Category Archives: TEAM!

The most important concept in the sport of basketball is TEAM! TEAM attitude is the most important trait a player can have.

Do Your Players KNOW How to Win?

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Coach Sivils

Competitive athletes want to win. They practice hard, train hard, make sacrifices and dream of victory! But do they KNOW how to win? Seems like a silly statement but it is important for you as a coach to consider this. … Continue reading →

Posted in Mental Approach to Basketball, Strategy and Tactics, TEAM! | Tagged | 1 Comment

The 4 Certainties of Good Offense

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Coach Sivils

In my 20+ years though I have learned only a few things I am certain of when it comes to offense. They are: 1) Team is the most important thing. 2) Execution of fundamentals is the only way any offense … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching Skill Development, Offense, TEAM! | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Fast Break Basketball is a Mindset: Part Two Discipline

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Coach Sivils

Critics of fast break basketball often say this approach to the game is undisciplined, wild and out of control. I would argue these are coaches and fans who are uncomfortable with anything different or not being in control. If you … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching Skill Development, Fast Break, Issues in Coaching and Basketball, Offense, TEAM! | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Nine Essentials of Defense According to Meyer, Meyer and Krause

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Coach Sivils

Readers of this blog and my newsletter will know Coach Don Meyer, his son Jerry Meyer and Jerry Krause have had a big influence on me as a coach. The 18 summers I worked at Bison Basketball Camp were hugely … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball for Girls, Coaching Skill Development, Defense, TEAM! | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

5 Coaching Pointers for Screening – General Principles of Screening

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Coach Sivils

Even in this day and age of dribble penetration to initiate offensive play, screening is a critical component of effective offense. The following are sound general principles all players must learn to set effective screens, regardless of the type of … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball for Girls, Basketball Fundamentals, Coaching Skill Development, TEAM! | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Mike Dunlap – One of the “Good Guys” in our profession

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Coach Sivils

Mike Dunlap, a journeyman coach, has landed the head coaching job of the Charlotte Bobcats. I wish him well. No, Coach Dunlap does not have the storied pedigree of high profile Division I or NBA jobs on his resume. Nor … Continue reading →

Posted in General News, Issues in Coaching and Basketball, TEAM! | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Team Attitude, the Boston Celtics and Having Fun Playing Basketball

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Coach Sivils

I am not old enough to remember the first Celtic Dynasty but I loved watching the Boston Celtics of the Second Dynasty play during the era of the Big Three: Bird, McHale and Parish. The intense Celtics/Lakers rivalry of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball for Girls, Coaching Skill Development, TEAM! | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Influence of UCLA’s John Wooden – The Wizard of Westward

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Coach Sivils

John Wooden was a one-of-a-kind in so many ways. His influence on the game and the profession of coaching is still felt today. Wooden’s feat of winning 10 NCAA Division I National Championships will likely never be repeated. What is … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball Drills, Basketball for Girls, Basketball Fundamentals, Coaching Skill Development, Defense, Fast Break, Offense, TEAM! | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Coaching Youth Basketball? Consider Running “The System”

Posted on January 28, 2012 by Coach Sivils

Looking for a solution to some of the many challenges of coaching youth basketball? Consider adopting what is known in professional basketball coaching circles as “the System!” Before describing what System Ball entails, a little history is in order. Sonny … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball for Girls, Coaching Skill Development, Fast Break, Offense, Strategy and Tactics, TEAM!, Three Point Offense and Shooting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Defending the Flex Defense – Screen Coverage is the Key!

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Coach Sivils

The Flex Offense is one of the most popular offenses currently used to attack man-to-man defensive systems. It is a continuity offense, easy to learn, has numerous counters to a wide range of defensive tactics and constant screening action. Many … Continue reading →

Posted in Basketball for Girls, Defense, Strategy and Tactics, TEAM! | Tagged , , | Leave a comment