Philosophy of Coaching  - Coach Jeremy McDonald

Program Foundations

• Provide a positive and rich environment to all student-athletes by being supportive, efficient and focused on reaching individual and team goals.

• Continuous professional development for all coaches – READ every day, attend clinics regularly.

• Everyone in the Northview Wildcats’ basketball family will conduct themselves with class.

• No profanity – coaches or players.

• “We before me” attitude for all players and coaches.

General Philosophy

• The total program – practices, games, team events and trips – will be organized and structured.

• All players and coaches will abide by the C.A.T.S. core values of our program (see attached).

• All players will focus on family and academics first.

• I will be incredibly “approachable” to all student-athletes and their families.

• We will seek to develop our players so they have the opportunity to reach their potential as a basketball player and student.

• Technique and fundamentals will be stressed at practice every day.

• We will be in better condition than any opponent we face all season.

• We will practice and play with a great deal of enthusiasm.

Defensive Philosophy

• We will be predominately a man-to-man team with the following defensive rules:

1. No breakaways

2. No middle drives 

3. No uncontested or rhythm shots – close out high, hard and vocal

4. Move when the ball is in AIR-TIME

5. No direct passes into the post

6. Finish the job with clean (2 hands) rebounds

• Man-to-man defense will be taught “WHOLE-PART-WHOLE” with daily breakdown drills.

• Pressure defense and zone defense will be a secondary part of our repertoire.

• Passion and aggression are keys to defense – defense must be a PRIORITY, not a chore.

• Technique and fundamentals cannot be overlooked.

• Create offense from our defensive pressure AND by finishing the job (clean rebounds) to get out in transition.

Offensive Philosophy

• We will play fast, but not in a hurry.

• Offensive schemes will predominantly consist of our Motion offense with several quick-hitters that flow into the offense - I am not a “Set Play” guy.

• We will play to our talent and athleticism (i.e. if we are very athletic, we will not play a slow-down style and vice versa).

• We will play inside-out – the ball must get inside first, either through penetration or a post feed.

• We will take good, quality shots.

• We will attack the offensive glass.

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The Importance of PREPARATION

“The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win.”

-Vince Lombardi

“Preparation is the unseen grind that produces the biggest plays under the brightest lights.” Preparation:

1. Trumps pressure

2. Fuels confidence

3. Becomes your separation

-Kevin Eastman, retired NBA basketball coach and motivational speaker

“Preparation is about BEING THERE before you get there.”

-Anonymous

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”

-Malcolm X

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

-Abraham Lincoln

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Shots We Want!

-Shot Rating Chart

-Shots rated A thru F

-We want A’s and B’s

A’s 

-Open lay-ups

-2-foot take-offs in the box

-Free throws

B's

-Contested lay-ups

-Kick-out three-pointers

-Controlled shots in the paint

C’s 

-Open dribble-pull-ups

-Outside-outside three-pointers (open)

-Fade-aways (controlled) in the paint

-Inside-out J’s from 21 feet or deeper

-Highly contested lay-ups off one foot

D's 

-Contested mid-range jumpers

-Floaters off one foot

-Fade-away mid range jumpers

-Out of rhythm three-pointers (open)

F’s: NEVER SHOOT! (Unless end of clock)

-Shots YOU never practice

-Off-balance or fade-away three pointers

-Running jump shots (aka Runners)