When running basketball tryout drills, try to have a few drills running at once to take the pressure off the players.  Not only will that give you a chance to examine multiple players at once, it will also give each player a chance at each type of drill.  Also, if players are attempting an unfamiliar drill in front of peers and coaches, there is a chance that even the most skilled, composed player will crack under the pressure.  You don’t want to be missing out on a great addition to your team just because of a poorly managed tryout.

Additionally, when you’ve finished running a series of basketball tryout drills make sure to reserve at least 15 minutes at the end of the tryout for a small scrimmage.  You’ll need to be able to see your players in action in a real-time game simulation in order to determine whether they’ll be the right fit for your team.

When observing the players, especially during the scrimmage, watch for their conduct amongst each other as well as how they treat you and any other members of your coaching staff.  I have passed over many skilled players because they did not possess the necessary team player positive attitude required for anyone on my team.

Technorati Tags: strengths, weaknesses, shooting, passing, dribbling, basketball tryout drills, drills, drill, tryout, basketball

Free basketball tryout plays are great for coaches because these plays allow a coach to kill two birds with one stone: check out the abilities of the players and see how well each of the players can follow directions.

Of course the coach first must explain what basketball tryout drill he/she wants the players to run. After explaining the play to the players, anyone who doesn’t run the play correctly either isn’t a good listener or doesn’t comprehend the game well. Either way, not running the play right isn’t a good sign for the player.

Then when the players run the play, a coach can take a look at the abilities of each of the players on the basketball court. Of course it’s not during a real game situation or even a scrimmage but players who have skill will shine brighter than players who don’t, even during a basketball tryout play.

One of the free basketball tryout plays that can run requires two offensive players and two defensive players.  One offensive player will start with the ball at the top of the key. The other offensive player will begin on the wing. The defenders will D-up.

The offensive player without the ball will come over and set a pick for the ball handler. The defender covering the man without the ball should be yelling “pick, pick” to let the other defender know a pick is coming. Then the ball handler should use the pick to get himself free of the defender. The other defender should pick-up the ball and “switch” should be yelled. Then the man setting the pick should roll off and run to the basket. The defender, for the purpose of the drill, should let him go. Then the ball will be passed down low and a lay-up should be made.

This drill practices dealing with a pick on defense, it shows how well players move their feet on defense, it practices the pick and roll on offense, and it shows a players ability to pass, receive a pass, and shoot a simple lay-up. The play is also somewhat complicated but not so much so that a player can’t understand what is happening.

Free basketball tryout plays are great because they allow a coach to evaluate many parts of a player by just teaching the team a couple simple plays. One of the great free basketball tryout plays uses the pick and roll and involves 2 players on offense and 2 players on defense.

Technorati Tags: basketball, coaches, plays, free basketball tryout plays, drill

Here are my some of my favorite basketball drills (for this year and this team) right now:

Rebounding drill: Shell block out drill with shot taken but the rebounders only need to block their guy so well that the ball falls down in front of them.

Loose ball drill: I love this drill to get the aggressive attitude going. Put the ball in the jump ball circle. Divide the team with half at one baseline and the other half at the other baseline. Blow the whistle and then the two players first in line go after the ball aggressively. The one gets it is on offensive. They then play one on one until the offense scores or coach blows the whistle.

Free throw drill: I do this in the middle of practice.

Have everybody line up around the free throw lane. One person shoots two free throws. If he makes them both no running. If he misses any of the two, it is one down and back (or killer) for the entire team for each miss. Once done, it’s back on the line for another 2
free throws for the next person. Go through the entire team. Gets them concentrating and also learn how to shoot free throws when they are tired.

Technorati Tags: basketball tryout drills, basketball, drill

Most of the time, you will not be utilizing cuts in elementary ages, however you could. It really depends on logistics; the spaces available for a team.

What are some do’s and don’t for announcing cuts after basketball tryouts?

The only true don’t is to ignore the sensitivity of the issue.

For instance, one don’t is to state that because of a players size or build that they can’t be on the team. This is actually discrimination and though it may be true, is actually illegal if your program does receive any government funding at all. It’s also just not in good taste to do this. This can run the gamut from an overweight child that you fear for his health on the team in pushing himself, or a skinny child that you may feel can’t hold his own. Realize that your perceptions of both youth may be very wrong; and the heavy child may be very athletic and strong and the skinny child may be stronger than the bulky kids; however, this is a huge “no-no” to mention anything physical.

Realize when you make a cut the child will probably be devastated as will the parent; if your announcements are made publicly the cut youth will be surrounded by whoops and hollers from celebratory youth and parents who have made the team. Be sensitive.

Here are some guides to help you with not only sensitivity but with parent questions if they arise (and they probably will)

1.       Keep a log, a paper trail of each child. Especially in a situation where you can’t always go from memory or when the cut is a thread between one child and another. Keep a log of where you feel the student needs work. Your log should be positive, even with the weaknesses. Instead of writing, “Can’t dribble” write “Needs work dribbling” and so on.

2.       Do not compare athletes. Never bring up, on paper or in verbal, how one child fares against another.

3.       Call, not make a large announcement, the youth who do not make the team before anyone else knows. For instance, if the final cut of team members is to be displayed in a school hallway on a Monday, do make calls over the weekend (enlist help if need be) to each child that tried out but did not make the team.

4.       When you make the calls, be sympathetic and encouraging.

5.       Have options for the youth that did not make the team; perhaps hold one or two seminars that they are invited to (have this ready) to increase their knowledge and invite them to try out the next year/season.

6.       If you must announce the cuts in public, do so with complete integrity and respect. Spend as much time speaking of the youth who are cut with the same verve’. Allow parents and spectators to know that the decision was very hard, and it went on a point system (or whatever system) and that many youth were extremely close to being either on or off, the team and that it was a very hard call, but one that was done through charting.

7.       In the end, be sure that regardless of being cut or not cut, each parent and athlete walks away knowing you are fair, that you care and that there are opportunities for all of the youth, not just the ones who made the team. This is also a good time to speak about sportsmanship and the importance of learning to be a good sport – on either side of the team fence.
 

Technorati Tags: basketball team, basketball tryouts

The fact of the matter is that as basketball
gets more competitive, tryouts and CUTS become
a necessary evil.

If you are coaching at a level where basketball tryouts
“come with the territory”, here’s a tryout technique
that is worth its weight in gold:

*DOCUMENT YOUR BASKETBALL TRYOUTS*

Don’t just write down where you had them and who
attended.

You need to have a log of every kid who came out and
detailed notes on how they stacked up to their competition.

This is critical.

You know why?

It is your paper-trail in case your selections are ever
brought into question.

Quick Story–>

I had the ever so uncomfortable job of cutting the
Superintendents son 2 years ago.  He tried out for the
JV team and it was a train wreck from day 1.

Basically, he was far from being even “on the bubble”.

So- The kid gets cut.

I get a call from the Athletic Director the next day
(big surprise).

He takes a “what are you thinking cutting this kid tone”.

Luckily for me, I had a copy of my
“Team Selection Matrix” from the tryouts.

I developed my Team Selection Matrix years ago and use
it during EVERY TRYOUT.

The matrix makes the selection process more scientific,
and gives you a tremendous amount of credibility if your
picks are ever called into question.

And if you coach basketball long enough, trust me, it will happen!

This is why I’ve included an entire Bonus Book Devoted
to holding Basketball Tryouts with my Basketball Drills
& Practice Plans:

http://www.basketballpracticeplan.com/pk.php

The Bonus Book includes the basketball tryouts matrix,
you can print it out and use it yourself.

Bottom line: basketball tryout documentation is KEY!

Cheers,

Coach Pat

Technorati Tags: basketball, tryouts, BASKETBALL TRYOUTS

While I would be wary of selecting a player based purely on athleticism or size, many of my peers will be inclined to select players who they believe can become future stars.

My advice is to do what is best for your individual team’s goals.  If you are running a Freshman developmental program at a basketball powerhouse high school, cultivating talent and teaching fundamentals is part of your responsibility.  If you are focused on putting together the best possible team for a title run, you may choose to ignore potential in favor of immediate contribution. 

Announcing Your Cuts
The most difficult and stressful part of basketball tryouts is announcing your cuts.  This is something that must be handled tactfully and delicately.  Most of us can remember being cut from a team as a kid, and it is not a pleasant experience.

The key thing to remember with making cuts is feedback.  The Comments section in your Team Selection Matrix should be filled with specific suggestions on how each player should improve his game.  I would encourage you to meet privately with each cut player to discuss his strengths and weaknesses.  This can be done in person at the gym, or over the phone.  Explain clearly why he was not selected, and what he needs to work on to have a better opportunity of making the team next year.  This will also provide the Documentation that some schools require for all competitive team cuts.

Some coaches will prefer to simply post the team list in a public area, and have the hopefuls come by to see if they made the team.  If you choose this option, ensure that you encourage the cut players to approach you privately to discuss their specific development areas.

Technorati Tags: athletes, dunk, basketball, basketball tryouts

You can often spot the early warning signs of poor attitude or lack of coachability during tryouts.  Be sure to include plenty of hard work and defensive drills in your tryout plan.  Sometimes, these players will disqualify themselves when they realize the team will not just be fun and games.

Poor attitude can cause a cancer on your team.  It is important to identify early which players may pose potential problems.  If the problems are severe, I would not recommend that you select that player.  If the problems are minor, the player will require your close attention and guidance to prevent his attitude from defeating the team’s spirit.

Conversely, you may have players try out for your team who lack dominant skills, but have fantastic attitudes.  My personal opinion is that these players can be very valuable.  As discussed above, there are only so many minutes to go around, so some players will inevitably spend more time on the bench than others.  You want your bench players to be models of hard work and enthusiasm.  While they may not contribute during games, they can play an incredibly important role by pushing your starters to work hard and compete in practice. 

When filling the last 1 or 2 positions on my team, I would much rather have an underskilled keener than a talented troublemaker.

Technorati Tags: Basketball, sport

2-Position (Off Guard, Shooting Guard, SG)
On a 12 player team, you should have at least 2 off guards.  Your off guards will sometimes be called upon to handle the ball in lieu of the point guard, so they should also be comfortable in the open court under defensive pressure.  Shooting guards should be able to shoot the ball from the outside, preferably with three point range.  They should have the ability to score off the dribble, defend well, and finish on the fast break.

3-Position (Small Forward, SF)
On a 12 player team, you should have at least 2 small forwards.  These players should be versatile, with the ability to play either the off guard or power forward positions (but not necessarily both).  Small forwards will be called upon to score the ball, so they should have a variety of offensive skills.  They should be comfortable enough with the ball to help break full court pressure if necessary.  They should have shooting range from at least 15 feet.  Ideally, your small forward is a slasher, with the ability to beat his defender off the dribble and score in the lane.  He should also be able to move without the ball and get up the court to finish on fast breaks.
 
4-Position (Power Forward, PF) & 5-Position (Center, C)
I have grouped these 2 positions together because their skill sets at the high school level and below will generally be the same.  Power forwards and centers (or “post players”) are generally your tallest players.  You will need 4 or 5 of these players on a 12 player team.  They should be strong and physically aggressive, allowing them to defend against your opposition’s largest players.  Post players should be effective rebounders, with the ability to establish and maintain position under the basket.  The most effective post players will possess good footwork and soft hands.  They should be able to finish around the basket with heavy defensive pressure.  Shooting range and ballhandling ability are nice bonuses, but are by no means essential for post players.

Identifying the presence of these skills is best accomplished using a drill called “Stations” (included in my sample Basketball Tryout Plan).  Watch your players closely to determine if they have the skill set to fit the positions available on your team.

Technorati Tags: point guards, basketball strategy

However, be aware that there are only so many game time minutes to distribute amongst your team.  Many coaches fall into the trap of selecting too many players, only to have them become disgruntled over lack of playing time.  It is inevitable that some players will see the floor more than others, but be wary of bringing several players onto the team who have little or no chance of playing in the games.

For this reason, I would recommend a team size of 12 players for most teams at the high school level or below.  More advanced, competitive teams may select up to 15, but it is important to manage the playing time expectations for those players who will be at the end of the bench. 

Documentation
To ensure fairness in the tryout process, many teams have adopted a rule which forces coaches to document how and why they selected some players and cut others.  Look at this as an opportunity, not a useless paperwork exercise.  Documentation will force you to objectively evaluate each player based on a set of criteria that applies to everyone.  You will make better decisions, and choose a better team because of this.

I will provide you with those criteria, but it is up to you to refine them and apply them fairly.

Team Selection Matrix
Over the years, I’ve developed a useful Team Selection Matrix that will allow you to select your team with a fact based approach.  Here’s how it works:
• The players trying out are listed along the matrix from top to bottom
• The coach decides on 3 to 5 selection criteria
• The coach applies a weight to each selection criteria, depending on which factors are most important
• The players are graded from 1 to 10 on each criteria
• A total weighted score is calculated for each player by adding up the weighted scores from each criteria
• The coach uses this score to help him select the team

I’ve found that the following 3 Selection Criteria are effective in creating a successful team.  Feel free to apply your own Criteria, or weight them however you choose.

Technorati Tags: basketball, tryout, Team

There is no way around it- athletes, parents,
and coaches alike tend to have a bad feeling
in their stomachs before tryout day.

The fact of the matter is that as basketball
gets more competitive, tryouts and CUTS become
a necessary evil.

If you are coaching at a level where tryouts
“come with the territory”, here’s a tryout technique
that is worth its weight in gold:

*DOCUMENT YOUR BASKETBALL TRYOUTS*

Don’t just write down where you had them and who
attended. 

You need to have a log of every kid who came out and
detailed notes on how they stacked up to their competition.

This is critical. 

You know why?

It is your paper-trail in case your selections are ever
brought into question.

Quick Story–>

I had the ever so uncomfortable job of cutting the
Superintendents son 2 years ago. 

He tried out for the Freshman team and it was a train wreck from day 1. 

Basically, he was far from being even “on the bubble”.

So- The kid gets cut.

I get a call from the Athletic Director the next day
(big surprise).

He takes a “what are you thinking cutting this kid tone”.

Luckily for me, I had a copy of my 
“Team Selection Matrix” from the tryouts.

I developed my Team Selection Matrix years ago and use
it during EVERY TRYOUT. 

The matrix makes the selection process more scientific,
and gives you a tremendous amount of credibility if your
picks are ever called into question.

And if you coach long enough, trust me, it will happen!

This is why I’ve included an entire Bonus Book Devoted
to holding basketball Tryouts with my basketball Drills & Practice
Plans:

http://www.basketball-practice-plans.com/

The Bonus Book includes the basketball matrix, you can print it
out and use it yourself. 

Bottom line: tryout documentation is KEY!

Cheers,

Pat

Technorati Tags: Basketball Tryouts