Can My Team Run the Read & React?

My short answer is: If your team can run ANY offense, then it can run the Read & React. Sometimes the question comes in the form of a statement: “I don’t know if my team can run the Read & React. If they can’t, then I’m going to teach them something else.” This question or […]

Creating the Perfect Trap

One of the toughest things to teach young players is effectively trapping the basketball without committing a foul.  Trapping not only takes athleticism and skill, but it also requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline. While there are several reasons why you may decide to trap, I think we can all agree the main purpose is […]

Coaching Tips from an NBA Legend

Long-time NBA coach Del Harris has shared some great tips concerning several different aspects surrounding the game of basketball. Check them out below and let us know what you think. On offense, make them have to play all of us. This means to have ball and player movement–reduce the ball-stopping that too much 1-on-1 or post-up basketball requires. […]

3 Keys to Setting a Great Screen

Point Guard College

During one of Point Guard College’s recent Halftime Talks on the Hardwood Hustle Podcast, PGC’s Tyler Coston talked about three techniques that make their players the best ball screeners in the game. We loved them so much we wanted to share them with The Tribe! 1. Triple Wide: The feet (base) of the screener should be […]

Keys to VCU’s HAVOC Defense

After having the privilege to listen to VCU head coach Shaka Smart speak at the 2014 Coaching U Live in Indianapolis, I wanted to share some of the key components to their HAVOC Defense. The following bullets come from a handout that you can receive by reaching out to their basketball offices and video coordinator. Goals of the […]

Shot Selection is about Communication

Shot Selection

This method of rating and discussing shot selection was passed down to us from the late founder of PGC Basketball, Dick Devenzio. Shot selection usually wins or loses most big games.  If we want to win these games, we must fully understand what good shot selection is so we aren’t thinking about it while we […]

Avoid Insanity by Changing Your Actions

As I watch games on all levels, I always asking myself, “What would I do in this situation? What would I do to give my team a fighting chance to win?” Let’s start with the definition of insanity: The definition of insanity is to continue to do the same thing over and over again expecting […]

Raising the bar: the excitement of a new season

It’s back. The squeaks of the sneaks, the snapping of twine, the smell of the leather, the start of the grind. Sorry to wax poetic on you, but I can’t hide my excitement for a new basketball season to begin. Preseason conditioning, clinics, tryouts, meetings with staff, players, and parents are all coming to an […]

Build to Yield

Every great endeavor starts with an overriding purpose and a vision of something bigger than yourself. This “vision” will get no traction if it remains only your vision. Your vision must become theirs; in other words, the coach is responsible to create the Team’s Vision. Here are some key ingredients you’ll need:

Turning Things Around

This letter from Rick Torbett to a concerned parent covers his advice on Motivation, Confidence, Defining Success, Parent-Coach Relationships, Assigning Blame, Handling Adversity, Staying Positive, and creating a Winning Mentality. From: A concerned parent (edited down to the basics of the e-mail) I need to know how to teach my son and his team how […]