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	<title>Articles Search Engine &#187; Basketball</title>
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	<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com</link>
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		<title>Basketball Bin Review &#8211; Getting To Know the Basketball Bin</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/basketball-bin-review-getting-to-know-the-basketball-bin.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/basketball-bin-review-getting-to-know-the-basketball-bin.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:42:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>jojo</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[basketball bin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=14782</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><strong>As you grew up, you remember those times when you just love the thought of playing basketball just beside your house on your outdoor hoop.</strong> It was real fun playing with your family and friends, or just by yourself in your outdoor court practicing those hoops and jump shots. Those were the good times. But there&#8217;s always one thing that&#8217;s been bothering you at that time. You remember there was always this need to buy new balls because of problems with the old ball getting lost, worn down quickly because you always left it outside on the hot sun and the rain, or getting flat because of just one tiny hole and air seeping out. You just couldn&#8217;t figure it out back then. But then now you realized that what you lacked and needed is just very simple. What you needed was the basketball bin. It&#8217;s the best way to protect the basketball at all times.</p>
<p><a href="/basketball-bin-review-getting-to-know-the-basketball-bin.html" class="more-link">Read more on Basketball Bin Review &#8211; Getting To Know the Basketball Bin&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>As you grew up, you remember those times when you just love the thought of playing basketball just beside your house on your outdoor hoop.</strong> It was real fun playing with your family and friends, or just by yourself in your outdoor court practicing those hoops and jump shots. Those were the good times. But there&#8217;s always one thing that&#8217;s been bothering you at that time. You remember there was always this need to buy new balls because of problems with the old ball getting lost, worn down quickly because you always left it outside on the hot sun and the rain, or getting flat because of just one tiny hole and air seeping out. You just couldn&#8217;t figure it out back then. But then now you realized that what you lacked and needed is just very simple. What you needed was the basketball bin. It&#8217;s the best way to protect the basketball at all times.</p>
<p><em>Unfortunately, this product is unpopular in most households. But the fact is; every basketball court needs one. Read through this basketball bin review so you will have a pretty good idea how it will help you out.</em></p>
<p>A basketball bin is actually a simple but brilliant way to store balls like basketball and soccer balls. One of its important features is to help keep track of the balls by stacking them inside it so they will not get lost. And when kept indoors it prevents getting these balls left out in the rain or burned out in the hot sun. This way, it slows down the lifespan of the ball. These basketball bins are designed to be mounted to any wall or poll. It is tested to be very effective and built to last. <strong>Upon purchase, you will get all the necessary hardware that comes with it, and with your own set of tools, installing it will be very easy.</strong></p>
<p>A typical basketball bin is composed of a high-impact plastic material that is specifically designed to last a long time and withstand the effects of weather. It fits on any 3&#8243;, 3.5&#8243; or 4&#8243; platforms by basketball standards. A total of three standard basketballs can be fitted in. It weighs a total of 9 pounds with its 13&#215;11x32 inch frame. It can be installed by a single person as it is not heavy at all. It has its own lock to secure the balls in place. It also has a popping lid on the top which is used to remove the balls and a sliding beneath where balls can easily roll out.</p>
<p><strong>Shelling about $60 for a purchase of the basketball bin might be a little expensive, but just think of how much you have lost all those years buying new balls almost every month. Just think in the long-term.</strong></p>
<p>You&#8217;re now confident what this product brings to you and especially to your pocket in the long run. You are satisfied by its great innovative but very simple features. Rest assured you will never lose another ball again with the basketball bin around.</p>
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		<title>Jump Higher for Free &#8211; You Don&#8217;t Need To Spend Money</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/jump-higher-for-free-you-dont-need-to-spend-money.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/jump-higher-for-free-you-dont-need-to-spend-money.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:21:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Topsatt</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=14516</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>In this consumer world we have, we expect everything to cost something. But this isn&#8217;t true. You can easily find tons of information and ways to jump higher for free. You also don&#8217;t need to spend any money on shoes, weights, gym memberships, or anything else (although, to be honest, they can be a huge help and get you jumping higher much quicker than if you don&#8217;t).</p>
<p><a href="/jump-higher-for-free-you-dont-need-to-spend-money.html" class="more-link">Read more on Jump Higher for Free &#8211; You Don&#8217;t Need To Spend Money&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this consumer world we have, we expect everything to cost something. But this isn&#8217;t true. You can easily find tons of information and ways to jump higher for free. You also don&#8217;t need to spend any money on shoes, weights, gym memberships, or anything else (although, to be honest, they can be a huge help and get you jumping higher much quicker than if you don&#8217;t).</p>
<p><strong>So what are the top 3 things that you can substitute in order to jump higher for free?</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Equipment</span></p>
<p>In the world of jumping higher, you can be told to buy shoes, weight vests, or plyometric boxes for different jumping workouts. But you can do most all of these without spending money &#8211; jump higher for free.</p>
<p>Those jumping shoes you have seen have a big sole under the front of your feet. The idea is to strengthen your calves by stretching them and working them at all times. These work great, but you can do a free version by taking some cardboard and folding it about an inch thick on the front of your shoe and wrapping it with duct tape or something in order to keep it on.</p>
<p><strong>A weight vest is another thing that can really help you build your jumping strength because it makes your muscles work with extra weight and when you take the weight off you can jump much higher without the resistance.</strong> I haven&#8217;t found anything that works quite as well as a weight vest because you can even play basketball with it on, but for regular workouts, throw on your backpack with a few of your heavy school books. Just make sure to secure it tight so when you jump it doesn&#8217;t move too much or give you blisters.</p>
<p>Last thing I use a lot is plyometric boxes. These are great and look good in a gym, but you can find all types of different size obstacles that you can jump onto without needing some expensive boxes. Your local skate park is the best because they usually have many different size obstacles that they use for tricks, but if you go to any park you can find all sorts of boxes, walls, as well as large areas to do the rest of your workout.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Workouts</span></p>
<p>A workout is the easiest way to jump higher for free because there are so many workouts out there that you can find without having to spend any money for it. Honestly, except for complete training plans, you shouldn&#8217;t ever pay for workouts. I even have a ebook with 33 jumping exercises you can do for free on my website.</p>
<p><strong>But as for workouts, definitely look around online and you are bound to find a ton of workouts and exercises to jump higher for free.</strong></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Other Resources</span></p>
<p>As for everything else you could ever need you can definitely find in the online world. By just doing a Google search for &#8220;jump higher for free&#8221;, you can find tips and tricks that will give you the edge and start jumping higher. Make sure to not get lost in the information overload. And if you don&#8217;t start doing the workouts and seeing results, that&#8217;s when you should start thinking about investing in a program that has been proven to work. Only when you can be guaranteed to get results or your money back, that&#8217;s when you should think about spending a few dollars and get past the plateau.</p>
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		<title>The Origination and Rise of American Basketball</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/the-origination-and-rise-of-american-basketball.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/the-origination-and-rise-of-american-basketball.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 28 Nov 2010 22:21:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>kking</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=14349</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Many people follow the sport of basketball without knowledge of its rich history. Basketball, like all other sports, has a unique story of origination.</span> James Naismith created this lively and active sport to provide children and adults with something to play inside during the cold winter months. James was a teacher at a Christian Association training school. While there, he was asked to create an indoor game that could be used for both entertainment and physical education. He began his work in the winter of 1891 by comparing sports he played as a child. One particular game had a major influence on what would later be called basketball. This game was called &#8220;Duck on a Rock&#8221; and it consisted of an individual guarding his &#8220;duck&#8221; from others. Naismith also took ideas from earlier religious traditions created by the Mayans and Aztecs. These cultures used a rubber ball and a ring for one of their inside games. The ring resided on a pole and the shots were made vertically. After extensive studying, he formulated the game of basketball.</p>
<p><a href="/the-origination-and-rise-of-american-basketball.html" class="more-link">Read more on The Origination and Rise of American Basketball&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Many people follow the sport of basketball without knowledge of its rich history. Basketball, like all other sports, has a unique story of origination.</span> James Naismith created this lively and active sport to provide children and adults with something to play inside during the cold winter months. James was a teacher at a Christian Association training school. While there, he was asked to create an indoor game that could be used for both entertainment and physical education. He began his work in the winter of 1891 by comparing sports he played as a child. One particular game had a major influence on what would later be called basketball. This game was called &#8220;Duck on a Rock&#8221; and it consisted of an individual guarding his &#8220;duck&#8221; from others. Naismith also took ideas from earlier religious traditions created by the Mayans and Aztecs. These cultures used a rubber ball and a ring for one of their inside games. The ring resided on a pole and the shots were made vertically. After extensive studying, he formulated the game of basketball.</p>
<p><strong>Basketball originally had thirteen rules that were easy to understand and follow. The ball itself could be thrown multiple directions, batted, and had to be held with the player&#8217;s hands.</strong> Players could not run around with the ball. It had to be thrown between players. Dirty tricks such as tripping, pushing, and holding were not allowed. Fouls were defined as violations of the above rules and by using a fist to hit the ball out of a player&#8217;s hand. Three fouls received consecutively by a team awarded the other team a point. Baskets could be made by throwing the ball or by batting it out of the player&#8217;s hand. An out of bounds ball was thrown back into play and belonged to the first player to have contact with it. Umpires would take note of fouls and judge the overall play of the game. Referees decided when the ball was in play, out of bounds, kept track of time, and determined which team had possession of the ball. Naismith laid out time keeping in the form of two halves lasting fifteen minutes. A five minute break was allowed between halves. Whoever made the most goals during these time periods was the winner of the game. Basketball still follows most of these same basic rules today.</p>
<p>The first game was held on December 29, 1891. A soccer ball and peach baskets were used for the festivities. Basketball spread in popularity throughout the world largely with the help of the US Army and teachers. As Americans were fighting in Europe during the First World War, they picked up on the sport and began to play it wherever they went. Physical education teachers also started using basketball in their courses and the game became a well known sport. The National Basketball Association was not founded until June of 1946. <em>Many small championships and leagues were formed before this time, but most disbanded fairly quickly. Racial integration into the league began in 1942. Afterwards the sport became what we now know today.</em></p>
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		<title>Nike Flywire</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/nike-flywire.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/nike-flywire.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:43:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Tarsal</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NBA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nike]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=14044</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Nike Flywire is a thread, composed of Vectran, and developed by Nike, used in the upper of a shoe.</strong> The goal of Flywire is to minimize weight and maximize support. Shoes containing Flywire became available for consumer purchase in 2008.</p>
<p><a href="/nike-flywire.html" class="more-link">Read more on Nike Flywire&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Nike Flywire is a thread, composed of Vectran, and developed by Nike, used in the upper of a shoe.</strong> The goal of Flywire is to minimize weight and maximize support. Shoes containing Flywire became available for consumer purchase in 2008.</p>
<p>Flywire was created by Jay Meschter, Director of Innovation at Nike. When Meschter saw an embroidery machine, he determined the machine could be used to make long stitches. Long stitches, containing strong, lightweight fibers, would allow fibers to support the foot in key points, instead of using layers of material that support the whole foot, like Meschter&#8217;s model.</p>
<p>The goal of the design is to support the foot using the lightest and strongest material possible, Vectran. The Flywire design (threads placed in key parts of the upper) prevents the foot from slipping when running. Flywire is also a minimalist idea, since the upper only contains the fundamental features. This allows the maximum amount of energy to be moved forward each stride.</p>
<p><strong>Flywire is used in various shoes cover a variety of sports, including American football, basketball, soccer, etc. You should be much familiar with Zoom Kobe Bryant shoes released by Nike, if you are an NBA Fan. </strong></p>
<p>Nike designed Flywire with inspiration from a suspension bridge, where many cables provide support. This allows support to be placed where necessary, especially in the forefoot (metatarsus and toes) and heel. The cables are designed to wrap around the foot like tendons. Since the support does not come from layers of material, the shoe is also more flexible. The only layers of material on the shoe are in place to prevent dirt and rocks from reaching the foot. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">This shoe is the #1 recommended shoe by orthopedic surgeons in America for people who have flat feet. It helps support the ankle which is the main goal and will build your arch with built in arch supports. And these features just meet the NBA players&#8217; need.</span></p>
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		<title>Why Are You Purchasing NBA Shoes?</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/why-are-you-purchasing-nba-shoes.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/why-are-you-purchasing-nba-shoes.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>lipat</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NBA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[NBA shoes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=13767</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><em>It is interesting that people may have different opinions and thoughts when they are doing something. Just like buying something. When an NBA fan is buying something related to NBA, such as NBA Shoes and NBA Jerseys, yes, they are the heat products in the market, but I would like to say, you will find very interesting scene that they at that time do not have any idea, that is, they can not make their decision to BUY it.</em></p>
<p><a href="/why-are-you-purchasing-nba-shoes.html" class="more-link">Read more on Why Are You Purchasing NBA Shoes?&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>It is interesting that people may have different opinions and thoughts when they are doing something. Just like buying something. When an NBA fan is buying something related to NBA, such as NBA Shoes and NBA Jerseys, yes, they are the heat products in the market, but I would like to say, you will find very interesting scene that they at that time do not have any idea, that is, they can not make their decision to BUY it.</em></p>
<p>Why I am writing such post, all due to my best friend Maggie who was buying a pair of Kobe Bryant Shoes for his brother as the present. She called me and said she had no idea. I was laughing, and told her, there is always the one rule when you buy something, &#8220;You like it, and you are able to afford it.&#8221;</p>
<p><em>Yes, if you are Kobe&#8217;s fans, or LeBron&#8217;s fans, when you come across a pair of Kobe VI or LeBron VIII, when I tell you, you should mot miss them, all with the base of you can afford them.</em></p>
<p>As an NBA fan myself, and salesman for the E-shop, everyday, I answered so many phones from my customers about which pair of the shoes is better? I know what they are thinking. They just want to buy All, but, the daily life doesn&#8217;t allow. I always suggest them to buy the one that they feel like and are able to afford. If you are not a limited penny, you can choose the classic more price NBA shoes, if not, you can buy the discount Kobe Bryant Shoes, the latest version of Kobe 6, or LeBron 8. You know what.</p>
<p><strong>Okay, why I recommend these two models, because they are the latest versions, and you can buy them at the discount prices through Online shop. Just Google Kobe Bryant Shoes or LeBron James Shoes, and you will get your surprise. </strong></p>
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		<title>Compare in the direction of the Lakers and the Heat</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/compare-in-the-direction-of-the-lakers-and-the-heat.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/compare-in-the-direction-of-the-lakers-and-the-heat.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:04:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chhinder</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lakers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=13347</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p><strong>I think nevertheless the biggest group in general. Miami is as well often compared in the direction of the Lakers when Miami has not revealed anything.</strong> The instant of truth is on the way to come about when they telephone call for to play a 7 match series in the direction of a best team.</p>
<p><a href="/compare-in-the-direction-of-the-lakers-and-the-heat.html" class="more-link">Read more on Compare in the direction of the Lakers and the Heat&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>I think nevertheless the biggest group in general. Miami is as well often compared in the direction of the Lakers when Miami has not revealed anything.</strong> The instant of truth is on the way to come about when they telephone call for to play a 7 match series in the direction of a best team.</p>
<p>At this stage it appears that Boston will achieve twenty previous to Miami. I think Miami may perhaps be a powerful group plus they will do well. Not just can appear. It should be won for the field. The Lakers already are actually tested. And until they are eliminated I will look for every time.</p>
<p>The Heat has already been exposed. Their bandwagon buff boy dreamers have quite down a little bit nowadays lol. The Lakers continually possess a &#8220;friendly&#8221; schedule to begin the season. One year they seem to play a whole large amount of non-playoff teams early in the season&#8230;..but what does stay consistent from year to year is the fact that they play a whole large amount of games at home to begin the season. Has anyone else observed this? I think last year they started 23-4 b/c of their early season home friendly schedule and also this year they have performed 5 of 7 at home. That being said, once Miami Chemistry settles in&#8230;<em>We will see them performing like they did vs. Orlando and not what you saw vs. Hornets or Celtics.</em></p>
<p>I think the Heat will end up having the best regular season record, for the reason that the Lakers will slow things down big time towards the end of the season to save their vets for playoff time. It wouldn&#8217;t surprise me&#8230;heck, it shouldn&#8217;t surprise anyone. Last year, LA was 23-4 b/c of their continually generous home friendly schedule to begin the season. I think this year they have layed 5 of their 7 games at home. Last year&#8230;.once they hit the road they ultimately end up going 57-25.</p>
<p><strong>Looking at their schedule all the way up to mid December, the Lakers begin looking to have it easy. Now if they keep up the present play, along using the status of the teams on their schedule, the only real test to them will be on dec 25th, against Miami.</strong> After that game, they possess a prolonged stretch against solid teams, San Antonio, and then New Orleans. A whole lot could happen in the following few weeks with teams like Utah, Golden State, and Denver possibly improving, so we&#8217;ll see. At this point the Lakers are playing incredible basketball with seemingly the easiest first 30 games.</p>
<p>The Heat consists of a long way to decide on improvement, but in add-on are actually playing an entire lot better compared to clubs the Lakers had. I show they were going to play the Celtics twice, the instant magic to not mention the Hornets are playing like contenders at the moment. <strong>A mid-season, when Bosh stops playing like a kitten and we have some dependable PG there&#8217;ll be okay.</strong></p>
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		<title>Coaching Basketball: Competitive Practices</title>
		<link>http://www.findarticleonline.com/coaching-basketball-competitive-practices.html</link>
		<comments>http://www.findarticleonline.com/coaching-basketball-competitive-practices.html#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Nov 2010 05:23:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>alpat</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Basketball]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.findarticleonline.com/?p=13191</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>I recently received the following question about coaching basketball and competition in practices: I am a new coach at the HS level and I am looking for drills that will make the boys want to practice (instead of scrimmages) and I also want to create a program where the boys are &#8220;not afraid to fail&#8221;. An example is where I have witnessed coaches make the players run if they miss a lay-up and so on. I do not want that kind of program, I want to reward them for getting back up and trying again and again. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p><a href="/coaching-basketball-competitive-practices.html" class="more-link">Read more on Coaching Basketball: Competitive Practices&#8230;</a></p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I recently received the following question about coaching basketball and competition in practices: I am a new coach at the HS level and I am looking for drills that will make the boys want to practice (instead of scrimmages) and I also want to create a program where the boys are &#8220;not afraid to fail&#8221;. An example is where I have witnessed coaches make the players run if they miss a lay-up and so on. I do not want that kind of program, I want to reward them for getting back up and trying again and again. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">This article addresses</span><br />
<em>&#8220;Drills that will make the boyswant to practice (instead of scrimmages)&#8221;<br />
&#8220;I want to reward them for getting back up and trying again and again&#8221;</em></p>
<p>A: Any coach in his or her first year of coaching high school basketball should be congratulated! What basketball coaches do is extremely important in the growth and development of the kids they work with. I think that these questions are questions that a lot of coaches ask when they shift from coaching youth sports and go to the high school level. Hopefully my these responses will provide insight:</p>
<p><em>1. Make the boys want to practice:</em></p>
<p>In my experience, getting kids interested in practice happens when you can find ways to make things competitive. This can be done in a couple of different ways.<br />
Kids can compete against a personal goal or the clock (i.e. setting a goal to score 100 points in 3 minutes of running the three-man weave shooting drill). If you can set benchmarks like this and give your players something specific to work towards, you usually be able to maintain their interest.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Often the best way to make practices competitive is to scrimmage. Scrimmaging is practicing; in fact, it&#8217;s the most realistic type of practice.</span> As a result, it&#8217;s something that you should try to do as often as possible.</p>
<p>That doesn&#8217;t mean that you should just roll the balls out and &#8220;let the kids play&#8221;.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">As a coach you set the parameters on how scrimmages look in any given practice.</span> I think the scrimmaging you are referring to when you say that you would &#8216;rather have your kids practice than scrimmage&#8217; is uncontrolled scrimmaging, or scrimmaging without a purpose.</p>
<p>When you scrimmage, to maintain a focus on growth and improvement, consider &#8220;scrimmaging with conditions&#8221;.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The conditions that you set will depend on what area of the game you&#8217;re working on.</span> You have literally hundreds of options.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re working on executing your halfcourt sets, then you might want to consider scrimmaging one possession at a time.<br />
As you get more advanced and your players are able to maintain their poise and focus, practice one possession at a time but add in a transition component &#8211; i.e. &#8211; the offense begins to scrimmage by running its halfcourt offense against five defenders. Instead of stopping play at the end of the possession, allow the defensive team one quick break to the other end of the floor.<br />
By allowing the defense to switch to offense and by forcing the offense to switch to defense you&#8217;re integrating conversion, which accounts for at least one third of game play. If you&#8217;re like most coaches, your experience with your players is that they want to &#8220;just play&#8221;. There&#8217;s nothing wrong with this tendency; your job is a coach is to encourage it while at the same time controlling it so that it is productive.</p>
<p><em>2. Making the boys &#8216;not afraid to fail&#8221;.</em></p>
<p>I don&#8217;t think that it&#8217;s necessarily unhealthy to have kids do push-ups when they miss layups. It&#8217;s also not necessarily unhealthy to &#8220;punish losers&#8221;.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Basketball is a competitive sport; if you want to be able to compete well in games, you have to mirror that competitiveness in practice somehow.</span> That means that there have to be &#8220;losers&#8221;, in the same way that there has to be a winner in any contest.<br />
It is entirely up to you to determine how you choose to frame these outcomes in your practices. If your tone is negative and punitive you may very well create situations where kids are afraid to fail.<br />
Or&#8230;you can take the same practices, but reframe them around themes like development, growth, etc.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">If I&#8217;m coaching a good group of players I hope that they have a personal expectation to make all of their layups.</span> If I did have to have them do push-ups for missing their layups it wouldn&#8217;t be to punish them or to crush their spirit; it would simply be because I want them to hold themselves to standards that they are capable of reaching. I will often run Every Pass with two balls for 2 to 3 minutes at a time during the transition portion of my practice sessions. As my teams improve, one of the conditions of the drill is that we have to hit every layup or we do pushups.<br />
Initially, we might do one push-ups for every layup missed. So, if there were 15 missed layups during the drill then at the end of the drill we do 15 push-ups.<br />
As the team gets better we might up the ante so that they are doing five push-ups for every missed layup. So, when we&#8217;ve improved to the point where we are only missing three layups, we again do 15 push-ups. Eventually, with every single team that I&#8217;ve coached, we get to the point where we don&#8217;t miss any of our layups.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">That skill development occurrs because we set standards for ourselves and don&#8217;t allow ourselves to settle for anything less than that standard.</span> Most of the time we achieve that through administering what some would term &#8220;negative reinforcers&#8221; like push-ups.<br />
But the tone and the approach is not negative at all. We are teaching ourselves how to set and reach small goals. As a result, we are teaching ourselves how to be winners. There is nothing negative about that outcome.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">I think the best advice I can give is &#8220;don&#8217;t shy away from having winners and losers in your practices&#8221;.</span> You want to have winners and losers as often as possible not because you want to make kids afraid to fail, but because you are teaching them how to succeed. The kid that continually loses &amp; continually picks himself up and keeps trying should definitely be admired for his courage. However, it doesn&#8217;t have to come at the expense of working to reach our team&#8217;s potential. (Ironically, even that kid &#8211; the one who always picks himself up &#8211; never wins anybody&#8217;s admiration if he never loses.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The focus should always be on playing to the best of your individual and collective ability.</span> Playing to your potential is a skill that can be developed, in the same way that a jump shot is a skill that can be developed. The best way to develop that skill is to create situations that inspire the level of effort required. and&#8230;the best way to do that is to compete.</p>
<p>I think that as a coach, you sound like you definitely have your kids best interests at heart.; As a result, I&#8217;d wager that your practices could, from a distance, look exactly the same as the practices the negative practices that you referenced. At the same time, the tone of the practices would be completely different &#8211; as would the level of growth.</p>
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