ROUND TABLE 70 – WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACE DURING PRESEASON PRACTICE AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME IT? – EPISODE 1012

Welcome to the 70th edition of the Coach’s Corner Round Table on the Hoop Heads Podcast. Each episode of the Coach’s Corner Round Table will feature our All-Star lineup of guests answering a single basketball question.  A new Coach’s Corner Round Table will drop around the 15^th of each month.

October’s Round Table question is:  What is the biggest challenge you face during preseason practice and how do you overcome it?

Our Coaching Lineup this month:

• Jake Boyd – Luther College
• Jerry Buckley – Bishop Kenny (FL) High School
• Erik Buehler – Arapahoe (CO) High School
• Stephen Halstead – Grace College
• Dave Hixon – Amherst College
• Harri Mannonen – Author of “Complex Basketball Coaching: How to Make Basketball Practices More Effective”
• Dan Miller – San Marcos (TX) High School
• Matthew Raidbard – Author of “Lead Like a Pro”
• John Shulman – University of Central Arkansas
• Don Showalter – USA Basketball
• David Vogel – Ohio Wesleyan University

Please enjoy this Round Table episode of the Hoop Heads Podcast and once you’re finished listening please give the show a five star rating and review after you subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Be sure to follow us on twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Let’s hear from our panel about the biggest challenge they face during preseason practice and how they overcome it?

.

If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast.

THANKS COACHES!

If you enjoyed this episode let our coaches know by clicking on the links below and sending them a quick shout out on Twitter:

Click here to thank Jake Boyd on Twitter!

Click here to thank Jerry Buckley on Twitter!

Click here to thank Erik Buehler on Twitter!

Click here to thank Stephen Halstead on Twitter!

Click here to thank Dave Hixon on Twitter!

Click here to thank Dan Miller on Twitter!

Click here to thank Harri Mannonen on Twitter!

Click here to thank Matthew Raidbard on Twitter!

Click here to thank John Shulman on Twitter!

Click here to thank Don Showalter on Twitter!

Click here to thank David Vogel on Twitter!

Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

And if you want us to answer your questions on one of our upcoming weekly NBA episodes, drop us a line at mike@hoopheadspod.com.

We’re excited to partner with Dr. Dish, the world’s best shooting machine! Mention the Hoop Heads Podcast when you place your order and get $300 off a brand new state of the art Dr. Dish Shooting Machine!

Prepare like the pros with the all new FastDraw and FastScout. FastDraw has been the number one play diagramming software for coaches for years, and now with it’s integrated web platform, coaches have the ability to add video to plays and share them directly to their players Android and iPhones via their mobile app. Coaches can also create customized scouting reports,  upload and send game and practice film straight to the mobile app. Your players and staff have never been as prepared for games as they will after using FastDraw & FastScout. You’ll see quickly why FastModel Sports has the most compelling and intuitive basketball software out there! In addition to a great product, they also provide basketball coaching content and resources through their blog and playbank, which features over 8,000 free plays and drills from their online coaching community. For access to these plays and more information, visit fastmodelsports.com or follow them on Twitter @FastModel.  Use Promo code HHP15 to save 15%

Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job.  A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants.

The key to landing a new coaching job is to demonstrate to the hiring committee your attention to detail, level of preparedness, and your professionalism.  Not only does a coaching portfolio allow you to exhibit these qualities, it also allows you to present your personal philosophies on coaching, leadership, and program development in an organized manner.

The Coaching Portfolio Guide is an instructional, membership-based website that helps you develop a personalized portfolio.  Each section of the portfolio guide provides detailed instructions on how to organize your portfolio in a professional manner.  The guide also provides sample documents for each section of your portfolio that you can copy, modify, and add to your personal portfolio.

Hey, coach! Want to take your team to the next level this season? Introducing GameChanger, the ultimate game-day assistant with tools to give you a winning advantage. With GameChanger, you can track stats, keep score, and even live stream games, all for free! Get the stats and crucial game video you need to lead your team to victory, all from the palm of your hand. Coach smarter this season with GameChanger. Download GameChanger today on iOS or Android and make this season one to remember. GameChanger. Stream. Score. Connect. Learn more at GC.com/HoopHeads

TRANSCRIPT FOR ROUND TABLE 70 – WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACE DURING PRESEASON PRACTICE AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME IT? – EPISODE 1012

[00:00:00] Narrator: The Hoop Heads Podcast is brought to you by Head Start Basketball.

[00:00:21] Mike Klinzing: Hello and welcome to the 70th edition of the Coaches Corner Round Table on the Hoop Heads Podcast. Each episode of the Coach’s Corner Round Table will feature our all star lineup of guests answering a single basketball question. A new Coach’s Corner Round Table will drop around the 15th of each month.

October’s Round Table question is, What is the biggest challenge you faced during preseason practice, and how do you overcome it?

Our Coaching Lineup this month includes:

• Jake Boyd – Luther College
• Jerry Buckley – Bishop Kenny (FL) High School
• Erik Buehler – Arapahoe (CO) High School
• Stephen Halstead – Grace College
• Dave Hixon – Amherst College
• Harri Mannonen – Author of “Complex Basketball Coaching: How to Make Basketball Practices More Effective”
• Dan Miller – San Marcos (TX) High School
• Matthew Raidbard – Author of “Lead Like a Pro”
• John Shulman – University of Central Arkansas

• Don Showalter – USA Basketball
• David Vogel – Ohio Wesleyan University

Please enjoy this Round Table episode of the Hoop Heads Podcast and once you’re finished listening please give the show a five star rating and review after you subscribe on your favorite podcast app.

Be sure to follow us on twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod.

Hey, Hoop Heads, our friends at Dr. Dish Basketball are here to help your team train bigger and better this season with exclusive savings on the industry’s best shooting machine. Now until October 31st, get 3, 000 off the Dr. Dish CT Plus and experience first hand what the ultimate training solution is all about.

You can also follow their incredible content at @drdishbball on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Mention the Hoop Heads Podcast and save an extra $300 on the Dr. Dish Rebel, All Star, and CT models. Those are some great deals Hoop Heads.  Get your Dr. Dish shooting machine today.

[00:02:22] Korey Harris: Hi, this is Coach Korey Harris from the Beijing Royal Fighters CBA team. And you’re listening to the Hoop Heads Podcast. Let’s get into it.

[00:02:32] Mike Klinzing: Prepare like the pros with the all new Fast Draw and Fast Scout. Fast Draw has been the number one play diagramming software for coaches for years. You’ll quickly see why Fast Model Sports has the most compelling and intuitive basketball software out there.

For a limited time Fast Model is offering Hoop Heads Listeners, 15% off Fast Draw and Fast Scout. Just use the code HHP 15 at checkout to grab your discount and you’ll be on your way to more efficient game prep and improved communication with your team. Fast Model also has new coaching content every week on its blog, plus play and drill diagrams in its play bank.

Check out the links in the show notes for more. Fast Model sports is the best in basketball

Let’s hear from our panel about the biggest challenge they face during preseason practice and how they overcome it.

Jake Boyd from Luther College

[00:03:29] Jake Boyd: This is Jake Boyd, assistant men’s basketball coach at Luther College, answering this month’s Round Table question. What is the biggest challenge you face during preseason practice, and how do you overcome it?

One of our biggest challenges is simply maximizing our time. As a Division III, we get our eight NCAA days in the preseason. And though I’m sure this isn’t a challenge that’s unique to us, we are maybe a little unique in our large roster composition of 33 guys from eight countries and 12 states. So maximizing those eight days is critical in building connections both to our guys and amongst our guys as we go into the season.

One way we’re trying to overcome that is by splitting our practices into two groups. to allow us more individual repetitions as well as with as many different groups of guys as possible so we can build that chemistry on the floor while allowing us to interact with each player more as a coaching staff as well.

Another way is by leaning heavily on our leadership council to organize open runs, lifting sessions, and really maximizing our new guys experience by helping them individually on and off the floor. Those guys are huge for us in setting the tone for the season, and we’re incredibly thankful for the work that they do.

Thanks as always, guys, and again, congrats on the thousandth. I hope everyone gets off to a great start this week, and best of luck to everybody this season.

[00:04:58] Mike Klinzing: Jerry Buckley, Bishop Kenny High School, Jacksonville, Florida.

[00:05:05] Jerry Buckley: This is Jerry Buckley from Bishop Kenny talking about our biggest challenge in the preseason. Luckily, we don’t have too many challenges, but one of the things we do have to work with is getting in our gym. Our girls volleyball program is very strong.

Traditionally, they have a good chance to play in the Final Four every year, so they usually go to the gym. late into their season. So for us, it’s just really communicating with them and our girls program to make sure we have a good setup for our gym scheduling morning, afternoon, and night, whenever we can get in there.

There’s always a balance. You know, we want to make sure we’re providing opportunities for all of our players. We’ll typically have about 45 guys involved for our freshman, JV, and varsity team combined. in the preseason. So, making sure we have a balance where we’re building for the future, but also designating time for our varsity level guys to be in there and get gym time to be able to get enough shots up and things like that.

So, typically that’s our biggest thing as far as scheduling. And then communication. Obviously, staying in communication with everyone involved, the coaches of the other teams. Making sure our players and parents are aware of the schedule and if any changes we’re here in Florida. So obviously we’ve dealt with the storms over the last couple weeks.

Luckily, we haven’t had any major impact in our area, but we’ve had school canceled a couple times. You’re just making sure people are aware and then taking advantage of any opportunities we can get in there and leading into the start of practice.

[00:06:32] Mike Klinzing: Erik Buehler, Arapahoe High School, Centennial, Colorado.

[00:06:39] Erik Buehler: Hey, what’s going on Hoop Heads? This is Erik Buehler at Arapahoe High School. And this month we were asked what are some of the main challenges we face with preseason practices. And I have to go with facilities and just trying to find a way to be in the gym and get basketball working during the fall.

Obviously during the fall season you have volleyball and that’s their main time to be in the gym. Big schools here in Colorado, a lot of us have to also work with gymnastics. As well as sharing the gym with the other basketball teams in the school. Things like homecoming and assemblies and just all those activities is a challenge to find time to get your guys in the gym and work with them.

What we try to do is, obviously, we have to schedule around it. Sometimes we go really early, sometimes we have to go later at night, but we also try to have our guys focus on, you Doing the other things, getting in the weight room, being in the weight room, lifting weights, do speed and agility twice a week off campus with our guys, not only so they get different voices before the season starts, but also so that they’re just getting that bit of cross training in.

And then as well, we just, it really, really encouraged them to find a gym, find gym time on their own, get shots up, get to a spot where maybe they can use a shooting machine, things like that. That’s all I have this month. You guys, Have a good rest of your month and look forward to talking to you next time.

[00:08:05] Mike Klinzing: Steven Halstead from Grace College.

[00:08:10] Stephen Halstead: Mike, this is Steven Halstead from Grace College for your Round Table 70 question. What is the biggest challenge you face during preseason practice and how do you overcome it? I think one thing that we have seen this year is, You’re doing a lot of teaching, so you’re teaching and implementing things.

For our instance, for us, it was defense early on, and you’re not able to just continue to stay with that as you have to continue to implement other things in terms of. practice with offense and how other teams are going to guard things. And and I think one way that we overcome it is just continuing to find ways to circle back, whether it be a buildup drill right at the beginning of a defensive segment to reiterate what we were teaching back in week one, now in week three, and showing why that is still important for us.

And I think another way that we overcome any of those instances is through Whatever we’re trying to emphasize that day, we really put bonus in the scoring for that. So, for instance, if we are wanting to really get our guys to one, crash the offensive glass, and two, box out, I think we will implement a plus one for any offensive rebound in a drill.

So it’s just normal scoring and then a plus one for an offensive rebound. Another thing that we’ll do as we start implementing more of our motion and trying to get into our off ball stuff, throwing it to the elbow and doing some Princeton splits is anytime we score off of an off ball screen, we’ll add an additional bonus point.

So, it’s not taking everything away from them, but also trying to encourage them to use the actions that we’ve been working on.

[00:09:45] Mike Klinzing: Dave Hixon, Basketball Hall of Famer from Amherst College.

[00:09:52] Dave Hixon: Hey, Hoop Heads. Dave Hixson here, retired, Amherst College. Question number 70. Biggest challenge in preseason practice and how do you overcome it? I always found that the most difficult thing was deciding what you wanted to put in for the first game. You need to have a realistic plan. A well thought out plan.

Based on experience usually of what you can and can’t put in properly before your first game, what are the most important things for those first few games? You need to have patience. If you try to do things too quickly and, and, and rush them, we use an expression, if you put something in half ass, Then execution will be half assed in the game.

And so you need to put it in and you need to complete it. You need to make sure that your players understand it. So you need to be patient and then have a backup plan, plan B. So if you’re struggling to get something in that’s very important for those first few games, and you’re not getting it in and the kids aren’t getting it, you’re not getting it in the way you want to get it in.

So that you can execute it properly in the game. You need to have a plan B and plan B might just be to scale back some other piece that’s less important. That’s in that plan. And you know, I know in the old days we used to have seven or eight days to prepare for teams who had been out for two weeks longer.

And so we tried to put a lot of stuff in, but we never tried to put in more stuff than we absorbed. And so it’s just really important that the kids absorb it. You need to be patient, you need to have plan A, you need to have plan B. Good luck.

[00:11:26] Mike Klinzing: Harri Mannonen, coach and author from Finland.

[00:11:34] Harri Mannonen: The challenge in the off season is that you are going against your own team the whole time, like against your own teammates. So there’s no real, like, measurement whether you’re making improvement or not, whether you’re playing badly or not. Because no matter what happens, if you’re scrimmaging, Then it’s still your own team that’s winning.

And because you have a tendency to feel good about yourself, about what a nice job you’re doing, and you have a tendency to make the practices feel like fluid so that everybody’s feeling good about themselves. So this, this makes matters worse. I think the way around this is like being like really paranoid about what you’re doing, about whether it’s good enough what you’re doing, like really get the comp competition level up so that the intensity go, the intensity level goes up so that there’s nothing, nothing given, even if you’re going against your own team.

Its so that the intensity is so hard. Things will start emerging, things that you didn’t know that the players could do. And everything is like, so and so, on the edge of chaos the whole time. But somehow you still survive to mani still manage to survive.

[00:12:57] Mike Klinzing: Hey coaches, we know you’re invested in the next generation of athletes. So why not give them the star treatment this season with GameChanger, a free app that provides you with the tools to help your players improve, review game film, game stats, and cumulative season statistics with your team to keep playing.

Live stream your games for free and enjoy automatic highlight clips. Download GameChanger now on iOS or Android. GameChanger equips your team with the tools they need to stay engaged. Download it today and make this season one for the books. GameChanger. Stream. Score. Connect. Learn more at GC.com/hoopheads.

That’s GC.com/hoopheads.

Dan Miller, San Marcos High School in San Marcos, Texas.

[00:13:52] Dan Miller: The hard thing in the preseason is staying patient because You’re not a finished product as a basketball team, of course, until the winter months. So in the preseason you want to do a lot of exploration. You want to try some things that might not always be pretty on offense, but just to see if your team can handle that how that looks, maybe some different things on defense.

So I believe in the preseason, obviously, skill development, shooting, weight training are extremely important. But I also think as a coach, it’s time to It’s a good time to learn some things about your team, what you can and cannot do. So in the preseason, the product itself is not always going to look great, but what you always have to remember as a coach is you want to be playing your best basketball come conference play, district play.

So I think staying true to yourself staying true to the team on what we can do to figure out how we’re going to look then is a key in preseason.

[00:14:57] Mike Klinzing: Matthew Raidbard, author of Lead Like a Pro.

[00:15:04] Matthew Raidbard: Hey, Hoop Heads Nation, this is Coach Matt Raidbard back here with you for another Hoop Heads Round Table. This month discussing what is the biggest challenge you face during preseason practice and how do you overcome it? When I started thinking about this question immediately, the first thing that came to mind as the biggest challenge that I always felt as a coach was the integration of new players onto the team.

You know, bringing them up to speed with what your standards are, your expectations and integrating them into the team culture. That was always the biggest challenge, no matter how much vetting you did in the recruitment process, how well you build relationships with the new athletes, how much opportunity they had to work with and get to know your current players in the lead up to the preseason, there’s always that period of assimilation into the team and integration.

That can be a little difficult. That can be a challenge. Making sure those personalities mesh, make sure that everybody understands the difference between their previous team’s culture, standard expectations, and this one. So what do you do to overcome that? I think there’s a few things. Number one is, for me, is you empower the current leaders on your team to be able to not only be an extension of your voice with the standards and expectations and the setting of your team culture.

But to really take a leadership role in integrating those new players onto the team, making sure that they are held accountable. Making sure that they’re aware of the standards and expectations at all times, because they may be very different from what they previously were on their teams. And then making sure that they feel a part of the team.

You know, there’s a lot that coaches can do to make sure that the new athletes feel accepted and included. But so much of that, and it’s so powerful when that comes from the players themselves. So making sure and encouraging your team to do things together off the court, to do that community building, to make sure that nobody’s left out and nobody’s left behind.

Everybody feels included and part of the team moving forward. Because once you have everybody on the same page, which I think is that difficult part, Then you could really take off and start rowing in the right direction. But I always feel like that’s the challenge at the start of the season. It’s getting everybody integrated and on the same page, everybody up to speed in your standards and expectations, and then developing that strong leadership so that they take ownership of making sure that all of those new players are in line with everybody else who’s returning.

[00:17:37] Mike Klinzing: Don Showalter, USA Basketball.

[00:17:43] Don Showalter: Hi, Don Showalter here from USA Basketball. The question for this month is what’s the biggest challenge coaches face during preseason practice and how to overcome it? I think the first challenge you have is, is to gear your practice. Is how are you going to gear your practices to making sure you have enough time for some skill development, because I know you want to get a lot of your team stuff in, but you also have to have some skill development time.

So I think that’s a challenge that the coaches, all coaches face. Again, I think the, the other thing is you, you want to put a system in and you don’t know how much, time you have to establish a complete system. So you have to kind of pick and choose bits and pieces of your system to put in the preseason.

That’s another challenge and you’re not going to put everything in all at once. So I think you have to really sit down and and discuss with your assistants what, what you want to put in and how you’re going to put it in.

[00:18:48] Mike Klinzing: John Shulman from the University of Central Arkansas.

[00:19:00] John Shulman: This is John Shulman, Head Basketball Coach at the University of Central Arkansas. And the question for the month is, what are the biggest challenges that you have in preseason for preseason practice? I’ve got a couple. What to put in, when to put it in, How much do you want to put in? Do you want to be good at a few things or are you going to throw everything at them and then work on it through the year?

Knowing where you are in preseason. Having a plan. I think you do have to have a plan. What do you want to accomplish this week? And then next week, I think you have to have a plan, but you also have to be flexible enough to deviate from the plan. Hey man, we’re going to put in all of our under OB defenses Thursday, and you’re not pleased with anything else, then you may have to push it back.

You know, do you have to win that first scrimmage? You know, we’re getting ready to have a scrimmage in a week and a half. Do you have to win the first scrimmage? The answer is no. The key that first scrimmage is have enough in there, that you can kind of evaluate your team and then fix things afterwards.

The hardest thing is just knowing where your team is. And you really, no one really knows where their team is. The saying, you’re, you’re never as good as you think you are. You’re never as bad as you think you are is, is very true. So you just gotta stay with the process and keep, keep plugging away and keep doing what you’re doing.

And then, and then that first scrimmage, I think scrimmages are vital, whether you’re in college or high school or whatever. I think scrimmages are vital. And then take a look and, and fix what’s what you don’t like and fix it. Whether it be you’re doing a poor job on the glass or your execution’s bad, then fix it.

And then hopefully we all have enough time to do some fixing of it. But once again, your challenges are what to put in when to put it in, and how much do you want to put in that early? Do you want to be good at a few things or Be really good at a few things or be average at a lot of things and just continue to work on it through the year.

Kind of knowing where you are. Exactly know when you are and having a gut feel on what your team needs. Is your team exhausted? Do you need a teaching day? Do you need the bust them day? Do you we like busting our guys right before a day off. And you know, it is. It’s kind of a gut feel for you and your program and your team.

So these are the challenges we face. Having a plan and having a schedule helps a little bit, but you know, every team is different. When we were at Huntsville, we were teaching three guys, new offenses and defenses, and here, because we’re taking over a brand new program. We’re teaching 18 guys all this every single day, so it’s a little slower than we’re used to and that’s another challenge.

So everybody’s in a different time and a different place with your program and your team. We just keep on plugging and try to get better, a little bit better every single day. And think that’s probably the key and not lose sight that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Take care. Have a great year.

[00:22:34] Mike Klinzing: David Vogel from Ohio Wesleyan University.

[00:22:41] David Vogel: Hey everybody. This is David Vogel, assistant men’s basketball coach at Ohio Wesleyan University. Question for the month is what is the biggest challenge you face during preseason practice and how do you overcome it? Right now? We’ve got about six of our eight preseason practices under our belt and we’ve put in a good portion of our offense and now the guys are learning it and getting the reps and getting a little bit more comfortable.

We’re Now, one of our biggest challenges on the floor at least is to figure out not just how to run the offense and run what we want to do, but then execute it as well and take what the defense gives us. So, one thing of how we overcome it or how we work on it is just breaking it down five on O in the half court and in transition knowing where the, where you’re supposed to go, who you’re supposed to screen, et cetera.

And then we’ll do a lot of shooting drills in our offense. And then one of the biggest ways we overcome it is just let the guys play. Five on five half court, transition, let them figure it out in some low pressure environments right now in these preseason practices let them play against defense.

And then one big thing that we’re very lucky with is. Our upperclassmen are fantastic with teaching our new guys kind of what to do most of the time during practice. If, if somebody does something wrong or areas in the wrong spot, usually one of our upperclassmen is able to correct it. Those guys before our coaching staff, which is which is a huge blessing.

So that’s where we’re at Hopefully in a few months, this isn’t our biggest challenge and we’ll go from there. Thanks. Bye

[00:24:12] Mike Klinzing: Thanks for checking out this month’s Hoop Heads Podcast Round Table. We’ll be back next month with another question for our all-star lineup of coaches.

Your first impression is everything. When applying for a new coaching job, a professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching, achievements and philosophies. And most of all helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants, the Coaching Portfolio Guide is an instructional membership based website that helps you develop a personalized portfolio. Each section of the portfolio guide provides detailed instructions on how to organize your portfolio in a professional manner. The guide also provides sample documents for each section of your portfolio that you can copy, modify and add to your personal portfolio.

As a Hoop Heads Pod listener, you can get your Coaching Portfolio Guide for just $25. Visit https://www.coachingportfolioguide.com/hoopheads to learn more.

[00:24:59] Narrator: Thanks for listening to the Hoop Heads Podcast presented by Head Start Basketball.