Sweat Academy Year #2

Year #2 of Sweat Academy

Yes this has taken me some time to do but at least I got to it. 

This Training Season has been a very educational one for me that's for sure!  The most "slam in the face" part of my education was working with female high level basketball players for the first time in my 20 year career.  At first, I needed some advice and the Saint Thomas Head Coach of the women's team (which has two players on the training team) accommodated me with much of it.  Then I hit the journals and articles on working with female athletes.  Because of that work, I truly believe that I made significant strides in my coaching for skill development not only for our female clients, but also for our males. Here's the biggest thing I learned:

1- When working on skill training, focus low volume and high intensity.

So this came from advice given to me that when it comes to coaching females, you need to allow them to have some "social downtime".  I personally hate downtime during practice but skills training is not your regular basketball practice.  That combined with an article I read on female golfers, gave me what I needed in order to allow myself to grow more patient with the necessity of downtime.  In golf, when players hit their shot, the level of concentration is extremely high for about 30 seconds.  Then they walk to their ball which will take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes (if you are like me looking for the ball in the woods).  That 30 seconds becomes the focus of golf coaches.  I have found great improvement in my players when the focus has been maximum effort for a short period of time and in between sets, allow the players to "unplug".

2- Must have a safe training environment

This does not mean making sure that the equipment being used is safe and the floor being clean although it is part of it.  But mostly, this means that the girls need to feel like it is ok to look bad and make mistakes.  Especially when they are training with male players which was the case this past summer (but not going to be the case next summer- more on that to come).  Again, for me I have always been about the type of mistake being made.  One kind will result in a behavior of mine, and another will result in total freak-out.  If a player is trying to execute a skill or a play and physically can not get it done.  Those mistakes are fine.  Then I need to address that weakness on a physiological aspect.  If a player tries to execute a play against a superior athlete and can not,  that is also ok unless the player was instructed to do something else to beat that superior athlete.  Which leads me to the mistake that drives me nuts.  The "brain dead" mistake.  The lack of awareness mistake.  I can not allow my players to get away with not being focused for the task at hand.  BUT, when it comes to skill training, mental mistakes will happen ALL THE TIME.  Why?  Because we are trying to get our players to train outside their comfort zone.  To train outside your comfort zone, you need to have a high level of concentration because the comfort zone factor always looks to kick in.  When giving feedback to the players as they are trying to stay out of their comfort zone, the coaching staff needs to look for the comfort zone habits.  When that happens, the player is making a mental mistake and that is totally part of skill training (so I must chill out when addressing the mistake). 

This year, we went three times per week.  We combined girls with the guys and for the most part, I think everyone was ok with that.  However, when it came to Level 5 training (application of new skill in 5 on 5 live game play), I think this is where our clients were not overall happy and I do not blame them one bit.  To be honest, I did not like it as well because it did not allow the coaching staff to properly assess if the player was at Level 4 (break down live game play 3 on 3, 4 on 4) or Level 5.  If you have a male player making a play against a female player, the physical difference between the two athletes will come into play.  The difference is too great and I say that with no disrespect.  Because we have had more female clients than expected (and we predict that even more will join next summer), we are going to divide the two groups next summer- more on that to come.

My disappointment for the summer was not on the players at all.  It was on their respective programs.  With the exception of Fred Connors of Saint Thomas University, none of the coaches consistently touched base with us about the progress of their player.  We do an ok job of reaching out every-now-and-again but really, at the end of the day, we would love for them to be more interested in what is going on.  Yes we reach out and ask them what three areas would they like their player to improve.  Then we send them the plan we come up with and post occasional videos on Youtube but why aren't they initiating?  I do not get that.  If I were in their shoes and I knew they were getting high quality training on things I need them to get better on, I would be talking to that coaching team all the time.  At least once a week.  I really hope this improves for Year #3.  I will make a point of it when I do reach out in the initial stages.

Things we are looking to improve \ add next year:

1- We plan to put together a Juvenile team (U17) for Basketball New Brunswick Age Class Tier 1 tournament again this year.  This time though, we hope that the interest level will be higher than last year.  We are only taking Grade 12 players seeking an opportunity to practice with the best players of the area while getting one last good luck to potential CIS \CCAA coaches attending this tournament for scouting \ recruiting.

2- We plan to go 4 times per week.  Two on court sessions for the male and two for the female.  However, males can attend female sessions if they are to work on conditioning or agility training.  Females are also invited to come to male sessions in order to do the same.

3- We plan to purchase the Vertimax http://www.vertimax.com/ to help us train our clients.

4- We have already purchased the 94fifty basketballs to help in testing skill http://shop.94fifty.com/

5- We will be purchasing a vertical testing bar to help us get a more accurate measure of Power

6- We have added one coach to our roster- Ryan Johnston of UNB and may be adding another if he decides to stay in Moncton.

7- We plan to have an AAU team put together and travel to the states to play high level competition

8- We plan to host clinics for high school aged players looking to experience the Sweat Academy approach to training for basketball.

So that is a snapshot of Year #2.  We continue to grow in popularity and we want even bigger and better things for the future.  All of it is to build a culture of excellence and high level performance for our elite level athletes.  We want to build World Class athletes!!

"If you are going to say it, be ready to define it"- Roy Rana

Inspired by a coaching clinic put forth by Basketball New Brunswick, I've come to realize that perhaps I should put on paper what I have had defined for a while now; CULTURE.

Roy Rana was the keynote speaker for this basketball clinic.  He challenged everyone (all coaches) to define certain words that we use all the time.  These words were: Elite, High Level Performance and Challenge the shot.  His point was that he hears coaches use these terms all the time but explaining what they mean is often times neglected.  I pride myself on being a "why" coach.  When Coach Rana mentioned that, it made me realize that I did not do a good enough job of making sure all my players understand what exactly a term means for me.  For now though, I will limit myself to culture.

Culture is how you live your days with your team.  What is acceptable, tolerated, discouraged or a cardinal sin.  Norms and values would fall into this.  I am a very vocal coach.  For the two hours of our practices, I will not shut up.  Key words and phrases (another blog for another day perhaps) are always being directed to my players.  I am not a big fan of using the whistle simply because I want my players to be sharp with their listening skills.  So there you are, #1- Listen

1- All players must listen at all times.  The game is so dynamic and fast today.  Things change rapidly.  Players need to change quickly as well.  They miss a "memo", that is a turnover.  In practice, I get all my players to repeat the last part of my instructions.  Other than it reinforcing my point on listening, it also sounds pretty good as a group of 12 yells out at the same time what I just finished saying.

2- Be accountable to one-another.  A coach can only do so much when it comes to building a high performing quality team (high performing means going hard every day).  If the players do not buy-in, then it will never happen as quickly as it should.  When players police themselves to honour the norms and values of the team, that is when true chemistry (chemistry means every player knows their role and fully accepts it) happens.  This accountability will eventually trickle down to practice and game play.  That is when I know I have a special group.  A championship group!

3- What is absolutely not acceptable- Values
This one depends on what level I am coaching.  High School will differ from university aged players and university aged players will differ from the pro ranks.  So I will stick to the basketball side of things which is consistent no matter what level I am involved with at the time. Although when it comes to Values, there is much more involved than just basketball. 

In practice, if we have a drill where there is no defense and a turnover happens, that is unacceptable.  We are running a conditioning drills and the outside lane is not wide enough, that is not good.  In shooting drills, not cutting hard or missing bad (if the shot is missed and it is not a center front or center back miss, that is a bad miss) is unacceptable.  A lose ball on the floor (or a 50-50 ball) and nobody dives to try to get it.  I will lose my mind!  Missing a screen or not waiting for the screen, I will lose my mind!  Missing a box-out, I will lose my mind.  Shying away from taking a charge, I will lose my mind!  Not hustling over to aid a teammate off the floor when he is down, I will voice my disapproval.  After a score in a game or practice, if the player that has scored does not acknowledge his teammate for the pass (or screen or whatever), I will lose my mind!  A simple point to the guy is all that is needed there.  If someone makes a "momentum shift play" (those are diving on the floor for a lose ball, taking a charge, hitting a three or getting a big dunk) and the entire team on the bench does not erupt in cheer, I will be very unimpressed.

4- How do we go about our business- Norms

No matter the level, it is all about respecting the game.  Absolutely no individual is larger than the game.  Professionalism is the key word (that means approaching any situation with one goal in mind, to do the job as best you can).  Be on time and ready to go.  That means on time is at least 30 minutes before practice and at least an hour before games.  That time is to be used for getting ready for practice.  Tape jobs are done, general body preparation done (use the hallways), practice jersey on and tucked in, and skill work put in.  When practice starts, we are in our first full court team drill.  We are not waiting for anyone.  At half-time of games, as soon as I come in the room to debrief, everything gets quiet immediately.  After the game, the jerseys and sneakers stay on.  Nothing comes off until I am done addressing the team on what went well, what did not go so well and what we will be working on at next practice.  On away trips, the game uniforms are on a hanger and not thrown in the player's gear bag.  On video session days, bring water with you and a small snack.  But most importantly, bring your notebook!

5- Be gracious (appreciate what others are doing for you to be able to do what you do)
My players need to give credit where it is due whenever it is appropriate.  There's this idea out there that sport is all about bullying and the strongest will survive.  To an extent, it is true.  I most certainly have a very aggressive approach to coaching.  However, there is a time (mostly once practice and games are done) that we can allow ourselves to be a bit more human.  I always encourage my players to make an effort to reach out.  High School players reach out to their teachers or tournament organizers for example.  University guys to get involved on their campus outside the gym area (and not exclusively at the campus pub).  To thank minor officials for their efforts.  Pros get involved with their community.  Give back to not-for-profit organizations that rely heavily on endorsements.  Go up to a referee and...........................well..................just keep walking! 

For me and what I try to do as a Head Coach, it is really all about building that culture with my teams.  Sometimes it happens quickly.  Sometimes not so much.  But one thing is for sure, it will happen and when it does, winning follows regularly.

Agree or disagree, that is fine.  Feel free to share your thoughts on team culture.

Over the weekend- High School Basketball Games

This past week and weekend, I was able to take in a few basketball games from our local high schools as well as some outside teams (Ontario and Nova Scotia).  I noticed a few things that really stood out to me during these games and thought this blog would be a good way to put them out there and see what happens.

Before I get going, Moncton High School lead by Coach Andrew Macpherson won the tournament.  So a congratulations should go out to his staff and team.  Job well done.

Now, on to the observations (gathered from 6 games watched).

1-  Ontario really really really need to start playing with a shot clock.  I've seen two games from this team and they looked rushed and uncomfortable the entire time.  I saw very poor game management in terms of time and score.  Like it or not, player development (and coach development) is directly impacted by the rules the game is playing with.  Nova Scotia teams and New Brunswick teams looked much better in their flow and game management.  Maybe it was just this one team (from Ontario) but it really stood out to me nonetheless.  Could you imagine if a demographic of 12.2 million would have a shot clock included in their games how much better their already talented talent would be?

2-  Coaches need to do a better job of giving feedback to their players.  "Good job, what are you doing, well done and the frown" are very overused and do very little for improving a player's performance.  Coaches should try to give feedback such as: "Good job finding the body, or your keep missing your screens on insert play here, or well done anticipating"  Be more specific.

3-  Now, coaches that did do a good job of being more specific were good at doing it in a positive fashion.  But when it came time to address bad play, I did not see one coach get it right (which doesn't mean it didn't happen...I'm just saying I didn't see it or hear it).  The best example of what I am trying to say is Player X has the ball and is pushing it up the floor.  Player Y is running his lane (not wide enough) in front of Player X.  Player X tries to head-man the ball to him and it goes out of bounds.  Coach of Player X and Y gets on Player X's case about the pass as he should.  But he did it wrong.  Coach simply said: "what are you doing passing it there" and said nothing to Player Y for not running his lane wide enough.  So what happened after?  That was the end of that team's transition game.  Player X was the point guard and didn't throw another head-man pass again the rest of the game (and this team was quick).  Instead, this is what should have happened: "Player X!  If Player Y is not wide on his lane run, he doesn't get the ball.  Player Y! run wide!"  The transition game continues and the players become more aware of what needs to be done for them to keep taking advantage of their strength (although in January, telling players to run lanes wide should not be necessary...it should be an automatic...but I digress).

I could keep writing for three days on what I saw but I'll stick with these three things as they were what really stood out for me.