Mater Dei Catholic Basketball
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
How We Think
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Part 1 of 5
DIFFERENT FOR A REASON
We try different things when we see a way they can help us win.
1.1Section
Cutting Edge
We explore ideas and push at the edges of convention.
1.2Section
Beating Expectations or Falling Short
Being different can help us beat expectations or make us fumble the bag, so the difference has to work.
1.3Section
Differences That Become Reasons We Win
We find enough ways to be different that those differences become the reasons we win.
1.4Section
Unique for a Reason
We make opponents prepare for us.That takes up their practice time.
1.5Section
How Underdogs Win
Be different.Execute like a machine.Don’t get pulled into one-on-one battles.
Part 2 of 5
THE BEST TEAM SHOULD WIN
What makes a good team?Roles.Effort.Communication.
2.1Section
Together
We give ourselves a chance against bigger, faster, more skilled players by playing better together.
2.2Section
W.I.N.
What’s Important Now.
2.3Section
Do Your Job
Do the right thing.At the right time.Every time.
2.4Section
Multiple Efforts
We give the second and third effort it takes to finish the play.
2.5Section
Winning the Next Possession
We work to win the next possession through effort, communication, anticipation, and execution.
Next
- 2.5.1Communication
- 2.5.2Execution
- 2.5.3The Thought Experiment
2.5.1Topic
Communication
We talk so all five players know what’s happening and what they need to do.
2.5.2Topic
Execution
We do our jobs together, possession after possession.
2.5.3Topic
The Thought Experiment
Size.Athleticism.Skill.Execution.We get all the points.
2.6Section
Talking
We must define the words and when to say them.Telling a player to “talk” is like telling him to “play” without giving him a play.
Next
- 2.6.1Vocabulary
- 2.6.2What to Say and When
2.6.1Topic
Vocabulary
Project The words we use, defined.
2.6.2Topic
What to Say and When
Project The specific calls, and the moment each one is made.
2.7Section
Anticipation
On defense, we see the next action coming and get there before it hurts us.On offense, we see the next opportunity and take advantage of it.This is the most important element of our basketball team.
Part 3 of 5
BUILDING TO WIN OUR LEAGUE
My San Diego High experience taught me to build every game plan around winning the league.
3.1Section
What My Experience Taught Me
Central League.City League.Eastern League.Western League.
Next
- 3.1.1Crawford
- 3.1.2Hoover
- 3.1.3Coronado and Christian
- 3.1.4Cathedral, Saints, and Mission Bay
3.1.1Topic
Crawford
At San Diego High, Crawford was the team to beat, and the job was to beat them twice in league.
3.1.2Topic
Hoover
When Hoover became the challenge, we built our defenses and offensive sets to beat Hoover.
3.1.3Topic
Coronado and Christian
Coronado and Christian raised the challenge, and we spent the year preparing for Coronado’s 2-1-2 with the big in the middle.
3.1.4Topic
Cathedral, Saints, and Mission Bay
I beat Cathedral, Saints, and Mission Bay when we weren’t supposed to, and we had a plan to do it.
3.2Section
Current League Opponents
We’re preparing to beat Victory Christian, Bonita, Olympian, and Montgomery.
Next
- 3.2.1Victory Christian
- 3.2.2Bonita
- 3.2.3Olympian
- 3.2.4Montgomery
3.2.1Topic
Victory Christian
Project What Victory Christian does well and what we need to do to beat them.
3.2.2Topic
Bonita
Project What Bonita does well and what we need to do to beat them.
3.2.3Topic
Olympian
Project What Olympian does well and what we need to do to beat them.
3.2.4Topic
Montgomery
Project What Montgomery does well and what we need to do to beat them.
3.3Section
One League Game Plan
We take what those four teams demand and work on one league game plan throughout tournament season.
Next
- 3.3.1Four Scouting Reports
- 3.3.2One Unified Game Plan
- 3.3.3Tournament Games
- 3.3.4Ready for League
3.3.1Topic
Four Scouting Reports
Each coach’s workbook has space to scout what each league opponent does well and what will work against them.
3.3.2Topic
One Unified Game Plan
We build one offensive and defensive plan that gives us a chance to beat all four teams.
3.3.3Topic
Tournament Games
We use tournament games to work on what will win our league, even when another defense might work better that night.
3.3.4Topic
Ready for League
We work out the kinks over games and games so we can count on our system when league starts.
Part 4 of 5
SCOUTING
We scout to see what’s coming.We keep the way we play.
4.1Section
Their Players
Who shoots.Who drives.Who they feed in the post.Who initiates their offense.
Next
- 4.1.1Shooters
- 4.1.2Drivers
- 4.1.3Post Players
4.1.1Topic
Shooters
We know who their shooters are before they get a chance to show us.
4.1.2Topic
Drivers
We know who wants to drive so we’re ready for the attack.
4.1.3Topic
Post Players
We know whether they want post entries and who they want catching the ball inside.
4.2Section
Their Actions
We learn two or three actions they run so we see them coming.
4.3Section
Their Defenses
We know whether they play zone or man so we can choose the offense we want.
Next
- 4.3.1Screen Coverages
4.3.1Topic
Screen Coverages
We know how they cover screens so we’re ready to attack their choice.
4.4Section
Their Inbound Plays
We know what they run on the inbound so nobody gets an easy one.
4.5Section
Our Response
We use the scout to play our system better and pick the right response.
Next
- 4.5.1Seeing It Coming
- 4.5.2Picking the Right Call
- 4.5.3Keeping Our Rules
4.5.1Topic
Seeing It Coming
We take what we saw on film onto the floor so their actions don’t surprise us.
4.5.2Topic
Picking the Right Call
We choose the calls we’ve practiced that fit what the opponent is doing.
4.5.3Topic
Keeping Our Rules
We keep our rules consistent so players don’t have to learn a new defense every week.
4.6Section
Train Like Number Two
To be number one, we train like we’re number two.
4.7Section
What They Do Best
We watch film for what they do well and prepare to beat them at their best.
4.8Section
We Don’t Focus on Weaknesses
That’s my philosophy.We prepare for them at their best, not their worst.
4.9Section
What We Must Do to Win
We say “We’ll lose to this team if we don’t…” and name the jobs we must get done.
4.10Section
The Bishop’s Game
We lost the Bishop’s game because we watched for lowlights, underestimated them, and prepared like we should win.
Part 5 of 5
FOUNDATION AND CREATIVITY
We know our jobs so we can trust each other and make plays.
5.1Section
Values
Our priorities guide our choices, including playing together and preparing to win our league.
5.2Section
Orders
We use clear calls to tell players what we need, with the exact meaning of “orders” still to be settled.
5.3Section
Rules
We have clear rules so players know what to do without starting over on every possession.
5.4Section
Freedom Within Our Rules
Our guard can be creative with the ball because he knows where his teammates will be.
5.5Section
Coaching Settings
It’s like the NBA 2K settings for all the details.The boss shares their settings, and the assistant gets in line.
Next
- 5.5.1The Settings Questions
5.5.1Topic
The Settings Questions
How are we defending on-ball screens?Off-ball screens?Post entry?Inbound plays?Do we send sideline and baseline, or do we funnel middle?Do we help off shooters?Do we trap?Do we zone?