Wanting It Is Not Enough
Each and every time you step on the court or walk in the weight room, you have a choice to make. You can choose to work hard or you can choose to not work hard. Not working hard is actually a choice. You are 100% in control of your effort and your attitude. For this […]
Absorbing Mistakes
In a previous post, I explained the difference between Spots and Positions. Spots are locations on the floor. Positions imply certain prerequisites that players must meet in order to play in certain locations on the floor. I also explained how our Spots allow players to start any action from anywhere with any player. You’ll never […]
7 Things to Learn from Jay Bilas
I’ve known Jay for years and am honored to and privileged to call him a friend. I admire and respect him as a father, a husband, a consummate professional and a straight up hustler. Here are 7 things you can learn from Jay Bilas: Be humble. Jay often makes jokes (primarily on Twitter) to the contrary, […]
3 Defensive Gaps
The first thing to learn about defense in the game of basketball is how to guard the ball. The first level (and there are 4) is how to guard the ball. Now, if I mention the word SPACING, most will think that I’m talking about offensive spacing. But instead, we will explore 3 easy ways […]
Shooters and Leaders
When it comes to youth and high school basketball in the United States, I have two more groups to add to the Endangered Species list: Shooters and leaders Do you want to increase your chances of making the team next year? Do you want to earn more playing time? Do you want to play basketball […]
Set It Up?
When I use the term “Position-Less” to describe the Read & React, I’m not talking about positions on the floor. I’m talking about pigeon-holing players with terms like Point Guard, Two Guard, Strong Forward, Center, or the numbers 1-5. Read & React only needs players – not necessarily any “type” of player. Positions on the […]
Everything Matters
Every spring I get calls from dozens of NBA personnel inquiring about potential NBA draft pics. They know I have worked with most of the prospects before at events like the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Skills Academies. However, you’d be surprised at the questions they actually ask me. Nearly every single question has to […]
Horses, Teams, & Laws of Achievement
At a state fair, there was an event where horses were being hitched to wagons to see which horse could pull the most weight. Two horses tied for first by pulling 9,000 pounds each – by themselves! Everyone wondered what these two horses could pull if they were hitched together to the same wagon. Some […]
Highways & Alleys
The highway is the one-third strip of the court right down the middle of the floor. When I ask great offensive players where they want the ball, they always say in the middle of the floor. If that’s the case, then defensively, we need to do everything we can to keep the ball out of […]
Drills vs Skills
The Summer is upon us and while many players will be crossing the country playing tournaments, do not over look the importance of skill development during this time of the season. Whether you coach a team or specialize in player development, it is essential to know the difference between being a skill coach and a drill […]
