BLOG.COACHSWEN.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on Whitecaps and Marigolds

2010-08-08T14:02:22Z

Swen,

Your site, and the blog which is beginning to tell your story are wonderfully inspirational. You have provided an excellent resource for coaches and people who train people for fun, for business, or for sport - and who want to see them succeed having been indelibly inspired by your experience as an "overcomer."

Comment on Jack and Will

2009-04-10T17:34:25Z

Thank you for the inside info, Mr. Nater.

The concept for me has been a struggle to understand.

Mr. Wooden tells his movie analogy: a movie can't have too many main characters; the story would be too hard to follow; movies need "character actors." And there can only be one director (Mr. Wooden).

Mr. Wooden also tells his car analogy. A car can only have one engine (Alcindor). But the car won't go anywhere even with the finest engine without its other parts, each as valuable as the engine.

And a car can only have one driver.

Comment on How to Teach the Fundamentals

2009-03-27T01:51:55Z

Read your entry on fundamentals. Very inspiring!

I also miss seeing teams use the full-court zone press (not man-to-man) like UCLA did in the last decade of John Wooden's coaching career.

You have any thoughts on that?

Paul VanArsdale
Long Beach, CA

P.S.--I live near Wilson High School, which I understand is your alma mater. I also hear you attended the other UCLA (University of Cerritos Located on Alondra).

Comment on JOHN WOODEN'S THREE KEYS TO REBOUNDING

2009-03-22T22:55:51Z

I enjoyed you website and blogs.
Brings back lots of good memories,
such as the old three on three rebounding drill, did you still do that when you played?

Comment on TEACHING MENTAL TOUGHNESS

2009-01-30T17:21:38Z

I was delighted to see you make a connection between Coach Wooden and Coach Carroll. During the off season I make it a point to study one or two successful coaches and learn as much as I can about what makes them successful. I have always studied Coach Wooden's successful ways but I turned my focus to Coach Carroll during this past off season. One thing that I took from Coach Carroll was that it is acceptable to smile, cheer, and be genuinely excited for your players when they are successful. I have so many areas that I need to improve upon as a young coach but I am happy to share that Coach Carroll's influence has made me a much more enthusiastic teacher of the game.

Comment on PHYSICAL CONDITIONING IS A PARTNERSHIP

2009-01-29T19:35:17Z

I couldn't agree more with Coach Wooden's philosophy on conditioning. Prior to this basketball season, I designed a 5 week conditioning program for any student-athlete that was interested in playing basketball. The program was physically and mentally demanding but we were very pleased with our daily attendance. In retrospect, the key to our success was that we offered the program to our players on a voluntary basis. We provided a plan and they put forth the hard work! A partnership was born, and it has paid off this season.

Comment on DEFENSE: "THINKING" STEALS AND BLOCKED SHOTS

2009-01-02T02:48:51Z

Folks: The result of Ed's experience does not surprise me. But what is most encouraging is that, thinking steal and blocked shot actually caused Ed to be in better position. Can you imagine if all your players were trained like this, not just in one practice, but through the season?

Comment on DEFENSE: "THINKING" STEALS AND BLOCKED SHOTS

2008-12-30T07:42:18Z

Swen,
I read your blog dated 12/27 as you had asked me to in order to offer you my opinion.
I read it on a Saturday evening,let it sink in and did not form an immediate opinion.
I still play every Sunday morning as you know with a group of mixed retired High School and College players. I thought I might try this in one of the games. Before I offer my opinion.... See if it was feasible....
By Morning I had forgotten the blog. I had only slept 5 hours since I had to take a relative to the Airport and was playing a little sluggish I decided to lay back get some rebounds and take open layins.
We play best of seven unless someone sweeps. About the 4th game I remembered your blog and I drew Bill to guard who is 10 years younger, taller, and a bit more athletic. His smack talking woke me up. I thought I would try for one game to all out to steal every pass to him ( with enough discipline to not allow the back door ) and block every shot. ( he is a lights out shooter and a lefty ).
Well I held him to 2 points the first game and I had 6. My only goal was to keep him from scoring and focus on stealing and blocking his shots.
2nd game, same thing only my offense opened up since he was working so hard on the offensive end, again he had 4 I had 12 that game.
As you mentioned the footwork will follow. In order to encroach and set up for the steal I had to quickly retreat step then advance again. Causing the guard to think about it and slow ball movement.
After we were done I didn't think much about it. My friend Paul joined me on the bench as we took off our shoes. He told me he had never seen me play so well in 10 years it was truly the best he had ever seen from me.
I asked why so. He said you played Bill perfectly and seemed to be in perfect position on Bill all the time.
( Paul was running point on Bill's team )

I told my Son to skip his workout with his shooting Coach Sunday night and rest, open his mind up. That I had something that would almost certainly get him more minutes and improve his game....
Read the Blog and hit the jump rope 5-10 minutes a day.
He was complemented today at practice for working so hard by his coach who doesnt hand out many compliments.
Stay tuned...
Key points: DO NOT leave your feet till the shooter is about to.
Be ready when attempting to time the steal, to QUICKLY use the retreat step to prevent the back door.

Thanks for the brilliant piece!!

Comment on TEACHING MENTAL TOUGHNESS

2008-12-14T05:55:43Z

After reading your article, you might be interested in my website www.mentaltoughness.me. It lists lots of exercises to increase mental fitness. It's geared towards football, but everything is just as applicable to basketball. Cheers.

Comment on TEACHING MENTAL TOUGHNESS

2008-12-14T03:25:33Z

i think this was a vital lesson in my life. parents have to practice similar philosophy. do as i say not as i do, does not work. a parents success does not guarantee a childs success in life, however. but a child wont forget the parents failures until they themselves finally face lifes disappointments and struggles.