1-2-2 "Power" is a great way to ATTACK 2-3 zone with inside and outside options off of it. This blog takes you through the basic setup and movements, but there are a ton of wrinkles you can include as well!
An Introduction to Half Court Pressure Man-to-Man Defense
An Introduction to Half-Court Pressure Man-to-Man Defense Written by: Coach Tommy Brumbelow (West High School/Wichita, Kansas) Introduction Today’s topic, DEFENSE, is something we take seriously at West High School. I’ve always been a firm believer that in high school the defensive side of the ball is the foundation for any successful program. There are going to… Continue reading An Introduction to Half Court Pressure Man-to-Man Defense
Drills to Build a Full-Court Pressure Defense: Triangle Fast Break
One of the keys to a successful full-court pressure defense is teaching players how to sprint, communicate, and "fix it" to get matched up. The Triangle Fast Break will take you through all of these steps in one drill, which is why I like it so much.
Teaching Post Play and Utilizing High-Low Actions
In this blog, I will detail the major coaching points of how we teach our 4’s and 5’s to post up based on the position of their defender. In addition, I will go over our two major high-low plays that are simple to install but effective.
A Season in the Middle Part X: If you want to grow better crops, plant better seeds
The Final Chapter This series of blogs, "A Season in the Middle," are written by former Varsity Head Coach and current Middle School Coach, Ben Murphy. He is going to share intimate details of his experiences as a middle school coach, including games-based practice plans, with the hope that everyone can learn with him in… Continue reading A Season in the Middle Part X: If you want to grow better crops, plant better seeds
A Season in the Middle IX: Did we get any better?
This series of blogs, "A Season in the Middle," are written by former Varsity Head Coach and current Middle School Coach, Ben Murphy. He is going to share intimate details of his experiences as a middle school coach, including games-based practice plans, with the hope that everyone can learn with him in the process. -Coach… Continue reading A Season in the Middle IX: Did we get any better?
Developing Leaders in Your Program: The Unity Council
My hope is this blog will give you a sense of the way the Unity Council benefits our program and that it might be something you will see value in using with your team. This blog will include the following topics:
Where We Got the Idea of a Unity Council
Our Thought Process
First Steps
Criteria for Being on the Unity Council
"We Rise by Lifting Others"
Connecting with ALL Players
A Season in the Middle (Part VIII): Let em’ Play
We hear a lot about Kobe Bryant as a player, but he has also recently made some good points about player development and coaching youth basketball. That's why in this week's edition of "A Season in the Middle" I provide insight into one of his recent comments and how it has impacted my team in edition to sharing a great drill/SSG that includes finishing.
In-season Team Building: The Breakfast Club
As a coach, I always look to add things that will give our team bonus time in the gym. Not every kid wants it anymore, which is fine, but that’s the difference in playing at the next level or not. However, the next level for everyone is different. Next level doesn’t always have to mean college. It could just be that you go from a 4th place team to a 1st place team or a JV bench player to a varsity starter. Either way, the focus is on players putting in extra work to improve.
A Season in the Middle (Part VII): Simplifying isn’t simple work
In this week's edition of "A Season in the Middle" I get back to the basics and share two of my favorite SSGs! Here are the topics I discuss:
Back to the basics
What do we need to do in every practice?
Small-sided games
Army SSG
Elbow SSG
In case you missed it!
About Ben Murphy
52 Week’s of the #GBetBBChat: Top 5 Topics of 2019
Over the last year, the #GBetBBChat has grown and now includes youth, high school, and college coaches from all over the country. The chat provides coaches with an opportunity to learn from one another and engage in meaningful discussion that isn't typical unless they attend a coaching clinic.
A Season in the Middle (Part VI): If you had to choose one drill….
This series of blogs, "A Season in the Middle," are written by former Varsity Head Coach and current Middle School Coach, Ben Murphy. He is going to share intimate details of his experiences as a middle school coach, including games-based practice plans, with the hope that everyone can learn with him in the process. -Coach… Continue reading A Season in the Middle (Part VI): If you had to choose one drill….
A Season in the Middle (Part V): Knowing the No’s, Goals and Gratitude
When it comes down to it defensively, it’s taken a few weeks to realize, but we’ve done what Coach Jim Boone likes to call “Knowing your No’s”. This means knowing what you will not allow on defense.
A Season in the Middle (Part IV): The game is the best teacher
This series of blogs, "A Season in the Middle," are written by former Varsity Head Coach and current Middle School Coach, Ben Murphy. He is going to share intimate details of his experiences as a middle school coach, including games-based practice plans, with the hope that everyone can learn with him in the process. -Coach… Continue reading A Season in the Middle (Part IV): The game is the best teacher
A Season in the Middle (Part III): Game #2, What the Difference?
The good news from the second game: We started to run out of bounds plays crisply at the 8th grade level. We missed three layups on the same out of bounds play and lost by five. I obviously care that we start to finish them, but just seeing them set good hard screens and open up their teammate for a score was a masssssive improvement from the first game.
A Season in the Middle (Part II): It’s Not All Sunshine and Roses
We were going to play man-to-man. We were not going to switch on screens....Our transition goals were simple: Everyone rebounds on both sides and everyone sprints from one end to the other to create or prevent easy scores. Our offensive goals were simple too: Space the floor five out, pass and cut to corner, attack the created space.
A Season in the Middle (Week 1): Building a Foundation in Basketball from the Ground Up
This series of blogs, "A Season in the Middle," are written by former Varsity Head Coach and current Middle School Coach, Ben Murphy. He is going to share intimate details of his experiences as a middle school coach, including games-based practice plans, with the hope that everyone can learn with him in the process.
Using SSGs to Teach Transition Offense: An Introduction to the “Blood” Series
One of our favorite drills we use to work transition offense is known as the “Blood Series.” This drill is extremely competitive and can be conducted in a 2v2, 3v3, 4v4, or 5v5 format. Check out this blog for insight and a step-by-step overview of the "Blood Series".
Communication in Basketball: 5 Playing as 1 on Defense
COACHES: Communicating on D is pivotal to the success of your team! Read below to improve communication, including:
✅8 ways players MUST communicate on D
✅Teaching players to effectively communicate
✅Player accountability
✅(FAQs)
Turn up the pressure: Three keys to help you build a full court pressure defensive system
Implementing a full-court pressure D system is no easy task, but it can be very rewarding for your team! In this blog I share (3) key to building a pressure D w/ video examples:
✔️Sprinting
✔️Communicating to "fix it"
✔️Anticipating
#GetBetterEveryDay
The Pressure Gauntlet: An SSG to help your team attack full court pressure
The premise of the "pressure gauntlet" is pretty simple: put players in a position that will be more difficult than anything they face in a game. This is easier said than done of course, but once I review the details I think it will be clear that the "pressure gauntlet" challenges players and puts them under duress to simulate game conditions. At the same time, it also teaches them to keep composure under pressure and think on the fly.
Getting Better in the off-season: using shooting calendars to improve team shooting
I'm a firm believer that keeping track of small incremental growth over a period of time helps to build confidence. It also helps people to stay focused on the process of continuous improvement rather than the end result. If you can get a little bit better each day, then you can reach your goal. Using a shooting calendar in the off-season provides this opportunity for players.
Free Throw Shooting: 5 tips for practice to help your team shoot better in games
Free throws are a key ingredient for any successful basketball team. In fact, in some games it may come down to a single free throw (or 3). Don't believe me? Check out this clip of Darius Washington Jr. missing 2 out of 3 free throws in a game that would've earned his team a NCAA Tournament spot.
You make the call…..Timeout or let them play?
COACHES: Do you call timeout or let them team play when your team grabs a rebound w/ under 10 seconds & you have a chance to win?
BOX OUT….or it may cost you!
BOX OUT....or it may cost you! "Under pressure you don't rise to the occasion – you sink to the level of your training" -Navy Seals Box Out! You have to Box Out! You guys aren’t boxing out! Someone didn’t box out! If we don’t box out, then it is going to cost us the game! BOX OUT! Does this sound… Continue reading BOX OUT….or it may cost you!
The Art of Rebounding: Teaching players when and how to rebound and kick
Decision making after a rebound is an important part of basketball and something that often gets overlooked. Teaching players when to finish and when to kick can make a huge difference in a game. This blog will provide detail on when players should think about rebounding and kicking.
Hustle Plays: The most important stat that often gets overlooked
Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens once said, "Be great at things that take no talent.” This is something I always believed in as a coach, but highlighting this for the entire team was a challenge. Hitting the the floor for a loose ball, taking a charge, sprinting back on defense, and boxing out are all examples of "things that take no talent". I decided to track stats that might not take talent, but required a lot of heart and determination. To me, these stats are the difference in a close game and are especially important when you make it to the state tournament.
Wide Receiver 101 Part VII: Advanced tips to gain separation and get open
Wide Receiver 101 Part VII Advanced tips to gain separation and get open July 20, 2018 "If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way" Napoleon Hill Written by: Jon DeMarco Wide Receiver 101 Overview In this 7-part blog series, Wide Receivers 101, I am going to share with… Continue reading Wide Receiver 101 Part VII: Advanced tips to gain separation and get open
Wide Receiver 101 Part VI: Stemming Routes
Wide Receiver 101 Part VI (Advanced) Stemming Routes July 13, 2018 "If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way" Napoleon Hill Written by: Jon DeMarco Wide Receiver 101 Overview In this 7-part blog series, Wide Receivers 101, I am going to share with you what it takes to… Continue reading Wide Receiver 101 Part VI: Stemming Routes
Wide Receiver 101 Part V: Stalk Blocking
The stalk block is the most difficult, yet maybe the most rewarding block to make in football. However, I do not see it highlighted nearly enough. This blog will provide you with the basics of stalk blocking, including drills you can do.
The Importance of Fundamentals in Basketball: 7 skills every player must learn
A quick read on the importantce of teaching the fundamentals of basketball and the 7 skills every player must learn.
Wide Receiver 101 Part IV: Releases
Wide Receiver 101 Part IV Releases "If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way" Napoleon Hill Written by: Jon DeMarco Wide Receiver 101 Overview In this 7-part blog series, Wide Receivers 101, I am going to share with you what it takes to be a wide receiver in… Continue reading Wide Receiver 101 Part IV: Releases
Wide Receiver 101 Part III: Catching
This blog includes the fundamental aspects of catching a football, including key points that will help receivers take their game to the next level.
Wide Receiver 101 Part II: Basics of route running
Wide Receiver 101 Part II Basics of Route Running "If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way" Napoleon Hill Written by: Jon DeMarco Wide Receiver 101 Overview In this 7-part blog series, Wide Receivers 101, I am going to share with you what it takes to be a wide… Continue reading Wide Receiver 101 Part II: Basics of route running
Wide Receiver 101 Part I: Stance and Start
In this 8-part blog series, Wide Receivers 101, I am going to share with you what it takes to be a wide receiver in today’s game, including the attention to detail that is required to become an elite receiver. Stance and start is something that every receiver should do well. This is why my first WRs 101 blog is going to focus this important skill.
The Great Game Changer: Everything you need to know about taking a charge in basketball
As a head coach, I always stressed the importance of being a team player and nothing showed this more than a player putting their body on the line to take a charge for the good of the team.
Preparation Meets Opportunity: The Benefit of Using Live Game Situations in Practice
In this blog I will share with you the importance of practicing live game situations and provide some examples that worked well for us during our 2017 state tournament run. If you are a dedicated coach and your team is still alive in the tournament, or even if it isn't, you will want to check out this blog. Let me know your thoughts!
Benefits of Playing 3v3 in Practice
Playing 3v3 in practice is becoming much more widely accepted and popular in the coaching community, but why the sudden shift? In this blog I'll take you through the many benefits of using 3v3 in practice and explain why coaches are embracing it as an important player and overall team development tool. As you'll notice in the poll below, many coaches do not play 3v3 as often as they would like in practice, but I do envision this blog will help shed light on the many opportunities coaches have to incorporate it into practice.
GetBetterEveryDay 