Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Notes from the Locker Room
Having been an athletic director and head coach, I've done a lot of parent meetings over the years and I do my best to be honest with them, get through the information I need to cover, and get them out of there as fast as possible. Let's be honest, you like going to meetings about as much as I like hosting them, but sometimes they're a necessary evil. So, here's a few things I'll cover early for you before this coming winter's season gets underway. Hopefully you'll find them helpful....or at least humorous.
First and foremost, there is no foul in the game of basketball called "over the back". Seriously, I'm not making that up. There's pushing. Block. Charge. But no "over the back". Come on, you've seen it, or even participated in it. Or worse yet seen a coach yell for it. Heated game, big crowd, tight game situation. The rebound comes off, and the big girl from your rival reaches over top of your defender who has inside position, snatches the rebound, and puts it back in, with the foul. As the official comes to the table to signal the hack on your player, your whole crowd looks as if they're imitating a scene from Night of the Living Dead, hands extended over their heads as they berate the official for not calling the obvious "over the back" call. All the while the official has to remain professional and bite his tongue, fully knowing that his "blown call" isn't even a call at all. So please, tell a friend, spread the word. "Over the back" doesn't exist.
I've also seen some really good officials, and some really bad ones. But I can honestly say we've never, ever lost a game because of the officials. Were there calls in tough situations that I disagreed with? Absolutely. But were there also countless turnovers and missed opportunities that would've given us the win? You bet. I just read a book a few weeks ago from a guy who no longer coaches but used to, tracing his steps through a season with a team he coaches. One story he told was about a game where they lost, and he entered the officials dressing room, berated the officials, and claims to this day that they "cheated" his team that night. Gimme a break. And trust me, I mention this concept of officiating at every parent meeting I ever have, but I can't remember too many games that afterwards at least one fan hasn't looked me up, win or lose, to tell me how horrible the officials were and how we were getting the short end of the stick. I assure you, those officials who barely make enough money sometimes to pay for their gas to and from your school, are there for the same reason you are....the kids.
Here's another one, and it's sometimes a sensitive subject, so I'll shy away from saying 100% of the time and go with 99% to allow for a margin of error. And I'm speaking about the varsity level, or at least the way I see it or expect it to be. Varsity coaches, boys or girls, on any given night, are going to put the best players on the floor the majority of the time that give them the best chance to win. Regardless of last name, parents take home income, etc etc etc, they're playing to win. Now you certainly have the right to disagree with the coach's evaluation of who the best players are, but at least understand that he/she is playing who they think are the best players and they are the ones who see the players in practice night in, night out.
And here's the last one. In most cases (there I go again eliminating 100%) there's a rhyme and reason for why coaches do what they do when it comes to strategy. And there's different kinds of players...some are shooters, some are ballhandlers, some are defenders, some have all around games. You get the picture. Usually kids are either plainly told what their roles are on the team or they figure it out. So here's what I'm getting to. You're watching a game and your team is on offense. A player, whether it be your daughter or someone else's, is relatively unguarded, but they don't shoot the basketball. You let it slide, until a few possessions later, again this player seems wide open, but still no shot. So your reaction, naturally, is to yell "Shoot the ball!", along with a handful of other fans who are as outraged by this as you are. Here's the thing. If this player is seemingly passing up open shots, but the coach isn't reacting like you are, there's a reason why they're passing up those shots. And understand, if you're playing against any kind of decent opponent, a good shooter won't be finding herself unguarded very often. Long story short, if a player is finding herself WIDE open on the perimeter, there's a reason she's that open. And if she's not shooting it, chances are she knows why she's that open too.
So have a great season, albeit it's a few months away. And have a laugh when you see these things at your games, because you know you will. But it won't be you, because you would never say those things, right? But you'll remember I told you this when you're at the game and the home stands do their zombie impersonations asking for the over the back call. You just wait. And, if you ever see one of my games, feel free to remind me too when I'm being not so nice to the official.
Chad Little is the varsity girls head coach and athletic director at Bloom Carrol High School. Chad also coaches the Ohio Express 14U team.
First and foremost, there is no foul in the game of basketball called "over the back". Seriously, I'm not making that up. There's pushing. Block. Charge. But no "over the back". Come on, you've seen it, or even participated in it. Or worse yet seen a coach yell for it. Heated game, big crowd, tight game situation. The rebound comes off, and the big girl from your rival reaches over top of your defender who has inside position, snatches the rebound, and puts it back in, with the foul. As the official comes to the table to signal the hack on your player, your whole crowd looks as if they're imitating a scene from Night of the Living Dead, hands extended over their heads as they berate the official for not calling the obvious "over the back" call. All the while the official has to remain professional and bite his tongue, fully knowing that his "blown call" isn't even a call at all. So please, tell a friend, spread the word. "Over the back" doesn't exist.
I've also seen some really good officials, and some really bad ones. But I can honestly say we've never, ever lost a game because of the officials. Were there calls in tough situations that I disagreed with? Absolutely. But were there also countless turnovers and missed opportunities that would've given us the win? You bet. I just read a book a few weeks ago from a guy who no longer coaches but used to, tracing his steps through a season with a team he coaches. One story he told was about a game where they lost, and he entered the officials dressing room, berated the officials, and claims to this day that they "cheated" his team that night. Gimme a break. And trust me, I mention this concept of officiating at every parent meeting I ever have, but I can't remember too many games that afterwards at least one fan hasn't looked me up, win or lose, to tell me how horrible the officials were and how we were getting the short end of the stick. I assure you, those officials who barely make enough money sometimes to pay for their gas to and from your school, are there for the same reason you are....the kids.
Here's another one, and it's sometimes a sensitive subject, so I'll shy away from saying 100% of the time and go with 99% to allow for a margin of error. And I'm speaking about the varsity level, or at least the way I see it or expect it to be. Varsity coaches, boys or girls, on any given night, are going to put the best players on the floor the majority of the time that give them the best chance to win. Regardless of last name, parents take home income, etc etc etc, they're playing to win. Now you certainly have the right to disagree with the coach's evaluation of who the best players are, but at least understand that he/she is playing who they think are the best players and they are the ones who see the players in practice night in, night out.
And here's the last one. In most cases (there I go again eliminating 100%) there's a rhyme and reason for why coaches do what they do when it comes to strategy. And there's different kinds of players...some are shooters, some are ballhandlers, some are defenders, some have all around games. You get the picture. Usually kids are either plainly told what their roles are on the team or they figure it out. So here's what I'm getting to. You're watching a game and your team is on offense. A player, whether it be your daughter or someone else's, is relatively unguarded, but they don't shoot the basketball. You let it slide, until a few possessions later, again this player seems wide open, but still no shot. So your reaction, naturally, is to yell "Shoot the ball!", along with a handful of other fans who are as outraged by this as you are. Here's the thing. If this player is seemingly passing up open shots, but the coach isn't reacting like you are, there's a reason why they're passing up those shots. And understand, if you're playing against any kind of decent opponent, a good shooter won't be finding herself unguarded very often. Long story short, if a player is finding herself WIDE open on the perimeter, there's a reason she's that open. And if she's not shooting it, chances are she knows why she's that open too.
So have a great season, albeit it's a few months away. And have a laugh when you see these things at your games, because you know you will. But it won't be you, because you would never say those things, right? But you'll remember I told you this when you're at the game and the home stands do their zombie impersonations asking for the over the back call. You just wait. And, if you ever see one of my games, feel free to remind me too when I'm being not so nice to the official.
Chad Little is the varsity girls head coach and athletic director at Bloom Carrol High School. Chad also coaches the Ohio Express 14U team.
Friday, July 23, 2010
OGBR Border Battle
On Saturday August 31, girl basketball players from all over the state of Ohio will travel north to Bowling Green State University to participate in the 2nd annual Border Battle. Girls from the state of Ohio will be placed on teams and will take the court against the best the state of Michigan has to offer. Much like their football counter parts Ohio dominated last year winning all but a few contests. This year the Ohio Express will have six players playing and one unable to play due to injury. The Border Battle is the last scouted event of the month of July. The next exposure event will be in early October and we will have many players playing at Pickerington Central High School at the OGBR Top 64.
Players playing in this years Border Battle are:
Briana Kamarec
Class of 2011, Indian Creek High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Bri is a 5'8 guard and she has played two years with the Glass team.
Emily Brown
Class of 2012, Waterford High School, Ohio Express 15U Stewart
Emily is a 5'9 forward-guard and has played four years with the Express and the last three with the Stewart team.
Lizzy Reeves
Class of 2012, Walsh Jesuit High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Lizzy is a 6'0 post player and this was her first year with the Glass team.
Karen Sidwell
Class of 2012, Maysville High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Karen is a 5'9 guard and she has played six years with the Glass team.
Kiarra Kamarec
Class of 2014, Indian Creek High School, Ohio Express 13U Little
Kiarra is a 6'0 forward-post and this was her second year with the Ohio Express and her first with coach Little.
Maggie Mitchell
Class of 2014, Newark High School, Ohio Express 14U Sole
Maggie is a 5'6 point guard and has played with the Sole team for six years.
Heather Booth
Class of 2011, Frontier High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Heather is a 5'9 guard and has played with the Glass team for five years.
Heather will be unable to participate due to a sprain in her hand.
Congratulations to these players for their hard work and dedication to the game of basketball. It is a tremendous honor to be nominated for this event.
Players playing in this years Border Battle are:
Briana Kamarec
Class of 2011, Indian Creek High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Bri is a 5'8 guard and she has played two years with the Glass team.
Emily Brown
Class of 2012, Waterford High School, Ohio Express 15U Stewart
Emily is a 5'9 forward-guard and has played four years with the Express and the last three with the Stewart team.
Lizzy Reeves
Class of 2012, Walsh Jesuit High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Lizzy is a 6'0 post player and this was her first year with the Glass team.
Karen Sidwell
Class of 2012, Maysville High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Karen is a 5'9 guard and she has played six years with the Glass team.
Kiarra Kamarec
Class of 2014, Indian Creek High School, Ohio Express 13U Little
Kiarra is a 6'0 forward-post and this was her second year with the Ohio Express and her first with coach Little.
Maggie Mitchell
Class of 2014, Newark High School, Ohio Express 14U Sole
Maggie is a 5'6 point guard and has played with the Sole team for six years.
Heather Booth
Class of 2011, Frontier High School, Ohio Express 16U Glass
Heather is a 5'9 guard and has played with the Glass team for five years.
Heather will be unable to participate due to a sprain in her hand.
Congratulations to these players for their hard work and dedication to the game of basketball. It is a tremendous honor to be nominated for this event.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Commitment
If you've coached competitively at any level, you've probably heard that infamous question that gets raised as your season goes along:
"Coach, what do I need to do to play more?", or "What do I need to do to get better?"
Sometimes a difficult question, but usually a simple answer, and that answer is one word...COMMITMENT.
Now certainly commitment doesn't come as easy as it sounds, but it is the absolute truth. And I think all too often kids think they're committed, but they're more confused than committed. You've probably all heard the old saying "Be the Pig" at some point. You know the cliche'....both the chicken and the pig played an important role in breakfast. The chicken helped with breakfast by laying the eggs, but the pig was truly committed. Teams that end up underachieving have too many chickens, and not enough pigs. Too many kids who know how to say all the right things, but don't follow through and do them.
Once you've reached high school age, and sometimes earlier, you can probably identify your biggest weaknesses as a player. If you can do that, then you already know what you need to do to get better. The problem is, many players can identify that weakness, but they spend most of their time working on their strengths. Think about how many times you've watched a player and thought, "Wow, he/she would be really good if they could do _____." You know that player. It's the kid you watch that can flat out shoot it, but can't go left if their life depended on it. Or the kid that's a one man pressbreaker with the dribble, but can't throw a ball in the ocean from the shore. Well why is it that those players have such glaring weaknesses? Because they haven't committed to getting better. They're content to be as good as they are, with no drive to take their game to the next level.
So what is true commitment? It sounds crazy, but it takes a daily effort and a drive to get better. You'd be hard pressed to find a coach at any level that wouldn't agree that 20 minutes of ballhandling everyday will make you a much better ballhandler. Every day. Not every other day. Not once a week. Not "I went swimming instead" days. Not "I didn't feel good that day" days. And we all know the basic 1 ball and 2 ball drills that you could do if you truly wanted to get better at it, but how many do? I know a few, and they're usually the kids that other kids watch and wonder how in the world they got to be that good at it. And they end up being the kids that got what you wanted...playing time, wins, scholarships, etc.
Think about shooting. I can remember a coaching colleague of mine that was telling us a story about trying to help a player re-tool the mechanics of their shooting form. This player in particular was shooting below 30% from 3 point range and around 35% from the field. The player was very resistant to the coaching that was taking place, and the player's only response was "that's the way I've always shot the ball". So it's not just enough to get repetitions, whether it's shooting, dribbling, or lifting weights. It takes repetitions, but more importantly it takes repetitions done the right way.
We tell our players every off season that if they want to earn more playing time the following year, then their most minimum task is to bring at least one skill to the table the following season that they didn't have last season. So if you're not committed to improving your overall game, pick one task in particular and get immensely better at it. Extend your shooting range, develop your off hand, develop counter moves off the dribble, step up defensively and take the charge....but even bringing that one extra tool to the court next season won't come by updating your status on Facebook, or texting your friends, or catching up on your DVR.
We talk daily about our goals as a team, which includes winning a league title, winning a district title, etc. etc. Everyone knows the commitment it takes to get there, and we have a core group of players who are truly committed. But like a lot of teams, we also have those who think they're committed, and we have those who just flat out aren't committed. For every player you have in those last 2 groups, your task becomes more and more difficult. I think every kid on your team would love to win a league title, or a district title, or even a state title, but as the old saying goes, "Everyone wants to go to heaven, but not everyone is willing to die to get there." Take it upon yourself to not be one of the players that costs you and your team a chance at reaching your goals.
So whether or not your basketball "heaven" includes a team goal or an individual goal, there's only one way to get there. And you shouldn't have to ask your coach how to get there, because deep down you already know.
Time to start "dying".
Chad Little is the varsity girls head coach and athletic director at Bloom Carrol High School. Chad also coaches the Ohio Express 14U team.
"Coach, what do I need to do to play more?", or "What do I need to do to get better?"
Sometimes a difficult question, but usually a simple answer, and that answer is one word...COMMITMENT.
Now certainly commitment doesn't come as easy as it sounds, but it is the absolute truth. And I think all too often kids think they're committed, but they're more confused than committed. You've probably all heard the old saying "Be the Pig" at some point. You know the cliche'....both the chicken and the pig played an important role in breakfast. The chicken helped with breakfast by laying the eggs, but the pig was truly committed. Teams that end up underachieving have too many chickens, and not enough pigs. Too many kids who know how to say all the right things, but don't follow through and do them.
Once you've reached high school age, and sometimes earlier, you can probably identify your biggest weaknesses as a player. If you can do that, then you already know what you need to do to get better. The problem is, many players can identify that weakness, but they spend most of their time working on their strengths. Think about how many times you've watched a player and thought, "Wow, he/she would be really good if they could do _____." You know that player. It's the kid you watch that can flat out shoot it, but can't go left if their life depended on it. Or the kid that's a one man pressbreaker with the dribble, but can't throw a ball in the ocean from the shore. Well why is it that those players have such glaring weaknesses? Because they haven't committed to getting better. They're content to be as good as they are, with no drive to take their game to the next level.
So what is true commitment? It sounds crazy, but it takes a daily effort and a drive to get better. You'd be hard pressed to find a coach at any level that wouldn't agree that 20 minutes of ballhandling everyday will make you a much better ballhandler. Every day. Not every other day. Not once a week. Not "I went swimming instead" days. Not "I didn't feel good that day" days. And we all know the basic 1 ball and 2 ball drills that you could do if you truly wanted to get better at it, but how many do? I know a few, and they're usually the kids that other kids watch and wonder how in the world they got to be that good at it. And they end up being the kids that got what you wanted...playing time, wins, scholarships, etc.
Think about shooting. I can remember a coaching colleague of mine that was telling us a story about trying to help a player re-tool the mechanics of their shooting form. This player in particular was shooting below 30% from 3 point range and around 35% from the field. The player was very resistant to the coaching that was taking place, and the player's only response was "that's the way I've always shot the ball". So it's not just enough to get repetitions, whether it's shooting, dribbling, or lifting weights. It takes repetitions, but more importantly it takes repetitions done the right way.
We tell our players every off season that if they want to earn more playing time the following year, then their most minimum task is to bring at least one skill to the table the following season that they didn't have last season. So if you're not committed to improving your overall game, pick one task in particular and get immensely better at it. Extend your shooting range, develop your off hand, develop counter moves off the dribble, step up defensively and take the charge....but even bringing that one extra tool to the court next season won't come by updating your status on Facebook, or texting your friends, or catching up on your DVR.
We talk daily about our goals as a team, which includes winning a league title, winning a district title, etc. etc. Everyone knows the commitment it takes to get there, and we have a core group of players who are truly committed. But like a lot of teams, we also have those who think they're committed, and we have those who just flat out aren't committed. For every player you have in those last 2 groups, your task becomes more and more difficult. I think every kid on your team would love to win a league title, or a district title, or even a state title, but as the old saying goes, "Everyone wants to go to heaven, but not everyone is willing to die to get there." Take it upon yourself to not be one of the players that costs you and your team a chance at reaching your goals.
So whether or not your basketball "heaven" includes a team goal or an individual goal, there's only one way to get there. And you shouldn't have to ask your coach how to get there, because deep down you already know.
Time to start "dying".
Chad Little is the varsity girls head coach and athletic director at Bloom Carrol High School. Chad also coaches the Ohio Express 14U team.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome to the new Ohio Express blog. Check back frequently, we will be adding articles on how to improve your game, opinion pieces, advice on being recruited, advice on becoming a better player by becoming a better athlete and much, much more. Stay tuned.
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