Many years ago (late 1960s) I heard coach Bob Spear, who was coaching at the Air Force Academy, speak at a clinic. As you well know, the requirements for entrance into the Academy put some great hindrances on building a championship basketball program. Many of my thoughts and ideas about the game, and how to teach it, come from his coaching philosophy. I have taken those clinic notes and developed the following thoughts.
Have you heard the statement, “There is no magic formula for winning.” I disagree. A successful basketball program is the result of a sound organizational structure that stresses the mastery of fundamentals, and the implementation of proven flexible offenses and defenses to which the coach is totally dedicated.
The specific type of offense or defense is not the secret, but rather the exacting methods used to teach each, the ability of the players to adapt to them, and the precision with which they are executed by the players. Most successful coaches have used basically the same systems throughout their careers. Those same coaches teach simple plays and patterns of action that can exploit the players’ talent and that are consistent with their objectives. The simpler the system — the more consistent are the teaching methods and the easier the task. The easier the task — the greater the chance for success.
The type of offense, or defense a coach selects, the ways he or she teaches it, and the goals that coach sets, are by-products of his coaching philosophy. Whether we realize it or not, each of us has a philosophy about the game of basketball, and well we should, because without a sound approach to the game, our chance for success is questionable at best.
We have mentioned the importance of fundamentals, offense and defense, a sound philosophy, and the necessity for adopting a scientific, professional approach to the game, but as yet we have failed to mention the one force that makes any program function — the coach! The coach must know and understand him or herself and act with sincerity. The coach must maintain individuality, be positive and enthusiastic, strong and disciplined, yet he must be compromising and flexible. The coach cannot try to be like another coach, expecting to achieve the same results. I once heard Dale Brown, former great LSU coach, say every coach must “Know thyself.” Self-control, firmness, fairness and understanding should also guide both the coach’s actions and reactions, on and off the court.
In addition, coaches must have a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals to be taught, the rules of the game, and the coach must strive to keep abreast of the latest innovations in all phases of the game. The aforementioned items are not only essential to good teaching and coaching, but help to develop the respect and confidence of the players, the officials and the fans alike.
We play the game to win, so coach to win! Playing to win requires that in organizing the program, we must always answer the following question, “What does it take to win?” Select the squad, plan each practice and prepare for each and every game with only that thought in mind.
True, great players can make you a great coach, but not all of us will always be blessed with great players. So, in order to win, plan and organize the program with thoroughness and exactness. Carefully consider your material (talent) as well as the objectives. In so organizing, strive for perfection, realizing that it is not possible, but you can develop an excellence within the program. Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the players and put them in situations where they can play to their strengths.
There are six areas in which “What does it take to win?” becomes the dominant question. They are as follows: 1) organization, 2) fundamentals, 3) systems of scoring, 4) evaluation of playing talent, 5) game strategy and 6) defense.
In my next blog, I will talk about each of the six areas that must be considered in answering the question, “What does it take to win?”
