Those who can/can't Coach?? Should Coaches be ex-players?

[BlowJoggs]

So what is it, those who can play, coach or those who can't play, coach?

Who here that coaches is a capable player (either was or is)?

Does it help/hinder you if you're a good player yourself?

Do players respect someone that's able to do what is being asked of them?

Is it easier to explain things, when you, yourself are able to demonstrate it?

Those who coach, how would you describe your playing ability?

I'm very interested.

For the purpose of this thread, we'll only refer to coaching at ABA level or lower and not the NBL or other pros.

i got injured and started as assistant for my team, and liekd it and was good at it, so stuck with it....

[Essen]

I think there a certain advantages and disadvantages depending on your skill as a player. The obvious benefit is your understanding of the game in the minds of your players and I think when you start out, your players will respect you more.

However it's amazing how much respect you suddenly earn when you show them a dunk or some fancy dribbles. Especially with younger kids.

It's also important for a coach to be able to demonstrate certain things. One thing I've recently taught is how to draw fouls by extending your leg out gently and it can be difficult to explain should you not know how to show it.

My playing ability, is lets say, very low. Poor shooter, can't defend, passing is atrocious. Although I can dunk it, do a variety of dribbles and look nice in front of a camera 8)
I'm more of a street balla than a basketball player.

All in all, a good coach IMO needs passion and a good head on their shoulders.

i agree... when coaching aussie hoops, the kids loved it wen we did dunks. they really listened and did what we say, coz they want ot be like us...

[Coachpete]

I played for 20 odd years before I started coaching. Basketball was always my third sport (behind league and cricket) and I only played 1 season of reps. I did make it to Junior State level as a League player and had quite a successful career going until injury stepped in and put an end to footy. I then achieved high honours as a piss drinker and pot smoker drowning my sorrows and thinking what might have been for a few years. After getting that out of my system I went back to playing but realistically I never really had a shot at any sort of higher level (Those who know me know my body type isn't really suited for basketball. Even at my peak of footy fitness....5'11 and 105kg isn't good for much but rubbing people out on screens :wink: )
Still....I have always been a student of the game and I do have an insight on what it takes to reach the top as an athlete and I've never been in a situation where I've felt that lack of high level play has hindered my coaching career. If you put in the work to know your stuff you get the respect from the players.

[MAIN_MAN]

Coach u prefer league and cricket over roundball ? :wink:

As for myself i've always been a player and i love the game it's that simple...however coaching is very special and very rewarding and it's a thrill to pass on your knowledge of the game to the younger ones.

[Blind Teddy]

I think some people struggle with the concept of Teaching to game time coaching.
Far too much laboratory work being put into a simple game.
Being able to show kids what is expected of them is the only way to go. That way they truly believe that you are not asking them to do something that they may consider to be impossible.

[Wallitron]

I played competitively for about 15 years, only at club level, no reps though in hindsight I probably should have. I'm too short for basketball at 5'10, but assuming I was a bit fitter I could do any drill asked of a junior rep team.

What many people don't realise when watching coaches in the NBL, is that the game is only a small part of coaching, an important one, but small.

Training is more important at the junior level. Junior players don't do that much learning during a game, just minor adjustments and reinforcement of previously learned aspects.

Training can also be broken down into individual and team skills. With juniors doing individual skills is really tough, it's hard to keep everyone occupied, and instruct on the fly. This as an inexperienced coach I find this the hardest. You can always pick experienced coaches by how well they address individual aspects during team orientated drills.

I believe the main benefit of being a capable player first is being a game coach. The second biggest advantage is for individual skills teaching, especially for bigs which is why you see so many ex bigs as assistants. Third is team strategy.

The really successful coaches seem to have a special vision for what works on a basketball court. Being able to pick the teams strengths and opposition weaknesses and then have the knowledge to exploit them. I'm not sure how much of that is natural talent, experience or hard work. I hope some of it is experience or hard work, because I don't have it yet. :)

[Coachpete]

Coach u prefer league and cricket over roundball ?

Didn't say I preferred them........I was just much better at them :wink:

[BlowJoggs]

Coaches: can you demonstrate things like correct ball handling, shooting technique, defensive stance, etc.

Eg, do you yourself shoot well and with correct technique? Can you dribble well enough to demonstrate your point? Is it possible to coach without being able to demonstrate these things?

Coaches: can you demonstrate things like correct ball handling, shooting technique, defensive stance, etc.

Eg, do you yourself shoot well and with correct technique? Can you dribble well enough to demonstrate your point? Is it possible to coach without being able to demonstrate these things?

yip, i can do most of the fundamentals better then the players hahaha, shame they have this one advantage.. athletism.. (oh and fitness,)

[SLICE23]

Well all i can add to the war off words, i believe you have to be a good player to become a better coach.You can not just teach straight out of a book experience & knowledge is a major factor.
Being a x has been and years have definatley deminshed what has been there once but the ability to show and teach and understand creates better teams and players and i know so much more now then when i played so experience & knowledge i believe counts.