Jon Scheyer- Sit or Stand on Sideline?

Today most coaches stand on the sideline the entire game. They feel standing allows them freedom to move up and down the sideline to yell instructions. I am sure they feel their activity as a coach can help them “energize” their players, and make it more likely that as coaches they are heard.

A major problem if the head coach stands the entire time on the sideline, they often shut their assistants out of the game. An assistant may see something but not be able to really share it until a time out, then they have about 15 seconds to express their thought before the head coach needs to go into the huddle. 

As a fan, I enjoy sitting with people who know basketball. As the game goes on, they share things that I don’t see. By sitting with them, I really feel like I “see” a lot more by listening to them. I felt the same thing was true when I coached. 

I would argue that when a coach says they feel they need to be up to be able to communicate and motivate their players, your voice in practice is much more important than in your voice in games. There are times when you must yell instructions, but often a coach can just become “noise” that players actually need to block out. We know the parent yelling constantly is just a distraction and prevents the player from getting into a flow or “the zone.”

Watching Duke coach, Jon Scheyer, in action, it becomes obvious that a coach can stand and can sit. It would appear that he gets the best of both coaching methods. 

6:11 to go in first half- Scheyer is sitting. He sitting next to assistant, Jai Lucas. They are having a conversation as the game is in progress. Why wouldn’t you want to get thoughts from your assistant, who was just hired at University of Miami.

6:05 to go in the first half, Scheyer is standing and talking to his defense. 

3:42 to go in the first half, Scheyer is sitting with the defense in front of him.

3:25 to go in the first half, Sheyer is standing and signaling an offensive play. 

So obviously Scheyer is up and down throughout the game, but he is not waiting for time outs or half-time to hear what his assistants have to say. I wonder where he learned this idea of valuing his assistants?