Basket Ball for Coaches and PLayers

Introduction

I. PREPARATION FOR A SEASON . . EquippinGc A BAsKET BALL TEAM . . TRAINING, DieT CONDITIONING AND INJURIES

EARLY SEASON PRACTICE REGULAR PRACTICE SEASON .

THE SELECTION OF PLAYERS FOR THE POSITIONS .

INDIVIDUAL OFFENSIVE FUNDAMENTALS .

Catching a Ball .

Passing the Ball .

Stopping . :

Pivots and Turns

Dribbling

Feints and Fakes

Cutting

Shooting .

Free Throwing

EG) are

TEAM OFFENSE .

Tue CENTER Tip-OFfF .

Out oF Bounps PLays .

. TEAM DEFENSE .

SCOUTING

. THE RELATION OF MANAGER TO COACH . . BAsKeET BALL TRIPs . ; _ Tur Conpuct oF THE CoAcH TowarpD OFFICIALS

. GENERAL SUGGESTIONS .

180 197 211 214 220 222

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Yost Field House and Part of the 10,000 Spectators Just Before a Conference Game. The Floor Is Portable Frontispiece

Bob Chapman, All-Conference Forward, 1929, and ee

TO80- eee ee 4 Ernie McCoy, All-Conference Guard and Gee. 1929. IO Bennie Oosterbaan, All-Conference Forward, 1927 and 1928.

AGreaty Lip-ohote Artists: aire eee nee ee 22 Completion. of 72; Side-Stopy =). “ern eee 55 ptart ora: Oribbles (Myton) a. ance ates eae ne 67 Finish of a2. Dribble instride:( hase masa. ee ne ee 67 The Start of an Overhand Shot (Orwig) a oe ke 70 ihe Start of an -(Underhand Shotscbarley,): a) .50 mr ae Frank: Harrigany-acGreat, Dribbler, Captain, 192500 eee 89 Detensive.Stance- (lovell)) 3. eee a Sch ee eae

Good Defensive Stance Near Side Line in Middle of Floor. Guard is Set for All Offensive Maneuvers . . . . 186

Ee ee eee ss

INTRODUCTION

This book on basket ball has been compiled from the lectures and demonstration work of the author in his summer schools to fulfill the many requests of attending coaches for a complete record of the course given. There is every reason to believe that it will prove helpful to the many other basket ball coaches of the country.

No attempt has been made to lengthen the work beyond the absolute limit of space necessary to present the subject as clearly as possible. It is the result of the author’s experience in coaching high school and college teams, scouting, and laboratory work with summer school coaches.

Due credit must be given to all the players and coaches of the country in their contributions to basket ball as we have it to-day. It is doubtful whether any player ever did anything new in the game, except in his own natural way and individual style. From these observations, coaches have adopted new ideas, which have gradually become accepted as correct fundamentals.

Credit is also due Franklin C. Cappon, Assistant Director of Athletics, University of Michigan, and Charles B. Hoyt, Trainer, University of Michigan, for help in the compilation of the contents.

GEORGE F. VEENKER.

October, 1929.

Key to Diagrams

xX Defensive Flayer

eI PAT TO) aA ee

monn Dz/hble

ww rot or Jur7 at end of dribble ectagel Shot for basker

CHAPTER 4 PREPARATION FOR A SEASON

There is considerable work to be done by the coach long before the season opens. Every detail should be taken care of as fat ahead as possible. Things that could be done before the season opens and not gotten out of the way, will become more of a burden later on. If they are done at all later, it will very likely be at the expense of some other work which is entitled to its regular attention at this time.

Schedule Making

When making out the schedule considerable attention must be given to it from the coach’s angle in having to play the games he is scheduling and, also, from a business standpoint. There are certain days and dates which will be better, from an attendance standpoint, for home games. If possible these should be filled for games at home. Care must also be observed for conflictions with other school dates, although the basket ball games should and usually do have the preference.

Most coaches are too particular in demanding certain dates with certain opponents and to obtain their end will do a lot of petty bickering. Since schedules are made out so far in advance, with the exception of a few general rules in this connection, no one can tell just how the schedule arranged is going to work out. Games which appear in the wrong spot at this time may turn out to be advantageous later on, while certain games which appear to be placed just right, may later on develop into the worst possible situation.

The Western Conference using a rotation of teams has done away with some of the difficulties pertaining to schedule making. In other words, the coaches know each year whom they must play and it is only necessary to arrange the dates. There has been some I trouble in the past in arranging the schedules under even these conditions. A team or two always seemed to come out of the schedule meeting with an obviously poor arrangement. To get away from this the 1929 schedule was made out, at the request of the coaches, by the Commissioner of Athletics of the Western Conference. This schedule was submitted at the regular meeting of the basket ball coaches. Without exception, each coach objected to his schedule in part. However, after seeing that each other coach had the same situation, and not being able to figure out where any one team could remove these bad points from its schedule, without adding to some other one, it was unanimously adopted. Without a doubt, it was the fairest schedule ever played since each coach had to take some of the unsatisfactory with the good. In addition, it saved the coaches a lot of work.

A certain number of practice games outside the regular schedule will always be played and, after the first one, it is well to have this competition as strong as that which will be encountered during the regular season. It is also a good idea to have one of these games away from home, in order to break in the new players to the different conditions encountered on trips over what they are at home. It also gives the coach a chance to break in his new manager properly where he is able to be of much value later.

High school games are usually played on Friday and Saturday nights. If these two games are to be played with teams away from home, it is a good idea to play the easier game first, to insure one victory. By the use of substitutes after the team gets ahead, the regulars can be saved, and through this victory the morale will be raised to where they can go after the second game with plenty of vim and vigor. ‘These two week-end games should never be scheduled with two weak teams. There will be no incentive for conscientious work in the practice of the week under these conditions. Have one of the games with a worth while opponent and at the same time beware of these so called “easy games.” ‘They very often will trip a team.

Gymnasiums The gymnasium should come in for some advance consideration. ‘The lines on the floor should be repainted. The lights

PREPARATION FOR A SEASON 2-2 should be checked. If possible, they should be arranged so that only those directly reflecting on the floor are on during the games. This makes it easier on the spectators’ eyes as well as for the players. It is also a mark of good showmanship, since it puts the spotlight on the spectacle of the evening. Bleachers should be checked over and repaired where necessary. It is also a good idea to have an engineer check their strength at the start of each season. This is both a measure of safety and due the public, as well as removing responsibility from the school authorities. Very often a rearrangement of the bleachers will utilize the space so that more spectators can be accommodated.

A large score board is very desirable from the spectators’ standpoint. This should contain the names of the players with their numbers and position. It should also show the score of each team. A runner along the top with the minutes marked in graduations, as on a ruler, can show the time left to play by shifting an arrow for a marker as the game progresses. All this information is best telephoned to assistant managers working on the board by another manager at the officials’ bench. Some score boards have the time shown with a hand on the face of a large cardboard clock. This is also satisfactory. Electrical score boards showing the running score and time can also be purchased and are often financed through advertising panels around it.

All supplies and equipment should be purchased ahead of time. Uniforms, however, cannot be ordered until the first squad is definitely known. It is a good idea, when not satisfied with the balls of the preceding season, to try out several makes in the early practice before definitely committing oneself to any one brand. In the past, sporting goods companies, through variation in leather supplies or changes of personnel in the factory, have often followed a season of good basket balls with a season of some not so good,

Team Plans

The coach must also have several ideas in mind concerning the type of play he wishes to use during the coming season. ‘The success or failure of last year’s play, coupled with the type of material he will have for the coming season, will be the basis for these plans. Most coaches attend a summer coaching school during the summer and pick up new ideas. One must be quite sure of himself before discarding every thing used previously for something entirely new. It is better to keep what has been working successfully and discard anything of doubtful value that has been used in the past, substituting a new idea here. In this way the coach is keeping that which is good and which he knows he can capably teach. Where he is -making a change he has everything to win and nothing to lose, since it was not successful in the first place.

Bos CHAPMAN, ALL-CONFERENCE FORWARD 1929 AND CAPTAIN 1930

Chapter 1 Equipping A Basket Ball Team

Selecting the equipment for a basket ball team does not present the problem it once did. Manufacturers have improved and standardized all basket ball equipment to a point where a coach can feel safe in buying from reliable concerns, as long as he buys high grade materials. In past years it was necessary to do considerable shopping around. Some attention should be paid to the selection of uniforms which will give the team a good appearance on the floor. This will very likely not improve their basket ball but as long as they are appearing in public, it will do no harm to have them look well. Solid colors are the best and they should be distinctive enough so as to stand out clearly to each other as teammates.

Shoes

As an actual aid to playing, shoes are invaluable to a player. They have been developed to a point where it is difficult to see any advantage in favor of any particular type of a dozen different brands.

As a general rule they should have heavy soles and there seems to be no difference as to whether these soles are smooth or treaded. Sticking qualities are to be considered first, after which one may take into consideration the wearing or lasting qualities. Canvas or drill uppers are preferred to the leather uppers. Some coaches use a lighter shoe for games which may have its advantages. If the regular shoes are not worn too deeply, they will hold the floor in good shape and the player is wearing something which has confidently carried him through the week. The soles should, however, be cleaned off occasionally with gasoline. If the shoes stretch to the point where they feel loose on the player’s feet, a cork inner sole will take care of this.

Shirts

Shirts of solid colors with the name of the school across the chest are better looking than any other combination. To be completely equipped, a team should have three sets of jerseys. The jersey used last year for home games should now be used for practice. A new set of jerseys in the school colors should be purchased for games at home. A white set of jerseys, for games away from home, should also be on hand and these may be used for several years. Players prefer the new rayon type or silk jerseys, since they feel much better than the old worsted type. There is a tendency towards chafing with the worsted jerseys which is entirely eliminated with the rayon. ‘They should be cut low in the arms and neck. ‘They are better straight than the supporter type, the latter being unnecessary and of no practical value. Jerseys should be worn inside the pants and underneath the supporter, which will hold them down.

Pants

Pants may be made of khaki, flannel, poplin, sateen, fly-tex or jersey knit. After experiment with each one the University of Michigan basket ball teams are equipped with pants made of silk. They are cut full in the seat, have wide leg openings and a short in-seam. ‘They may just as well be cut not over three inches long for this in-seam or the players will turn them up from the bottom. For a snug waist fit they are gathered in the back with an elastic band. The padding is of the very lightest material. They have proven their wearing qualities and are very neat in appearance.

Supporter

The ordinary elastic supporter has proven satisfactory for basket ball but should, at all times, be kept clean. They may be washed in water not too hot.

Socks

Not many teams wear the knee length stockings any more. They are, in fact, so scarce as to cause comment when a team comes on the floor wearing them. Eastern teams have been slower to discard them than western teams. When used care should be taken

EQUIPPING A BASKET BALL TEAM 4 that they are not fastened up in a way to cut off circulation. They should be footless to permit the use of clean inner socks.

The inner socks should be of ankle length and of good wool. They should be kept clean. If possible, a clean pair should be issued every day. If holes develop it will pay to darn them. Where it is impossible to issue them every day players can wash them out them- — selves in the shower room. If the uniforms do not dry out between practices in the lockers, they should be hung up in a safe place near steam pipes or windows. Some schools have regular driers through which dry heat is circulated. This is quite a luxury.

Knee Pads

Players, who are continually falling to the floor, should be issued knee pads. Practically any of the pads sold by sporting goods companies are satisfactory as long as care is observed that they do not cut off circulation or bind.

Elbow Pads

Elbow pads are unnecessary. If there is occasion to protect an elbow it is much better to tape on a rubber doughnut or a piece of foam rubber.

Sweat Clothes

It is economy to have two sets of sweat suits. The plain gray, cotton fleece lined sweat suit is satisfactory for practice. These can be washed easily. They may be used for track later. The regular woolen suits for games will last longer and look better if worn only at these times. Some players do not care to wear the sweat pants on the floor before a game to warm up with, but they should be kept on the bench for all substitutes. If the gymnasium is cold during the game, it is a good idea to have some blankets on the bench to keep the legs warm.