Intensity & Togetherness

From Coaching Toolbox....

Intensity Looks Like

No matter what level of basketball, there are many areas inbasketball coaching that are more of an art than a science.

Getting players to continually play hard is one of those areas.

If you can come up with a list of things for your program that you believe constitute playing hard and then look for and praise those things when they happen, you are likely to develop a culture in your program that playing with all out intensity is the only way you practice and play.

This list was designed for a high school basketball program, but I believe that it can be modified and adapted to fit whatever level of basketball coaching you are at.

• Beat the ball down the floor in transition and conversion.
• Rebound position every shot—back, space, pinch on free throw.
• Play defensive in a stance.
• Help and then recover.
• Help the helper.
• Close out with hands above shoulders.
• Dive on loose balls.
• Protect the ball when you have it.
• Rip through on pivots—strong with the basketball.
• Chin rebounds.
• Meet every pass.
• Change direction and speed on cuts.
• Take a charge.
• Steal passes that are thrown too far.
• Sprinting from spot to spot in basketball practice.
• Contest every shot.
• Ball Fakes.
• Deflect passes.

Togetherness Looks Like

• Verbal response and applause for good plays (regardless of shirt color in basketball practice)
• Encourage a teammate after an error or a missed shot that was a good shot
• Help a teammate up off the ground
• High fives and back slapping
• Huddles on the floor
• Never criticize a teammate
• Bench stands when a player leaves the game
• Acknowledge a player being substituted for in practice as he leaves the floor if you are also on the sideline