Ronn Wyckoff

Coaching is like a chess match between opposing coaches - moving players like chess pieces. A good coach will have an arsenal of moves to make and be ready to counter opponents' counter-measures. What I devised in 1973 was my way of dealing with other coaches' teaching methods. I gave birth to my "Giant Killer Defense".

Fast break basketball is exciting to watch and to play, but it takes a lot of discipline and practice to make break situations succesful. In order to break from any and every situation, we take off running to our basket – from turnovers, interceptions, a rebound, jump ball, inbounds pass, etc. Every time we transition to offense, I want a break.

Playing defense between the ball and the basket is only part of defending the ball. Good position defense, coupled with influencing pressure, can help eliminate some of the dribbler's options.

When I begin to work with a young post player, one of the first things I will do is to have them learn how to move through the key while avoiding being caught with the 3-second rule. While I have them doing this, I work with their balance and setting their feet when they get to a position....

When you have to teach small kids how to dribble, first use an appropriate-sized ball that will help to instill confidence and success. All players need dribbling skill. It's not just a point guard or a hard-driving forward who needs to control the ball. All players need control over the ball all the time it's in their possession….

I was an inconsistent 80-90% free throw shooter and now I am consistently above 96%. Here's what I did.

Many (basketball) people are remembering John Wooden, with his passing at age 99 this past month. I first met Coach Wooden in 1973, when I was coaching high school basketball in California. His influence on my coaching and personal lives have left an indelible impression. He also left lasting memories with my sons. This article, Coach: A Coach's Family Influenced By John Wooden, is my tribute and remembrance of Coach John Wooden.

Perfecting any skill in basketball needs to begin with beginners, so we need to look at who is teaching children and what is being taught about shooting free throws.

Understanding the components to coaching success go beyond X's an O's. The coach brings success (or failure) to the team through his own belief system, attitudes, focus, communication skills and discipline.

Until the basketball role models--NBA, WNBA and collegiate players and teams--make a concerted effort to improve their free throw shooting percentages, younger players are not going to take seriously the need for better free throw shooting. When free throw shooting percentages improve at the higher levels, youngsters will want to be better at the line too.