TWENTY SHOOTING DRILL

I'm always looking for different ways to incorporate shooting into my practices. I typically try to use drills that are as game-like as possible. But, there are occasions when I am looking to work on getting more shots up so our players can work on technique, confidence, shooting under pressure, or just getting some reps. 

The 20 SHOOTING DRILL will get your players a lot of shots with some pressure added.  

• Put three players at each basket with one basketball. 
• Players are competing against the other players at their basket.
• First player to 20 points, wins. 
• Each player keeps their own score, and calls out their score after each make.
• Shot made inside the three point line = 1 point
• Shot made beyond the three point line = 2 points.
• All shots must be 15 feet and beyond.
• Player shoots until they miss and when they miss a new shooter comes in. Shooter cannot shoot from the same spot two shots in a row.     

You can add other variations to this drill like:

• Have players shoot from specific spots on the floor.
• Put a time limit on the drill and when time expires, the player with the most points, wins.
• Add a second ball to increase the number of shots
• Give a bonus point for making five shots in a row

TEAM 1-ON-1 DRILL

This is a very competitive defensive drill that focuses on closeouts, on the ball defense, offensive skill, and it is all done with some peer pressure. The scoring is as follows:  Defense gets 1 point per clean stop. A clean stop = preventing the offense from scoring while not giving up an offensive rebound. At the end of the drill (9 minutes) the team with the most clean stops, wins. 

To make the drill more game-like you can limit the number of dribbles the offense can take.  I like to limit the offense to 3 dribbles.

Divide players into 2 separate teams This is a 9 minute drill. Coach passes to the offensive player. The defender must closeout and defend the ball. They play 1-on-1. After one rep, the next offensive and defensive player jump in quickly to get their rep. Repeat. After 1 minute 30 seconds switch offense and defense and repeat.

Repeat the same from the top of the key. Each team gets 1 minute 30 seconds on offense and defense. Keep track of points (1 point per clean stop).  

   

Repeat the same from the top of the key. Each team gets 1 minute 30 seconds on offense and defense. Keep track of points (1 point per clean stop).

DRILL VARIATIONS

*The team that wins 2 of the 3 spots on the floor, wins the drill. 

*Switch spots on the floor to perform the drill. 

PREPARE YOUR TEAM FOR THESE 20 LATE GAME SITUATIONS

I have put together a list of late game situations that coaches need to prepare their team for.  You may not even encounter some of these situations during the season, but don't get caught off guard, and prepare for them. These are situations that as a coach you need to think about so you at least know what your choices will be if you are faced with them.

1. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Dead Ball. Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
2. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Dead Ball. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
3. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Clock is running.  Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
4. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Clock is running. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
5. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near half court. Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
6. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near half court. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
7. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near free throw line extended or lower.  Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
8. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near free throw line extended or lower. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
9. You are behind 2 or 3 points with a few seconds left and your player is at the free throw line with one shot. 
10. Tie game with one minute left to play. Your team has the ball.  When do you attempt to score?
1. Do you hold the ball for one shot?
2. Do you take the first available shot?
11. Tie game. Your team has the ball with 10 seconds to play. No timeouts. What do you want your team to run?  Do you want them to attack the rim? Get the ball inside? Run a specific set play? Who do you want to take the shot?
12. You are down 3. Opponent has the ball with 10 seconds left.  Do you foul or play it out?
13. You are down 3. Opponent has the ball with 4 seconds left. Do you foul or play it out?
14. You are down 3 and on defense. If you decide to not foul on a big possession late in the game, how will your team defend ball screens?
15. Your team is on defense. You are behind by 1 point with 30 seconds left in the game.  The offensive team is in the bonus. When, if at all, do you foul?
16. You are ahead by 2 with 10 seconds left in the game.  You are on defense.  Offense will take the ball out baseline OB and has to go the length of the court. Offense is in the bonus. How do you defend them? 
1. Do you apply a full court press?  If so, what type?
2. If you don't apply full court pressure, where do you start defending the ball?
17. You are on defense.  Your team is ahead by 4 points with 20 seconds to go.  You have two fouls to give.  Do you have your team commit non-shooting fouls?
18. You are down 10 points with three minutes to go in the game. At what point to you start fouling and put the other team on the free throw line?
19. You are ahead in a one possession game (1, 2, or 3 points). Your team is on defense. The opposing team calls a timeout with 8 seconds to play.  You've played zone defense the entire game.  Do you play man-to-man on this last possession if it is something you have in your team's arsenal?
20. Do you have a delay game on offense when you are attempting to secure a lead late in games? If so, when do you start using it?

CATCH & ATTACK 1-ON-1

SETTING UP THE DRILL

Form two lines along the baseline; one offense, one defense. The offense line is along the sideline. Place two cones near the half court line with the cone for the offense being a shorter distance than the defense.

EXECUTING THE DRILL

Coach has the ball. When Coach yells "Go!" Player 1 and x1 sprint around their respective cones. When 1 (offense) gets around their cone Coach throws them the ball and they attack the basket attempting to score while x1 tries to stop the score. Players rotate lines when rep is completed.

SCORING: 1 point per basket made. First player to 3 points, wins. Can also give points for stops. First player to get 3 stops, wins.

VARIATION: Divide the players into two teams. Give each player on each team three chances to play offense. Team with most points wins.     

HORNS SET FROM NEW ZEALAND 2013 OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIP

The following is a Horns set that New Zealand ran in the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship For Women.

Diagram A

Diagram B

Diagram A
1 passes to 4.
1 sprints and screens for 2.
2 cuts up the three point line.
5 sets a ball screen for 4.












Diagram B
4 uses the ball screen and is looking to either get their own shot or hit 5 on a roll to the basket.

Diagram C

Diagram C
If 5 is not open, 4 will pass back to 2.
2's first option is to get their shot. If not they look for 5 sealing their defender in the post.

3 STEPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY COACHING

3 SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU DO

Step 1: Surround yourself with good people.

Step 2: Serve others.

Step 3: Repeat.

4-ON-4 TALK & STOP DRILL

The 4-on-4 Talk & Stop Drill forces your players to work on communication, defensive positioning, closeouts, and executing your defensive philosophy.

SETTING UP THE DRILL
Four offensive players align outside the three-point line.  Four defenders line up in a vertical line inside the lane area.  Coach starts with a ball under the basket area.







EXECUTING THE DRILL
The coach calls out the name of one of the defenders and passes the ball to one of the offensive players.  The player whose name was called will closeout on the the ball, while the other three defenders match up with the other three offensive players.  On the flight of the ball the three defenders must communicate, call out the name of the person they are defending, while getting to the proper defensive position based on where the ball was thrown.

They play out the possession until the offense scores or the defense gains possession of the ball.

SCORING THE DRILL
+2 for the defense if they get a *clean stop.
+5 for the defense if they take a charge
+1 for the offense if they draw a foul or for any made shot
+1 for the offense for all offensive rebounds

*A clean stop for the defense is when they prevent the offense from scoring without giving up an offensive rebound.

THE IMPORTANCE OF "GLUE" PLAYERS

Glue players are needed.  They are vital to a team's success.  They contribute things to your team that don't always show up in a box score; things that can't always be measured with a stat. 

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF A GLUE PLAYER

• Sprints the court in transition
• They might night receive a pass in transition, but the fact they sprint could draw a defender to them and open up a teammate for a score
• Talks on the court
• Call out screens on defense
• Makes sure the team is in the correct offense or defense
• Makes sure the team is matched up on defense
• Motivates their teammates
• Dives for loose balls
• This can be contagious 
• Forces the person they are defending to give extra effort just to get open
• This tests the will of the person they are guarding.
• Makes the extra pass on offense
• Pass up a good shot for a great shot
• Forces the defense to work extra hard
• Follows the game plan.
• They understand the game plan.  
• They execute the game plan. 
• Takes care of the ball on offense
• They aren't careless with the ball.  They are poised with the ball in their hands.
• Genuinely cares for their team
• Speaks positively of their team, teammates, and coaches
• Represents their team to the best of their ability on and off the court
• Serves others

SUCCESSFUL TEAMS NEED GLUE PLAYERS

Any player can be a glue player.  I think some coaches see glue players as players on their roster who maybe aren't the most talented.  This can be the case, however your most skilled players can be glue players as well. If your most talented players are glue players then chances are your team has a great chance to reach its full potential.

The average fan sitting in the stands watching a game might wonder why certain players are getting so many minutes if they aren't scoring, rebounding, or filling other stat columns.  Most likely those are glue type players they are wondering about.  In a team sport like basketball we have to remember that we don't always play our five best, we play our best five. Your best five are the five players that play best together.  Many times a glue player or two are part of that best five.

CELEBRATE YOUR GLUE PLAYERS

I encourage coaches to celebrate their glue players.  In a film session point out an example of a player running the court in transition, setting a great screen, or making the extra pass. Stop play on the practice court to point out an action of a player that makes them a glue type player.  While in a huddle during a timeout you can let your team know how important a dive on the floor for a loose ball was for your team because it gave you an extra possession.  While talking to the media you can highlight players that do these glue player type things that are keys to your team's success.  Your glue players need to be celebrated so let them know how important they are to the team.  

REMEMBER:  Not all of the players on your roster are going to have the same skill, BUT they can all be glue players.  

SHARE YOUR IDEAS

I'd enjoy hearing from other coaches on how they celebrate glue type players.  If you have suggestions, please share with me.  You can reach me by email at dietelgreg@gmail.com

BASELINE OB PLAY FOR A SHOT IN THE POST

1 sets a cross screen for 5.
5 cuts to the opposite side of the rim, looking for a pass from 3.
2 cuts to an opening near the top of the key to give 3 a passing angle.

Immediately after setting the screen for 5, 1 sets a screen for 4.
4 cuts toward the lane area looking to receive a pass from 3.
1 then pops out to the three point line.
5 continues to pin their defender looking for a pass from 3.

BEING A PARENT, A COACH, AND THE INFAMOUS 20 MINUTE RULE

This article was posted here back in 2012.  Recent discussions with coaches, parents, and coaches who are parents led me to reposting it today.  Enjoy.

Coaches and parents will want to read this.

Basketball coaches learn from each other all the time.  We share information, borrow some, and are always watching and picking up tidbits wherever they can.  One of the most important pieces of advice I learned in my 20+ years of coaching didn't come from my past experiences as an athlete, or a coaching clinic, or a coaching colleague, or even a coaching DVD.  This piece of valuable advice was given to me from my wife.

This information is for all coaches.  As a coach we interact with the parents of our players.  BUT if you are a coach and a parent this is especially for you.

I am a basketball coach.  And like most basketball coaches it is difficult for me to watch any basketball game for pure entertainment purposes.  It doesn't matter if a coach is watching game 7 of the NBA finals on television or the first game of a fifth grade league at the YMCA, we seem to analyze the game we are watching as a coach.  This is not a bad thing because it is a part of who we are and how we are wired.

Add your own children to the mix and you have a tough balancing act.

I have been fortunate to say that I have been able to watch my own children participate in sports, including basketball, for many years.  I'm no different than the next parent as I get nervous for my child as they play because I want them to perform well and feel good about themselves.  But I also watch the game with a coach's mentality (after all it IS what I do).   And who do parents watch more closely during games? That's right, their own kid.  Again, I am no different than other parents.

After a game was finished my wife and I would wait with the other parents for our children to come over and visit with us after their coach was done talking to them.  We always greet them with a hug and a "good job".  But then my coaching personality kicked in and I would start rehashing the game with them.  I wasn't necessarily judging how well they played, but I would talk to them as if they were one of the players on my own team.  I would ask them questions about a particular possession, or an adjustment the team made, or even what their thought process might have been during a certain play.  I thought I was just talking to my kids and connecting with them about something they also have a passion for. I later learned that this is not what my children thought I was doing.

ENTER THE 20 MINUTE RULE...My wife is smart.  She could see that our kids weren't always interested in rehashing things immediately after the game was completed.  Her exact words were, "They don't need a coach right now, they need their dad."  And she was right.  I felt I was able to add insight to our kids because I am a coach.  This may be true, but it wasn't what the kids needed at that time.  So, she introduced the "20 Minute Rule" to our family.  The 20 Minute Rule means that when we meet up with our children after one of their games we don't talk about specific parts of the game for twenty minutes.  We don't have a stopwatch that counts down the minutes until I can ask my first question (that would look a bit funny).  I started to take those first few minutes with the kids after games and continued to give them a hug and tell them "good job", but it also gave them a chance to initiate the conversations we were to have after the games.  And once the twenty minute rule was over the discussions about the game were less coach-player orientated, and more dad-child orientated.  We still discuss the games but after the 20 Minute Rule these discussions started later at home, not in the gym immediately following a game. Also, it allowed my words of, "I really enjoyed watching you play," mean more to my children when it wasn't followed by questions about the game.

Because coaching is a big part of my life, and my kids are active in athletics, the 20 Minute Rule is one of the best pieces of advice I have been given.  It's shown me how to be a parent of an athlete in a way that makes the overall experience better for my children. Thanks to my wife.

FREE THROW SHOOTING DRILL THAT ADDS GAME-LIKE PRESSURE: 1-AND-1 STREAKS

1-and-1 Streaks is a free throw shooting drill that you can use with your entire team.  This drill gives players some added pressure to make it more game-like.

Split the team up into smaller groups at each basket.  It is not necessary to have an equal number of players at each basket.  Let your team know how many minutes they will be shooting free throws. The goal is to have the most successful 1-and-1 streaks, as a group, by the end of the drill.  

For explaining purposes let's say that there are three players at a basket (Player A, Player B, and Player C).  Each time a player gets their chance to shoot, they shoot a 1-and -1 free throw situation.

Player A steps to the free throw line to shoot a 1-and-1.  If they miss the first attempt they don't get to shoot the second free throw (just like a game).  Then Player B gets their turn to shoot.  If Player B makes the first and misses the second free throw this group still does not have a successful 1-and-1.  You have to make the first and second shot to count it as part of a streak.

If Player C makes the first and then the second free throw the group now has a streak of one.  Now Player A shoots again.  If Player A makes both the first and the second free throw their group has a streak of two.  Now it's Player B's turn again, and if they do not make the first and second free throw, the group is now back at zero.

The group that has the most consecutive successful 1-and-1's at the end of the drill, wins the drill.

This is an effective drill because it can add some focus to practicing free throws in a practice setting. The players at each basket are counting on each other and this can make shooting free throws more game-like.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR COACHES

This is a list of a few of the books I took the time to read so far this summer that I feel can help us as coaches. Happy reading!

Toughness by Jay Bilas
I recommend you put this at the top of your reading list. You want a tough team, this is the book that can help you start implementing strategies to use with your players/team. Bilas shares his own thoughts along with other people, from a variety of professional backgrounds, to share their thoughts on toughness.

The Golden Whistle by Jim Burson
Coach Burson uses a story of an up and coming coach to share his thoughts on how a coach can be successful.  He shares his own experiences from a variety of situations that can help coaches make a positive impact on their team on and off the basketball court.  Coach Burson has put this book into a format that makes it easy to read, and easy for coaches to apply strategies with their own team.

The Politics of Coaching by Carl Pierson
This is the actually the second time I've read Coach Pierson's book. And it will not be my last.  His book is a must read for younger coaches, but is equally as beneficial for veteran coaches.  Pierson provides so many helpful hints that will give coaches a great opportunity for longevity in the coaching profession. I have given this book to new coaches coming into our program.

The Hard Hat: 21 Ways To Be A Great Teammate by Jon Gordon
I'm a big fan of all of Jon Gordon's books, but this one blew me away.  This is what I call a Wow! book.  It will make an impact on you not only as a coach, but as a person.  This is Gordon's first "true story" as it is written about about a former Cornell lacrosse player named George.  So many valuable lessons for coaches, players, and people in general in this book.  It's a quick read, but it is one that you will no doubt refer back to many times.

Leadership Lessons Of Abraham Lincoln edited by Meg Distini
This book is full of quotes and thoughts from Abraham Lincoln.  The author does a nice job of organizing them into different topics such as discipline, communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and determination.  This is a book you can pick up and read for a few minutes at a time and pick up some valuable gems to get you to think.

A PLAY FOR 3 OR BALL SCREEN ACTION

The following is a play that Latvia ran vs Serbia in the U18 European Championship.

The first diagram shows the point guard passing to 4 on the wing.  2 clears out to the opposite corner.  3 starts to move towards 4.  5 steps up.

In the second diagram 4 passes to 5.  5 immediately reverses the ball to 2.  As soon as 4 passed the ball 3 sets a screen for 4.  4 cuts to the ball side block.  If 4 is open 2 will pass them the ball.

In the third diagram 5 sets a screen for 3 to complete screen the screener action.  3 will first look for the shot on the catch.

If 3 does not get a catch and shoot off the screen, then 5 will come back to set a ball screen for 3.  3 attempts to turn the corner off the screen.  1 will also slide to the open area to give 3 a passing angle.

HALF COURT SCRAMBLE DRILL

This Half Court Scramble drill can work with 3-on-3, 4-on-4, or 5-on-5.  The diagram above shows the drill set up as 5-on-5.  The coach can designate what play the offense should run.  The offense will attempt to score while the defense is trying to prevent a score.  At some point when the offense is attempting to score, the coach will yell out a defender's name.  That defender (X3 in the diagram) will sprint to touch the baseline and get back into the play as soon as possible.  Meanwhile the other four defenders will scramble in attempt to keep the offense from scoring until X3 gets back in the play.

Scoring the Drill
Give each team the same number of possessions on defense.  One point is awarded to the defense for every "clean stop" they get.  A clean stop is when the defense prevents the offense from scoring while not giving up an offensive rebound.

Another scoring option is to give an additional point for a possession when the defense forces a turnover prior to the offense has a shot attempt.   You can also award 3 points for taking a charge.

Before starting the drill establish the consequence for the losing team.

MULTIPLE SPORT ATHLETES NEEDED

Specialization. It has become more popular with young athletes to start specializing in one sport instead of participating in multiple sports.  If you search the internet you'll find enough written about this subject that would keep you busy for days.  You will find many points of view that say athletes should not be specializing in a sport.  I've enjoyed discussing and debating this topic with many coaches, especially in the past couple of years when this shift towards specializing has occurred. I would say most coaches I've spoken to would like to see kids playing multiple sports.  But there are also those who feel specialization is not a bad thing.  After all people are free to make their own choices in our country..

It is my belief that athletes high school aged and younger should be participating in multiple sports, if they want to.  The key words in the previous sentence is if they want to.  Some kids might genuinely be interested in participating in only one sport.  If that is the reason behind their choice, that's fine.  But we all could probably name a handful of kids off the top of our heads that are only playing one sport but would like to participate in more. 

WHY ARE KIDS SPECIALIZING?                                                                                          
I don't have any real hard scientific facts to back up any of the reasons I'm about to give.  But as a coach of 20+ years, a coach who is involved in many coaching organizations/groups, and is actively communicating with coaches, families, and athletes all the time, I feel I have somewhat of a feel for what is happening.

The most common reason I hear for kids specializing is the athlete has their eyes set on a college scholarship. The odds say that a scholarship isn't going to happen for them, but that doesn't mean they can't try to attain their goal of a college scholarship. My opinion is if that is what they want to do, then go ahead and try.  But, I would ask, "Is specialization necessary to reach this goal?"  The answer to that, in my opinion, is NO.  As I stated earlier, I have no scientific facts to back up why an athlete shouldn't (or should) specialize in one sport.  The closest thing I have is that I looked at ten random NCAA Division 1 women's basketball websites.  I looked at the rosters and read the bios of each player.  The bios typically include information about what the players did during their high school years, and will sometimes list other sports they played during that time of their life.  I counted how many of these D1 women's basketball players played either one, two, or three sports during high school.  Here are the results:

              Players that did not list playing another sport in high school- 42 (38%)

              Players that played two sports in high school -36 (33%)

              Players that played three or more sports in high school - 32 (29%)

*I don't claim these numbers to be an example of all NCAA Division 1 women's basketball players.  These are from 10 random teams I chose to look at.  Also, I do not know if players gave all the information for their bio.  As you know some people fill bio sheets out in more detail than others.  I do feel the numbers show that athletes that did not specialize in one sport were still able to reach their goal of a D1 scholarship as 62% of these athletes participated in more than one sport.

Another possible reason that younger athletes are starting to specialize could be how their high school coaches run their programs. High school league rules vary from state to state as to how much work a high school coach can do with athletes outside the actual season.  This is one factor that plays in to how many sports a young athlete participates in. Some coaches do pressure their athletes to take part in their off-season activities, whether that pressure is implied or direct, varies as well.  But some do apply it.  If an athlete is receiving some type of pressure to take part in these it is then natural for the athlete to feel they have to take part in these workouts.  This can cause a conflict between two or more sports an athlete would like to participate in. 

School size can also be a factor make a specialization decision.  If an athlete attends a large school there are obviously more kids to choose from for the high school team.  Because of this an athlete could develop the idea that they must choose one sport and stick with it in hopes that if they work at this one enough they will be good enough to make the varsity team. In smaller schools coaches from different sports need to share their athletes due to the fact there aren't as many potential players.  Coaches from different sports should work together as best they can to make sure their athletes don't have to choose one sport over the other during the summer months (off-season).  If coaches schedule their off-season activities at the same time then the athletes have to choose.  The coaches are putting the athletes in a tough position.  Because of this the chance that an athlete chooses to play just one sport over the other exists.  Be careful coaches and work together so you are not putting your athletes in a position to choose one sport.

IS THERE A SOLUTION?

My opinion is that this is far from a quick fix. To help the situation I do feel that we need to be mindful of the following to help prevent specialization at a young age:

1. Parents and coaches need to remember that it's about the kids.  It's not about the parent living through their child.  And it certainly is not about the coach.  Ask the kids what they want to do.  

2. Give the younger people exposure to a variety of sports.  Let them try as many sports as they like growing up. In the end they will gravitate to the ones they like most.

3. High school coaches need to work together.  Promote the positives of having multiple sport athletes in your school.  Don't monopolize the athletes in your school - share them.  You can still get enough work in with your sport and still allow them to work at others.  Don't worry, you will have athletes that work a lot more at your sport than the other(s), but let them make that decision.

4. Continue to stay up to date on studies that are done on the benefits of playing multiple sports.

CONCLUSION

I know there are many athletes out there that specialized in one sport and are glad they did.  I also know of athletes that specialized in one sport but wished they hadn't.  In the end this is a personal or family decision.  Whatever you decide to do, think it through from all angles.  And always remember, it's about the kids. 

COACHES: WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS OFF-SEASON TO GET BETTER?

Coaches provide their players with multiple opportunities throughout the off-season to help them improve as basketball players.  Coaches need to do the same to improve at their craft. We owe it to our players and our program to continue to learn and grow as coaches.  Here are 14 ideas that might help you continue to grow as a coach.  Nothing real groundbreaking here, but hopefully something will ignite a spark or thought that will help.

1. Attend coaching clinics.Some valuable information can be learned.  Clinics are also great for networking and sharing ideas with other coaches attending the clinic.
2. Get together with coaches in your area to have roundtable discussions. Share thoughts and ideas. I have taken part and even organized roundtables and found them extremely valuable. 
3. Contact college coaches and set up a time to visit with them. Most are willing to do so when their time allows. I would encourage you to have specific topics or questions ready for the college coaches ahead of time.
4. Work basketball camps. Not only is this a chance to work with players other than your own you will get a chance to observe other coaches work.
5. Coach a travel or club team. Working with kids outside your program can be refreshing.  Or coach a youth team in your own program.
6. Watch game film of your last season.  Focus in on what hurt your team in your losses, and what helped during your victories.  Make note of these and figure out what needs to be a focus for your team as you continue throughout the off-season and prepare for next season.
7. Watch games.  Attend AAU or summer league games and write down your observations. What did you like?  What did you dislike? What could you use with your own team or program?
8. Watch games on TV or online.  You can catch some FIBA games online during the summer.  I like to DVR college games throughout the winter and then watch them over the summer with more of a coach's eye. Have your notepad ready when you watch them and take notes.
9. Read as much as you can that can help you as a coach.  As you read each book, take notes on them. Coaching books have so much information in them that some things can get lost in your memory.  Writing down, or highlighting, tidbits you find important will be helpful in your recalling of this information. 
10. Use the internet.  There are many great websites and blogs on the internet that focus on coaching basketball, the game of basketball, and coaching.
11. Learn something new about offense, defense, and philosophy.  Put a list together of what it is you'd like to learn more about, then find the information needed to learn. Take action.
12. Organize your own files.  If you're like me, you have a ton of files stored away in a file cabinet, on a shelf, or the computer.  Take time re-organize them all so that you can be more efficient when looking for this information in the future.  You might even find something you forgot you had and decide it is something you can apply to your team this upcoming season.
13. Breakdown the toughest teams in your conference, section, or in the state.  What makes them so good? What do you have to do to beat them?  Start formulating a plan now.  Don't wait until you only get two days to prepare for them during the actual season.
14. Relax.  Take some time for yourself.  Connect with family and friends that you don't get to see as much during your season.  Coaches run 100 mph during the season, so don't forget to take a little time for yourself when you have the opportunity to do so.