I have been wondering why I have been teaching basketball for so many years. And as I wondered I realized that my INTENTION ALWAYS WAS TO CREATE GREAT SPORTS PERSONS for my country. So SABAL 2011 will be touching other sports besides basketball in order to provide A SPORTS ATTITUDE TO THE CHILDREN.
It comes no surprise to me that many of my basketball students are good at other sports but time has come when they need to be UNLEASHED in a similar way that Basketball has been given to them. It is not enough to be GOOD - the time has come to EXCEL. I am excited at the great potential that SABAL 2011 will create. ATHLETICS will be the main focus - games like Table Tennis, Badminton would be progressively introduced. A SABAL 2011 student would learn SPORTS ATTITUDE and BASKETBALL.
SUMPOORNA too needs to improve facilities for other sports. I will continue to do my bit - but it is time the STUDENTS to pay nominal fees [affordable fees] - which can help the project. Voluntary `plan of payment' can be decided.
VOLUNTEERS will now become the back-bone of SUMPOORNA. They will gradually take over the functioning of SUMPOORNA and registration of all VOLUNTEERS would be also done at the time of SABAL admissions.
SABAL STUDENT/VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION would be done ONLY on 30-1-2011 from 10am to 1pm in REGENCY PUBLIC SCHOOL, VIDYARANYAPURA.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
LIBERATION OF THE SPORTS CHILD! USING BASKETBALL FOR FREEDOM.
A child at play is GOD AT WORK. There is no reason for us to disturb such a child for the real joys of life come from playing. Using this `play' to free the child could help unleash the great potential which remains underutilized. I have used basketball as a very powerful `play tool' enriching the lives of children and mine own.
Basketball demands fitness, skill and competitive spirit. It can create passionate friendships and bitter enemies in equal measure. Taken constructively, both relationships are good since they help raise the level of your game. Inhibitions fly out of the windows and a self-confidence is developed. The urge to be better makes the children FOCUS on skill development and push their bodies' endurance to higher levels.
As the bodies become stronger - the mind too becomes sharper. Faster reflexes, developing chemistry with team players, reading the oppositions' game plan - all come by and by. How often, I have seen - lethargic players transforming themselves into running machines and develop athleticism of the highest order. AND AS I SEE THIS CHANGE, I believe that the child has liberated himself. Helping children to understand this fantastic game is a way to achieving FREEDOM!
Basketball demands fitness, skill and competitive spirit. It can create passionate friendships and bitter enemies in equal measure. Taken constructively, both relationships are good since they help raise the level of your game. Inhibitions fly out of the windows and a self-confidence is developed. The urge to be better makes the children FOCUS on skill development and push their bodies' endurance to higher levels.
As the bodies become stronger - the mind too becomes sharper. Faster reflexes, developing chemistry with team players, reading the oppositions' game plan - all come by and by. How often, I have seen - lethargic players transforming themselves into running machines and develop athleticism of the highest order. AND AS I SEE THIS CHANGE, I believe that the child has liberated himself. Helping children to understand this fantastic game is a way to achieving FREEDOM!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
SENIOR PLAYERS ATTITUDE HAS HARMED BASKETBALL!
The attitude of basketball players has also discouraged popularity of the game. I have seen senior basketball players `manipulating' rules just to win the practice games. This leaves the junior players very confused and they do the same mis-interpretation when they become seniors. To know the latest rules and interpret them correctly - is a very important issue. I have seen officials discussing these among themselves - but there is no way the players will immediately come to know of them. These documents are selectively given and no public domain publication is available.
We all look at SHORT TERM GAINS - there is no long term policy of training basketball players from a young age. AND WE WANT THESE GAINS for ourselves or our relatives and friends. Parents want their children to be in the school team - coaches want their favourites to be in the club team - officials want their club players to be in the state team and the list goes on and on. Merit is last on the list. The really deserving are left out and the game suffers. Such people tell their stories again and again to others and a `dismal' outlook for the aspiring players isn't very motivating.
PLAYERS CONSTANTLY KEEP ASKING - what am I getting? Love for the game isn't enough, especially if you are not getting selected because of `corrupt selections'. Life-long friendships turn into enmities - by a game that was supposed to foster friendship. We, in SUMPOORNA, are now counselling young players on the attitudes that they are supposed to develop as they learn skill development. A correct attitude would help make every basketball player an AMBASSADOR OF THE GAME - and attract millions of youngsters to play it.
We all look at SHORT TERM GAINS - there is no long term policy of training basketball players from a young age. AND WE WANT THESE GAINS for ourselves or our relatives and friends. Parents want their children to be in the school team - coaches want their favourites to be in the club team - officials want their club players to be in the state team and the list goes on and on. Merit is last on the list. The really deserving are left out and the game suffers. Such people tell their stories again and again to others and a `dismal' outlook for the aspiring players isn't very motivating.
PLAYERS CONSTANTLY KEEP ASKING - what am I getting? Love for the game isn't enough, especially if you are not getting selected because of `corrupt selections'. Life-long friendships turn into enmities - by a game that was supposed to foster friendship. We, in SUMPOORNA, are now counselling young players on the attitudes that they are supposed to develop as they learn skill development. A correct attitude would help make every basketball player an AMBASSADOR OF THE GAME - and attract millions of youngsters to play it.
Monday, March 22, 2010
THE DECEIVERS - THE FAKE ARTISTS - THE MAGICIANS
There is a hue and cry among the middle aged coaches - THE GAME OF BASKETBALL IS LOSING ITS SHEEN! The very reason for which this game was created is slowly losing ground to PUSH AND PULL WWF type of game. This game was created to unleash the skill of deception of a very high standard and the slightest contact would enable the fake artist an advantage. The magicians were at work and the referee had to allow the magic to go on. Not so, anymore.
I do not know whether this chapter should find its place in this learning manual. I am talking about it because I feel it is important - and it would enable fresh thinking among the people who organize basketball games. That this chapter would be controversial - is the very objective I want to achieve.
There are lot of misconceptions about the game - the chief of which is that a basketball player should be very tall, very powerful and should be able to bull-doze his way into the paint. Watch the videos - the winning shots were almost always outside the paint. Actually, the way NBA rules of three second violation and inside the paint time violations keep changing - looks like the organizers are a confused lot. New rules need to enhance the quality of the game - but because they change so often, indicates lack of clarity. I AM GOING TO BE THE MOST DISLIKED PERSON FROM NOW ON - but I ask you `why the magic of basketball is fading'. The answer lies in this very paragraph.
INJURIES ARE A BIG CAUSE OF CONCERN. After all the game is to be played for fun and competitiveness need not necessarily mean injuries to the players. Some referees allow mayhem and others do not want you to even breathe for the fear that your expanding chest may block an offensive player. THREE REFEREES SEEM TO BE LESS - I am waiting for the FOURTH REFEREE WITH A LAP-TOP.
The deceivers, the fake artists, the magicians - created a web of confusion among the opposition. The arms - the torso - the legs - the ball movement created a `mirage' and poetry comes out. Injuries were rare - because the intentions of the players were evident - they helped the referees. But, today deceit has taken the place of the old time `magic'. I am no authority - yet I have seen the game taking a big fall.
As I enter the basketball courts of SUMPOORNA, I teach my students the game - I teach them respect for the opposition. Injuries are absolutely not permitted. It is a contact-less game - IT IS MAGIC! That is the way the game of basketball should be played.
I do not know whether this chapter should find its place in this learning manual. I am talking about it because I feel it is important - and it would enable fresh thinking among the people who organize basketball games. That this chapter would be controversial - is the very objective I want to achieve.
There are lot of misconceptions about the game - the chief of which is that a basketball player should be very tall, very powerful and should be able to bull-doze his way into the paint. Watch the videos - the winning shots were almost always outside the paint. Actually, the way NBA rules of three second violation and inside the paint time violations keep changing - looks like the organizers are a confused lot. New rules need to enhance the quality of the game - but because they change so often, indicates lack of clarity. I AM GOING TO BE THE MOST DISLIKED PERSON FROM NOW ON - but I ask you `why the magic of basketball is fading'. The answer lies in this very paragraph.
INJURIES ARE A BIG CAUSE OF CONCERN. After all the game is to be played for fun and competitiveness need not necessarily mean injuries to the players. Some referees allow mayhem and others do not want you to even breathe for the fear that your expanding chest may block an offensive player. THREE REFEREES SEEM TO BE LESS - I am waiting for the FOURTH REFEREE WITH A LAP-TOP.
The deceivers, the fake artists, the magicians - created a web of confusion among the opposition. The arms - the torso - the legs - the ball movement created a `mirage' and poetry comes out. Injuries were rare - because the intentions of the players were evident - they helped the referees. But, today deceit has taken the place of the old time `magic'. I am no authority - yet I have seen the game taking a big fall.
As I enter the basketball courts of SUMPOORNA, I teach my students the game - I teach them respect for the opposition. Injuries are absolutely not permitted. It is a contact-less game - IT IS MAGIC! That is the way the game of basketball should be played.
Friday, March 19, 2010
THE GENIUS BASKETBALL PLAYER! WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING - PLAYING BASKETBALL IS!
What are the qualities of a genius basketball player? Is he the guard or the ball handler or the defender or the shooter? HE IS EVERYTHING!
BODY LANGUAGE is the easiest way to spot him. He is in the court with a specific mission but he is relaxed. His dribbling has no `styles' - HE LOOKS VERY SIMPLE!
He studies the basketball court in a very measured way AND THEN BEGINS TO BUILD HIS PLAYING STRATEGY. He dons different roles!
AS A BALL HANDLER, he signals to his players as to what position they should play. He passes, sets up screens, takes rebounds or sits on the outside for a three pointer. Or in case of a turnover, presses the ball to delay the offense from making a fast break. He knows everything! Years of practice, long hours of training sessions - using simple basic techniques perfectly - HE DISSECTS AND POST-MORTEMS a losing game.
It is easy to play - IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE OTHERS PLAY. A genius basketball player earns the respect of the team by being able to pass the ball to the `best' positioned player. HE NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE. His confidence enhances the team's and coaches' confidence. It doesn't come easy. It takes EFFORT! It takes ACUMEN! It takes LOVE for the game. These days, many children show-off too much in styles and talking about the game - rather than build their stamina with exercises. A CULTURE OF CHATTING AND YAPPING is slowly building up - the real `work' of LEARNING BASKETBALL is ignored. The genius basketball player is like a sponge. He is constantly learning and practicing. His actions demonstrate his abilities.
A genius basketball player is compassionate during training sessions and practice matches. He helps others - especially the juniors - by pointing out their mistakes. In this process, he LEARNS MUCH MORE! I have been a witness to the development of many basketball players who donned the role of `trainee coaches' - their game underwent an extra-ordinary change. Most of them went on to become genius basketball players. WHEN WE TEACH OTHERS - OUR REAL LEARNING BEGINS - ask any teacher.
It was early morning when I was practicing different mock runs with the basketball. A very elderly lady who was walking around the court kept observing me. After some time she came up to me and said `You play so beautifully - it is a pleasure to watch'. A lump rose up my throat at this appreciation. And then it dawned on me - IF YOU CAN PLAY BEAUTIFULLY - THEN YOU ARE A GENIUS BASKETBALL PLAYER!
I am growing old. I have seen this beautiful game being slowly screwed up. Winning has become everything - ball hogging is fashionable - questioning referees on every call - rude behaviours degrading the opposition - IT IS NO MORE BASKETBALL - it is brow-beating. I know I am fighting a losing battle - yet I must not give up. The opportunity to produce genius basketball players WHO PLAY BEAUTIFUL BASKETBALL should not be missed.
GENIUS BASKETBALL PLAYERS in large numbers are needed to regain the glory of the game. They are the thinkers - they are the innovators - they give back to the game much more than they take. They are the true ambassadors of basketball. Crowds line up to see them!
AT SUMPOORNA, we do not create basketball players - we build their minds too! Hopefully, these young ambassadors would bring back the glory of the game in a way that would attract millions of children to play the game. Some rules would have to be re-written and the first one would be WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING - PLAYING BASKETBALL IS!
BODY LANGUAGE is the easiest way to spot him. He is in the court with a specific mission but he is relaxed. His dribbling has no `styles' - HE LOOKS VERY SIMPLE!
He studies the basketball court in a very measured way AND THEN BEGINS TO BUILD HIS PLAYING STRATEGY. He dons different roles!
AS A BALL HANDLER, he signals to his players as to what position they should play. He passes, sets up screens, takes rebounds or sits on the outside for a three pointer. Or in case of a turnover, presses the ball to delay the offense from making a fast break. He knows everything! Years of practice, long hours of training sessions - using simple basic techniques perfectly - HE DISSECTS AND POST-MORTEMS a losing game.
It is easy to play - IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE OTHERS PLAY. A genius basketball player earns the respect of the team by being able to pass the ball to the `best' positioned player. HE NEVER MAKES A MISTAKE. His confidence enhances the team's and coaches' confidence. It doesn't come easy. It takes EFFORT! It takes ACUMEN! It takes LOVE for the game. These days, many children show-off too much in styles and talking about the game - rather than build their stamina with exercises. A CULTURE OF CHATTING AND YAPPING is slowly building up - the real `work' of LEARNING BASKETBALL is ignored. The genius basketball player is like a sponge. He is constantly learning and practicing. His actions demonstrate his abilities.
A genius basketball player is compassionate during training sessions and practice matches. He helps others - especially the juniors - by pointing out their mistakes. In this process, he LEARNS MUCH MORE! I have been a witness to the development of many basketball players who donned the role of `trainee coaches' - their game underwent an extra-ordinary change. Most of them went on to become genius basketball players. WHEN WE TEACH OTHERS - OUR REAL LEARNING BEGINS - ask any teacher.
It was early morning when I was practicing different mock runs with the basketball. A very elderly lady who was walking around the court kept observing me. After some time she came up to me and said `You play so beautifully - it is a pleasure to watch'. A lump rose up my throat at this appreciation. And then it dawned on me - IF YOU CAN PLAY BEAUTIFULLY - THEN YOU ARE A GENIUS BASKETBALL PLAYER!
I am growing old. I have seen this beautiful game being slowly screwed up. Winning has become everything - ball hogging is fashionable - questioning referees on every call - rude behaviours degrading the opposition - IT IS NO MORE BASKETBALL - it is brow-beating. I know I am fighting a losing battle - yet I must not give up. The opportunity to produce genius basketball players WHO PLAY BEAUTIFUL BASKETBALL should not be missed.
GENIUS BASKETBALL PLAYERS in large numbers are needed to regain the glory of the game. They are the thinkers - they are the innovators - they give back to the game much more than they take. They are the true ambassadors of basketball. Crowds line up to see them!
AT SUMPOORNA, we do not create basketball players - we build their minds too! Hopefully, these young ambassadors would bring back the glory of the game in a way that would attract millions of children to play the game. Some rules would have to be re-written and the first one would be WINNING IS NOT EVERYTHING - PLAYING BASKETBALL IS!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
DEFENSE PART II
THE MENTAL DEFENSE is an important tool in playing basketball. Very few junior players use it - but some do and that is where they deliver match winning performances. We have this girl called Harshini who believes her birth right is TO STEAL THE BALL - and surprisingly she DOES IT. She lets the dribbler get ahead of her and then she chases him or her from behind waiting to insert her arm for that slight tap on the ball and LO BEHOLD the ball is stolen. Who taught her this? I think it is self-taught and that is why as I watch her play - I UNDERSTAND WHAT MENTAL DEFENSE IS!
ROLE PLAYING: Every team has players who play different roles. Picking up a role that you do best and contributing successfully is your mental defense. Unfortunately, some times it can go horribly wrong if you MEET YOUR MATCH in the opposition. So at such time, one should have the second option and third option in role playing. So I see Harshini change her role in different matches - AND IT IS TEXT BOOK STUFF - she is so good. Her height is just FOUR FEET! She plays basketball at V.S.C. I have many such players - I see magic every day!
TO KNOW YOUR TEAM DEFENSE: Some players have to be told what to do and some just know it. As they gain more experience, the players gradually understand the importance of defense - the types of defense and finally match winning defense. A team had six points lead with one minute remaining. They decided to DEFEND ONLY - and lost the match. Defense is not to crawl into your shell - ATTACK IS THE BEST FORM OF DEFENSE.
FULL COURT PRESS: This is to be properly understood and practiced. Players need to move and cover every player of the opposition to not allow pass. Speed and stamina coupled with STEALTH would be needed. Our objective is simple - NOT TO ALLOW THE PASS or if a pass is made - NOT TO ALLOW THE DRIBBLE - and if a dribble is made - NOT TO ALLOW FORWARD MOVEMENT! And, to keep searching for A STEAL which is an icing on the cake. Possibility of foul always remains but then it depends on whether you are losing an advantage or gaining an advantage. A FOUL IS A WEAPON OF DEFENSE and if need to be used MUST BE USED.
DOUBLE TEAMING: This needs lot of intelligence and close collaboration between the double teamers. Both have to cover the player - so it is important to push the player to a corner where he can be locked up. It is also important that other players of the opposition too should be well covered so that they cannot assist the trapped player. All the five defense players have to use their guile and skill in creating a `web of confusion' with the right type of body language. It would need hundreds of practice sessions against different players to polish your defensive skills. It is sad to see that the game which provides so many opportunities to THINK and PLAY, doesn't have enough number of coaches.
WINNING MATCHES doesn't necessarily mean that you are learning basketball. I have seen the standard of basketball at different levels and it saddens me. The game has become more and more physical - the artistry of the THINKING BASKETBALL has given way to push and pull. The juniors must learn the correct basics - develop correct behaviour on the court and LEARN and LEARN till they understand the different moves.
Wearing nice uniforms and costly shoes many come to the court with their mobiles in their hands - chatting and yapping - no warm up even till the coach comes. It is like a socialising platform - the basketball court! THE MENTAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE GAME HAS TO BE BUILT - chatting can be done for a limited period after the practice session.
BASKETBALL WHEN PLAYED CORRECTLY BUILDS BEAUTIFUL MINDS - you are collaborating with your team players through `thoughts' and body language. You learn the language which has no words - only fast movement of the body and a last moment FAKE - that makes the opposition make a MISS PASS { a pass made by a girl - No!} - A WRONG PASS which you can then enjoy to attack (maybe even an easy FAST BREAK}.
DEFENDING SHOOTERS! Some years back, I was playing one on one with a very short but extra-ordinary shooter. Shot after shot he made as I pressed to disturb his foot-work or cover his shot by jumping. Then he suddenly started missing - I HAD FOUND THE MAGIC FORMULA. I would move as if to press him, but then just NOT PRESS AT ALL!
My press was actually helping him - BY NOT PRESSING, he was over-shooting or under-shooting! By the time, he realized what I was doing, we were level - and very wisely I told him ENOUGH FOR TODAY. You are going to discover such strategies by yourself only IF YOUR MENTAL ATTITUDE to learn is present. MENTAL DEFENSE IS A GREAT SKILL. Practice it!
YOUR COACH: Every artist, singer or dancer knows that THE TEACHER can make them learn rare skills and have deep insights, if he wishes to. Many players have a very casual attitude towards their coach - and the other extreme of TOO MUCH CHAMCHAGIRI - both are wrong attitudes. Build up a good relationship which helps both you and the coach to understand each other. Not being friendly with the coach doesn't help and BEING TOO FRIENDLY can lead to giving wrong ideas to your team-mates. For this to happen, a proper mental development is needed. I WISH I COULD WRITE MORE OPENLY ON THIS SUBJECT - but in our country we love to push dirt under the carpet - and even when we see it - we ignore it, thinking it will go away. Unfortunately, it doesn't - it accumulates and stinks.
WHAT MENTAL DEFENSE HAS TAUGHT ME? It has taught me to be on my guard always. Whether I am walking on the foot-path or facing a six footer drive in player; whether I am sitting on the chair or driving my Scorpio at 130 Kms per hour; whether I am eating my lunch or climbing an overhang on a cliff - I AM ON GUARD! How many times, I have dropped a watch or a breakable thing and suddenly out of nowhere my foot has reached out, taken the shock and it has rolled on to the ground safely. EXTRA-ORDINARY PERIPHERAL VISION which makes you see 360 degrees all the time. Split second decisions taken regularly when needed to avert accidents with quiet aplomb - that is what MENTAL DEFENSE IN BASKETBALL has given me.
MEDITATION AND MENTAL DEFENSE are very close to each other. In both 100% focus is onto either a thought or an action. It releases joyful hormones and the satisfaction of achievement or attempt to achieve. Perfection comes by and by.
I DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE LAST WORD ON DEFENSE. I hope to add a chapter later on ADVANCE DEFENSIVE SKILLS. I am purposely not giving too many technical details - they can be understood by you with the help of your seniors or coach. I am trying to get the `essence' or the `spirit' into you - so that you can approach basketball playing and learning with the right attitude.
ROLE PLAYING: Every team has players who play different roles. Picking up a role that you do best and contributing successfully is your mental defense. Unfortunately, some times it can go horribly wrong if you MEET YOUR MATCH in the opposition. So at such time, one should have the second option and third option in role playing. So I see Harshini change her role in different matches - AND IT IS TEXT BOOK STUFF - she is so good. Her height is just FOUR FEET! She plays basketball at V.S.C. I have many such players - I see magic every day!
TO KNOW YOUR TEAM DEFENSE: Some players have to be told what to do and some just know it. As they gain more experience, the players gradually understand the importance of defense - the types of defense and finally match winning defense. A team had six points lead with one minute remaining. They decided to DEFEND ONLY - and lost the match. Defense is not to crawl into your shell - ATTACK IS THE BEST FORM OF DEFENSE.
FULL COURT PRESS: This is to be properly understood and practiced. Players need to move and cover every player of the opposition to not allow pass. Speed and stamina coupled with STEALTH would be needed. Our objective is simple - NOT TO ALLOW THE PASS or if a pass is made - NOT TO ALLOW THE DRIBBLE - and if a dribble is made - NOT TO ALLOW FORWARD MOVEMENT! And, to keep searching for A STEAL which is an icing on the cake. Possibility of foul always remains but then it depends on whether you are losing an advantage or gaining an advantage. A FOUL IS A WEAPON OF DEFENSE and if need to be used MUST BE USED.
DOUBLE TEAMING: This needs lot of intelligence and close collaboration between the double teamers. Both have to cover the player - so it is important to push the player to a corner where he can be locked up. It is also important that other players of the opposition too should be well covered so that they cannot assist the trapped player. All the five defense players have to use their guile and skill in creating a `web of confusion' with the right type of body language. It would need hundreds of practice sessions against different players to polish your defensive skills. It is sad to see that the game which provides so many opportunities to THINK and PLAY, doesn't have enough number of coaches.
WINNING MATCHES doesn't necessarily mean that you are learning basketball. I have seen the standard of basketball at different levels and it saddens me. The game has become more and more physical - the artistry of the THINKING BASKETBALL has given way to push and pull. The juniors must learn the correct basics - develop correct behaviour on the court and LEARN and LEARN till they understand the different moves.
Wearing nice uniforms and costly shoes many come to the court with their mobiles in their hands - chatting and yapping - no warm up even till the coach comes. It is like a socialising platform - the basketball court! THE MENTAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE GAME HAS TO BE BUILT - chatting can be done for a limited period after the practice session.
BASKETBALL WHEN PLAYED CORRECTLY BUILDS BEAUTIFUL MINDS - you are collaborating with your team players through `thoughts' and body language. You learn the language which has no words - only fast movement of the body and a last moment FAKE - that makes the opposition make a MISS PASS { a pass made by a girl - No!} - A WRONG PASS which you can then enjoy to attack (maybe even an easy FAST BREAK}.
DEFENDING SHOOTERS! Some years back, I was playing one on one with a very short but extra-ordinary shooter. Shot after shot he made as I pressed to disturb his foot-work or cover his shot by jumping. Then he suddenly started missing - I HAD FOUND THE MAGIC FORMULA. I would move as if to press him, but then just NOT PRESS AT ALL!
My press was actually helping him - BY NOT PRESSING, he was over-shooting or under-shooting! By the time, he realized what I was doing, we were level - and very wisely I told him ENOUGH FOR TODAY. You are going to discover such strategies by yourself only IF YOUR MENTAL ATTITUDE to learn is present. MENTAL DEFENSE IS A GREAT SKILL. Practice it!
YOUR COACH: Every artist, singer or dancer knows that THE TEACHER can make them learn rare skills and have deep insights, if he wishes to. Many players have a very casual attitude towards their coach - and the other extreme of TOO MUCH CHAMCHAGIRI - both are wrong attitudes. Build up a good relationship which helps both you and the coach to understand each other. Not being friendly with the coach doesn't help and BEING TOO FRIENDLY can lead to giving wrong ideas to your team-mates. For this to happen, a proper mental development is needed. I WISH I COULD WRITE MORE OPENLY ON THIS SUBJECT - but in our country we love to push dirt under the carpet - and even when we see it - we ignore it, thinking it will go away. Unfortunately, it doesn't - it accumulates and stinks.
WHAT MENTAL DEFENSE HAS TAUGHT ME? It has taught me to be on my guard always. Whether I am walking on the foot-path or facing a six footer drive in player; whether I am sitting on the chair or driving my Scorpio at 130 Kms per hour; whether I am eating my lunch or climbing an overhang on a cliff - I AM ON GUARD! How many times, I have dropped a watch or a breakable thing and suddenly out of nowhere my foot has reached out, taken the shock and it has rolled on to the ground safely. EXTRA-ORDINARY PERIPHERAL VISION which makes you see 360 degrees all the time. Split second decisions taken regularly when needed to avert accidents with quiet aplomb - that is what MENTAL DEFENSE IN BASKETBALL has given me.
MEDITATION AND MENTAL DEFENSE are very close to each other. In both 100% focus is onto either a thought or an action. It releases joyful hormones and the satisfaction of achievement or attempt to achieve. Perfection comes by and by.
I DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE LAST WORD ON DEFENSE. I hope to add a chapter later on ADVANCE DEFENSIVE SKILLS. I am purposely not giving too many technical details - they can be understood by you with the help of your seniors or coach. I am trying to get the `essence' or the `spirit' into you - so that you can approach basketball playing and learning with the right attitude.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
HOW TO PLAY DEFENSE - PART I
If you can play defense properly, YOU CANNOT LOSE ANY MATCH. These words of my coach are ringing in my ears even after four decades. The pity is that at that time we didn't listen fully to him. We were gung ho with the conviction that we will win always. Only when we lost - we opened our ears for listening.
DEFENSE means in very simple terms - to be able to get back in position to your side of the court before the opposition brings the ball up. There are a few exceptions to this - like full court press etc about which we will discuss later.
DEFENSIVE STANCE: Stand like a boxer, open your legs wider with one foot slightly forward [left or right depending on which side you are] and the arms raised with one slightly up and the other near your chest. Divide the weight of your body equally all over as if climbing a hill - ready to shift the weight at any time. Maintain a proportionate distance from the attacker - about one and a half steps near the half line - about one step near the three pointer line and just about breathing down the neck [no space] inside the paint.
DO NOT OVER-COMMIT! How often we see in the matches, that a defensive player over commits on a fake and an easy basket is made. All younger players look at the ball - YOU MUST LOOK AT THE CHEST and peripherally the feet. Just copy the reflections as in a mirror. Whatever the attacker does - just copy him [move your right foot for his left foot movement and vice versa]. Most attackers have certain habits on which we can build our defense. Some players do not fake at all - it is easy to mark them. Some play fake once and some twice or even more. Study their motions - of course, they will change their strategy for which you must too be ready.
THE PHYSICAL DEFENSE - Widen your stance, be ready to move with the man, keeping your body always in between the attacker and the post. You must have very fast reflexes and totally concentrate on the physical movements of the attacker. Do not allow the opposition the luxury of being able to use their feet freely. Force their foot-work and half the job is done. When you are able to make them stand in an incorrect way, dribbling, passing or shooting will not be accurate. THE FOOT-WORK IS THE KEY. Force their feet to a wrong stance. If you allow them their normal stance - that is not defense - you have lost the battle already.
THE FUN BEGINS WITH THE TALLER PLAYERS! I have always enjoyed defending the taller players - IT IS SO EASY! And I do not understand, why coaches do not see it from my view-point - 5' 3" high POINT OF VIEW! A taller player is very uncomfortable when he is dribbling the ball - the ball bounce is unprotected for a longer duration. His body moves very clumsily - sharp change of direction - creating a fake - all come with great difficulty. The shorter defender has to just create a little doubt and then move like lightening to either tap the ball or make the holder stop the dribble or push him into the corner at zero degree. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENORMOUS! It is fun for you - and destroys the confidence of the attacker. AND YOU CAN ALWAYS HUNT IN PAIRS.
At Cluny Convent, Jalahalli, Bangalore we had a pair MARKESH and KRUPESH. Their stealing was legendary and my son who was the coach used it to the hilt. Some players are just born stealers - they polish their skills in every match - these days I see Chander Shekhar and Karthika do it in V.S.C. I, one of the great defense players for my teams [FINALLY YOU KNOW HOW I BOAST - but it is to motivate my students rather than personal pride], would need a month to explain all the intricacies of defense as a weapon. Anyway, let me continue, with whatever is possible in this manual.
DEFENSIVE PREDATORS : These are the guys who intercept passes, who create turnover after turnover. They are the fastest sprinters - and possess bucket loads of stamina. They go on and on and get on the nerves of the opposition and some-times get an intended or un-intended jab - BUT THEY ROLL WITH THE PUNCH - get up, wipe their hands and get on the job again WITHOUT A WORD! I have been a cross country runner and I always use to wonder at people who played basketball as if they had come to visit a garden. For me, it was a continuous movement of speed - either in attack or in defense. I LOVE RUNNING - though, at 56, sometimes I am breath-less.
COVERING ALL BASES : It is important that no vacant space or attacking lane is available to the defense. There is no need to hack a person who is going with the ball - just move with the person [YOUR COACH KEEPS SHOUTING IT - but do you hear?]. As and when an attempt at a basket is made - THAT IS THE TIME FOR HACKING! Remember 24 seconds aren't a great deal of time - just recently CHINA shut the doors on Indian women team by making them use all the time without taking a shot. It was defense of an extra-ordinary quality. All the five attackers were unable to pass, take a shot or have a comfortable position for any purpose - THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS FLURRY OF DEFENSE which didn't permit it. BUT it was done because the defense had the speed, agility and stamina to go for it. DO YOU HAVE THE STAMINA? If not, start working on it. The joy of being able to run without tiring is extra-ordinary.
NO CONTACT DEFENSE! I often see unnecessary fouls being made at junior level. It is an indication of poor defense and ultimately deprives your team of your skills. A foul is to be made for WINNING THE MATCH and not LOSING THE MATCH, by giving away free throws. A good defensive player hardly makes any foul - he is too intelligent to be clumsy. He shadows the attacker all the time and just stops short of hitting at the last micro-second. The attacker doesn't know what the defender will do hence he is off-balance for that moment which is what DEFENSE IS ALL ABOUT. Creating a doubt or confusion in the mind of the attacker is the essence of great defense.
From a remote corner of India, a child wrote to me that he is reading this manual and the other day my nephew phoned me that he reads my posts regularly. I hope all of my friends who play basketball and even those who don't[which I hope they will start playing]will enjoy reading this manual. It is wonderful to be able to communicate on this public platform. Please let me know if you have any concerns.
DEFENSE means in very simple terms - to be able to get back in position to your side of the court before the opposition brings the ball up. There are a few exceptions to this - like full court press etc about which we will discuss later.
DEFENSIVE STANCE: Stand like a boxer, open your legs wider with one foot slightly forward [left or right depending on which side you are] and the arms raised with one slightly up and the other near your chest. Divide the weight of your body equally all over as if climbing a hill - ready to shift the weight at any time. Maintain a proportionate distance from the attacker - about one and a half steps near the half line - about one step near the three pointer line and just about breathing down the neck [no space] inside the paint.
DO NOT OVER-COMMIT! How often we see in the matches, that a defensive player over commits on a fake and an easy basket is made. All younger players look at the ball - YOU MUST LOOK AT THE CHEST and peripherally the feet. Just copy the reflections as in a mirror. Whatever the attacker does - just copy him [move your right foot for his left foot movement and vice versa]. Most attackers have certain habits on which we can build our defense. Some players do not fake at all - it is easy to mark them. Some play fake once and some twice or even more. Study their motions - of course, they will change their strategy for which you must too be ready.
THE PHYSICAL DEFENSE - Widen your stance, be ready to move with the man, keeping your body always in between the attacker and the post. You must have very fast reflexes and totally concentrate on the physical movements of the attacker. Do not allow the opposition the luxury of being able to use their feet freely. Force their foot-work and half the job is done. When you are able to make them stand in an incorrect way, dribbling, passing or shooting will not be accurate. THE FOOT-WORK IS THE KEY. Force their feet to a wrong stance. If you allow them their normal stance - that is not defense - you have lost the battle already.
THE FUN BEGINS WITH THE TALLER PLAYERS! I have always enjoyed defending the taller players - IT IS SO EASY! And I do not understand, why coaches do not see it from my view-point - 5' 3" high POINT OF VIEW! A taller player is very uncomfortable when he is dribbling the ball - the ball bounce is unprotected for a longer duration. His body moves very clumsily - sharp change of direction - creating a fake - all come with great difficulty. The shorter defender has to just create a little doubt and then move like lightening to either tap the ball or make the holder stop the dribble or push him into the corner at zero degree. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENORMOUS! It is fun for you - and destroys the confidence of the attacker. AND YOU CAN ALWAYS HUNT IN PAIRS.
At Cluny Convent, Jalahalli, Bangalore we had a pair MARKESH and KRUPESH. Their stealing was legendary and my son who was the coach used it to the hilt. Some players are just born stealers - they polish their skills in every match - these days I see Chander Shekhar and Karthika do it in V.S.C. I, one of the great defense players for my teams [FINALLY YOU KNOW HOW I BOAST - but it is to motivate my students rather than personal pride], would need a month to explain all the intricacies of defense as a weapon. Anyway, let me continue, with whatever is possible in this manual.
DEFENSIVE PREDATORS : These are the guys who intercept passes, who create turnover after turnover. They are the fastest sprinters - and possess bucket loads of stamina. They go on and on and get on the nerves of the opposition and some-times get an intended or un-intended jab - BUT THEY ROLL WITH THE PUNCH - get up, wipe their hands and get on the job again WITHOUT A WORD! I have been a cross country runner and I always use to wonder at people who played basketball as if they had come to visit a garden. For me, it was a continuous movement of speed - either in attack or in defense. I LOVE RUNNING - though, at 56, sometimes I am breath-less.
COVERING ALL BASES : It is important that no vacant space or attacking lane is available to the defense. There is no need to hack a person who is going with the ball - just move with the person [YOUR COACH KEEPS SHOUTING IT - but do you hear?]. As and when an attempt at a basket is made - THAT IS THE TIME FOR HACKING! Remember 24 seconds aren't a great deal of time - just recently CHINA shut the doors on Indian women team by making them use all the time without taking a shot. It was defense of an extra-ordinary quality. All the five attackers were unable to pass, take a shot or have a comfortable position for any purpose - THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS FLURRY OF DEFENSE which didn't permit it. BUT it was done because the defense had the speed, agility and stamina to go for it. DO YOU HAVE THE STAMINA? If not, start working on it. The joy of being able to run without tiring is extra-ordinary.
NO CONTACT DEFENSE! I often see unnecessary fouls being made at junior level. It is an indication of poor defense and ultimately deprives your team of your skills. A foul is to be made for WINNING THE MATCH and not LOSING THE MATCH, by giving away free throws. A good defensive player hardly makes any foul - he is too intelligent to be clumsy. He shadows the attacker all the time and just stops short of hitting at the last micro-second. The attacker doesn't know what the defender will do hence he is off-balance for that moment which is what DEFENSE IS ALL ABOUT. Creating a doubt or confusion in the mind of the attacker is the essence of great defense.
From a remote corner of India, a child wrote to me that he is reading this manual and the other day my nephew phoned me that he reads my posts regularly. I hope all of my friends who play basketball and even those who don't[which I hope they will start playing]will enjoy reading this manual. It is wonderful to be able to communicate on this public platform. Please let me know if you have any concerns.
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