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STRATEGY & COACHING TIPS: From MURRAY ARNOLD
(former NBA and NCAA coach):

TIMED SHOOTING:

With young developing players it is absolutely essential that shooting practice requires effort and focus in order to improve execution.

An effective way to assure this happens in a fun and competitive environment is to use TIME and SCORE shooting drills. Such drills include intra-team competition and/or individual goal seeking quotas.
Timing and Scoring both makes and total shots will serve to:

(1) Require maximum effort.
(2) Conditioning and fatigue become a factor.
(3) Force game-like footwork into every shot.
(4) Create a positive fun-centered method for improvement.

Actually recording and posting drill results can increase their importance and improve player focus and progress.

DRILL IDEAS:

In each of these drills the player shoots, follows, and dribbles. He is totally responsible for both the quality and quantity of his shots. Goals can be set for 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 60 seconds, etc.

Suggested goals:

Baby J's: 30 sec - 10 shots/7 or 8 makes; 45 sec - 12-14 shots/10-11 makes; 60 sec - 16-18 shots/12-14 makes.
Elbow J's: 30 sec - 8-10 shots/6 makes; 45 sec - 12 shots/ 8-9 makes; 60 sec - 15 shots/ 10 makes.
3's : 30 sec - 6 shots; 45 sec - 8 shots; 60 sec - 10 shots...(Both side and top)

Note: Using 60 seconds with 4 free throws following each provides recovery and requires focus. A player should get up 85-95 shots in 7 minutes.

FOOTWORK

* Good footwork gives players the ability to attack regardless of where or how they catch the ball.

RUNNING THE FLOOR

.Getting players to "run the floor" at full speed in both directions is a priority for all coaches. Every player should be totally committed to the belief that: "nothing ever happens behind the ball." Always sprint until you are ahead of the ball.

RATIO OF FREE THROW ATTEMPTS TO 3 POINT ATTEMPTS:

The ratio of Free Throw Attemps (FTA) to 3 Point Attempts (3PTA) can be very valuable in coaching. It is a defining indicator of style, tempo, priorities, and shot selection. A very simple way of making players aware of what the coach wants to emphasize. Setting a team goal effectively focuses on this. Somewhere between 2.25 and 3.0 to 1 is suggested.

SEQUENTIAL LEARNING:

In the search for maximum efficiency in coaching basketball, what is the best way? After observing Orlando Magic practices it seems that some of their procedures would apply to all levels. Basically they use several applicable techniques to maximize focus while streamling time usage.

Starting practice with a team meeting and/or video session can save time and improve retention on the floor.

Following this with a "walk through" or practice priorities reinforces content and prepares players for full speed execution. This period should include carefully prepared oral presentation that will minimize "talking stoppages" during active practice.

With this "pre-practice" focus of both content and purpose maybe followed with whatever physical "stretching" seems advisable. Now a 90 minute working session will adequately and efficiently cover needed practice priorities.

This 90 minute workout may or may not include shooting and individuial work. If not, finishing with a carefully planned shooting and fundamental session can and should provide a valuable, confidence building, positive conclusion to the TOTAL learning experience.

Suggested Practice Procedure for:

(1) Team learning prior and during the season
(2) Mental focus and retention
(3) Active physical execution of priorities
(4) Personalized player development
(5) Adequate shooting
(6) Ample conditioning during 90 minute workout (Note: Two or three 2-minute water breaks are suggested.

Specifically daily practices should generally include:

10 minute team meeting
10 minute "walk through"
90 minute effectively efficient physical execution work
20 minute shooting and individual development

This type of practice organization absolutely requires thorough coach preparation. At least 45 minutes to an hour should be devoted to staff coordination, focus, and participation. For the players to properly respond to the challenges of effective sequential teaching all coaches must be totally immersed in all facets of the practice.

TIME AND SCORE FOULING SITUATIONS:

* Each coach should mentally prepare himself for time and score fouling situations. For example, where would your strategic beliefs fit when evaluating the following:

SITUATION: Down 3 points without the ball

TIME TEAM FOULS ACTION
Less than 3 min. down 6, 7, or 8 Invest fouls on selected shooters
Less than 45 sec 9 or more Fouls to assure multiple chances to shot clock) catch-up

SITUATION: Down 1 or 2 points without the ball

Over 45 sec. Not a factor. Play for non fouling stop

Less than 30 sec. Foul to maximize chances to win

Similar chart for score and time decisions on when to protect a second fouler in the first half, a third fouler during the second half and fourth fouler late.

FOULS TO GIVE:

The effective use of non-shooting fouls at the end of periods should be thoroughly examined by every coach. If the other team is holding the ball for the final shot and you have a foul to give, practice nullifying their strategy. Likewise, if you have the ball and they have a foul to give, be aware of how you must adjust your "last shot" strategy.

*Consider using a foul to give to get a key late period substitute into the game. Also using the same to call your non-refundable first half 30 second time out.

*Caution should be exercised in designating the Foul Giver so as not to put any key

personnel in jeopardy. Obviously the "designated donor" should have no fouls if used in the first half and two or less if used at the end of the 3rd quarter (HS). At the end of the game, specific offense-defense substitutions can be employed to implement proper personnel foulers.

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UP THREE WITHOUT THE BALL: This situation should be practiced at least once a week throughout the ENTIRE SEASON. This preparation must include:

(1) Whether to foul or not
(2) When to foul
(3) How to execute the foul
(4) Executing the Free Throw rebounding situation AFTER the foul
(5) Finishing the game completely vs. all possibilities.

The team should be totally prepared and must mentally buy into how to WIN in this situation. It should be so "routine" that if the other team does not call timeouts your team should not need timeouts to win.

Dribble penetration is the best weapon in the game. Improving execution and decision making should be a priority. Having players make two feet jump stops at the end of one and two bounce drives can greatly improve their scoring efficiency.  Avoiding charges, kicking out for open threes, dumping down to open bigs are obvious plusses. Improved team "we" priority is another dividend. Teaching this fundamentally sound concept will improve both individual and team play. Editor's Note: Don't overlook this tip! It will give you a greater chance of winning!!!