Elevation Hoops- "Raise Your Game"

09/20/2020

15 Simple & Important Defensive Principles
1. Defense requires great effort. Without effort, nothing else matters.
2. 1st rule of defending is to get back on defense. Don’t wait for your man to run down court to get back on defense- Sprint back to the middle of the key and help your teammates.
3. Always defend the basket- Give up a jump shot rather than a lay-up.
4. Sound defensive stance, keep low, stay wide, always seeing ball and man- Anticipate.
5. Have your back to the basket whenever possible.
6. Help your teammates by being in help and recover position.
7. Active hands. “Your hands are quicker than your arms”.
8. Do not reach- Gambling against quickness makes you off-balance, puts teammates at risk.
9. Hands out to the side, not down at your side- Take up space.
10. Force man with ball to sideline and baseline. Use both as an extra defender. Trapping (double team) works if you time it right.
11. Help Side Defend- Defend the middle third of court, 2 passes away from ball you are in middle of the key (paint)- called the ”I” or “Split Line”
12. “On the line up the line”- So you can help drives and making it harder for your man to back cut.
13. Keep your feet- So you don’t go for fakes. Gravity is your friend.
14. Talk on defense- Communication is the most efficient form of help defense.
15. TAKE A CHARGE!

09/20/2020

15 Simple & Important Offensive Principles
1. Jump Stops- Should be done quickly, not jumping too high, be on balance.
2. Triple Threat- Face the basket ready to dribble, pass, or shoot. “Personalize” your Triple Threat.
3. Dribble with purpose- Less is more.
4. Pass using the right type of pass at the right time, on target, at the right place with the correct angle. Chest pass, right hand/left hand push pass, overhead pass, bounce pass
5. “Fake a pass- Make a pass”.
6. Low dribble- The lower the dribble the less chance for ball to be stolen
7. Develop solid footwork working on Forward Pivot and Reverse Pivot.
8. Value the ball, share the ball, take good shots.
9. Learn shot and pass fakes.
10. Be a willing screener- Look to screen for ball-handlers and for teammates away from the ball
11. Know and use all the types of screens: On-Ball Screen, Down Screen, Back Screen, Cross Screen, Flair Screen, Slip Screen, Curl Screen.
12. Properly utilize screens to Cut, Pop, Flair or curl- Read your defensive man.
13. “Dead Time”- What are you doing when you don’t have the ball- Which is 90% of the time. (See Basketball Mathematics in the Home Room section)
14. Spacing, Spacing, Spacing- Know your court geography.
15. Always acknowledge a good pass, screen, or hustle play. Show gratitude for selflessness.

09/20/2020

Seven Elements
Seven Elements of Basketball Learning (LECDRAG)- Seven areas players are in control of 100% of the time. Make players “own” them, as they need to be constantly reminded because…. They are kids with short attention spans. All of the elements can be applied to learning and understanding anything.
• Listening- Be a good listener, otherwise you can’t remember
or understand what you were told
• Effort- Success is accomplished with great effort
• Communication- All forms, visual, spoken, written
• Discipline- Developing consistent habits- Reliability,
Punctuality, etc…
• Repetition- Critical in developing a solid skillset
• Attitude- A positive attitude is everything!
• Gratitude- Being mindful and appreciative of the moment
and beyond

05/02/2018

Coaching friends and mentors: Clockwise- Coach Pete Newell, Tom Newell, All-American Jon Brockman, Coach Marv Harshman, Slick Watts, Coach Jeremy Eggers, James Edwards, Jim Fisher as Dr. Naismith, Downtown Fred Brown, Coach Steve Spencer, Coach Bret Tovani, Coach John Wooden

02/20/2017

12/12/2014

History- Learn It, Share it.

History is an important aspect in developing a passion for anything. Sometimes history is an undervalued element of basketball. In today’s instant gratification society, the interest in basketball history is lacking. It’s difficult to put a finger on why, but I suspect kids have so many distractions, and the toys of technology challenge their attention spans and thirst for knowledge, even though the internet easily lends itself to learning the history of any subject matter. Ask any Hall of Fame player or coach about the history of the game, and you will discover they have done their homework as genuine students of the game.

I recall watching Michael Jordan’s final visit to Seattle as a player with the Washington Wizards. As he left the court with a minute left in the game to a thundering standing ovation, he walked toward the bench, when all of a sudden, he did an about face and sprinted to the opposite baseline where Bill Russell was seated- Just to shake his hand. He did that out of respect- out of being a student of history. It was a purely gracious moment.

Basketball has such a rich tradition at all levels. From Hoosiers to Durant. From UCLA to Villanova to Texas Western. From the Celtics to the Lakers to the Spurs. From Mikan to Russell to Hakeem. From Cousy to Magic to Steve Nash. From the many ways the rules of the game have evolved, like the backboard, the shot clock, the 3 point line; to the imaginations of players and coaches who have shaped everything about the game, from footwork to shooting to passing to defending.

Special once in a generation teams, players and events. The original “Dream Team”, The 1973 Knicks with six Hall of Fame players, Walton’s 21-22 field goals against Memphis. Which is more impressive: Wilt Chamberlain averaging 50.4 in 1962, Oscar Robertson averaging a Triple- Double that same year, Maravich averaging 44.2 in college, the Lakers winning 33 straight or UCLA’s record 88 consecutive? Which is more amazing, an individual scoring 100 points in a game, a player garnering 55 rebounds or someone dishing out 20 assists without a single turnover?

Basketball’s history can illustrate with such clarity, the right way to play the game. Point kids in the direction of determined, passionate, iconic players and coaches who made a difference.

Hoop Academics encourages young lovers of the game to delve into the history of basketball. We ask players to research different players, teams and questions about the game to inspire a sense of passion for basketball.

12/12/2014

Coach Perry's Passion

I remember as a child watching Chamberlain against Russell, West against Robertson. In those days we had just four channels and television only gave a glimpse of collegiate and professional basketball on Saturday afternoon and Sunday mornings.

In early 1964, I attended my first basketball game between the Oscar Robertson led Cincinnati Royals and the San Francisco Warriors, which sported a lineup that included Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond and Guy Rogers. Wilt had 59 points as the Warriors thumped the Royals that night. Years later, I saw Magic Johnson's first pro game and Wilt's last against the '73 NY Knicks.

But it was in the NCAA Championship game between Duke and UCLA in March of 1964, that I became hooked on basketball. Eight years later, I attended the John Wooden Basketball Camp, which profoundly influenced my life in many ways.

Four years of high school basketball, two seasons of college and many years of working out kids, conducting clinics and leading camps has impacted me so strongly. I believe teaching through demonstration and conviction, engaging players by asking questions and using humor will help them develop an enjoyment of the game that will last a lifetime.

Sharing the joy of the game also includes sharing a big part of that enjoyment- The history of this wonderful game.

06/17/2012

The Parental Element Of Surprise

As parents, we have control over the memories we make for our kids. I encourage you to pay attention to the sports, the teams and the players your child are interested in.

Ask your son or daughter what they like best about the players they love to watch. This one question may shed light on what things they are looking at in a player, things they are noticing about the sport, and how they might play the sport.

In the early 1970’s, I was enamored with the New York Knicks. I knew all the players, their stats, even the colleges they attended. Frazier, Reed, Monroe, Bradley, DeBussure, Lucas… All of them eventual Hall Of Fame players. They epitomized teamwork. Each was a gifted individual talent, but they recognized they could be greater together, so they checked their egos at the door and wound up being one of the best all around teams in basketball history. Anyway, my father recognized my passion for this special team, and while taking me on a business trip to Los Angeles, he got tickets for game 6 of the Knicks- Laker 1973 Championship series. After we arrived at the Forum with a family friend, we reached our seats only to find there weren’t enough for the three of us. It was then my dad handed me a ticket and pointed to where I was sitting. It was a fourth row view behind the Knick bench.

I watched the Knicks win the NBA Championship that night, and shook hands with Bill Bradley and Earl Monroe as they came off the floor. It was a surreal moment that is with me always. And, when I think of my father, I think of his kindness and interest in me.

My dad isn’t a big basketball fan, but learning that I was, he made a lifetime memory for me. Pay attention to the passions of your children, you’ll feel better because of it. I know my father does.

06/16/2012

“Coaching lasts a day, perhaps a season... Teaching lasts a lifetime.”

- Coach Pete Newell, Basketball Hall of Fame

06/16/2012

The A - B - C’s of Hoop
Reading= Balance and Proper Footwork
English= The Language of the Game
Geography= Spacing/ Positioning
Mathematics= It’s a game of Geometry
History= The Rich Tradition of the Game
Psychology= Basketball for the Mind

06/16/2012

15 Simple & Important Offensive Principles

1.Jump Stop quickly not jumping too high and be on balance.
2.Triple Threat face the basket. “Personalize” your Triple Threat.
3.Dribbling is over-rated. Dribble with purpose.
4.Pass using the right type of pass at the right time with the correct angle.
5.Use a bounce pass to lead to a basket, as an entry pass, or as a last resort. Do not throw bounce passes to the wing.
6.“Fake a pass- Make a pass”.
7.If you can’t get a shot with less dribbles, you shouldn’t be shooting off the dribble. Get proficient at using a fake to a “punch dribble” to a shot.
8.Develop solid footwork working on Reverse Pivot and Forward Pivot.
9.Value the ball, share the ball, and take good shots.
10.Ball and pass fakes.
11.Properly utilize screens to Cut, Pop, Flair or curl- Read your defensive man.
12.Know and use all the types of screens: On-Ball Screen, Down Screen, Back Screen, Cross Screen, Flair Screen, Slip Screen, Curl Screen.
13.“Dead Time”- What are you doing when you don’t have the ball- Which is 90% of the time. (See Basketball Mathematics in the Home Room section)
14.Spacing, Spacing, Spacing
15. Acknowledge a good pass or screen. Show gratitude for selflessness.

06/16/2012

15 Simple & Important Defensive Principles

1.1st rule of defending is to get back on defense. Don’t wait for your man to run down court to get back on defense- Sprint back and help your teammates.
2.Always defend the basket. Give up a jump shot rather than a lay-up.
3.Sound defensive stance, always seeing ball and man.
4.Have your back to the baseline whenever possible.
5.Help your teammates by being in help and recover position.
6.“Your hands are quicker than your arms”.
7.Do not reach- Gambling against quickness puts you and teammates at risk.
8.Hands out to the side, not down at your side- Take up space.
9.Force man with ball to sideline and baseline. Use both as an extra defender. Trapping works if you time it right.
10.Help Side Defend- 2 passes away from ball you are in the paint in the ”I” or “Split Line”
11.“On the line up the line”- So you can help drives and making it harder for your man to back cut.
12.Keep your feet- So you don’t go for fakes.
13.Talk on defense- Communication is the most efficient form of help defense.
14. TAKE A CHARGE!
15. Acknowledge a Charge or great effort and help. Show appreciation for sacrifice for the betterment of the team.