Newsletter #140

Today's Theme... the Assistant Coach

What makes a good assistant basketball coach? Here is a listing of some important qualities.

      Jud Heathcote and young assistant Tom Izzo

Loyalty... The first and most important attribute (read more).

Keep an open mind and always be willing to learn... be a student of the game (read more).

Understand your role... Just what is your job? What does your head coach want you to do? (read more)

Positively interact with coaches, players, parents and fans (read more)

Professionalism... look and act professional (read more).

Specific tasks... below are some specific tasks that an assistant could be involved in, depending on just what your head coach wants you to do.

1.  Communication with the scorer's table... keep track of time-outs, fouls, etc.
2. Pre-game player match-ups... from the scorer's table get the opponent's starters and create your defensive match-ups.  Review with the head coach.
3. Pre-game drills... some teams seem to require an assistant under the basket barking at them to get them to work up a sweat in their pregame drills. Help get them ready to play.
4. Keep stats... or designate your statisticians.
5. Scorebook... make sure the roster and starters are entered correctly.
6. Clipboards, markers... have them ready on the bench, during time-outs, and in the locker-room both pre-game and halftime.
7. Chairs... make sure you have enough for all coaches, players and managers.
8. Uniforms, towels... help keep track of uniforms. We keep an extra "blood uniform" that a player can quickly change into, in the event of extensive blood on a uniform. Have a good supply of dry towels on the bench.
9. Water... make sure players have water available on the bench.
10. Medical, first-aid kit... make sure you have it at games and practices, and that it is well-stocked. Know where to find ice.
11. Basketballs... make sure your practice and game balls are properly inflated. Collect the balls at the end of each practice and secure them.
12. Forms, money... your head coach might want you to help collect medical forms, and forms/money for special camps or clinics.
13. Scouting... your head coach may ask you to help scout other teams.
14. Help with youth clinics... help your head coach build the program by running clinics for young players... your future.
15. Filming practices
16. Breaking down game film (ours or our opponent's)
17. Run practices... there may be times when your head coach is unable to attend a practice. Be ready to step forward and have a well-organized practice ready.
18. Monitoring athletes' academic progress
19. Coordinating team building events or community service activities
20. Confirming transportation/travel arrangements
21. Running strength training/conditioning sessions
22. Helping athletes rehabbing injuries
23. Maintain a playbook... if you have the time and desire, offer to create and maintain a team playbook (if there is none).
24. Communication... help team communication by keeping a list of all player and coaches phone numbers, and establish a "phone tree" for calling each other.

See:  The Assistant Basketball Coach