If you’re a fan of basketball and have seen the iconic film Coach Carter then you probably have an idea of what it takes to be a great basketball coach. Among other things, coaching this game takes a lot of dedication, patience, and resourcefulness. Here are some tips on becoming an effective hoops tactician and leader.
First, the key piece of advice comes from the best line in the movie when Gene Hackman looks at his players after a long season just before the finals and utters “I love you guys”. Instilling confidence in players is the best thing you can do for them and the best way to do that is to “love” them.
Two, you’ve to immerse yourself in the game. Watching tapes and videos of past games is crucial to any would-be coach, as it allows a thorough scouting of the various offensive and defensive setups of coaches as well as the tendencies of players. It allows for good understanding of match-ups, substitution patterns, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of opponent teams. An effective coach would take note of all this, and use them accordingly when planning for future practices and games.
It is important to be aware of the many offensive and defensive sets that coaches throughout history have applied. There are many of these plays available online, and it should be a great place to start your tactician duties. As one learns these tried-and-tested plays, you can now adjust accordingly based on the depth of your team, as well as maximize the strengths of particular player positions.
Don’t forget to ask more seasoned coaches for advice. If you are new to the game, nothing else will be more helpful that personal, experienced advice. Ask your own coaching staff as well as past coaches and advisers for help in your strategy, and take in everything they say. Don’t say no too quickly if you don’t agree, as these pointers may prove useful down the road with the right kind of team.
Finally, start to develop and design your own plays. Whether they are actually new or modifications from already existing ones, the important thing is that you know your own players best. I usually tell players to play to their strengths and I’ll help them mask any weakness. For offenses to run effectively, each player should be more interested in being a threat to score (look at the goal) than being worried about running the offense correctly. Countless times, I see players simply run the offense because that is what they work on. I have yet to see a well run offense score a point, so don’t miss the big picture. Be patient if your plays don’t immediately translate to victories.
A former basketball coach, Bob Mims CPA is today an avid golfer and fitness enthusiast. He is also an ardent follower of college football and is a dedicated fan of the University of Mississippi Rebels. For similar reads, drop by this blog.
Bob Mims CPA 
