WNBA Finals

  The WNBA finals was a blast to watch. What a treat for the offseason. The Storm and the Dream each fought a tough battle. After any pass every player went into triple threat unless they had an open shot. The series was a showcase of fundamentals performed by the best ballers in the world.

Ball Tough Drill.wmv By University of Windsor Head Coach Chris Oliver

Encouragement

Our youth need encouragement to gain confidence to play to the next level.It motiveates them to compete beyond the comfort zone they may develope during off season or summer vacation. I like to see players up against tougher opponents and playing their hearts out to perform against and with the challenge presented to them.
The season for tryouts are not far away,just a couple months. As the old saying goes. If your not practicing now, someone somewhere is. I mostly motivate kids to play more. Off season should be more than NBA 2K11. Motor skills and basic fundamentals, agility drills and general fitness training should be performed at a regular basis. It only makes sense.
This advice is mainly for the one sport athlete. Others are performing fall ball, football, volleyball and they have performance training to go along with their programs.
Ten, twelve years ago there were basketball hoops poping out all over in neighborhoods across the country. It seems to have diminished somewhat. I would like to see a comeback of that. STREETBALL doesn't have to just be for the tour folk.
Put a basketball a basball and a football on your curb and see which one a kid will pick up. Mostly it will be the basketball since it's the only game you can play by yourself.

Ankle Injury Prevention

Recently the Detroit Pistons banned a shoe from being worn by team members. They had numerous ankle injuries in players wearing the Nike Hyperize shoe. It's advertised as a super light weight basketball shoe. I looked at the shoe and it's stylish and see how many would like to wear it. Light weight design may attract players to wear it. The strength training coach at the Pistons suggested the ban because it has no ankle support on the sides of ankle or no padding as some shoes offer.  
I decided to investigate by reading forums and discussions on ankle injury prevention in shoes. The strength training coaches had some great ideas on how to pick a proper shoe for playing basketball. Playing the game involves side motion and cutting. Landing sometimes involves injury especially when on top of another players foot. That injury may be unavoidable in what any shoe has to offer. But the cutting effect requires not only good shoes but good healthy ankles aswell.
The best discussion about the shoe came from a strength and conditioning coach who said to put on the shoe your interested in and bear weight on the heel. Move your heel outward and if your heel goes outward and the bottom of the shoe stays or bends inward toward the other leg it will be cause for injury. That made sense to me.
Others discussed the training efforts by teams. One in particular noted to train the ankle without shoes for a short period after practice. The basketball shoe hinders the full movement while training to avoid injury. Take off shoes and perform forward lunges, reverse lunges and side lunges. Most players put their ballin shoes away after practice anyway and makes for a perfect time to build strength in that area.
I know at Humboldt State University they demand every player on the floor wear ankle braces during all games and practice. This has cut down on ankle injuries since they implemented that idea.
One should always lace up properly. Buy a pair that fits well. The foot should not float around. It will also avoid blisters on the forward and reverse motion during landing and performing jump-stops.

Youth Basketball

Hi, I'm Carlo Dorigoni an AAU coach. There have been many arguments about AAU basketball not properly training the player. Some are right with the argument because many teams don't cover fundamentals in their program. Some teams only focus on offense with no real concern for defense. Truly, I've only witnessed just a few teams in AAU that do this. Today, more and more school generated teams have gone towards a solid teamwork ethic. They develop the players that may contribute to the program. My AAU teams won't begin for a few more weeks so I've been catching a ton of games at many levels. I see some pretty good coaching overall with the exception of a few school coaches only concerned about their offense. At practice the concern is only for the starters. Run the offense with the bench players only playing defense. No fundamentals are covered with these teams and are easily displayed when the team hits the court for a game. Conditioning is only done as a punishment instead of explained as the true benefit of preparation. Do you notice this at times? Hopefully your child isn't on such a team. His or her only hope is the following season they get a different coach. In AAU, my teams focus most of the practice with fundamentals, then going into skills. We follow with a little offensive sets, blobs and slobs. The rest of practice is focused on defense. We play 2 0n 2, 3 on 3 and 4 on 4. Kids love to scrimmage. If it's a good practice I like to reward them with a short scrimmage. At end of practice I'd like to take the final 5to 10 minutes for strength and conditioning. Stretching is included as part of the program. This is proven to reduce injuries.

A New Look & Thanks

This year we gave thanks to our players and sponsors by putting our new logo on sweatshirts and tee-shirts. Our sponsors were printed on the back with "The D is on the Court". We use that saying to answer why we spell Humboldts wrong. We use Humbolts to incorporate the lightning bolt. All of our players parents pay their way for our costs to have a team. Our sponsors help us make the program successful with donations which helps the needs of the team. Gym time, balls, uniforms, tournaments can be costly. We could not continue without their help.
Thanks to all for yor support:
RAO Construction, Humboldt Bay Packers, Shaw Peterson Insurance, Steve Wills Trucking & Logging, Hensell Materials, Solo Sports, Sport & Cycle and Design Engraving.
Through the years we have built many relationships with coaches, players and fans traveling to other communities displaying good sportsmanship.

2010 Boys and Girls Basketball

This year we will have the girls basketball team as usual and play at the JV or varsity level. We will play in the local spring league and travel to other communities.
Last year we put together a boys team for just the spring league. We had some boys from Winship Middle Middle School and 2 from Mckinleyville. We will be looking for a few boys from Zane 7th grade school this season. Last year we had 9 players and all worked around some wild schedules to make games and practices. While spring league basketball is going on, so is little league baseball and soccer. We mananged somehow.

Student Athlete's on the web

A picture of Jordan in his junior year.
Some market themselves by sending a short bio and some game film to different campuses to generate interest to play further in sports. Some join NCAA search groups to help them. Some charge a fee to get your name out.
A local high school player at Arcata High in northern California has produced a fine website to get his name out. This may be the way of the future to get recruited at the college level. I've watched Jordan Semple play and grow since he played middle school ball. I believe his work ethics on the court and in the classroom will help him move on to the next level. Here's his link:
www.jordansemple.net

A Work in WHAT !!!

This past few years the media has come up with some dandies to express themselves so the audience would respond with "Gotta listen to this " or Gotta read that". I try to leave the rants I have off my writings but can't get this off my mind.
In the late 90's they came up with everything being an event. I've attended many gatherings that would be considered an event. The media decided an event was anything that happened. A windy day, car wrecks, copy machine ran out of ink, stuff like that. But when they called a full moon an event, I about lost it. They not only made a big deal of having a full moon, they called it a LUNAR EVENT. Holy cow, shut er down, we gotta see this. From the ground looking up we see 12 to 13 full moons a year. Hardly a big deal when ya add them up thru life. They are beautiful though.
Another word that was abused this past decade was MENTOR. Growing up it came to me that someone really special only deserved that honor. All of a sudden, everyone's a mentor. Sure it's nice to donate time and teach, take a person under their wing but to call them all a mentor is out of line. It took the true meaning out of something very special.
This is a lead up to one phrase that creeped up the last couple years.
"A WORK IN PROGRESS"
I've noticed if a team losses by 7 runs, 30 points or 3 touchdowns, you recieve the title of being a work in progress. That's sad. What happened to the reasons why they may have lost. A coach may say this while being interviewed not wanting to ellaborate on the teams effort. Could be a nice way to tell the reporter get away from me. As often as it is used now, I don't continue reading the article or pay attention to the tube. Maybe I enjoy what future plans a coach might have to improve the team. Every team will lose sometime or another. Some play against tough competition or entered a league beyond skill level. I just like that everyone at the middle school or high school is trying their best to play to their full potential. That's all any coach or anyone should ask for.

The Season is Here

Most fans, players, parents and coaches can't wait for this time of year. Basketball Season is to live for. Right now it's raining with the wind blowing hard making indoors the place to be. Nothing like being inside a gym during these conditions. Excited to see happy people dressed warm cheering for their teams. Chili Dogs, nachos and real salty pop corn in the air. I can skip a hot dog at a game,but chili dogs get me every time. Gotta have one.
Here in Eureka, middle school girls basketball season is over. I attended over a dozen of those games. Looks to be a few stars in the making.
My son is in the 7th grade and his team has been practicing every day. Next week is a practice game and following week begins league. Can't wait.
Already, I've seen a couple Men's and Women's games at Humboldt State University and a game apiece at College of the Redwoods. Caught a few JV Girls games at local high schools, some boys Varsity Tournaments and a little bit of girls varsity games. It's been busy driving from gym to gym. Hectic but fun.
I devote most my time watching JV girls play at the moment, that's the level of basketball I'll be coaching in 2010. The Humbolts Team will resume the last week of February playing local and traveling as an AAU Club.
Yes, I admit, I've been scouting my own players. Liking what I see for the most part there are some areas needing to be addressed. New offenses are in place that can be confusing to some. That will come along. Basic fundamentals have been lacking a little and I'm hoping as the season can progress, they work out those kinks. Watching some of the other teams are the same. A little time everyone will begin to jell, I'm sure. Been some stars too, many recieving MVP and All Tourney Awards.
Last year I assisted with my son's 6th grade team and we put together an AAU club for 10 games locally. I'm considering doing it again for the local league only.
With the girls, I have one concern. This will be the year some of the players get drivers licences. I worry about that. In the past I lost players to the independance of driving. Some will want jobs.
Some will take on too much to make room for AAU basketball. It's at this point when a player makes the big decision. The first drivers licence brings along that false sense of maturity.
You know what I mean..."Bye Mom, I'm off to live my life...back at 11." As a teenager I abused my option to drive. Came home late. Any excuse is a lame one when operating something that gives you the sense of freedom. The car becomes worthless when your keys are grounded.
I've got a pretty level headed bunch. We'll have a team regardless.
SEE YA ALL AT THE GAMES.

Dream vs. Reality

There is nothing wrong with having a dream. Many players consider themselves to be better than they are. Years ago I sat with a junior college coach at a sections championship game and asked if any of these players would be playing for him in the following season. He said at this moment the boys on the floor feel they are all D-1 caliber. We'll get the ones that face reality. Of course that takes some time.
Having goals are good to have and I encourage them. Being a student athlete is a huge responsibility. Some students are ready for the full load, some are not. You are no longer pushed by your parents to do homework or study. The player is basically treated as an adult and doing assignments, arriveing to classes and practices on time is crucial for success. If the player needed to be pushed to do homework in class or on the court a junior college may be a preferable choice.
The workload for some can be overwhelming especially if the high school councellor helped miss manage the goals needed to pursue the next level. I'm not saying that councellors are bad, just once in a while I've witnessed some poor advice. Parents should be involved with the suggestions to help meet the goals of the high school student athlete.
Some colleges have mandatory study halls for student athletes. That's a good choice for the player that on occasion had trouble making a grade, term paper or finals. Workload and solid work ethic go hand in hand.
What about the players that could not perform certain critiera demanded by college ball. Hustle in college is a whole other animal. Players considered to play need to dribble with both hands, shoot with two hands, pass well and perform triple threat skills. I've seen players who have played only zone defense. Post players who can only play around the block, some have no pivot. Regardless of skill level, there is a campus for everyone.
What I'm getting at is there is nothing wrong with going to a Junior College. Those who don't respect that, I've noticed are the ones who haven't attended any college at all.
Worst agenda I've found for disaster was a student did not want to go to a particular school because..."That town sucks!" I've heard this a few times. My answer was are you going to attend a college to learn or party. It turned out those particular students have quit teams or classes, not finishing semesters.
My thoughts are...Get a solid education.

Battle for the North State 04/26/09

This picture was taken after playing the Championship

game. We came in second after losing to a solid team with

good defense. Hopefully we can get another crack at them

in the Chico event during Mothers Day weekend event.

Battle for the North State

This pic taken after winning our second game. We went to event with 7 players. At the end we were down to only 5 players, one twisting her ankle and the other fouling. The girls won the game on the free throw line in the last 6 seconds.

Humbolts 09'

The look of Humbolts Girls Basketball will change for the 2009 season. We will be a Junior varsity level team as most the players are Freshman.
Another change that will take place will be all the players will be from Eureka. In the past we have had players from different school districts.
The reason for the change is other programs have developed within the players area. It makes some sense to do this. It is illegal for school coaches to determine where someone plays during extra curricular activities. I'm not saying that is going happen. But I have witnessed it. I don't believe a player at this young age should experience the emotion of having to make this choice.
Mack has had an AAU program running for a few years. Dusty at Arcata has some good ideas to create a good program. My good friend Scott Meredith is now in Fortuna and he will continue with a solid group. South Fork looks interested. Crescent City I'm not sure, they go in and out. It's fun to go up there and scrimmage.
I'm looking forward to coaching this new team. We will participate in a local league and enter five tournaments.
It has been 5 years since having a 14u & 15u squad. The Humbolts were successful at this age group then and will be again.

The "D" is on the court

Down By Twenty

There are always feelings when a coach or a fan realizes their team are down by 20 at the half.
That's the way it was for College of the Redwoods women last night against Feather River. Wish I was there but read about it in the Times-Standard.
C R turned the game around and won 76-71. WOW!!!
Coach Newman had to come up with some kind of adjustment and inspiration. I think it shows a lot of Character and Courage by the players to not give up and play hard.
The half time discussion had to go beyond the Vince Lombardi quote book.
Congratulations to C R on a wonderful win.

Harness The Power

I visited Humboldt State Women's basketball game against Monterey Bay a couple weeks ago.
There I saw the beautiful new gym along with the always excited fans. I arrived early, I like to watch them warm-up. I know a couple players from watching them play and sometimes get a wave and a hello. That night I got a nod and a half smile. It seemed they didn't want to break a feeling they had deep inside them. I looked around at the rest of the ladies and they all displayed an emotion of power.
When they came on the floor at tip off the power was unleashed. The shots were all precise and the defense was incredible. Every player performed with excellence. When substitution was needed another breath of power came in the way storms attack the shore.
Of course, solid shooting makes for a good win but the defense created and set up every effort.
I don't think any team could have beat HSU that evening. I was overwhelmed with the POWER they had within themselves. I'm certain coaches Jodie and Skip were proud of the extreme effort.
It involves preparation, tons of it. You can come back the following week with the same preparation but not always get the same results in a game. Trying to get everyone to have that feel at the same time is a hard feat to accomplish.
Humboldt State had it that night. I hope to witness it again. I know power doesn't come in a can.
I'm sure every coach would like to harness it.

Pictures From Mack Event

Summer of 08 we played in the McKinleyville Tournament. This event featured JV & Varsity school teams from all over the area. We entered as a JV AAU team and played well as all the girls on the Humbolts had just graduated from the eighth grade.
Ralph McCarthy a local photographer was kind enough to take pictures of the event. Ralph is known as The Title 9 Guy. He has a great website dedicated to women sports. He posted the photos on his website. Check it out.
http://www.title9guy.com/ Click Ralph's photo gallery, then go to AAU basketball.

Coach R.B. -- Challenge

A couple posts earlier I wrote about a challenge from a coach on what your three most important things in basketball are. It was Coach Randy Brown. He has a wonderful website for youth coaches and especially handy for parents of players. He always keeps the site fresh with new concepts and ideas on the game. Check it out:
www.EzineArticles.com/randybrown

Inspiration

Inspiration is often all you need to get things going. Having a goal to motivate or some gimmick to get the mind going, setting the mood. A speech isn't always needed or a butt chewing or a
motivational genius coming in to inspire the team. Sometimes you just need a little something, a
tiny something like a word.
I came up with a word a game. I wrote about this in an earlier blog so I will just print the words we used for each game.
PREPARATION FEAR TRUTH CONFIDENCE
DESIRE SHARE HONOR TRUST CHARACTER
COMMITMENT SPIRIT ACCOUNTABLE
FAITH FORGIVENESS RESPECT HOPE
COURAGE FAMILY LOVE PASSION
These were the words for the Humbolts of 2008. I will use them again some day.
Now for our first word of 2009:
"SUCCEED"

The Challenge

A coach e-mailed a challenge to a few thousand fellow coaches earlier in the year. He asked if
you could have only three most important things on your coaching agenda, what would they be?
Wow, that would be easy and then I thought about it. It got kinda hard. I gave the idea some hard thought, slept on it and came up with my personal three.
REBOUNDS---DEFENSE---TEAMWORK
Those were my choices. To make a solid team work as a unit these meant the most to me.
Our defense was satisfactory and better than that at times during most of the season. Our
teamwork was excellent after only a few games. Only once in awhile an opponent would fluster our players into poor decisions causing turnovers. I was more than pleased with the effort.
Rebounds did not come as often as the opportunity presented itself. I did not introduce very aggressive rebound drills until later in the year. I can take part of the blame for that.
Rebounding is much more than just, bump, box-out and arms up. The position and foot work
involves athleticism and heart. Ya gotta really want the ball. We will turn our drills up another level in the spring.
I don't remember who sent this challenge. It helps focus on certain aspects of the game that needs to be addressed. Like the old saying "Jack of all trades, master of none" it would be nice
to fully demonstrate three things well and then perfect them. If we could accomplish that, move
on to other aspects of the game. I'm not saying don't teach the fundamentals of the other parts
of the game while learning the big three, I'm saying try to focus on a few things at a time.