point guard bringing the ball across half court.

When you steal it, pass it, don’t dribble it. Make them pay. To play this way, you must practice this way. If you walk and are soft in practice, you will play that way. Remember that yelling is aggressive counseling.

There is a difference between toughness and competitiveness. Competitors keep going at the opponent. We need both in this press.

Game 2: Dec 15, 2013, Sun, Framingham - 31 Southboro - 15

Normally, starters for each game will come from FIRST the top defenders (A and B+ defenders), THEN from the top re-bounders and if that does not give us five starters, I will look for the top shot percentage person.

This game, everyone did so well on defense, everyone earned the right to start the next game. So after watching game film, I came up with:

1. Vienna for her 11 rebounds.
2. Jazlynn for her consistently good play on both sides of the ball.
3. Celine for not giving up even though her shot was not falling.
4. Sofia B for her amazing week of work at practice.
5. Paige for her team high shot percentage.

All 12 will have then started a game.

Nilijah, Tayja, Hannah, Brooke and Katie started game one based on their  endless work on their games this summer.


Tayja, Hannah, Brooke, Chloe and Sophia F started game two based on their play in game one.

Southboro was a middle of the pack D4 team last year. Arlington did not have a 6th grade girls team in the Metrowest Basketball Leauge.


Pregame I had the girls channel their inner Wonder Woman.

I believe that is why we jumped off to a GREAT start. We had 23 first half steals and 4 different first half scorers (6 for the game.)

Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how "power posing" -- standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don't feel confident -- can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.

Here are links to Amy Cuddy explaining her research.


http://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc

http://youtu.be/1YyH2frFL1A

http://youtu.be/phcDQ0H_LnY




Turn Overs Shots Taken Shots Made % Offensive Rebounds Defensive Rebounds Steals Assists Blocks Jump Balls Defensive Grade Challenge Did Well Goals for Week
Jazlynn 0 6 1 16 2 1 0 0 0 1 B Must talk on Defense Took 2 more Shots! 4 rebounds 4 shots 1 trip to foul line
Celine 3 11 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 1 B Go in for LAY UPS! Great HUSTLE 3 rebounds 4 LAYUPS 1 trip to foul line
Chloe 1 4 0 0 2 2 1 1 2 1 B Lower dribble. Keep face to basket with ball. Nice job bring ball up. 2 rebounds 1 shot per shift
Hannah 2 3 1 33 0 3 2 1 2 0 A Shoot! Drive! Make them foul you. Excellent HELP Defender! 4 rebounds 4 shots 1 trip to foul line
Katie 4 2 0 0 2 4 1 0 1 1 B Shoot! Drive! Good job keeping ball in front of You. 4 shots per game
Nilijah 0 8 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 B Control your Body. Constant Energy. 2 Jump Balls 1 shot per shift
Sofia B 1 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 1 1 B SHOOT! Good job on ball Defense 1 rebound 1 shot 1 jump ball per game
Tayja 1 15 7 (Made 1 of 5 foul Shots 20%) 47 9 2 12 0 2 0 B Rebound with TWO hands. Don't slap at ball. Good job driving for Lay ups. 10 rebounds 3 assists 75% fouls shots 20 points 5 trips to foul line per game
Sophia F 1 3 0 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 B SHOOT! Great movement without Ball. 2 shots per shift
Brooke 2 7 4 57 0 1 5 1 0 2 B Run the Offense. Drive! Look AHEAD on Break. Great shot Selection! 50% foul shots 1 rebound 2 shots per shift
Vienna 0 10 2 (Made 0 of 1 foul Shot) 20 4 7 2 0 1 0 B Look AHEAD on fast break EXCELLENT GAME! 2 rebounds 1 drive to the basket per shift
Paige 0 2 1 50 0 2 1 0 0 1 B Rebound. Good job on ball & off ball Defense 1 rebound 1 shot per shift
TEAM 15 71 16 23 13 26 32 4 10 9 B STOP BALL. TALK! RUN on cuts. Move ball towards basket. Less than 10 TURNOVERS! Ball is GOLD! We got off to a quick Start! Everyone taking a shot. 7 people making a basket. 2 trips to foul line each quarter. Making 50% free throws.

Turn Overs Shots Taken Shots Made % Offensive Rebounds Defensive Rebounds Steals Assists Blocks Jump Balls Defensive Grade Challenge Did Well Goals for Week