Planning practices

One of the biggest advantages great coaches have over the others (besides better players!) is their practice planning. Here are a few ideas one should consider in planning your practice schedule.


Maintain a positive atmosphere in which players will look forward to practice and play with enthusiasm. Plan every practice carefully. There is a direct correlation between how you practice and how you will perform at game time. Make drills competitive whenever possible. Work harder than your competition. Instill a great work ethic in your athletes. The best way to get players to play hard in practice is to ask them to do challenging drills. Keep a quick practice tempo; no walking on the floor. Our players must believe that they work harder than everyone else so that they feel that they deserve to win.

• A general practice breakdown could be 50% fundamentals, 25% team offense, and 25% team defense. Shooting should be worked on every day. When working on the team aspects of the game do not rely only on scrimmaging! Execution is often improved best through 5 on 0 and breakdown work.
• Correct mistakes. We can get an edge on the competition paying great attention to detail. Uncorrected errors and poor effort are condoned by you in the eyes of the players.
• Teach new concepts in the early stages of practice.
• Use repetition so that every player understands what we are trying to accomplish.
• Use short, intense drills that simulate game conditions, emphasize concentration and demand execution.
• Conditioning is essential, since most games are decided in the fourth quarter. Design practices that condition players throughout the entire practice rather than only at the end.