How to be a successful basketball coach

9 Techniques of Successful Basketball Coaches

In the world of sports, there is always room for improvement—not just for athletes, but also for coaches. Many coaches could profit from a little fine-tuning. Having an impact on players requires more than deep knowledge of the game. Successful coaches help athletes reach their potential by building relationships based on trust, confidence and  communication. (Read about David Jack’s Training Philosophy.)
Here are nine techniques that can help coaches have more impact on their players and result in a more successful season. I discuss them in a basketball context, but the techniques apply to coaching any sport.

As a coach, you need to set an example if you expect your players to put in the time to improve. Coaches should constantly be learning, practicing and planning. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you know enough. At Coaching U Live, Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman and former Chuck Daly assistant coach Brendan Suhr not only run the clinic and present, they also take notes throughout. Other NBA head coaches do the same, even when they are not presenting. If these guys are still learning, you should be too.

For your players to get quality repetitions, they need to understand what they look like. The smallest fundamental of form or technique determines how well an overall exercise is done. If you let players cross their feet on defense in practice, you can be sure it will happen in a game. You have to slightly over-exaggerate the small details in practice to get what you want when the game starts.

A popular saying is that “you get what you accept.” This can be applied to skills, execution and discipline. Don’t let your players fall short of meeting the standards you set. Know what you want and determine what is acceptable. Not everything will be perfect, but that doesn’t mean perfection shouldn’t be a goal. Know what is realistic in the circumstances, and enforce all team rules consistently.

Bringing intensity doesn’t mean you have to be loud and crazy. What it does mean is that you must do everything with purpose and focus. Your team will take on your personality and, hopefully, your mentality. Personally, I am not loud, and I am always pretty calm. I have been called “the cool coach,” because my temperament doesn’t change. To some, I may seem to lack intensity, but my teams play with confidence and focus, train hard and smart, and carry these traits with them beyond basketball. We win a lot, too. The players understand that when they are on the court, they have a job to do. They enjoy working hard and they expect to win.

Being positive produces longer lasting results. Negativity wears off, because it acts primarily on external motivators. Players who are, or learn to be, internally motivated go farther. If players don’t buy in to the team’s goals, there is only so much you can do. But creating a positive environment is crucial. This means ruling out negativity, not just from your players, but also, insofar as you can control it, from your fans. In partnership with leaders among your players, it is important to be firm and in control, but in a way that brings people in. Never sacrifice discipline. But when correcting mistakes, use the “sandwich technique”—give a positive comment, make the correction, and follow it up with another positive comment. (Check out High School Basketball Coaches: Be Flexible When Implementing a System.)

Employ the two “cons”: always be confident and consistent. They will be contagious (another “con”), and your players will buy in much faster. If you are unsure, your players will be too. Without consistency, your players will never know what to expect from you. You will lose them if you don’t enforce the same rules for everybody, or if you accept different behavior from one day, or year, to the next. Players need to know who you are and have full trust in you.

This is part of being consistent. If you are not a screamer, don’t become one just because something upsets you. Honesty works better, even when it’s hard to do. There are times to build confidence, but still be honest, just positive. There are also times when, if you are not honest, players will know. Athletes don’t want to play for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Most of all, your players need to know that you care about them. They will do more for you, and for themselves, when they know that you care. How you communicate shows how much you care and determines how well they learn. Part of communication is listening. When you listen, you learn more about your players; and the better you know them, the easier it is to teach them. (Read How Sport Psychology Improves Athletic Performance.)

A winning culture includes the previous techniques, but also dedication, commitment, competitiveness, and high standards. Don’t settle for less than you expect. Don’t let players cheat themselves or the team, and don’t do it yourself. Team success must come before anything else. Make all coaching decisions in the best interests of the team. Leave your ego and emotions out of it, and don’t put any player above the team. You want your players to put the team first and make winning their priority. That starts with the example that you set every day.
Want more coaching tips? Check out Building A Better Young Athlete, Part 1: Laying the Foundation.

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In the world of sports, there is always room for improvement—not just for athletes, but also for coaches. Many coaches could profit from a little fine-tuning. Having an impact on players requires more than deep knowledge of the game. Successful coaches help athletes reach their potential by building relationships based on trust, confidence and  communication. (Read about David Jack’s Training Philosophy. )
Here are nine techniques that can help coaches have more impact on their players and result in a more successful season. I discuss them in a basketball context, but the techniques apply to coaching any sport.

As a coach, you need to set an example if you expect your players to put in the time to improve. Coaches should constantly be learning, practicing and planning. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you know enough. At Coaching U Live, Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman and former Chuck Daly assistant coach Brendan Suhr not only run the clinic and present, they also take notes throughout. Other NBA head coaches do the same, even when they are not presenting. If these guys are still learning, you should be too.

For your players to get quality repetitions, they need to understand what they look like. The smallest fundamental of form or technique determines how well an overall exercise is done. If you let players cross their feet on defense in practice, you can be sure it will happen in a game. You have to slightly over-exaggerate the small details in practice to get what you want when the game starts.

A popular saying is that “you get what you accept.” This can be applied to skills, execution and discipline. Don’t let your players fall short of meeting the standards you set. Know what you want and determine what is acceptable. Not everything will be perfect, but that doesn’t mean perfection shouldn’t be a goal. Know what is realistic in the circumstances, and enforce all team rules consistently.

Bringing intensity doesn’t mean you have to be loud and crazy. What it does mean is that you must do everything with purpose and focus. Your team will take on your personality and, hopefully, your mentality. Personally, I am not loud, and I am always pretty calm. I have been called “the cool coach,” because my temperament doesn’t change. To some, I may seem to lack intensity, but my teams play with confidence and focus, train hard and smart, and carry these traits with them beyond basketball. We win a lot, too. The players understand that when they are on the court, they have a job to do. They enjoy working hard and they expect to win.

Being positive produces longer lasting results. Negativity wears off, because it acts primarily on external motivators. Players who are, or learn to be, internally motivated go farther. If players don’t buy in to the team’s goals, there is only so much you can do. But creating a positive environment is crucial. This means ruling out negativity, not just from your players, but also, insofar as you can control it, from your fans. In partnership with leaders among your players, it is important to be firm and in control, but in a way that brings people in. Never sacrifice discipline. But when correcting mistakes, use the “sandwich technique”—give a positive comment, make the correction, and follow it up with another positive comment. (Check out High School Basketball Coaches: Be Flexible When Implementing a System.)

Employ the two “cons”: always be confident and consistent. They will be contagious (another “con”), and your players will buy in much faster. If you are unsure, your players will be too. Without consistency, your players will never know what to expect from you. You will lose them if you don’t enforce the same rules for everybody, or if you accept different behavior from one day, or year, to the next. Players need to know who you are and have full trust in you.

This is part of being consistent. If you are not a screamer, don’t become one just because something upsets you. Honesty works better, even when it’s hard to do. There are times to build confidence, but still be honest, just positive. There are also times when, if you are not honest, players will know. Athletes don’t want to play for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Most of all, your players need to know that you care about them. They will do more for you, and for themselves, when they know that you care. How you communicate shows how much you care and determines how well they learn. Part of communication is listening. When you listen, you learn more about your players; and the better you know them, the easier it is to teach them. (Read How Sport Psychology Improves Athletic Performance.)

A winning culture includes the previous techniques, but also dedication, commitment, competitiveness, and high standards. Don’t settle for less than you expect. Don’t let players cheat themselves or the team, and don’t do it yourself. Team success must come before anything else. Make all coaching decisions in the best interests of the team. Leave your ego and emotions out of it, and don’t put any player above the team. You want your players to put the team first and make winning their priority. That starts with the example that you set every day.
Want more coaching tips? Check out Building A Better Young Athlete, Part 1: Laying the Foundation.

Share This Story!

USA Basketball - 5 Keys to Being a Great Basketball Coach

If you want your youth basketball team to have an All-Star experience all season, there are a wide range of ideals you need to focus on to make the experience as positive as possible.

Here are five ways that you can be an All-Star basketball coach.

All-Star Qualities

• Sportsmanship - Remember basic courtesy and good manners? Use your practices and games to reinforce these basic principles. Make sure your players can give a firm handshake with eye contact to officials and opposing coaches, as well as a high five to opposing players.
• Teamwork - Teach your players that "we over me" is what most often leads to "us over them," in team sports competition. Encourage your players to be selfless and supportive teammates in both losing and winning efforts.
• Positive Attitude - Life is not fair and basketball is worse. Help your players get over it and still do what they need to do to succeed. Playing sports is one the best ways to practice overcoming adversity and preparing to handle tough times in life. Humor helps!
• Respect - Pay it forward and get it back. How a coach interacts with other adults--coaches, parents and officials--will naturally influence the behavior of your players. Be mindful that you are a role model and are always being watched. Insist that your players respect coaches, officials and opponents--like you do. Have the courage to enforce your rules with every player and parent involved with your team.

Coaching

• Philosophy - Want a surefire way to be a great youth coach? Lighten up! Here's a tip. Not one of your games will be Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Billions of people don't even know you exist, let alone feel that your practices and games are important. Recreational league and even elite travel team coaches should understand that kids want to play sports and to have FUN! Let your players figure things out. Ask questions, but don't give instruction or answers. Stop teaching so much and give your players a chance to learn. Watching them grow will be fun for you too!
• Communication - Have a team meeting to start the first practice of the season, or as soon as possible thereafter. Limit your postgame analysis to positive things that occurred in the game and deal with what went wrong by establishing a specific goal to work on starting at the next practice. Ask parents to delay or even eliminate the dreaded postgame interview with their child. When you need to correct a player, use the "compliment sandwich" State something positive the player did well, give a very specific correction, then restate the first positive thing.
• Continuing Education - All-star coaching requires continuing education. I have been privileged to learn the game of basketball from seven coaches who are in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Each one of them was always striving to learn more. In your efforts to learn, make sure the substance of the material is appropriate for the skill, age and maturity level of the players that you coach.
• Use Resources - There are several organizations that offer assistance to youth coaches. Do an online search for youth coaching information sources. Read books, watch videos and attend coaching clinics in-person whenever possible. One hour online could make you a better coach.

Practices

Play to learn, play to practice, and you will win when you play in games. Remember how much fun you had growing up when you used to just go outside and play with your friends? We advocate using the "compete to learn" approach to practice--it lets kids play and have fun while competing. This type of practice, using competitive drills, does a better job of preparing players to compete in real games. Technically, this is called transference. What you do in practice carries over into what you do in games.

• Individual Skills - Want to improve your team's ball handling? Games like dribble knockout are very popular. Every player must have his or her own basketball. Coach starts the game. Every player must dribble constantly, stay in-bounds and try to knock the ball away from all other players in the game. Lose control of your basketball or go out-of-bounds, and you're eliminated. Boundaries for 10-12 players could start as half the court. After several players are eliminated, the boundary is reduced to only inside the 3-point area. Boundary is reduced again to the free-throw lane. Finally, when there are just two players left, they play the "finals" in the free throw half circle.
• Team Concepts - Run half your offense by playing 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 restricted to one side of the floor. For example, make even (by size/ability) teams and conduct a 10-minute tournament using an action like the pick and roll. Allow for 20-second timeouts and allow players teach themselves how to make the play work.

Game Strategy

• Keep It Simple System (KISS) - Basketball is a simple game. Keep it simple! If you are a regular reader of instructional material, you might think that you need to have lots of practice drills and a complicated or intricate system to win games. No, you don't. Establish one or two alignments and three or four actions, and that's it. At the youth level or even in the NBA, most successful coaches try to have their team master a few simple things. 8-10 year olds can do this successfully. Try KISS at your next practice and even in your next game, your team will show instant improvement!
• Simple Transition Offense (Fast break/press break) - Score a lay-up in less than five seconds without dribbling.
• Simple Half-Court Offense (Ball movement/teamwork) - Everyone must catch and make a pass before anyone can shoot!
• The Best Offense Ever Designed - Give the ball to Michael Jordan and get out of the way. You can't get much more simple than that! However, that is an actual "play," as it is part of the "complicated" triangle offense. The triangle is a patterned motion offense that has several basic actions such as give and go, pick and roll and give the ball to Michael and get out of the way -- otherwise known as a clearout. By the way, that offense has won nine NBA championships and you, even as a youth recreational league coach, can run some of its actions to win games in your league.

Make All-Star Memories

The experience of playing on a youth sports team can affect a child's development as a person. How will you affect your player's communication, cooperation, goal setting and work ethic? How will your players remember this experience 10 years from now? Most won't remember the score.

If your team employs the ritual of getting together after every game for ice cream or pizza, takes a field trip to a college or pro game, or attends a movie together, your players will remember those good times long after they forget the score of the game. Parents sometimes enjoy these social events more than the kids.

How to Become a Basketball Coach • BUOM

By Indeed Editorial Team

February 22, 2021

All professional athletes rise through the ranks under the guidance of a coach. Regardless of the sport, a coach has a unique ability to improve players' skills and help them become more confident in their game. A basketball coach can help a player through the season or prepare him for the professional level.

In this article, we will explain what a basketball coach is and what he does, explain the average salary of basketball coaches in the country, explain how to become a basketball coach, and answer some frequently asked questions about the job.

What is a basketball coach?

A basketball coach is a person who guides a player or group of players during a game of basketball. They teach students how to play the game, strategize with them during competitions, help build skills and inspire. A basketball coach can work with players of different levels, from very young to professional athletes. Basketball coaches need to be excellent communicators, be patient, have strong leadership skills, and know the game of basketball well.

Most basketball coaches who work in the school system also teach a school subject, but it is possible to work as a basketball coach part-time in elementary or high school, or full-time without additional responsibilities at the college level and beyond.

What does a professional basketball coach do?

Being a professional basketball coach is a lot and has a lot of responsibilities. A basketball coach at any level is responsible for:

• Teaching your team how to play basketball, including basic skills, rules and various strategies.

• Make sure all players work together as a team and that everyone values ​​the team more than their own individual accomplishments.

• Organization of training sessions so that players can improve their skills

• Training of players who may need individual assistance outside the team environment

• Create strategies to use on the court based on the skill level of the players and the team they are playing against.

• Being a motivator and leader for the team and all players

• Identifying each player's strengths and weaknesses and addressing them accordingly

• Making quick decisions during the game for things like changing players

Prevention, assessment and treatment of injuries

• Promote teamwork and good sportsmanship and share the importance of friendly competition.

Average salary for basketball coaches

The average national basketball coach salary in the US is $48,590 per year. This salary may vary depending on your years of experience and the city and state in which you work as a basketball coach.

For example, in Atlanta, Georgia, the average salary of basketball coaches is $61,480 per year, and in New York, New York, basketball coaches are reported to earn an average of $44,843 per year.

Access to the recreation program

How to become a basketball coach of the basketball

1. Get a high school diploma

Depending on the level at which you intend to teach, you may only need a high school diploma or equivalent to be a basketball coach. If you do not have a high school diploma, a GED will be sufficient in most cases.

2. Get a bachelor's degree

Most employers require you to have a bachelor's degree in order to be a basketball coach. A degree in education is preferred, but you may want to consider additional physical education or athletic training if available. You can also specialize in areas such as physical education, exercise or sports medicine.

While in college, try to play for the high school team to gain experience and develop your skills. This will help you save the position later. You may also aspire to become a team manager, which will help you develop your leadership qualities.

3. Decide what level you want to coach

Basketball coaches can work directly with many age groups, from elementary school to professional level. One of the first steps to becoming a basketball coach is knowing what your ideal career path is. You may find that your love of the game means that the level of your athletes doesn't matter, or you may prefer to work with players who are a bit more experienced and willing to try their hand at the professional level.

If you're talking about a certain level of skill, it might help you choose a career or open up some opportunities for extra learning outside of your main job, like in a sports league.

4. Play Basketball

Many basketball coaches love the game and become basketball coaches because they grew up playing the sport. While many may have formed teams with neighborhood kids in their youth, many others played at school. While not required to be a successful basketball coach, you must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the game and demonstrate certain skills that you can teach others, and probably the best way to do this is to experience the game in person.

5. Become a Volunteer Coach

When you get your degree, look into volunteering at local schools or sports leagues as a second basketball coach. This will give you experience and help you connect with those who work at the school. These same contacts can connect you to post-graduation employment opportunities either at the same location where you volunteered or at a nearby school.

6. Take education-related courses

Your employer may still hire you without a bachelor's degree in education, but without it, you may have to take education-related courses if you want to work in the school system. These courses will prepare you to work in an educational environment, including how to create and manage a curriculum, and the different ways your student base can learn.

7. Get certified in your state

Each state has specific rules it must follow before certifying professionals as teachers and coaches. Contact your state Board of Education to determine what you need to do to get approved to teach and coach. You may have to work a certain number of hours at school under the guidance of a mentor and demonstrate that you have certain skills and knowledge.

In addition to teaching certification, you may be required to be certified in CPR and first aid to help students with medical emergencies.

8. Working With Experienced Coaches

You may want to ask experienced coaches to guide you as you begin your basketball coaching career. They can provide valuable insight into the training of players in the sport. Get guidance and ask them questions so you can get different perspectives on the job and how they were able to succeed.

6. Apply for a job

Search online for basketball coach jobs. You can search the Internet for job boards or even visit local gyms or recreation centers to see if they need a coach. Youth or senior basketball leagues often need coaches during the season, so you can look for jobs in the leagues in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Becoming a Basketball Coach

Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a Basketball Coach:

Are basketball coaches required to wear suits?

Whether or not you need to wear a suit to work depends on your employer. At the professional level, many organizations require coaches to wear a suit or sports jacket with a tie during games. The same is usually done by college coaches. For junior players, coaches must follow the dress code of the school where they work.

Are basketball coaches paid?

Most basketball coaches are paid, although there are many opportunities to volunteer if you want to gain experience, have fun, or coach your child's junior sports team.

How can I become a better basketball coach?

To become the best basketball coach, you can study different games to see how other coaches train their team and cope with the game. You can watch past games on video or attend games in person. Learn their defensive moves, how they change players in the mid game, and see how they encourage their team. You can also customize your communication style depending on your player and their needs, stay positive and trust your team.

How to Become a Basketball Coach and Succeed was published in Russian / Russian Basketball Federation

The Brooklyn Bridge Project translated into Russian the popular book by Morgan and Joe Wootten.

It is the most complete body of knowledge about the work of a basketball coach with young players. The book contains not only recommendations on how to teach young basketball players to play defense and attack, but also detailed scenarios of all the main areas of coaching. In particular, how to build a successful basketball program, how to plan work and evaluate results, how to recruit and work with the coaching staff, how to raise funds for development and build relationships with players' parents, and many others.

Morgan Wootten is one of the most respected professionals in the history of American basketball. For 46 years, he led the basketball program at the DeMata High School in Hyatsville, Maryland. More than 160 of Wootten's men have played college basketball, and dozens have played in the NBA, including Kenny Carr, Danny Farry, Adrian Dantley, Keith Bogans. Wootten was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000 and retired from coaching in 2002.

The third edition of the book, which was translated into Russian by Brooklyn Bridge, was published in 2013. In it, Morgan Wootten's experience is complemented by an overview of the latest trends in coaching by his son Joe. Wootten Jr. worked as an assistant to his father in DeMata, and is now the head coach of the O'Connell School team in Arlington, Virginia.

The importance of this book in their own development was emphasized by experts respected in our country, including the coaches of the Russian national team Sasha Gruich and Denis Godlevsky.

The circulation of the Russian-language book "How to Become a Basketball Coach and Succeed" is 200 copies and is free of charge. It was released specifically for basketball professionals. The first batch was handed over to the coaches of the Russian reserve teams. The other day it was decided that the remaining circulation will go to the coaches of those teams that will become participants in the Final stages of the Russian Championship (teams born in 2000-2004). There will be 156 of them in total (in 9Finals - 16 participants each, girls born in 2000 - 12). The gift set will include both the book itself and the tablet.

Sergei Ivanov, Chairman of the RSE Board of Trustees:

— For many thousands of sports professionals around the world, the book "How to Become a Basketball Coach and Succeed" has become a real educational tool and a faithful assistant. And it is no coincidence that in the corporate environment it is called "the best book written by a coach for other coaches." At the same time, it should be especially noted that on the pages of “How to Become a Basketball Coach and Succeed,” one of the most successful basketball coaches not only talks in detail about all the details of his professional activity and thoroughly describes the methods of training athletes, but also frankly shares his own experience in solving problems, with which he had to face - including, and "outside the parquet". Dear coaches, I am sure that in the new edition, which was released thanks to the Brooklyn Bridge program, carried out under the auspices of the RSE Board of Trustees, you will find answers to many questions, gain new knowledge, which you will then successfully implement in your difficult mentoring field.

Morgan and Joe Wootten, authors of the book:

– We are pleased that the Brooklyn Bridge Project has chosen our book for translation into Russian and distribution to Russian coaches.

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