The Laughing Coach

The Laughing Coach Episode 4

“The Laughing Coach”

In the present moment, offering help for seeing March Madness clearly. A playful guide to enjoying the game from an irreverent view of an experienced basketball coach.

My goal is to help you to see the game from fun new angles and to light – up the Madness for you in the process. May it be refreshing for you to experience a completely different view than those relying on acronyms such as “Quads”, “NET”and what I refer to as “Dumb-Alytics”. (to be further looked at in the future)

episode 4

“All Those Beautiful Bricks”

plus, “Good defense or Bad offense”

“They are standing still not moving”. These were the words spoken to me. “I thought you’d notice that” was my response.

Two days ago I received this phone call from one of my former players, “B”, who was a terrific shooter from a championship club team I coached 5 years ago in Germany. He called from NYC where he works now in a great job. We had stayed in touch via text messages. He had watched a few NCAA men’s games for the first time this season as the Madness was in full swing. I had asked him to let me know his observations.

Next came from “B” , “They shoot so many air balls!” “What’s going on coach?”

My response, “Modern basketball style, new approaches to the game.” “You always taught us to move without the ball and I can remember no more than one air ball a game by the team.” Said “B”.

Indeed, I share with him, that my friend and I can only shake our heads and chuckle at it as we watch many games.

“What was that?” exclaims my coaching friend as we watch a game, “I think it was a shot believe it or not” is my response. “What’s going on?” “Is gravity different now than it used to be?” he laughs as we have now seen two consecutive air balls, one at each end of the court. The norm used to be maybe two or three air balls a game, now as viewers watch NCAA games they are treated to 10 air balls a game or 10 shots a half that are barely scraping the rim or are, indeed, “Oxygen balls.”

The only way we can cope with it is to see it as the comedy circus it has become. “Do they practice shooting these on purpose?”, we ask each other. We each recall form our playing days that in practice or playing we, perhaps, shot 3 air balls total in all of our entire years of playing basketball. “It takes skill to do those air balls” is all I can suggest. “They must practice them a lot.” Most of them are open shots not closely defended.

No doubt, you too, as a viewer can appreciate the new “air – iness” brought to the game.

This then takes us to the latest fad in men’s college basketball which is demonstrated often by at least half of the teams seen this season on tv – “Standing is Offense” seems to be the new creed. The question that occurs is “How’s that going for you coach?” Do you remember when your team scored 5 points in 11 minutes?

Again and again and again,we see games where both teams are struggling to reach 20 points before half time ! “Are you kidding? “ Those are the words my friend and I can stir up as we laugh. On numerous occasions we have seen teams with 10 points or less with less than 10 minutes left in the half. All of this is a new phenomenon. It’s as if nature has now created a plenitude of new creations which used to be rare. It’s akin to when astronomers and astro-physyicists announce to us the discovery of new forms of galaxies not seen before. What do our brilliant game analysts on tv proclaim and tell us is the cause of these comical 22-21 halftime scores?

Mostly they tell us of the “good defense” , what we hear of offense is shooting percentages. But why do these percentages exist ?

Herein, myself and my coaching colleague posit a different thesis than good defense . “It’s the bad offense.”

I begin by pointing out, (as I did to my players I coached) a “law of the basketball universe” –

“It’s not difficult to guard a player who is standing still.” I suppose that is not a difficult concept for any viewer to comprehend. Said another way, “A statue is not hard to guard”. Through your tv telescope used for watching the basketball game universe today it could be noted that “dynamic” offense of today involves 4 players standing still and one player putting on a dribbling exhibition.

Now then, “Spacing” is important in basketball offense but “standing in outer space” is clearly ineffective as demonstrated by these frequent terrible offensive displays. The scores tell the story. (dumb-alytics take note) Of course, yes, there are often times when only 3 players are frozen in outer space. The other two attempt the obvious pick and roll. From the dribbler there do come some tosses to the statues who then entertain us with “oxygen” balls and shots skipping off the rim’s edge or the side of the backboard. These frequent displays in each game certainly do provide a wondrous contrast to make it more beautiful and spectacular when some teams do “shoot the lights out” on occasion. It’s like getting treated to a delicious meal now and then after having nothing but bad slop.

Above all, as we watch, it’s fun to keep in mind that standing still, combined with inconsistent or poor shooting and sloppy passing, plus over-dribbling is a recipe for losing even if a team plays good defense at the other end of the court.

Consider Hall of Fame coaches of the past speaking of offense: “Offense is ball movement” . “Offense is player and ball movement.” No wonder scores today by statue teams are sometimes lower than the IQ of an amoeba. Are you more eager than ever to analyze the games from a new telescopic lens ? We hope so. Laughs included.

Those shots banging off the backboard and rim are called “Bricks.” I had fun, not long ago, when coaching a men’s team who admitted to being ‘brick shooters” . Thus, I would stand in practice, as we did competitive shooting drills at each end of the court, calling out to them, “Behold all those beautiful bricks.” They loved hearing this. They embraced it. We admitted our team shooting was not splendid. The words were intended as encouragement to let them know I realized their limits and loved coaching them anyway. We found the humor. We did not credit defense for our poor shooting. We had to humbly taste it. (and we had to try to score in our games with much movement and passing and joy)

Now just add dessert – combine the shooting woes and the statues with one more thing of beauty in the hoops universe, “The quality of your passing will determine the quality of your shot.” Then why do I find myself giggling and asking my buddy, “Where was he throwing that pass? as a player heaves a ball to the woman seated in the third row. Obviously, all of this makes mediocre defense look good and makes good defense look spectacular. That is, until they face those teams few and far between who move the ball and players incredibly well, in a beautiful ballet, a team with one mind. Note the quote below from Dean Smith and may you watch for it manifesting in future viewing.

As you view the beautiful NCAA games may you appreciate how remarkable an achievement it is to shoot so many airballs and rim- scrapers ! May you enjoy “All those beautiful Bricks.”

May you also savor the game played smartly and well by some of the Final Four teams.

“Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat.” Dean Smith, Hall of Fame Coach of North Carolina Tarheels.

The author is a graduate of UCLA during the John Wooden era who has five decades of coaching experience. This includes coaching high school young men’s championships in Southern California to coaching winning club teams in Germany including pro-players and, in between, also building winning teams from previous losing teams wherever he coached. He and his good friend have 80 years of combined coaching experience.

The Laughing Coach episode 3

“The Laughing Coach”

In the present moment, offering help for seeing March Madness clearly. A playful guide to enjoying the game from an irreverent view of an experienced basketball coach.

“From little things”

Beware of the BLOB. Be Aware of the BLOB.

“No way did that happen again ! “”Yes, my coaching buddy says, as we watch a late season game, “It did happen again ; they did let it happen again” We cannot control our laughter at the absurdity of this as well as the predictable nature of it. Now I invite you to join “The Laughing Coach” with some of your own laughs as well as you consider this further wildness of ways to lose or win amid the Madness time !

What we saw was a team scored easily, with one pass each time, on an inbounds play from underneath their basket. (often called a BLOB – baseline out of bounds play) Scoring on inbounds plays is not unusual. In fact, it is all too common. Which is partially why it’s a cause for laughter as we sit there expecting it , and exchanging thoughts such as “this will probably be a score” on many inbounds beneath the basket. In this instance it was the fourth time in the game that a team had used the exact same play to get a wide open shot with one pass inbounds. They scored on every play. Never did the opposing team make a change in their method of defending this. “What were they thinking?!” is a phrase my friend and I often share as we laugh after seeing the defense and the result. It is common to see games that include two or three easy scores by each team on inbounds plays under the basket. Teams have several excellent inbounds plays that are difficult to defend. Anyone seeing a score happen four times using the same play would be hard pressed not to laugh. On the other hand, it surely was not a laughing matter for the team that lost the close game after giving up those buckets that might have been prevented.

Most often these inbounds plays result in two point baskets as a result of a lay-up, a lob pass or a 8 foot shot, but wide open three pointers are not rare.

The “point” , of a different sort , is the following: games are won , or lost, by what some might call “little things”. Often we focus on the spectacular dunk as the winning moment, or the last second desperate , exciting shot and these do make for excitement.

What is shared here is meant to open new dimensions for you to see. Watch for the inbounds plays. You might enjoy being alert for the “little thing” to see how many times either team scores. It’s another “hidden” fun moment that may bring even more excitement to watching the wild March Madness – and may bring you some laughs as well, especially if you saw the potential bucket before it occurs for the second time. Baskets off of baseline inbounds plays in the final few seconds of a game have led to thrilling wins and tearful defeats but it might be more significant to keep an eye on whether easy baskets were scored earlier in a game on inbounds plays so that no last second buzzer beater basket was necessary !

Keep in mind that there is a solution for more effectively defending the inbounds play under the basket from giving up lay-ups but teams are reluctant to employ it. This leads to more laughter by my friend and I as we see buckets scored on inbounds. Just the fact this useful strategy is seldom used makes it more effective. I must confess that one time this season I did hear an expert commentator suggest a team try this “solution.” Herein, I shall not reveal more since coaching remains a passion for me.

Indeed, most fans recognize the little things that are important for winning games : make lay-ups, make free throws, do not make sloppy passes that lead to turnovers, do not take bad shots. However, there remain other, significant, ”‘hidden” little things that can make a huge difference in winning or losing a game. Perhaps in coming games, they will also connect you with laughter amidst the enjoyment of the wonderful sport.

“It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen” John Wooden.

The laughing coach 2

“The Laughing Coach”

In the present moment, offering help for seeing March Madness clearly. A playful guide to enjoying the game from an irreverent view of an experienced basketball coach.

Episode two ! – “This did not go well”

A phrase often heard as games are watched by us two coaches is, “This did not go well”, said with a light – hearted chuckle. I cannot help letting this sentiment burst forth as we knew, in all likelihood, this would be the result before this poorly conceived particular basketball action was initiated or the shot was hurled forth after an off-balance pass.

Now , Let’s go ! Let’s leap, let’s fly into the wonderful ways to appreciate the March Madness games. There will be noticed, even if you watch semi-attentively whilst petting your dog, watering your plants or achieving something at work, many suddenly different actions at key moments of the games. There is a particular pattern, repeated over and over as if it has been dictated as a “rule.” Herewith, it is pointed out to watch for this in the final minute before halftime of each game presents itself.

There inevitably comes what I call the “stand and dribble” at mid-court exhibition as the final 30 seconds wind down to halftime. The purpose is to hold the ball for the final shot in the final seconds before the half. Four players stand stationary ; one player dribbles near mid-court. Occasionally this ends with a swish of a long three point, desperate shot attempt made by the dribbler at the buzzer. On rare occasions the dribbler, attacking towards the basket beginning with 8 seconds left until halftime (the defense knows this is going to happen !) scores a sensational leaning shot. Most often this strategy ends in a heaved off-balance shot or an unsuccessful shot taken with two or three defenders gobbling up the dribbler who attempted a Meadowlark Lemon (reference Harlem Globetrotters) imitation. This increases our shared laughter that had already begun and out comes the phrase “Oops, this did not go well ” spoken without surprise. Having shared this excitement, it is hoped that you will be anticipating seeing the gobbling or the sensational rare made basket and joyful celebration on court.. It’s all part of the wild wonderful Madness. And, hey, those once in a while made shots create points that sometimes are the difference in the final score.

Only on one occasion this season (certainly we did not see ALL games) was seen set play for a nice shot done in this situation – Vanderbilt U. executed it well for an open jump shot.

Of course, having seen this extremely popular dribble dribble toil and dribble tactic fail miserably many times, an observer wonders if anyone is paying attention to the result or is this just conformity amongst the “tacticians.”

Now we move to – “Will they do it ?”

Indeed, this is another fascinating permutation of the above moment taken to the thrilling moments of amazing games. Keep a lookout for “Will they do it ?” The anticipation of it is as “fun” as the action itself.

We are watching a game, near the end of the regular season, well played by both teams. There have been well executed plays, super steals, flashy spin moves, some long three point shots made and several air balls. Now we find ourselves swept into the question that inevitably grins at us mischievously – Will they do it?

It’s a story book tale of the underdog (Team C) playing great. They are leading the highly ranked (highly seeded) Team A, by 12 points with only 5 minutes remaining in the game. The crowd is roaring with excitement about the impending upset. A time out is called by team C.

We laugh together at the same time because, from seeing previous games, we know the likely answer to “will they do it?” Team C, underdog, has been unstoppable on offense the last five possessions of the ball ! With great passing and cutting they scored five consecutive easy lay-ups. The time out is over. Team C now has the ball and the lead and we witness that they are “doing it” ! They have discarded the successful method of scoring ! What ? ! They are now employing the “dribbling exhibition” at mid-court. The ball handler dribbles back and forth, others stand still the clock winds down – they fail to score. The Team A scores quickly at the other end. Team C surely will discard the dribbling tactic and return to what was so successful for them. My friend, in these game situations always saying, “Why stop doing what was working so well ?”

Needless to say, the underdog team C fails to score again and again and their confidence disappears (recall, “This did not go well”) while team A roars to a comeback victory. Journalists, will report that the highly ranked team performed a magnificent rally. What we have seen is , in fact, a demonstration of handing a gift to Team A.

There, of course, is an alternative. Some teams with such a nice lead, or even with only a 3 or 4 point lead, run down the clock with a delay game of consistent cutting moving and looking for an easy lay-up at any moment versus the desperate defenders. It’s beautiful when done well. Obviously, it’s an “old school” thing and not as stylish as the current dribbling fetish. All of these possibilities will be fun to spot, fun to see as we all wonder “ will they do it?”

May you bathe in the Madness spirit and enjoy your bracket victories or the victory of your alma mater !

The laughing coach

“The Laughing Coach”

In the present moment, offering help for seeing March Madness clearly. A playful guide to enjoying the game from an irreverent view of an experienced basketball coach.

Episode one ! “pass is not a pass.”

My friend, also an experienced coach with decades of coaching experience, and I, are laughing as we watch another exciting NCAA men’s college hoops game. We enjoy predicting the silliness as it is about to occur. We have seen it often whilst watching hundreds of games. Here comes the modern version of the fast break ! The ball dribbled down the middle 3 versus 2 with tall defenders waiting in front of the basket. Will the dribbler pass the ball ? No way ! He drives straight into the defenders who are anxiously waiting happily to greet him. When he arrives within three feet of them he attempts a lay-up which is summarily blocked by the defenders. This used to be considered a bad shot. It could land you on the bench next to the coach if done more than once. At any rate, the blocked shot leads to an opposition player with the ball going rapidly towards the other end of the court and pulling up for a 3 point shot without ever making more than one pass or no pass at all. The three point shot, more often than not, barely grazing the rim. We are laughing again. This kind of “rim grazer” shot, we notice has become so often an occurrence in games that my buddy and I wonder if there is a new rule giving one point for a long shot that touches the rim ? Perhaps the players shooting these rim grazers believe it is so ? Or are they prisoners of dumb-alytics.

Historical context may be helpful. Passing the ball during a 3 on 2 fast break used to be what was taught – and what was effective. Now the tactic is dribble head down until you crash into Goliath(s) and “passing to a teammate” – what’s that ? There used to be a word for this , “selfish.” Now we enjoy it as entertaining and worth laughing at as what does not work is repeated again and again.

A case in point. Another fun tactic in the beautiful game. A tactic that is seen frequently now and was seen less in the past. The “dribble off of your foot” strategy. This is worth multiple laughs as this mistake is repeated frequently. “ Do what works”is sometimes not the mantra that comes to mind in watching the games. As you view games may you enjoy the predictable excitement of this one ! The player dribbles hard from the wing position to the baseline short corner area. (often nearer the basket than the corner)This often leads to disaster for the offense when done against a good or even decent defensive team. The dribbler has hopes of scoring or making the predictable, easily defended pass to the opposite corner. Two things, filled with delightful action. often occur upon the dribbler getting stopped along the baseline near the basket – he dribbles off of his foot (usually seen multiple times a game) or the dribbler is forced to stop his dribble, gets flustered by defenders, has no easy passing option and loses the ball unless he manages to make a pass back out to the wing area. In my practices I call this dribble into that spot “the dribble into the valley of death.” Normally this leads to stopping the action at that point in practice and asking the obvious question, “Why did you dribble there ?” “What good thing did you think would happen?” Ah yes, there are times when this dribble is effective but take note as you watch, it’s more effective if the ball has been passed side to side to side.

This brings us to a phrase from the great Princeton coach Pete Carril, “A pass is not a pass when it is made after you’ve tried to do everything else.” Or try this one from Coach Carril as well, “Keep your dribble. Use it when you’re going to do something useful.” This is an old school idea. In today’s entertaining, action game see how often players dribble first the instant they catch the ball – and then take turns dribbling, head down,often without obvious purpose. Oops, note the shot clock. Note the teams who move the ball quickly side to side and who pass accurately. Often they are the winning teams. May you enjoy the beautiful ballet of the wonderful sport ! May you also have plenty of laughs along the way.