Blog Post #69, August 2, 2009

Skill: The Second Key to Your Team Never Beating Itself

Over the years, many have asked me, “What’s the key to UCLA winning so many championships?” I always tell them, according to John Wooden, there are three keys: Conditioning, Skill, and Team Spirit. But is that answer too simple? 

Most games are lost rather than won, and the primary causes for losing all fall in one of the three categories: Inferior condition (physical, mental, or moral), Skill (failure to take care of the basketball, missed open shot, missed free throw, failure to block out), or Team Work (lack of trust, lack of movement without the ball, lack of communication, lack of collective and unified execution). UCLA teams rarely beat themselves because, when planning practice, Coach Wooden put condition, skill, and team spirit at the top of the priority list. The preceding posting (see www.coachswen.com blog) detailed the first key, “conditioning.” We now move to the second, “skill.”

The Definition of Skill
We say a player “has skill” when he is able to quickly and properly execute the fundamentals of the game. The fundamentals of basketball are: ball handling; passing/receiving; shooting; dribbling; stops, turns and pivots; faking and footwork; rebounding; and the various movements of defense.

The Complete Skill Set
My power drill came complete with over seven attachments, each designed to fit a particular type of screw head. To finish the job properly, I have to use the proper bit. The same is true for fundamentals. For example, in shooting, the game situation determines which finishing shot is appropriate at the time; right and left-handed layup, right and left-handed reverse layup, straightaway jump shot, bank jump shot, right and left-handed hook shot, right and left-handed floater, right and left-handed tipping, quick put back shot, or right and left-handed jump hook. Not all positions require mastery of all these finishing shots but, in today’s game, with players playing several positions, most may be needed.

Maneuvers are Back-to-Back Fundamentals
Almost every basketball maneuver is a combination of two or more, consecutive fundamentals. Let’s say a player receives the ball on the perimeter, fakes the jump shot, steps over to his left, stops, and shoots. Without any noticeable separation, the following fundamentals were stringed together: receiving, faking, footwork, jump stop, pivot, and jump shot.

How to Teach Skill
All basketball movements are like that. However, to teach the entire move properly, it must be broken down into its parts.  But how do we teach those parts? I say, “Very deliberately, systematically, and carefully.”
Start with the Basics
Begin by teaching at the very basic level. For example, when teaching jump shooting, start with demonstrating the proper form, beginning with a crouched stance, holding a basketball under the chin. Show them the wrinkle in the wrist of the shooting hand, the feet wider than the shoulders, the straight back, the chin up, the shooting elbow close to the waist, and all joints flexed and relaxed. Then, have the players imitate you by holding an imaginary ball in the crouched position. Walk around and correct every error, to the detail. Next, demonstrate the jump and release, showing the elbow continuing to move up and finishing above the ear, the release before the peak of the jump, and the recoil of the shooting hand as it comes down along the same path as it went up. Then, as the players regain the coiled stance, have them imitate the imaginary shot when you blow the whistle, returning to the crouched position. Go around and correct everything to the detail. Demand mastery and perfection. REMEMBER: EVERY CORRECTION COULD AVOID A TURNOVER.

Pick Up the Pace
When, and only when, the players perform the basic jump shot perfectly, blow the whistle more often. Like I did, they will begin to fatigue, the wrinkle will disappear, they won’t bend their knees properly, and they will release the shot too late. That is the time to demand perfection. Don’t give an inch.  EVERY CORRECTION COULD AVOID A TURNOVER. (Did I say that before?)

Combine Fundamentals
As various fundamentals are taught, you can begin to combine them into actual basketball moves, still without the basketball. One combination is: the shot fake, one dribble drive to the left, jump stop, pivot, and jump shot. Again, demonstrate and then have the players imitate slowly at first, to make sure the proper form is used. Then, pick up the pace.

Teach Position Specifics
Each position (center, big forward, small forward, shooting guard, point guard) has its indigenous shots. In small group settings, using the same method above, teach those shots.

Your Biggest Challenge
Impatience is the sign of a good leader. However, don’t allow your passion for rapid improvement to abort the proper process of the development of player skill. Pick up the pace and combine fundamentals, but keep teaching proper form at the basic levels.   

I’m not advising you to stay with the imaginary drills exclusively for an entire season. Progress to picking up the pace and combining fundamentals. Watching players perform the fundamentals at game speed, and in competition, will be a good gauge. Take notes, continue to use the imaginary drills as long as needed, and correct every detail. EVERY CORRECTION COULD AVOID A TURNOVER. (Correct me but, did I say that earlier?) Coach Wooden did all season.

Conclusion
Most basketball games are lost, not won; one team usually gives the game away. With your team conditioned—physically, mentally, and morally—and skilled in all the fundamental areas, and at high speed, it has two of the three ingredients to not beating itself. The next posting will the explain the third and final block in the heart of the Pyramid of Success: Team Spirit.