That Basketball Life

 

 

 

 "Legends abound of the truly great leapers who could touch the top of the board. Almost always the feat involves money-claims that the player could grab a dollar bill off the top of the board, or could pluck off a quarter and leave two dimes and a nickel change… "I defy anyone to say they took change off the top of the backboard," Chamberlain said. "I could. Someone would put a quarter up and I'd snatch it down. I've heard stories about Jackie Jackson doing it, but I've never seen anyone (but himself) come close." Sonny Hill, a Philadelphia leaping legend of the '60s, backs Wilt, saying, "The only man that's been to the top, that's Wilt. I asked Kareem if he ever did, and he could jump a little bit. He told me, `Sonny, no." — Wilt Chamberlain Source: https://quotepark.com/quotes/1834844-wilt-chamberlain-legends-abound-of-the-truly-great-leapers-who-coul/

Shells are a great way to drill your team on defensive principles in a controlled yet game like situation.  Many coaches use them to help reinforce certain topics that the coach feels are important.  They are particularly effective when trying to teach your team how to play defense together.  It brings all of those defensive drills that you put your team through all year long together.  It promotes cohesiveness and shows how to rotate.  It is effective because you can control how you attack the defense thus allowing the defense to focus on the specific actions you want to cover with your team.  The question is are shells worth adding to your plans as a coach?  I think they are. My belief is that the teaching process is broken into 2 different categories.  The first one is skill acquisition and the second is skill application.  The difference between teaching offensive skills and defensive skills is that regardless whether you are teaching on ball, help side, rotations, or how to deal w

 After spending most of the last 30 years studying the game of basketball, I've discovered some nuances of the game of basketball that should not be ignored.  The one that I've garnered the most respect for is putting pressure on the opposition.  Many coaches interpret this as applying full court pressure and speeding up the game.  To me that is just one of the ways to put pressure on the opposition.  The best way to put pressure on the other team is when you have the ball.  To do this your team should be prepared to push the ball up the floor and put pressure on the other team from the time your team gins possession.  Many coaches look at offense as starting in the half court set once you cross half court.  In reality your offensive possession starts from the time your team gains possession of the ball through a rebound or an inbounds situation.  This is why we always have our kids run lanes after we gain possession and push the ball up the floor.  We do this to apply pressure