Defensive scouting report: Do they press? Man or Zone? Makes/ Misses? Primary half-court & secondary defense? BLOBS man/zone, on ball/off ball? SLOB on ball? Primary PNR & DHO coverage? Post Trap? Off ball screens --> Switch? Any 🦒 or 🐁 to attack?

Coaches, let's be real, if our kids are taking all of these adaptable "game like" shots that's promoted in CLA coaching, we're all getting fired. Our offense must produce big advantage shots. If everything feels late clock, we're toast.

Exactly, Coach! 💯

Successful coaches are incredible leaders, believers, teachers, and achievers. It's not a system. It's not what they do. The secret formula lies in who they are. #OnePack 🐺 #CreatedByCulture 🐺 #Unite 🐺

When you finally get to this point in your career, and you have control over your ego, you quit job chasing. You realize the job and the status are not what you seek. You understand a "better" job lies in the eyes of the beholder. Seek connection & make an impact.

I never believed this in my early days. Now that I'm more experienced, I believe it is the #1 factor in sustained success. Never hire a system coach. Hire a leader that multiplies followers.

99% of "X" will disagree with me, but I believe not giving up an angle is the easiest way to improve defense. The first breakdown is getting beat off the dribble. Players will often pressure themselves out of ball, body, basket positioning. Rule #1: Keep them in front.

A great benefit of drop coverage is you don't need a 3rd defender (tag) in your PNR coverage, as long as you don't let the roll get behind your head. Sparty broke the rule.

One thing that destroys a culture is allowing bad shots to occur. A second is a coach who doesn't have a plan on how to teach and correct the mistake without demoralizing their player.

"Some beautiful paths can't be discovered without getting lost." -Erol Ozan

Win everything mindset. They want to drive the gap. We want to stop it. Win the battle. They want a clean 3. We hockey stop and take it away. Win the battle. They want the rebound. We want the rebound. Compete for it and win the battle. We win everything.

I used to follow the KISS formula until I realized that complexity is an illusion. It's only complex to those who don't understand it.

If you install any sets this year, it's okay to rep them 5 on 0. X will make you think you are setting the game back 50 years. Sets eliminate decisions in stressful situations. A scripted action produces a specific shot. It's a mental break for kids. Decisions come in your flow.

"Great leaders never sacrifice the people to save the numbers. They sacrifice the numbers to save the people." -Simon Sinek

The lower the level, the more value you get in the post up game. Thanks to Michael Jagacki for sharing this info. 3's are great. We like to race up the floor and feed the cats, but don't forget the dawgs in the paint. We all have value. We all need to be fed.

Elmhurst University has offered our 2026 point guard, Clara Dempsey. She's as skilled of a player as anyone we've ever coached. She will be an absolute blessing to the one that brings her home.

Allow players to soar 🦅 with their strengths. Great players can turn trash into treasure. Are we giving them that opportunity?

Our on court standards reflect a tea party. 🍵 T - Toughness E - Effort A - Attitude 1.) Fill their cup (Pour courage and belief into everyone) 2.) Share the sugar (We share the ball, leadership, everything) 3.) Table talk (Communicate & connect, be intentional) #BestYou

Our goal is to have the #1 culture. If our players are committed to each other and to their role, the results will take care of themselves.

Dominican University has made an official offer to our all state 2026 point guard, Clara Dempsey. She is so much more than a talented guard. She leads, connects, and inspires. If your program could use a culture boost, look no further. 👇 Clara Dempsey