PRACTICE 18

GOAL: If your team plays in a league, you might be playing each team twice, so now you might be at that point for your rematch.  Prepare a practice that will focus on preparing for what they did to you the first game and what new things you can do to catch them off guard.

First 10 Minutes

Talk to the players and encourage them to work hard and have fun. Concentrate on better technique today and tell the players what will be done during this practice.  Plus go over some new rule each practice, or something that might have happened in a pro or college game and how it applies to their level.  Also, review the previous games and ask the players what they think went well and what needs work and see if it matches what you were thinking.

Next 5 Minutes (Stretching)

Stretch legs for two minutes and stretch arms for two minutes. Stretching prepares the muscles to prevent injury. The last minute should be used to jog around the field once.

Some stretches:
  • Sit, with legs extended out flat on the ground in a V position. Lean forward, reach for the toes and pull back on the toes. Hold for a 10 count (have the girls count down from 10). Repeat. This works the hamstrings, calves and lower back.
  • Sit, with legs extended out flat on the ground in a V position. Reach and touch the right hand to the outside of the left foot. Mimic the other side. Hold for a 10 count on each side. This stretches the outside of the upper back.
  • Stand straight, bend a leg behind the body, grab the ankle and pull the heel toward the backside. Hold for a 10 count. Mimic with the other leg. This stretches the quad muscles.
  • Stand straight and extend the right arm behind the body. Grab the right wrist with the left hand and pull back and over toward the left side. Hold for a 10 count. Mimic with the other arm. This will stretch the front of the shoulder.

Next 20 Minutes (What worked the first time?)

Explain to the team what worked against an opponent the first time and why.  Take those strengths and you need to augment them to make them even better.  If your zone press worked well the first time, explain how they might make changes and how your team should adjust to it.  If the a certain defense worked great, maybe do not start the game in it because you know the other coach has spent his practice preparing for it, and save it for a few minutes into the game.  Be creative.

Next 20 Minutes (What didn't work the first time?)

Scouting your own team is the hardest thing to do, so maybe solicit a friend or experienced parent to give you some evaluation.  As you prepare for the rematch, how are you going to change what gave you issues from the first game?  Their zone defense only allowed you jump shots and you are a low post team, so how do you get the ball inside?  They always switch on screen in man-to-man defense, how you exploit that this time.  You have a dominate player and now are seeing junk defenses, such as box and one, what can you do to keep that player involved?  I always like making the dominate player handle the ball and screen for him to get open, or put him on the weak side and overload the strong side with the other 4 players….the high post will be open!

Next 3 Minutes (Water Break)

Give the players time to break for water. It is extremely important for the players to remain hydrated at all times. But have them hustle back to the court.  Foul shooting after break.

Competitive Foul Shooting

By now you have had chances to go over foul shooting, so break things up by making it competitive.  Divide the teams into 2 groups and have them shoot 2 at a time.  First team that makes 4, 5 or 6 in a row as a group gets to pick a conditioning drill for the loosing team to run.

Competitive Rebounding Drills

Break the team into groups of 3 or 4 and have them do rebounding of live shots from a coach and reward the defense team if they can successfully rebound the ball and outlet to the coach and reward the offense team if they can get a rebound and score.  Play to 5 and losing team runs.

End of Game Scenarios

If possible, put 1 or 2 minutes on the clock, and one team up by 2 or 3 points, and let them play it out on their own.  Put one player on each team with 4 fouls and give each team 2 timeouts and each team shooting the bonus.  After it plays out, review what went well and what needs work and replay the scenario again.

End of Practice

Foul shooting when tired is the best way to simulate end of game.  Introduce end of the game plays.  Begin to show them plays that can be used in the last 10, 5 and 2 seconds of a game or quarter.  Start from half court inbounding. Then, while the players are drinking water, huddle them together for a talk. Take this time to recognize the work that was done well, but also discuss what needs improvement. Always finish the talk in an upbeat, positive way. Tell the players the next practice time and follow up with an email to their parents. Remember to place hands together and yell, '1, 2, 3 (with the team name)!'