Watching Film For Basketball: A Scientifically Proven Intellectual Workout?
7/3/2016
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Unless you are a psychologist, I'm sure you have never heard of Non-Conscious Behavior Mimicry. But, it could be one of the keys to improving your basketball game.
Basketball is truly a game of inches. Every movement matters, every situation requires a meticulous attention to detail and perfect execution. NBA players, college players, and even elite high school players are adept at all of this, which is why they are at the level that they are. So, if you're trying to expand your skill set, why not learn from these players?
Here's where Non-Conscious Behavior Mimicry comes in. Essentially, this phenomenon states that when one observes another do something enough, they will eventually mimic it, without even knowing it (citelighter.com). This is why many sons and fathers share characteristics, but also why many basketball players shoot, dribble, or make decisions similar to their favorite players'. So, if just by watching great players play enough, you could "mimic" their play and thus slightly improve yours, why wouldn't you?
This is just one of the many benefits of watching film. Granted, you cannot significantly improve your skills by watching a screen, however you can gain a huge advantage. By watching film of high-level players--and not just watching for highlights; you must actually study every second--you can understand how these players have gotten successful. Looking at their footwork, body positioning, decision making, how they set up moves, defensive positioning, what tricks they use to get steals, and so much more.
There are two main ways to do this. First is watching full games. We understand, however, that this is time-consuming, and the games that you do sit down and watch in their entirety are generally big games that you would like to watch from a fan's perspective. If you are willing to study each movement during Game 7 of the NBA Finals, then great. That's a huge advantage. If you would rather watch from a fan's perspective, at least attempt to watch replays of games (or even quarters of these games), because full games, unlike highlights, show the entire story. In fact, many times mistakes, mundane plays, and defense are just as beneficial to watch as the top plays, because these are the things that truly separate the good and the great. This is also why teams and players should watch their own games (especially losses or poor games). It is much easier to correct a mistake in the future when one has a full, clear idea of what they have done and how to fix it (Which is hard to come by without watching yourself fail. It's easy to watch yourself when you look good!)
If you do not have enough time to watch the entirety or parts of full games (by the way, summer league games, matchups between mediocre NBA teams, and mid-major college games are just as beneficial if not more, because there are players similar to the majority of the basketball population), highlights still are undoubtedly beneficial. Just make sure you are watching for the right things...
How to Watch Film
First, realize what/who you are watching. Know what each player or team does well, or does not do well. For example, if you're watching a Michigan State team, realize how well they rebound (generally). If you're watching Tyler Ulis Kentucky film, understand prior to watching how well he changes pace and controls the game. If you're watching Stephen Curry, know to look for how he reads the defense and uses his body to get to his shots.
Next, as you begin to watch, break down each play in your mind or in notes. Go through plays in slow motion. Watch players' feet, body positioning, and decision making over and over again. Then, analyze it. What situations do they make certain decisions in? How could they improve something? How could you implement it into your game? Or, if it is your film, how could YOU improve?
Really, from there, there are many possibilities. You can keep track of certain shots or plays in a notebook or shot chart, such as the one below of Kyrie's shot chart in the finals. ..
Then, you could build a workout around your findings (for example, if you believe you have a similar skill set as a certain player, note their shot chart, most used moves and what makes them effective, etc, and then work on those things). You could visualize doing them in game. The opportunities are limitless. But, the point is, if you truly want to get better at basketball, then why not relentlessly watch the elite players like you relentlessly work on your game? It's common sense.
Resources For Watching Film
NBA Game Highlights/Compilations: www.youtube.com/channel/UCEjOSbbaOfgnfRODEEMYlCw College Highlights/Compilations: www.youtube.com/channel/UC2ZtDh_fAYM4UYzg-xD-t9w/videos NBA TV (Summer league, replays of vintage games and playoff games, etc)
Highlights for non-superstar players/compilations: www.youtube.com/user/DownToBuck/videos
All Acceleration/Speed Basketball Performance Recovery
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Better Basketball | Film Breakdown Part 1: Post-Game Analysis
Upon several requests, I have put together a three-part series of posts discussing how to watch film as after the game, with your team, and with individual players. Today I am going to discuss the process of watching and breaking down the game film individually as a coach to provide feedback for yourself and your coaching staff.
This post is going to about the process of how I break down film after a game every each night. The analysis below takes place after every game we play and it takes approximately 2 hours once I get home.
Post-Game Meeting
After each game our coaching staff meets in the head coach’s office and we discuss the game for 15-20 minutes; What went well, what didn’t go well, and other thoughts about the game. As a staff, we try to reserve judgment with performance until watching the game film. During this time, I will reference some notes that I wrote down during the game about some aspects that I think would be good to look for when breaking down the film (i.e.- Transition defense, defensive rebounding, rotational breakdowns, etc.) and also gather thoughts from my head coach on things he would like for me to focus on while watching the film.
Post-Game Report
After gathering our post-game perspective, I head home and start uploading the film for breakdown onto Krossover. During the upload time, I analyze and input the data I have on my Offensive and Defensive Efficiency Chart and look for any positive and negative trends from the game. This chart will also factor into indicators while watching film. Once all the numbers totaled, I will start typing up my Post[Game Report for my head coach. I got this tremendous idea from the LA Clippers’ Kevin Eastman. Eastman took it upon himself each night after their games to write-up a post-game report and slide it under head coach Doc Rivers’ door for reading the next morning. I am not sure what Kevin’s looked like, but in my report I include the following:
Quarter by Quarter Scoring with +/-
Rebound Comparisons each half and game total (Out rebounding the opponent is a huge component of our program)
Offensive and Defensive notes referencing the Efficiency Chart I mentioned above
As well as any notes I gather from the film in regards to our performance (Good and Bad)
Any ideas or recommendations for upcoming practices that I think will help our team
If you are interested in a sample of what mine looks like just drop me a note and I would be glad to email you.
I believe the most important aspect of doing the Post-Game Report is working for a head coach that does not have an ego and is always open to suggestions or your thoughts. I am very fortunate that the coach I currently work for at Fort Myers is always open to new ideas and suggestions; as long as there is not a personal agenda behind it and it fits in our system. The second most important aspect of doing the Report is not having a personal ego. The Report is for your head coach and the coaching staff to view your feedback and perspective on the team’s performance and gather as much information as they can. As the Assistant Coach, it is not my role to ask him every day, “Hey, did you read my report? What’d you think?”. Typically you will know if the coach read it because they will discuss it with you or derive some aspect from it to use with the team in the following practice(s).
Once the film is uploaded, one of my main goals is to clip up the film into offensive and defensive possessions so if my head coach wants to just watch our defense, he can do so in half the time. While doing so, I will also focus on the components we discussed as a staff in the post-game meeting and look for good and bad examples on the film. It is extremely important to not just flag all the negatives of the game, but also the positives (I will reference this in one of the next posts). Either mark each of these clips to reference later or include them as examples in the Post-Game Report so your coaches can relate to them immediately when reading the Report. If you do the latter, make sure you not only include the clip number, but also the reason you included it.
Breaking Down the Film
In terms of what to look for when watching film for the first time, I believe it will vary for every staff depending on what you focus on and your style of play. The main thing is to not get caught up in the game and allow the result (win or lose) to hinder your ability to analyze the video with an unbiased opinion. If you watch the film in a bad mood or are still angry with your players, this will affect your ability to offer constructive criticism. In The Trained Eyes of a Head Coach, I also discussed the ability to not follow the ball and to focus more on the action happening off the ball.
Below are the components that I try to focus on when reviewing our game film:
Defensively
Transition Defense: Are all 5 guys sprinting to the paint before matching up?
Our angles with on the ball defense; we do not allow middle so focus is on the angle of feet and hips towards the baseline.
Is our help side defense in the correct gaps and line(s) of the ball. On the White Line.
Hands up on the ball and not allowing uncontested shots.
When shot is in the air, are all 5 guys “hitting and getting”? (Our term for making hard contact on the offense and tracking the ball)
Offensively
Is our 5 sprinting the rim? Are 2 and 3 wide sprinting lanes? Is 1 looking up the floor to advance the ball?
If an Early Offense action is run, how is the execution?
Are all 5 guys reading and reacting correctly? How is our patience and timing?
Are we making the extra pass and taking open shots?
On the shot do we have 4 guys crashing the glass and 1 back consistently?
The last component I look for on a consistent basis is the players’ body language on the court and on the bench. Are they encouraging teammates or are they throwing their arms in the air after every mistake? Are players on the bench pouting because they’re not player or celebrating the on-court successes and talking to their teammates?
Once I have gone through the entire game and finalized my Post-Game Report, I will send the Report and the Efficiency information to our coaching staff for them to read first thing the next morning. The next morning the head coach will usually watch the film (depending on teaching schedule) and provide additional feedback to my Report and the film itself. At that time, he occasionally requests for specific play edits to be complied to show our team later that day before or after practice. This will be covered in my next article…stay tuned!
6 must-see basketball movies
must-see for fans of the game
Looking for something to watch about your favorite ball game? In our selection, there are 6 films about basketball that everyone should see. You can find every one on the Internet. Watch - get inspired - train and play.
Coach Carter, 2005
The film is based on a true story that took place in 1999 in Richmond, California. High school basketball coach Ken Carter made an unprecedented mid-season decision to ban undefeated players from the court due to poor school performance. As a result, the team missed two games in the championship, and young basketball players were denied access to the gym until they began to study well. Carter's act caused both approval and sharp criticism from the parents of the players and the school authorities.
A legendary film that many watch more than once.
white people can't jump, 1992
The action of the film takes us to the hot asphalt of Los Angeles basketball courts. There is a game for money, and where there is always money, there is always a place for a couple of crooks, ready to deceive anyone. Billy, a basketball sharpie, shamelessly exploits the conventional wisdom that a white man can't play basketball or even jump.
Everything is going great until it's time to pay off your debts. We urgently need to raise a tidy sum, which is problematic to do alone. Another guy has a similar problem - Sydney, a black swindler and a street basketball star.
A fierce battle for the title of the best basketball player on the street begins between the two players and continues until they realize that in pairs you can earn much more money than alone.
Sixth player, 1997
Kenny Tyler and his older brother Anthony are the stars of the high school basketball team. Anthony's unexpected death leaves him virtually no chance of success. But suddenly everything changes. The former underdog wins victory after victory. It's as if someone invisible is helping future champions... Some mysterious force... or just the ghost of an older brother who arbitrarily entered the court as the sixth player. It would seem that it could not be better, but Kenny wants to win honestly ...
Thunderstruck, 2012
Clumsy teenager Brian miraculously acquires the talent of basketball celebrity Kevin Durant, and instantly becomes the star of his high school team, while Kevin can no longer hit the basket.
The playoffs are approaching, and Brian understands that in order to be a real winner, you need to make a lot of effort and effort, and does everything possible to prevent the tragic end of his idol's career.
Playing by someone else's rules, 2006
The plot is tied to the story of a young coach who recruited black guys for the first time in a basketball team, paying attention to skills and talent, not skin color.
The events are based on a true story and touch on the racial dislike of some Americans towards black people of that time. Even 50 years ago it was believed that only white people know how to play basketball. But the coach of the Texas team is determined to prove the opposite to everyone.
space jam, 2006
A family-friendly and entertaining film starring basketball star Michael Jordan. Events will tell us about the cartoon villains who arrived from another planet in the hope of taking possession of the characters of "Looney Tunes". Bunny Bugs Bunny invites aliens to play 1 basketball game, the winner of which will get everything.
Dmitry Blonsky
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2 Films 9000o 9000o 9000 31 on May 2020 inspire and raise important topics.
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Comedy, fantasy.
Duration: 91 minutes.
IMDb: 6. 1.
Teenager Scott Howard has a lot of trouble in his life, but when the guy suddenly turns into a werewolf, the problems become even more. However, the hero quickly understands how to turn his unusual properties to his advantage.
Of course, this film, released on the back of the success of Robert Zemeckis' cult trilogy Back to the Future, is a little outdated these days. But still, he may well please and entertain those who lack kindness and unpretentiousness in the spirit of the 80s. It's worth watching the movie for the beautifully filmed basketball games and the charming Michael J. Fox.
Subsequently, "Teen Wolf" grew into a series of the same name, and the latter became even more famous than the original.
Watch on iTunes →
2. Indiana team
Hoosiers
UK, USA, 1986.
Sports drama.
Duration: 114 minutes.
IMDb: 7.5.
Ex-serviceman Norman Dale comes to a small provincial town to coach his high school basketball team at the invitation of an old friend. At first, his methods seem strange and ineffective to everyone, but suddenly the guys begin to win victory after victory.
One of the best sports films of the 80s is based on real facts and infects with passion, and actors Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper are extremely accurate and convincing in their roles. 15 years after the release, the picture was even included in the US National Film Registry.
3. White Men Can't Jump
White Men Can't Jump
USA, 1992.
Sports drama, comedy.
Duration: 115 minutes.
IMDb: 6.8.
Basketball sharpie Billy Hoyle successfully uses the fact that because of the color of his skin they do not see a worthy player in him and put money on his loss, but meanwhile he always wins. This continues until the hero meets a worthy rival Sidney Dean, with whom they start earning money together by making sports bets.
The cult film "White People Can't Jump" will appeal to both sports fans and those who don't understand anything about basketball. Not only did director Ron Shelton manage to harmoniously combine comedy and sports drama, but the performance of Wesley Snipes and a very young Woody Harrelson is simply magnificent. The physical form and sportsmanship of the actors can only be envied.
Watch Google Play →
Now read 🔥
25 The best English series of all times
4. Above the ring
ABOVE THE RIM
, 1994.
Sports drama.
Duration: 96 minutes.
IMDb: 6.6.
A shot from the film "Above the Ring"
Ambitious young basketball player Kyle Lee Watson faces a difficult choice: wait for a sports scholarship or buy into the easy money of drug dealer Birdie, but in this way connect himself with the underworld.
Iconic for the hip-hop movement, any basketball fan will love the picture, as professional athlete Duane Martin shows miracles of skill here. And fans of Tupac Shakur will be happy to see the musician in the role of a crime boss that is very suitable for him.
5. Gambling
Blue Chips
USA, 1994.
Sports drama.
Duration: 108 minutes.
IMDb: 6.2.
College basketball has ceased to be an amateur sport, as universities lure promising graduates to themselves, promising them all sorts of material benefits. Because of this, the Los Angeles team "Dolphins" constantly loses, because their well-deserved coach Pete Bell flatly refuses to "buy" players. Only finally desperate, Pete decides to step over his principles in order to interest talented guys. As a result, a perfectly completed team faces even more serious problems than before.
The athletes in the movie are played by real NBA players, making the movie look incredibly realistic. It is so dynamic, spectacular, well-staged and perfectly balanced that it can turn even sports haters into avid fans for a while.
6. The Basketball Diaries
The Basketball Diaries
USA, 1995.
Sports drama, crime, biographical.
Duration: 102 minutes.
IMDb: 7.3.
A promising and purposeful young man from a Catholic college plays basketball, composes poetry and keeps a candid diary. But circumstances develop in such a way that the hero imperceptibly turns into a drug addict.
The film, based on the book of memoirs by the writer Jim Carroll, can frighten and repel many people. After all, the movie raises a difficult topic. Nevertheless, the acting work of the young Leonardo DiCaprio, who coped with the difficult role perfectly, is admirable.
7. Space Jam
Space Jam
USA, 1996.
Comedy, family, animation.
Duration: 87 minutes.
IMDb: 6.4.
Aliens are invading Earth to kidnap Looney Tunes characters. But Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky the pig and others do not give up and challenge the usurpers to a basketball match. With little chance of winning, the Toons invite superstar Michael Jordan to help.
The idea for the film was born from an advertisement for the Michael Jordan & Bugs Bunny commercial sneaker, which was so successful that they decided to make a feature film. Animation and special effects were invited to do the same people who worked on Roger Rabbit. Even Bill Murray briefly appears in the film in the scene of the last throw. So it is not surprising that the movie has earned crazy money at the box office around the world.
Watch on iTunes →
8. Sunset Park
Sunset Park
USA, 1996.
Sports drama.
Duration: 99 minutes.
IMDb: 6.0.
Still from the film "Sunset Park"
In order to earn some money, an elderly PE teacher becomes the coach of the school's basketball team. At first, she lets everything take its course, but gradually she gets so carried away that she is imbued with sincere love for the players.
The main role was played by the most colorful actress Rhea Perlman, wife of Danny DeVito (he acted as the producer of the film). Her charisma slightly pushes basketball into the background, but still the picture manages to perfectly combine the drama from the life of poor areas and spectacular sports action.
9. His game
He Got Game
USA, 1998.
Sports drama.
Duration: 136 minutes.
IMDb: 6.9.
Jake is serving time for killing his wife, but one day he is offered a parole deal. The fact is that during this time his son Jesus became a rising basketball star. Now the hero must persuade the young man to play for the desired university after school. The problem is that the son does not want to see his father.
A film by the most talented director and screenwriter Spike Lee, starring NBA star Ray Allen, is a must-see. At least because of the outstanding acting performance of Denzel Washington. In addition, the movie is not only about basketball. It also raises such painful and difficult topics as the relationship of fathers and children, repentance and forgiveness. And all this is crowned with a magnificent soundtrack of the hip-hop group Public Enemy.
Watch on iTunes → Watch on Google Play →
10. Find Forrester
Finding Forrester
US 2000
Independent drama.
Duration: 131 minutes.
IMDb: 7.3.
Talented teenager Jamal Wallace is not only a good basketball player, he also writes brilliant stories. By chance, they fall into the hands of Pulitzer Prize winner William Forrester.
The story of the friendship between a reclusive writer and a gifted schoolboy is a bit like another Gus Van Sant film, Good Will Hunting. There, the director has already expressed the idea that the guys from the street are capable of more than it seems at first glance. Sean Connery plays a rather unusual role here, and debutant Rob Brown later appeared in another famous basketball movie, Coach Carter.
View on iTunes → View on Google Play →
Sports melodrama.
Duration: 124 minutes.
IMDb: 7.2.
Quincy and Monica have been dreaming of becoming NBA players since childhood. Over time, their friendship develops into something more than just a passion for sports. And now these relationships have to go through fire and water.
Cloak and Dagger director Gina Prince-Bythewood has managed to create a rather unusual film that combines sensual melodrama and exciting sports action. This is a story about love for each other and for the game, life without which the heroes cannot imagine.
12. Coach Carter
Coach Carter
USA, Germany, 2005.
Sports drama.
Duration: 136 minutes.
IMDb: 7.3.
Shot from the movie "Coach Carter"
Richmond high school players don't think about the future until former basketball player Ken Carter takes over as coach. He does not give the guys a descent, but the team wins one match after another. Unexpectedly for everyone, Carter cancels training and sends his players to pull up the rest of the items, despite the protests and discontent of the guys themselves and the school administration.
The film is based on a true story that took place in 1999 in California. This case brought attention to a serious public problem: if a high school player does not make the team of the college or the NBA, then he remains with nothing. American schools rarely care about the prospects of their students and almost never motivate them to do better so that they can get a decent education in the future.
Watch on Google Play →
13. Playing by someone else's rules
Glory Road
USA, 2006.
Sports drama.
Duration: 118 minutes.
IMDb: 7.2.
It's hard to believe now, but only half a century ago it was believed that black people were not talented enough for basketball, because this game was created by whites for whites. At the same time, the picture itself is staged superbly and, thanks to the outstanding camera work, will appeal not only to sports fans, but also to other viewers.
Watch on iTunes → Watch on Google Play →
14. Moving up
Russia, 2017.
Sports drama.
Duration: 133 minutes.
IMDb: 6.6.
Basketball teams of the USSR and the USA are preparing to face each other at the Munich Olympics. The American team is considered invincible, but the coach of the Soviet team sincerely believes in his players.
Because of the review [BadComedian] — Upward Movement (Plagiarism or the Great Truth?) by Evgeny Bazhenov The Upward Movement was remembered by the audience as a film in which one spoonful of truth accounts for a barrel of historical blunders and inaccuracies. The suspicious similarity of the script with the American film "Miracle" did not play into the hands of the creators of the picture. Nevertheless, the output turned out to be quite a good sports drama, in which historical inconsistencies are compensated by an interesting plot and strong camera work.
That's a huge advantage. If you would rather watch from a fan's perspective, at least attempt to watch replays of games (or even quarters of these games), because full games, unlike highlights, show the entire story. In fact, many times mistakes, mundane plays, and defense are just as beneficial to watch as the top plays, because these are the things that truly separate the good and the great. This is also why teams and players should watch their own games (especially losses or poor games). It is much easier to correct a mistake in the future when one has a full, clear idea of what they have done and how to fix it (Which is hard to come by without watching yourself fail. It's easy to watch yourself when you look good!)
Just make sure you are watching for the right things...
.. 
citelighter.com/science/psychology/knowledgecards/nonconscious-behavior-mimicry
During the upload time, I analyze and input the data I have on my Offensive and Defensive Efficiency Chart and look for any positive and negative trends from the game. This chart will also factor into indicators while watching film. Once all the numbers totaled, I will start typing up my Post[Game Report for my head coach. I got this tremendous idea from the LA Clippers’ Kevin Eastman. Eastman took it upon himself each night after their games to write-up a post-game report and slide it under head coach Doc Rivers’ door for reading the next morning. I am not sure what Kevin’s looked like, but in my report I include the following:
While doing so, I will also focus on the components we discussed as a staff in the post-game meeting and look for good and bad examples on the film. It is extremely important to not just flag all the negatives of the game, but also the positives (I will reference this in one of the next posts). Either mark each of these clips to reference later or include them as examples in the Post-Game Report so your coaches can relate to them immediately when reading the Report. If you do the latter, make sure you not only include the clip number, but also the reason you included it./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11429631/usa_today_10691778.jpg)
In The Trained Eyes of a Head Coach, I also discussed the ability to not follow the ball and to focus more on the action happening off the ball.
Are they encouraging teammates or are they throwing their arms in the air after every mistake? Are players on the bench pouting because they’re not player or celebrating the on-court successes and talking to their teammates?
You can find every one on the Internet. Watch - get inspired - train and play. 
Billy, a basketball sharpie, shamelessly exploits the conventional wisdom that a white man can't play basketball or even jump. 
It would seem that it could not be better, but Kenny wants to win honestly ... 
But the coach of the Texas team is determined to prove the opposite to everyone. 
1. 
This continues until the hero meets a worthy rival Sidney Dean, with whom they start earning money together by making sports bets. 
Over time, their friendship develops into something more than just a passion for sports. And now these relationships have to go through fire and water. 
