Topic #3:  Trickle Down (Dec. 2024)
It seems to me that whatever the latest trend in NBA basketball will eventually "trickle down" to the collegiate level and then eventually will reach the high school level.  Today, the offensive trend I see in college basketball trends towards a lot of 1 on 1.  Dribbler tries to penetrate and
attempt to finish,  or tries to find the open person depending on where the help defender has come from.  Personally, I find this boring to watch since almost ever team runs the same stuff.  I miss the days of the passing game offense with a lot of cutting and screening or the Kansas hi-low offense.   I have never been a big fan of 1 on 1 basketball, since the last time I looked, the game is played 5 on 5.  But again that's just my view.

TOPIC #2:  Shot Selection (Nov. 2024)
 It seems to me after watching high school basketball is the misconception that team offense is an equal opportunity proposition.  Offense is about taking the right shot at the right time, by the right player.  Far to often, I have seen the wrong player taking the wrong shot at the wrong time.  

As a coach, have you ever gone over your game tape and "graded" your team's shot selection? Is your best shooters getting the most shots?  A good coaching technique to consider is to ask your players who should take the last shot if your team is down by two.  If that player is not on the floor, who should get the last shot?  If that player is also not on the floor, who of the remaining players should take the last shot?  Players usually know who the best shooters are.

Do your players understand their offensive role?  When I was coaching, we lost a game because I did a poor job teaching my players who should take the last shot and so of course a third option took the last shot and we lost the game. THAT WAS MY FAULT!!

Players are going to take bad shots.  Coaches, in my opinion, make a bigger mistake by not using poor shot selection as a teachable moment.  Don't assume players (or their parents) know what a good shot is for each individual player.

*Geno Auriemma Discusses Shot Selection! (Checkout Youtube video)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5DVfpwK5zw


TOPIC #1:  Officiating (Oct. 2024)
I have noticed this fall that more high school football games are being played on
Thursday nights & even on Saturdays.  A common reason for expanded scheduling given is a shortage of officials.  Basketball also seems to be experiencing official shortages as well.  Games are scheduled almost every day of the week with the exception of Sundays.  The MSHSL has been more aggressive in attempting to recruit
more individuals to officiate.  I believe officiating costs have risen as an attempt to
attract more people but that does not appear to be a significant incentive for many.
It is my opinion there are two other factors which have caused at least some individuals to either quit officiating or have been discouraging factors for many.
Some potential officials try it for awhile then quit.  I think it is often related to several factors.  Coaches & fans being overly critical of the job an official is doing.  I have often wanted to give a stripped shirt & a whistle to some fans & coaches & see how well they would perform as an official.  It is (officiating) a demanding job.  Showing some patience & (believe it or not) being supportive of their efforts would help encourage inexperienced officials to continue to improve.  A second factor that is a hinderance to some officials is the amount of  time involved on game day.  Travel time can be considerable.  Officiating can greatly restrict a person's social, personal, & family time.

Some Ideas that might help:
   1) Coaches, AD's, consider ways of educating the crowd concerning the rules of
       the game.  
  2) Have officials conduct an on the floor clinic open to the public. To share any
       rule changes.
  3) Have an experienced official work with younger officials say at
       the junior high or even elementary level.
  4) Have site manager communicate to the crowd concerning acceptable game
       behavior.
  5) I know competition can bring out intense emotions but, coaches you need to  
       exhibit self control & show patience.  YOU are not perfect & officials will make 
       mistakes.  You, as a coach, can at the proper time ask politely for rule
       interpretation.  Show respect & remember there are no games with out the
       officials.

*True confession:  I did receive a few technical fouls during my coaching career.
   They had one thing in common .... I deserved every one.