Author: host1help1

Doug DeVries has been working in youth basketball for over 25 years. He has a passion to see sports in balance in life, for kids to thrive in sports, and for parents to enjoy the entire process.
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Recruiting Myths

The NCSA identified these 6 myths about the college recruiting process.

At some point in your high school career you will need to become intentional with the process. Your decision to seek an athletic scholarship is evidenced in your early morning workouts, your unrelenting pursuit to be the best you can be. But there are a few strategic things to do to improve your chances of getting to the college you want to get to.

6 Myths of Recruiting:

Myth 1: My coach is handling my recruiting for me

Myth 2: I’ll just walk on to my top school. Why walking-on isn’t so easy.

Myth 3: I’ll focus on recruiting in the off season

Myth 4: I’m going to start recruiting my junior or senior year

Myth 5: If I’m good enough, coaches will find me

Myth 6: I just need to go to a college camp to get discovered

Ready to be more strategic? Read full article here.

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How to get players talking on the court

This article taken from Coach Mac. Check out more of what he offers at: https://www.basketballforcoaches.com

We’ve all heard it before, “talk on defense” or “let’s hear you talking”. Coach Mac says “The smartest basketball coaches on the planet understand the importance of communication.” But we often don’t train players on the precise words to use.

“Effective teamwork begins and ends with communication” – Mike Krzyzewski

“If you’re not talking, you’re not playing defense” – Doc Rivers

“Not talking on the floor is the least recognized form of selfishness but maybe the most dangerous to your team having success” – Tom Crean

Coach Mac says:

Here’s a list of some of the terms I encourage players to use when communicating with their teammates on defense:

“BALL” – To let teammates know you’re going to guard the player with the basketball.

“DEAD” – Used when the player you’re guarding picks up the basketball and can’t dribble again. This is often to let teammates know to hard deny the player they’re guarding to prevent the offense getting out of a difficult position.

“SCREEN LEFT or SCREEN RIGHT” – To let an on-ball defender know there’s a screen coming. Communicating whether the pick is left or right is important.

“HELP LEFT or HELP RIGHT” – Mostly used by players one-pass away to let the on-ball defender know they’re in position to help if the player with the basketball attempts to penetrate into the lane.

“MIDDLE” – To let teammates know you’re in the middle of the key in help position.

“SWITCH or OVER or UNDER” – Key words used when there’s a screen to communicate how it will be defended. What words players use will depend on the team’s philosophy on defending screens.

“CUTTER” – To let teammates know there’s an off-ball player cutting through the key to catch the basketball in a dangerous position.

To me, those are the main key terms coaches should be encouraging their players to use on the defensive end of the floor.

Check out Coach Mac’s guide the Championship Coaching Course. It includes both Man-to-Man Defensive Guide (includes drills + practice plans + 136-pages) and 30 Team Defense Drills (69-pages).

 

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AAU Strongly Embraces Diversity and Equality

AAU leaders from across the country travel to the Central Florida area September 27-30, 2017 for 2017 AAU Leadership Conference; theme is Embracing Diversity

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New plans for summer basketball, AAU, and recruiting

There is a ton of talk about the new rules in place for 2019. It will have a ripple effect on AAU club teams and most importantly on elite, still mid-level AAU teams. Here are a couple of the best must-read articles about the changes.

SBNation – The NCAA wants to control college basketball recruiting. Continue reading “New plans for summer basketball, AAU, and recruiting”

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Every Moment Matters – coach better in 2020

“How do the world’s most successful coaches get the best from their athletes? How do top coaches design practices, inspire their players, and build teams that sustain their excellence season after season? How do they instill high-performing behaviors? Do they coach men and women differently? What about coaching their own children? Most importantly, are these secrets available to the rest of us coaching youth, high school, and college teams? In Every Moment Matters, renowned coach educator John O’Sullivan has collected hundreds of interviews with top coaches, sport scientists, psychologists, and athletes and distilled them into a blueprint for becoming a more effective and inspiring leader. Great coaches realize something that others do not: every moment matters! You must be intentional about everything you do. Whether you are coaching your local youth soccer team, leading your high school football program, or competing for an NCAA championship, Every Moment Matters will give you the tools and strategies to become the coach you always wished you had, and the coach today’s athletes are craving. Get ready to have your best season ever!”

Start Reading Today – Buy on Amazon.com

 

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The 2 sides to AAU Basketball

Many big basketball names are coming out against AAU basketball. Came across an article today from FarmingtonIndependent.com (http://www.farmingtonindependent.com/sports/4315845-through-players-eyes-aau-basketball-confronting-its-reputation) and it leads with this quote.

Kobe Bryant believes it is bad for basketball, claiming it does not develop fundamentals and the right skills. Others say that AAU promotes the individual and is detrimental to team play and learning how to win as a team.

But as you continue to read the article, you’ll discover many (if not most) kids have a much different experience with AAU basketball. Check it out at http://www.farmingtonindependent.com/sports/4315845-through-players-eyes-aau-basketball-confronting-its-reputation

What do YOU think? 

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NBC Camps

Looking for a great training camp for your kids. Check out NBC Camps.

LOVE BASKETBALL? SIGN UP FOR CAMP!
Nothing Beats Commitment stands for NBC Camps– and the belief that your commitment to the work necessary to be great will help you become the player you aspire to be. NBC Camps Academy of Sports Excellence offers intensive training for basketball, volleyball and soccer camps for those who aspire to play sports well. NBC Camps started in 1971 and have grown to become one of the largest and most respected overnight basketball and volleyball programs in the world. NBC Camps focus on intensity, skill mastery and mental toughness. Become the player and person you aspire to be.