Hockey fans and media members are awash in consternation after a recent game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers. Wednesday night, the Flyers responded to the Lightning’s 1-3-1 zone by holding the puck in a formation reminiscent of North Carolina’s “Four Corners” offense. Twice, referees blew the whistle and called for a face-off due to the inaction.
Joe Paterno and Leadership Dilemmas
The recent crisis at Penn State University highlighted some legal and moral responsibilities that come with positions of leadership.
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What Basketball Can Learn from Hockey
With an N.B.A. lockout underway until further notice, hockey and football must substitute as excitement for basketball fans these days. Also, Canada is a hockey country and the sport is destined to get all the love on television.
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Broken (Bullpen) Telephone
During Game 5 of the World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals were placed at a disadvantage when a miscommunication occurred between the dug out and the bullpen and incorrect pitchers were warmed up. Consequently, the Texas Rangers score two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, enabling them to win a pivotal game.
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Coaching young players, it is important to look on the bright side of things. Focus on what might happen in the future, rather than what didn’t happen or what went wrong. Emphasize what the team can start doing now do improve later, not what they can’t do or must do. Maintaining the balance between a positive team culture and an expectation of high standards tests a coach’s ability but it can pay dividends down the road. The regular season is not a final exam but a homework assignment to prepare for the end of the year. As long as the …
Attention to Detail
Successful teams, ones that win consistently and improve significantly over the course of the season, are comprised of players and coaches who go the extra mile.
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Canada Basketball SMNT in 2011
An evaluation of where Canada stands on the international basketball scene – from top to bottom – and what youth coaches can do to make things better.
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Outwork, Outthink
Competition matches up teams against players who may be very skilled and those who need to work on their game. Every game is unique: a team which has a clear physical advantage in the first game of a tournament might only be evenly matched with their second round opponent. Certainly, practice and training can improve physical performance factors. Another way to generate an advantage on the court is to establish a mental edge. Teams that get into the heads of opposing players benefit from errors due to frustration, aggressiveness and resignation. Move Constantly: Fitness is a physical performance factor but …
Defend the Pass
When the criteria of what makes a great defender is discussed, statistics like blocks, steals and charges taken are usually considered. Bill Russell focused on changing the opponent’s shot. Some coaches grade the quality of shot taken. Even against excellent defense, if the ballhandler gets a slight advantage, help is needed or the shot taken, the ball can still get inside. When the player never gets the ball, they can’t score. Steals that result in lay-ups and dunks at the other end of the court result from stolen passes. Picking someone’s pocket is as likely to result in a foul …
Results Oriented Work Environment
Last week, during an friendly with the Lost Angeles Galaxy, Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli received in a ball in the clear and elected to spin around and attempt to kick it backwards towards the net. He missed badly, fans jeered and teammates threw their arms up in exasperation. Coach Roberto Mancini substituted the striker immediately, which led to a blow up on the touch line (using Italian words which should not be repeated) and a tantrum by the twenty-year old player. For Balotelli, it was another incident in a tumultuous career.
Bob Hurley
There are three high school coaches in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Morgan Wootten of DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Maryland), Bertha Teague of Byng High School (Ada, Oklahoma), and Bobby Hurley of St. Anthony’s High School (Jersey City, New Jersey). Hurley was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. In all, there are eighty-two coaches in the Hall (in addition to Pete Newell, Clair Bee, and Teague who are listed as contributors for unknown reasons). Hurley – who has been the subject of a book in 2008 (The Miracle of St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski) and a 2010 …
Hooray for Dallas (and Basketball in General)!
Any basketball coach would appreciate the recent victory by the Dallas Mavericks in the Association Finals — unless they were a member of the Miami Heat coaching staff. A coach would not mind if the Super-Friends trio of Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade won a title after overcoming some adversity that required them to improve themselves but nobody wants to see three players claim a crown without earning it, due to self-entitlement that has developed over years of acting like a person of significance without actually achieving any significant deeds. So it was a pleasant sight to watch …
Shaq: The Big Retrospective
Sport fans and the public at large will remember Shaquille O’Neal because of how he combined athleticism, skill, and charisma on and off the court. From his first season in 1992 until his seventeenth in 2009, the Big Cactus remained an impact player in the Association. Sustaining his place atop the pyramid of post players required the Big Aristotle to develop his game constantly, growing from a powerful force inside to a well-rounded basketball player. Shaq-Fu may have been initially known for breaking backboards (compelling the Association to reinforce the basket supports) as a rookie and losing a memorable battle …
Trends in Post Play
As the sport of basketball advances, the post position has become more athletic, more skilled, and more sophisticated at an amazing rate. Coaches must identify gaps between where players currently stand and where they should be to compete at the elite level. Physical Performance Factors Balance International post players assume a balanced position so they can attack the basket quickly (Repeša, 2009). The lower body is an important force in the battle for position; players post up on the balls of their feet, bend their knees, and keep their core and pillar centered. Since the posts are ready to explode …
Tryouts
Tryouts often seem more stressful than they need to be. Working hard and pushing one’s self is a key criteria for success, as is arriving on time (look the gym up on a map ahead of time), working hard and staying hydrated (bring a water bottle). Although a drill may have a particular focus, such as ballhandling or shooting, there are numerous other elements involved in the performance of those skills. Perhaps the drill starts or stops with a well-placed pass or requires a player to visually scan the court as they move. Athletes who take care to execute all …
Parallels
Rick Carlisle, who preceded Phil Jackson at the post game press conference Sunday, was drafted by Red Auerbach and contributed to one of the two Association dynasties of the 1980s. Jackson was drafted by Red Holzman and served as a bench player for one of two dynasties of the 1970s. Neither possessed exceptional skill although they were able to fill a role and enhance team chemistry for the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks respectively. Both espouse a similar coaching style: fluid motion offence and tough man-to-man defence, as adept at cajoling superstars as building teams. Both coaches have adapted …