Coaching basketball, for many, may come innately. However, for the vast majority of us, coaching a basketball team takes work, practice, experience, and just a bit of luck. However, luckily for you there are a plethora of ways to become a better basketball coach.
Below, we’re going to discuss how to become a better basketball coach. These steps will be straightforward and easy to understand. However, in order to become a better basketball coach, you will also need to put in the work.
Being a good basketball coach, as with many things, takes practice. Don’t get frustrated if you don’t see results right away but know that with time and effort, results will come and be the default.
You may also want to consider some of the best books for coaching a winning basketball team.
Why do You Want to be a Good Basketball Coach?
I, personally, think it is important to ask the question before discussing ways on becoming a better basketball coach. We’ve spoken to hundreds of basketball coaches across all league levels. Coaches who volunteer at youth leagues, to coaches who coach the high school levels, to coaches in Division I NCAA leagues.
While there is no perfect or right answer to the question of, why do you want to be a good basketball coach, there seems to be two overlying trends in the answers we receive.
The first, is quite simply, for the love of the game. While fame, popularity, and money may come to certain coaches, it is unlikely. However, what all basketball coaches seem to share is a deep, devoted love of the sport and the game of basketball.
They want to be better basketball coaches because they love the game and have an innate curiosity of the differing aspects of the game.
Secondly, and perhaps slightly touchingly, is their love and respect for their players. No matter the level of play and competition, nearly all basketball coaches expressed to us that they want to become better basketball coaches so as to make their players better athletes.
And not only do they care about their athlete’s basketball abilities, but many of these coaches wanted to be role-models and figures that their players can turn to for support, advice, and guidance.
It seems, from our own research, that these basketball coaches cared deeply for their players and wanted to give them the best coaching abilities they are capable of.
So, before you read further, ask yourself, why do you want to be a good or better basketball coach?
While we cannot answer the question for you, you should ask yourself the question and make sure that you do so with the purest of intentions and for the betterment of your players.
Keys to Being a Great Basketball Coach
There are a few main keys that make a basketball coach a great one. And while there are certainly variations in how each coach utilizes those keys, overall, the general themes remain the same.
- Philosophy – perhaps most importantly for any coach is to have a coaching philosophy. That is, how do you want to coach and how do you want your players to be coached? There are famous examples of coaches with differing philosophies, and while studying those can be useful, you will need to come up with your own and have your own unique style and take.
- Respect – respect, in basketball and in life, goes both ways. And as a basketball coach, you will also need to earn the respect of your players. Do not assume that a coaching position is a quasi-dictatorship. Rather, understand that the relationship between coach and player is symbiotic and one’s success is the others.
- Positive Attitude – as a basketball coach, you should always have a positive, optimistic attitude. Now, we’re not saying you won’t get frustrated, upset, or even angry. But overall, your attitude should be positive, and you should provide positive energy to your team.
- Communication – what is the purpose of having knowledge if you’re not going to share it? As a head coach, you should be communicating with your team before, during, and after practices and games. Let your players know what they are doing well, but also let them know where they have a gap in experience or skill. Coach them on how to become better and help them reach those skills.
- Sportsmanship – the team follows the coach. And as a basketball coach, you should always show the utmost level of respect and sportsmanship. Doing so will set a tone for the entire team and ensure that your team shows the same level of courtesy, respect, and sportsmanship to others.
- Discipline – we’re not going to pretend that anyone likes to dole out punishments or be the bearer of bad news, but as the head coach of a basketball team, the onus and responsibility is on you to ensure your players are playing within the guidelines of the sport and the organization and to take action against a player who steps too far out of line.
- Unity – perhaps an odd one to include, but no team is ever complete without feeling like a team. And though you may be the head coach of the basketball team, you are still part of the team. Don’t act better than anyone else on the team. Be there before practice helping to get everything situated and stay after practice until each player has left. Practice what you preach, and you will build a more cohesive, unified team.
Steps to Becoming a Better Basketball Coach
Once you have identified why you want to be a good basketball coach and the keys to being a great one, you can begin to focus on how to become a better basketball coach. Utilize these steps and watch as your basketball coaching skills rise.
- Continuing Education – the fact that you’re on this site is a good sign. But don’t stop there. An easy way to become a better basketball coach is to always continue your basketball education. Whether by watching YouTube videos, reading up on strategies by famous coaches, or researching online new offensive and defensive plays, doing so will keep you in touch with new basketball techniques and ensure you are not lost in older, less efficient ways.
- Individual Goals – another way to become a better basketball coach is to take a more individualized approach to the game with each player. While you will still need to perform team practices, you should also work one-on-one with players to help them achieve their goals and develop their basketball skills.
- Identify Weaknesses – in addition, a great basketball coach doesn’t place their team in easy, low-effort practices with the goal of completing them. Rather, to become a better coach, you must force your team into uncomfortable situations. By going through uncomfortable, difficult practices, you will be able to identify their weaknesses and help them overcome it.
- Keep It Simple System (KISS) – basketball can be difficult and unnecessarily confusing. I mean, who knows the difference between the triangle offense and the Princeton offense. And while we’re obviously joking, there is something to be said about not complicating the game. Utilizing the KISS method, just keep it simple. The best coaches are the ones who focus on a few offenses and defenses and execute against them perfectly.
- Keep Everyone Engaged – if you really want to be a better basketball coach, then work on keeping everyone on the team engaged. From your starters to the players on the bench, having everyone engaged will help to form a unified, cohesive team and one that will hold no anger or resentment against one-another.
- Keep it Fun – basketball is a game. It’s one of the best games, even. But it’s just a game. And you’re likely not going to be competing for the NBA Championship anytime soon. If you want to be a better basketball coach, then keep the game fun for your athletes. Play hard, give 100%, and enjoy the ride.