Motivation with Drills
As a coach I always find one of
the most challenging parts of my job is keeping the players motivated. One of the best ways I have found for doing
this is to vary the drills I use in practice.
Drills can be designed to
incorporate and train any combination of offensive skills in basketball.
I have found that drills are
often overlooked as an asset in coaching.
No matter where I am coaching whether at a clinic, or watching the
practice of a club in Europe, South America,
an NCAA or high school team. I see that coaches around the world often get into
a routine of the same drills every practice.
If a drill becomes routine, then the players will lose interest and
focus.
I was inspired to write this book
after coaching a group of professional players in the Euro2003 tournament in Spain.
The players were from all over the world and they responded enthusiastically to
my drills. Other coaches who attended
the tournament also said my drills were unique and asked me to share my
techniques with them.
Drills have great potential for
training fundamentals as well as for maintaining motivation. Drills can generate enthusiasm and excitement
among the players because drills move in a rhythm and generate energy into the
practice. Running drills is energizing
and fun.
The execution of moves and shots
in a drill at game speed is similar to execution in a game, so drills provide
excellent training. The rhythmic flow of the drills allows communication and
timing to build into teamwork and be used by the players. This type of focus is what is required to win
games. The rhythmic flow that we train
with is critical in the fast break, and in all aspects of the game. Drills train
both fundamental skills, as well as the instincts of timing, coordination and
teamwork needed in basketball.
What I find is that by teaching
and running a wide variety of drills, and periodically incorporating new
drills, this improves the player’s attention and focus in practice. When a coach uses a variety of drills, this challenges
the players and keeps their interest and motivation.
Drills provide a powerful
opportunity for coaches because they combine so many important elements of
training at once. Drills can train all
fundamental skills. They train the team
to work together in speed, agility and execution. The flowing repetition of the drills allows
the training to become second nature to the players. Using new and varied drills and incorporating
them into our practices, we train a wide variety of fundamental skills and
variations on basic offensive plays like the fast break.
Teaching Drills
During my basketball clinics I
show in detail how to teach and introduce new drills.
New drills should be presented
early in the practice period before the players become too tired and their
learning process is slowed down. The
purpose of every drill should be explained, so the players know what they are
working on.
Each practice should use a
variety of drills. The same drill should
not be continued too long. It is better
to have several different drills for the same purpose.
Drills should be as focused and
competitive as possible and should simulate game conditions whenever possible.
Practice
The most important part of
coaching is what you do in practice. Whatever you do in practice is going to be
reflected in your games. The better you
practice, the better you are going to play.
Practice should be focused, intense, and still be fun.
Practice must be active and
purposeful for maximum learning to occur. After a skill has been learned
correctly, the players should practice the moves at game speeds. We can do this with drills. Drills allow us to maximize our practice time
by training many different skills, in different ways, in the constant flow of
the drill.
The drills in this book emphasize
shooting, conditioning and ballhandling on the run at
game speed, as well as, the fundamentals of the fast break.
Daily practice is something we as
ball players love. This is where both players and coaches can excel and
improvise their game. The coaches must
set the example for intensity, concentration and execution in practice and in
the games.
Practice time is something we
seem to never have enough of. Drills allow us to maximize our practice time as
well as our coaching staff. The
assistant coaches can teach new drills and run the team though sets of
drills.
When we use a variety of drills,
practice can move from drill to drill, providing structure for the practice
session. This helps to organize the
practice and keep it moving forward.
When drills are run well, they
seem to build up energy, intensity and excitement in the team. Drills train the quick responses and the
timing in the execution of moves that improves the total game.
Before you head back to the
locker room, end practice with a drill that leaves both the players