Thoughts on Becoming a Better Basketball Coach

Many many many factors go into making a good basketball coach. The matter what level we coach at, we are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve our team through improvement as a coach. Here are a few ideas to help you become a better basketball coach.

Many many many factors go into making a good basketball coach.  No matter what level we are coaching at, we are always looking for new ideas and ways to improve your team through becoming a more complete coach.  Here are a few good thoughts and ideas to help you become a better basketball coach.

1. Work A Basketball Camp
Try to work one or two camps during the summer.  This will give you a chance to meet other coaches and learn how they do things.   A lot of my best ideas come from other coaches I met or observed. At a summer camp, you have lots of knowledgeable coaches around you, the perfect time to ask question after question on any facet of the game you're struggling with.   It's also a great way to build connections. When you are looking for a new job down the road, it pays to know as many coaches as you can.

2. Have Preseason Parents Meeting for Every Player
A preseason meeting with each player's parents is a must. This is a great way to interact with the parents and they will be impressed with your effort.   Meeting lets you outline your philosophy concerning practice, cutting players, playing time, etc. It also gives the parents a chance to ask questions and meet the coaching staff.   The past few seasons we've had the parents meeting the night of the preseason intra-squad scrimmage. After the scrimmage, we invite parents of the players on all levels for desert, coffee, etc. We have each player pay $5 to cover the cost of the evening. Considering how much the parents will be doing for their children throughout the year, $5 isn't that much to ask of the players.

3. Attend A College Game Or Practice As A Team
This builds team unity and gets your players away from the practice floor together in an informal atmosphere. In the process, the players have the opportunity to learn something by watching the game or practice.   I have not met a college coach yet that wouldn't let us sit in on their practice. Most coaches will give you free tickets to a game as well.   Anytime you can get your team away from the court to build relationships among the players, it will increase team unity.  Plus, as a coach you get to observe and learn more about your players.

4. Hard Work
Let's face it, nothing beats hard work. As a coach, you have to be willing to work harder than other coaches. Putting in the necessary time can be difficult, especially with families, but nothing replaces hard work.  We're always telling our players that anyone can play defense, it just takes hard work.  A good basketball program can be developed by any coach too, it also takes plenty of hard work.

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