HELPFUL HINTS FOR BEGINNING COACHES - By Ralph Miller

Helpful Hints For Beginning Coaches

By Ralph Miller

1)  Don't over-coach

2)  Be firm, fair, and consistent

3)  Don’t practice too long (especially late in the season)

4)  Develop some kind of coaching philosophy and readjust as the years go by

5)  Keep the lines of communication open

6)  Explain "why" you do things

7)  Encourage suggestions and give credit if used

8)  Develop a sense of humor - insert some humor in each practice

9)  Should have some part of each practice that lends itself to good, clean "ribbing"

10)  Try to balance criticism with praise (often conscious of one and not the other)

11)  Learn to work with players individually (they appreciate the extra time)

12)  Be yourself - don't emulate some successful coach. His methods may not fit your style.

13)  Don't tie yourself to rules (have an out) - not a compromise, but be realistic

14)  Attend clinics - read books - talk to fellow coaches - learn the game

15)  Tell and explain - Don't show unless you know

16)  Make a practice schedule and stick to it. Do not spend extra time on something just because youare getting poor results.

17)  Make a master practice schedule and daily practice schedule and coordinate the two

18)  Set some realistic goals for yourself and your program and readjust these goals from time to time

19)  Coordinate the total program whenever possible

20)  The game passes kids by - don't let it pass you by

21)  Motivate your players to improve skills by putting in extra time in the off-season

22)  Don't try to do something in a game situation that you have not worked on in practice

23)  Learn to use your time-outs

24)  Know the rules

25)  Reach your players a basketball vocabulary and encourage it

26)  Help players to recognize their limitations and play accordingly

27)  Remember you are the teacher. If you cannot teach, you cannot coach

28)  Get along with your superiors, your colleagues, and those who work under you

29)  Get involved in the total school program

30)  Key word for players is "practice"

31)  Key word for coaches is "work"

32)  Be LOYAL to the school, staff and players