Book Description
Continuing Sports Illustrated's tradition of producing best-selling coffee-table books for the holiday season, SI presents The Basketball Book, a lavish celebration of the athleticism and pageantry of both the college and professional game. With the same kind of unforgettable photographs and award-winning writing that propelled The Baseball Book, The Football Book and The Anniversary Book to The New York Times best-seller list over the past three years, this volume brings to life the legendary players, the classic action and the great rivalries of the court. In 294 oversized pages, The Basketball Book commemorates the epic teams and characters, the personalities and performances and artifacts that have created legions of passionate fans since Dr. James Naismith nailed up a peach basket and devised the Original 13 Rules of the game more than 100 years ago. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful Coffee Table Book!
This is a great coffee table book.I purchased this for my husband's birthday and he really enjoys it.I am not a sports fan but the beautiful high quality artistic photos are very appealing to me.

Sposts Illustrated " The basketball Book " scores again !


I bought the SI Basketball book because I had already bought the baseball and football books, and was very pleased with them.. I expected the basketball book to be of the same quality of writing and photos of the other two. I was not diapointed. The book is full of great articles by quality writers, and with many photos by the famed photo staff at SI. If you want a good quaility book, and are a basketball fan, this book is worth the more then fair asking price. The origins of the game to the present day game is covered as well as profiles on the superstars of each decade, is excellent. This is an exceptional book, buy it, it is worth it.

The Basketball Book
Great basketball book. Excellent if you'd like to get an appreciation of the 60's and 70's of NBA basketball (as well as current information).

Highly recommended !

NICE COFFEE TABLE VOLUME
This is a great coffee table book and would be a great gift for any basketball fan.Great value for the money... it has an inexpensive list price for what you get.Great photos as usual from SI and some nice tables and charts highlighting each decade.

Best of all... there is a large fold-out photo spread showing the best players in history at EACH HEIGHT from 5'3" to 7'7" and composed to show them standing next to each other.Everyone from Muggsy Bogues to Manute Bol.And yes... Michael is rated the best 6'6" player.

Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com
Basketball for Dummies is another slam dunk in the Dummies series. Former Notre Dame head coach Digger Phelps begins with the fundamentals and quickly moves up court from there. By the final buzzer, you'll have pulled down pointers on how to play the game, how to look good on the court, how to coach it, how to watch it, how to strategize, and even how to talk trash on the playground. From H-O-R-S-E to Hoosier hysteria to the signature moves--Grant Hill's between-the-legs hesitation, Michael Jordan's fadaeway--of the greats of the NBA, Phelps has come up with a game plan that takes the game seriously, and teaches its nuances a helluva lot less painfully than running wind sprints between the foul lines.Book Description
Basketball is the most popular participatory sport in the United States. As simple as the game often seems—throwing a ball through a hoop—there are many aspects of the game that go unnoticed. But with Basketball For Dummies, Second Edition, you’ll get the inside scoop on hoops.

Whether you’re a player, a fan, or a coach, Basketball For Dummies, Second Edition will get you better acquainted to the game, so you can play it better, coach it smarter, or appreciate it more as a spectator.

Former Notre Dame head coach Digger Phelps begins with the fundamentals and quickly moves up court from there. From playing a pick-up game to watching March Madness on TV to the excitement of the NBA Playoffs, Phelps has come up with a game plan that shows you how to have fun with the game, while you become familiar with it. By the final buzzer, you’ll have pulled down pointers on how to play the game, how to look good on the court, how to coach it, how to watch it, ho w to strategize, and even how to talk trash on the playground.

Within these pages, you’ll also discover how to:

• Suit up for the court
• Get into basketball shape
• Play effective offense and defense
• Use signature moves from NBA greats
• Shoot quality free-throws
• Join fantasy leagues and get great stuff online

Customer Reviews (15)

A Great Read
This book has alot of very helpful info on the game and the breakdown of the rules. The diagrams on plays should be easier to understand though, because most people can not follow on how the plays or drawn out or worded. I wanted a little more information on fouls and how they work..... there is not much a definiton and explanation of a defensive foul. But alltogether it is a great book and reference for the game of basketball.

Great Resource
This book does a great job of breaking down basketball into some of the smallest elements that starting coaches might not remember.This would be a great resource for all elementary and middle school coaches.It is written by one of the best college coaches of all time.This book is filled with reliable tips about the game of basketball for coaches and players.

Decent
Based on the limited rule coverage and lack of text and diagrams covering the differences between the various levels, I was tempted to give no more than three stars. However, the tips on how to improve your basketball play were worth five stars, so I averaged the two. It is not quite up to the caliber of other "for Dummies" books, but it is worth a read.

Uninformative about any technical details
I bought this book hoping to get some insight into some technical issues that cause endless arguments between my buddies when we play (most often about whether a particular play involved a foul or not). If you have the same idea, forget about this book as it has next to no in-depth explanations for this kind of situations. For example, a defensive foul is defined as "a player engaging in illegal contact with an opponent". And this is it! There are no examples, no explanatory diagrams, nothing more. How's that for completely useless for you?
Or take this very common situation where you're watching a game on TV, then something quick happens that you don't quite follow, and the referee signals something. What exactly does the signal mean? The book has ZERO information on signals.
So what does the book contain?
- Hundreds of anecdotes, some of which make a good read but very few improve your understanding of the game.
- Very, very basic and shallow introduction to the game and the rules.
- Descriptions of playing strategies - this comes right after the introduction, leaving a big logical gap in your knowledge. If you are indeed a dummy about basketball (as the title suggests) then this part is too advanced for jumping right into it.
- Lots and lots of coaching suggestions and drills. Again, this would be a good idea but I'd assume that better knowledge of game rules would be a pre-requisite of successful coaching. And since the book is very sparse on the actual rules and jumps from very basic introduction straight to strategies and coaching, it leaves the latter parts hanging in the air.
Also, it has next to no information for practicing on your own, almost all the drills assume that you do it with many people.
- Lots of trivia on basketball history and players. Again, some of it is interesting but it doesn't improve your play or understanding of the game.
So all in all, the book was a disappointment. It might be useful if you're mostly interested in trivia but it doesn't help with anything substantial.

This book is a definite "trey"
I remember watching some Notre Dame games that Digger Phelps coached. The games were always entertaining and top notch. You could tell Phelps was excellent at getting the most from his teams. This book is a continuation of that, he combines his knowledge and occasionally humor to write an excellent guide about the sport. In an early chapter, he points out that you can play the game almost anywhere and equipment costs are low. Who wouldn't enjoy it? In later chapters, he discusses rules, stats, shooting fundamentals and offense, defense and rebounding, specific plays run during games, the various levels of play (from pickup games up to the pros and international basketball), as well as chapters on coaching and getting into "playing shape." He even lists his choices for "Ten Greatest Games" and "Ten (well eleven) Greatest Players." The book even contains a glossary of terms and drills to use in practices.

Truly a complete "instructional guide" to basketball (if there ever was such a thing). ... Read more

Book Description
The Duke University men's basketball team has served as the gold standard in college athletics for well over two decades - and that's all because of the extraordinary impact of Mike Krzyzewski, the highly-respected coach of the Duke squad.Coach K's reputation as a teacher of young men has transcended his extraordinary success as a coach. The Duke team is always ranked at the top of the college game, year in and year out, but what's truly remarkable about Coach K are his players and the legacy they leave behind: Grant Hill, Shane Battier, Elton Brand, Bobby Hurley, and on and on --these are not just great basketball players, but individuals who have become true leaders in American society, all thanks in large part to Coach K's leadership.So how does Coach K do it? In this new book, he reveals his tips, advice, and time-tested guidance on how he coaches and educates his players about life beyond the basketball court. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Far Beyond Basketball
Coach K scores a 3 pointer with this book. Words indeed have power to lift up or to tear down. The coach lifts us up to new levels with his short chapters on important words to anyone who aspires to greatness. This is a well written and inspirational book that encourages us all to look at the words that shape a well lived life.

Coach K's book in review
Coach K is a great leader and coach, he thinks beyond the apparent and tries to reach to the need, which many leaders do not ever seek to see. His insight is valuable.

Real Leadership
Learn great leadership skills that apply in the business world, sports world, or anywhere else in life.This book makes a great gift.

Doug
Coach K is an awesome coach but an even better person. I encourage everyone to read his books.

Just what I expected
Coach K says a lot in a few pages.Everything I read applies to me or it also can apply and be enjoyed by my 13 year old son or 11 year old daughter.I appreciate Coach K and his daughter taking the time to share the insights contained in this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (94)

you have to read this
I knew of Jim Carroll, read some of his poetry and such. And then I saw the movie--and let me tell you, you have to see that one. So I finally got around to picking up the book. Carroll is unflinchingly honest (though I do suspect he took many liberties with the story) and the story is brutal. This book does not glamorize drug abuse, as it shouldn't. This is a book I'll be coming back to over and over.

Ugh.
Could have been interesting, but this book was so foul (language) I had difficulty staying with it. It has remained, unfinished, on my bookshelf.

The Danger of Drugs
This odd mix of biography and novel takes some terrible situations and turns them into a quest for purity.You won't be able to put it down.

entertaining, true that heroin doesn't affect atleticism
fun story, sure it's dark but you know what you're getting when you pick it up.I like that this book despite being a novel shows how heroin use doesn't cause health problems other than its addiction.too bad he became a thug on it, which also doesn't need to go hand in hand with drug use despite popular misconception.loved the movie, the book is about as good.can relate to more of this book than probably anyone on amazon (nyc, prep school, former precocious poet & dope user, successful shooting guard,thriving today).not saying that to brag but to say it holds up enjoyably as hell well as an odd mix of biography and novel.

Transforming the ugly into the beautiful
This is the best book that I have ever read. It is so well written that it takes your breathe away. In this book he transforms horrible awful situationsinto a quest for purity. I didn't want this book to end. ... Read more

Book Description

David G. Faucher shares his successful "full-participation model" of coaching youth basketball in this Baffled Parent's Guide. Faucher, the head coach of the men's basketball team at Dartmouth College, covers creating good habits, offensive skills and defensive basics, dealing with parents, first aid and safety, and game rules.

Customer Reviews (12)

Good book for the new coach
I was asked to coach my son's basketball team and I didn't know much about basketball.This book got me quickly started with the key fundamentals.

Great Introductory Book
Covers basketball fundamentals and team coaching.Many great drills.Best suited for the younger teams - but a wonderful starting place for coaching youth basketball.

Very good book for a beginner coach
It was my first time coaching basketball. I coached 1st graders. I coached because nobody else volunteered to do it. With that in mind this book was perfect. It has all the basics you need to understand the game and it provides planned practices according to players age.
If you are ever in my situation with little knowledge of the game and forced to coach a kids team, I highly recommend this book.

Good for beginning coaches of young children
I bought 4 basketball coaching books for my husband when he signed up to coach our son's Kindergarten basketball team.He has never coached basketball before.This is the only book he wanted to keep. He uses it to come up with basic drills and general coaching tips. It's good. If you buy only one, I'd recommend this one.

A PRACTICAL AND QUICK STUDY GUIDE
I played a lot of basketball before taking on coaching my 6 year olds' team, but I had never coached.I digested the basics of this book in about an hour and it was a roadmap to get me started.I keep reading and using it as the season progresses.Very very good for first-time coaches for kids leagues of about 5-13 years old. ... Read more

Product Description
The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Basketball is the most comprehensive and up-to-date basketball-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round basketball-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results.

No other basketball book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training. This book will have players increasing strength, power, agility, and overall quickness on the court, leading to an increase in rebounds, steals, blocked shots, and overall defensive efficiency. You will build the strength and power needed to dominate the post and under the basket and you will build the stamina and endurance needed to go strong until the final whistle.

Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs. From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too!

As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

New Edition is Way Better
I'm a multi sport athlete who trains all year round regardless of what sport I play. I bought a few of these Ultimate Guide to Weight Training books, and they definitely helped me train specifically for the different sports that I play. Then about a year later I received an email from amazon that there was a new edition out.These upgraded editions are even better than the originals, with more articles and a lot more sport-specific information. I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who plays a lot of sports or wants to specifically focus on training for one sport in particular.

Best Weight Training Product I have ever used......
The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training is by far the best product on the market.I have tried everything from a personal trainer to those basketball strengh shoes, but nothing increased my strength, speed and vertical jump like the Ultimate Guide.This is the real thing people.See for yourself. ... Read more

Book Description
Coach Girls for Success on and off the Court
Coaching girls' basketball is a blast! Witness a well-executed fast break, an intense defense, or a team's unbridled enthusiasm, and you can't help but be inspired. The effort, pride, and enjoyment on the girls' faces are great rewards for parents and often the signs of a good coach—the type of coach you want to be. So how can you get there?
Perfect for coaches of girls up to age 13, Coachng Girls' Basketball includes everything you need to be an outstanding coach and mentor to your players. Whether you are a seasoned coach looking to fine-tune your skills or a rookie eager to take the court running, you'll discover techniques for success that are tailored specifically to the needs of girls, including:
·Drills and strategies for coaches new to the world of coaching basketball
·Tips on what girls want and need from their basketball experience
·Practical suggestions on how to motivate in a positive and encouraging way
·Advice for helping girls deal with their changing bodies
·And much more!
Now, you can be a coaching winner and help bring out the best in your players, both on the court and in the game of life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great for anyone who is thinking about coaching.
I bought this for my wife who has no formal training in coaching or teaching.It is the first book she's read in years.She still carries it around in her car.She made all kinds of plans - coached in two tournaments and even won one of them.Now she's all about coaching.I think she's found a new love. She never would have done this without the book.If you are thinking about coaching, but just don't know what to do, get this book.You might find that it is all you need.

Excellent Girl's Basketball Book
I'm a new coach and found this book an easy read, but packed with good tips and drills. Works on basics, and doesn't come across as a boy's book titled differently for girls. I would suggest you read this book a couple of times before the season begins. The book points out the importance of planning your practices, it is right!

Beginner Coaches -- Buy this one!!!
This book is great for girl coaches from new to experienced.It is for the coach who wants to learn how to coach basketball the right way. I am a coach and have three daughters and I would hope that any coach that teaches any of my children would have at least a working knowledge of the information in this book. It is an easy read and a good reference book.

Great for the new coach
The author expertly guides the reader through the entire coaching process.Not only the sport and the basics, but also the the most important parts of coaching youths: planning, preperation and Parents!I am also impressed with the in-depth examination of the differences of coaching girls and boys.I definately recommend this book for new coaches of girls.

Buy it, you won't be sorry!
This a very good basketball book for new, aspiring or even coaches with 2-3 years experience ... even if, like me, you are just a parent looking for ways to help your daughter take it to the next level.

***Especially good for fathers or male coaches looking for insights into how to be most effective with the young, female player!***

If for nothing else, the chapter highlighting the differences between the youth male and female players made this purchase well worth the price. Now I know how to better "reach" girls in *any* sport -- especially my own.

The other coaching tips and drills were icing on the cake. Let me know if the author ever publishes a sequel!

Play hard, have fun. ... Read more

Book Description

Over 5,000 talented players have completed the Five-Star program and received scholarships. Distinguished alumni include Isiah Thomas, Moses Malone, Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Mark Aguirre, John Paxson, Jim Paxson, Jeff Ruland, Darnell Valentine, and Mike O'Koren. Here, in print for the first time, is a compilation of 131 drills they practiced at the nation's premier basketball camp.The book includes the following:

• 131 of the best drills used at the Five-Star camp
• Conditioning, one, two, and three player drills for men and women
• Proven regimens from a star-studded galaxy of NCAA and NBA coaches
• Step by step instructions with pictures and diagrams to maximize your potential and practice time

  "Howard Garfinkel and Will Klein are as well organized in their presentation of drills as they are in their camp. This book is a great contribution to your basketball library." -- Bob Knight

  "Owning one of the most varied sports libraries in the country, I consider myself an expert on sports books. Nowhere on my shelves is there anything approaching the value of these drills for youngsters and young coaches. It's the best drill book in America." -- George Raveling

  "With the advent of the three-point shot, there's now a high priority on the skill parts of the game. This book will help the dedicated user become a fundamentally sound player." -- Mike Fratello

  "A must for all young players and coaches who want to learn the game the way it should be taught." -- Rick Pitino

  "Five-Star has done a great job helping kids. I admire the way they've emphasized teaching the concepts and maintained the personal touch in dealing with youngsters. This book carries on that great tradition." -- Mike Krzyzewski

  ... Read more

  Customer Reviews (6)

  VERY GOOD BOOK
  This is a very good book for all coaches. If you like to work all the basic stuff for your team, you can get some ideas from this book. I managed to work some of the exercises in my team [youths at age of 13 (boys)] and I have very good results...
  A "must have" book!!!
  

  Great info
  This book offers a plethora of drills and advice for parents who want to coach their kid's team. The diagrams and explanations are thorough and the drills can be adapted for children ages 11 and up.
  
  
  Alan Safani

  Five Star Basketball Drills
  Excellent drills, easy to follow.Plus many tips on managing the young players.A must read for coaches working with young people.

  ONe of the two best ever on coaching basketball
  This book and Coaching Basketball by Jerry Krause are the two best coaches books out there. 5-star has drills that we use daily in our practices and coaching basketball as some great plays and ideas regarding the game. Getboth these books ASAP!

  Fantastic Book
  This book is a classic. I can not believe that there are not more reviews giving this book the priase it deserves. If you want to become better at basketball you must not only practice consistantly, but you must know thecorrect techniques and moves to practice. This book is basically a completereference of drills for every position that have been used at the nationspremire basketball camp - five star. When Trajon Langdon started out as afreshman at duke this book recieved a lot of attention because Trajon,being from Alaska, did not have great exposure to a wide variety ofbasketball camps. Trajon bought this book and used the drills in it to makehim the player he became. Every highschool player and coach should own acopy of this book if they are serious about improvement. ... Read more

Book Description
Journey "inside the numbers" for an exceptional set of statistical tools and rules that can help explain the winning, or losing, ways of a basketball team. Basketball on Paper doesnt diagram plays or explain how players get in shape, but instead demonstrates how to interpret player and team performance.

Dean Oliver highlights general strategies for teams when theyre winning or losing and what aspects should be the focus in either situation. He describes and quantifies the jobs of team leaders and role players, then discusses the interactions between players and how to achieve the best fit. Oliver conceptualizes the meaning of teamwork and how to quantify the value of different types of players working together. He examines historically successful NBA teams and identifies what made them so successful: individual talent, a system of putting players together, or good coaching.

Oliver then uses these statistical tools and case studies to evaluate the best players in history, such as Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, and Charles Barkley and how they contributed to their teams success. He does the same for some of the NBAs "oddball" players-Manute Bol, Muggsy Bogues, and Dennis Rodman and for the WNBAs top players.

Basketball on Paper is unique in its incorporation of business and analytical concepts within the context of basketball to measure the value of players in a cooperative setting. Whether youre looking for strategies or new ideas to throw out while watching the ballgame at a sports bar, Dean OliversBasketball on Paper will give you amazing new insights into teamwork, coaching, and success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Valuable Tool
I have been using the formulas and ideas presented in Dean Oliver's book for the past three years.I was never a math fan, but my spreadsheets for calculating basketball statistics are the most complicated I have ever created and it was this book that started my obsession.The book inspired me with a fascination over a new way to look at the game and the players that bring it to life.Mr. Oliver's work was just a starting point and over the past few years I have added other formulas and other mathematical approaches to looking at the game, but I would not have gotten anywhere without this book.It is an essential tool in my toolbox for evaluating and enjoying the game of basketball.

Solid Analysis / Easy to understand
I thought it was an excellent book.The author was clearly very knowledgeable both as a basketball player and as a quantitative analyst.Probably this dual identity is also what allowed him to communicate the findings so well to non-analysts while preserving enough of the meat of the analysis for pure analysts to see where it would all lead to.

Best book on sports statistics that I've read.

The Textbook for Getting into the NBA
First of all, I am the author, so the 5-star rating is admittedly biased, but also honest as I wrote the book under the influence of award-winning books like "Guns, Germs, and Steel," "Good to Great," and "Ender's Game."Now that it's 3 years after Basketball on Paper went to press, a couple years after the description here was written, and a year or more after the book got me a job in the NBA, I wanted to add an updated description.

I wrote the book in the hopes of presenting a scientific _method_ for approaching basketball.By "method", I mean that it doesn't present a magical all-encompassing rating for players, but rather a _structure_ for basketball as genetics provided a structure for understanding life and biology.The possession-based concept introduced early in the book allows you to evaluate strategy, the chemistry of a team, and, yes, who are better players.It doesn't matter whether it's the NBA, WNBA, college, high school, or the international game -- the methods apply and I've applied them.The book focused on the NBA and WNBA because that was where the statistics were most readily available going back more than a year or two.That is changing and I have already seen foreign leagues incorporating my work into their game.

This structure does introduce formulas, nothing more complicated than the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division that I learned through baseball cards when I was 10 years old.For coaches who want to avoid these, I actually recommend reading the last chapter first because it summarizes the conclusions of the previous chapters.For people interested in player evaluation, the book has numerous lists of player stats, how many wins and losses they contributed, and how they did it.This includes players as far back as Bill Russell, but as recent as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Allen Iverson.

For baseball fans, I should say that Bill James' work on Win Shares in baseball paralleled mine in basketball, though we did take slightly different approaches.Bill has even said of the book, "Excellent writing.There are a lot of math guys who just rush from the numbers to the conclusion. . .they'll tell you that Shaq is a real good player but his team would win a couple more games a year if he could hit a free throw. Dean is more than that; he's really struggling to understand the actual problem, rather than the statistical after-image of it. I learn a lot by reading him."I am happy to say that experts in statistical evaluation of baseball (like Bill), football (like Aaron Schatz and Ben Alamar of Pro Football Prospectus), and basketball are all communicating about the common goals we have for doing scientific evaluation of team sports, where analogies to business team environments and global politics abound.

I realized as I wrote the book that there were a million projects that I could do from what is in the book.Those projects have come about and grown even before I joined the Seattle Supersonics in October of 2004.Evaluating strategy has grown so much from the basics in this book.Player evaluation, especially as they move from one league to another, has evolved.And, with the experiment of the 2004-05 season, I got to show how the work significantly helps coaching a team.That season, I joined the Sonics with a fixed roster that was universally picked for last in their division.I worked with the coaches, management, and players to provide a different perspective to their own backgrounds, one that complemented their own expertises.At the end of the season, we won our division, we upset the experts by winning our first round series, and we gave the ultimate NBA champions one of their toughest playoff battles. I felt that we should have won the championship -- perhaps naive, but also a measure of the belief I had in not only the work in Basketball on Paper, but also in the ability of the staff and players I worked with.

Now that I do work in the NBA and apply new tricks of the trade, I can't really write another book sharing my secrets.But Basketball on Paper contains the framework, the basic insights, and a lot of the numbers for understanding a lot more about the beautiful game.

If you love stats and basketball...
This is a great book for people who are both numbers geeks and basketball geeks.I wish that there was more of a focus on college basketball, but that's just me.The author even replied to a couple of my questions regarding some of the formulas via email.Highly recommended for a basketball fan intrigued by statistics and indexes.

A Mature Look At Pro Basketball
Oliver's work shows a maturity that has been lacking from many basketball evaluation books--John Hollinger's "Basketball Prospectus" being another exception.Not only are players evaluated statistically but their roles on their teams are considered in context in relationship to their numbers.If you want to gain an understanding of basketball as perhaps you've never had before, and are willing to accept the ambiguous nature of numbers themselves, this is the book for you! ... Read more

Book Description

Find all the basics ion this lively guide.

• The markings on a basketball court

• What basketball players wear

• The three team positions

• The excitement of passing the ball

• The thrill of making a basket

All these and more are included, with a useful glossary at the end.

Customer Reviews (1)

Nice introduction to the game for younger kids
Gail Gibbons's My Basketball Book offers a nice introduction to the rules of basketball with attractive illustrations. The rules are displayed during a game between two teams of kids, the Comets and the Blasters. Gibbons's text offers enough details to give younger gradeschoolers the basics of the game in a fun manner. It's a favorite for my basketball-obsessed son. ... Read more

Book Description
Spectacular plays may make the highlight reels, but winning results from consistent execution of sound fundamentals. Youth Basketball Drills contains all the drills you need to develop the essential skills. Authors Burrall and Patrick Paye have outlined drills and variations that cover the entire scope of the game in both offense and defense. The book shows you how, when, and why to use each drill.

The progression of drills will help you develop your team from beginners to the advanced level, skill by skill. The essentials of basketball offense and defense are addressed, including drills for

• balance and agility,
• ballhandling,
• passing,
• cutting,
• screening,
• rebounding,
• shooting,
• defensive stance and footwork,
• individual moves, and
• team defense.

When you're coaching young players, it's important to start out right. Youth Basketball Drills gives you the know-how and practice tools to teach young players the fundamentals they need to excel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Useful for younger boys
I've coached my son's team for three years as a dedicated parent, but my b-ball drills have been re-treads of my old Jr. & Sr. High drills. I looked for a book for awhile before finding this one; it has given me many fun & challenging drills easy enough for 9 - 11 year old boys with variations that expand as their skill level increases. I'd think that this book would be adequate at least through Middle School age. Perhaps the only caution is that this book assumes that the reader--if not the players--knows the game well. In other words, it is not a book to teach the coach the game.

Good Drills
I was new to coaching youth basketball and needed ideas for drills.This book was helpful with drills as well as good diagrams and explanations.

An Excellent Pick
This book is an excellent resourse for any coach.There is a chapter for each fundamental of the game.Each chaper has a nice progression of drills and a purpose behind each.Each individual drill has a referenced prerequisite section, a detailed break-down and diagram of the drill, and crucial teaching points as a ruberic.It also has a section to help you plan your practices for the entire season.

I have read many books on basketball instruction and this one is a must have. ... Read more

Book Description
He amassed the most successful high school coaching record (1,274-192) ever during his 46-year career at DeMatha High School. Now, in Coaching Basketball Successfully, Morgan Wootten shares the wealth of knowledge that produced a .869 winning percentage, 5 national championships, a National Basketball Hall of Fame induction, and hundreds of high-achieving student-athletes.

Loaded with insights, instructions, and drills, the book contains a wealth of relevant stories, teaching points, and Xs and Os to cover every situation. Coaching Basketball Successfully is your guide to managing a program, team, and players on and off the court every season. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Coaching Baskketball Successfully
This book was a gift for a new High School assistant basketball coach.He read it front to back and continued to comment on how it was written.Easy to read, with many useful ideas and drills.

A book for the ages.
No matter how many books I have on basketball I always come back to this one.When great coachs explain every insight they used to be successful it can only make you a better coach.

A must for first time coaches
I spent one year as an assistant coach and one year as a head coach for boys high school basketball.After a four year hiatus I am returning to head coaching a freshman team and being an assistant for a varsity team.This book made me realize the little things I missed the first time around.From having a philosophy to in game situations.This is a comprehensive plan that I wish I had the first time around.Instead of going to coaching clinics to tell other coaches what Im doing, Im going with questions for the more experienced coaches on how they handle situations.All aspects of being involved in a program are covered: discipline, dealing with the media, dealing with parents, practice plans,etc....This book does not miss a beat,a must have.

Well worth reading
Morgan Wootten is probably THE most successful high school basketball coach, and his book is one that I believe coaches at all levels can benefit from.I have found that the principles, plays and strategies he has written to be very beneficial in my own development as a coach.Plays and diagrams are simple and complete, and his focus on developing his kids as both individuals and players is great reading.This book is one you will want to take your coaching and your team to "the next level."

The "REAL" Bible for coaching basketball.
This book does much more than just teach the game of basketball, it showscoaches how to prepare their kids to be successful in life. And does anexcellent job at both. His experience and record speak for themselves, theman definitely knows the game. But I feel his expertise at the X's and O'sis just icing on the cake. I first discovered Mr. Wootten's masterpieceabout five years ago while preparing to coach a Y.M.C.A. travel team (myfirst gig). It was the main source I used to develop my program. I recievedrave reviews from both the parents and the Y.M.C.A. Over the past fiveyears I have endorsed the book in social settings(when the subject arose)but hadn't seen the book since then. In the meantime I've had an increasedyearning to coach basketball, which I've gone back to school to accomplish.Today I found out, it was Mr. Wootten's book that caused me to believe Iwas born to coach.I recently landed an Assistant Coaching job for theVarsity Women's basketball team at the Div.III school I'm attending.Preparing for the upcoming season I deciced "Coaching BasketballSuccessfully" was the first book I'd reread. Very quickly I realizedwhere my passion to coach came from. The coaching philosophy paper I had towrite the previous semester was eerily similar to many of the ideas inCoach Wootten's book. Since the copy I'm reading now is from the library, Iintend to buy my own copy and one each for both the Men's and Women's HeadCoach here at my school. Coach Wootten's wonderful book optimizes thetrue meaning of the word COACH..,and sparked a fire in my soul, to be thepositive influence and guide that a coach is supposed to be. Exactly whatour children deserve. ... Read more

Book Description

"Coach Hatchell's book is a must-read for every girls' basketball coach. She is fantastic in every phase of the game, and I love watching her teams play."—Roy Williams, head men's basketball coach, University of North Carolina, and Associated Press Coach of the Year, 2006

What does it take to turn a good coach into a great one? You need to be a teacher, a motivator, a guru of X's and O's. Coach Sylvia Hatchell shows you how she manages all these roles and gives you her winning advice to creating a team of champions.

Head coach of the University of North Carolina's women's team, Coach Hathcell combines the Tar Heels' longstanding tradition of basketball greatness with her personal dedication to guiding young women as she teaches you how to:

• Communicate effectively to get peak performances from 11- to 18-year-old girls
• Teach all the fundamentals of the game and run a productive, high-energy practice
• Develop a formidable offense and tenacious defense
• Master 75 of her favorite drills, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced

Customer Reviews (2)

The Ideal tool for girls' coaching
The only coaching book you may ever need! Coach Hatchell hasn't left anything aside. From the psychology of young women and how to deal with it, to the most subtle nuances of coaching, it is all in there. Well illustrated, the explanations are easy to understand and the chapters are arranged in a logical way. I wish the photos would have been in full color instead of black & white but it would have made the book more expensive. I highly recommend it to anyone, whether you are a senior coach or just stepping in the field.

Definite Must-Have!
If you coach girl's basketball -- at any level -- this book will help you immensely.Coach Hatchell goes beyond discussing the simple fundamentals of coaching and X's and O's; she delves deeper into the mentality of a coach and the various nuances that can occur (though the fundamentals are important and they are covered in great detail).The Complete Guide To Coaching Girls' Basketball: Building a Great Team the Carolina Way is loaded with discussions and drills regarding fundamentals, offense and defense.The basics are here if you are just starting out as a coach or if you coach younger girl's.If you coach high school age girls and are more experienced, there is also a wealth of information.There are numerous drills, plays, and sets that will benefit the most experienced of coaches and teams.Coach Hatchell also talks at length about team and game management; a couple of areas that are often overlooked and sometimes difficult to learn.She does a masterful job discussing these areas and giving helpful ideas and tips.

The one aspect of this book that really sets it apart are the 'Ask the Coach' boxes throughout.In these, Coach Hatchell gives her answer to questions such as "What's a good drill to teach the behind-the-back dribble?" and "How do I get my kids to make good cuts in our press break?".The 'Ask the Coach' boxes are loaded throughout the book and the answers are very insightful and interesting.

The Complete Guide To Coaching Girls' Basketball: Building a Great Team the Carolina Way is a must-have addition to your coaching library.It is a well-written book that is very easy to understand and easy to follow.This is one of those coaching books you will want with you at all times -- any information you may be searching for is right in the book. ... Read more

Book Description
Great basketball players like Tim Duncan and Dwyane Wade drawoohs and aahs with their spectacular moves. But before those playersdeveloped their superstar flair, they built a solid base of fundamentalskills in all phases of the game.

Basketball Skills & Drills provides a perfect blueprint for buildingthe foundation that every well-rounded player needs. This special book andDVD package demonstrates each key skill:

• Player positioning
• Moving without the ball
• Ballhandling combined with passing bullet
• Shooting
• Passing, catching, and dribbling
• Perimeter moves
• Post moves
• Defense
• Rebounding

The skills and 90 drills, coaching tips, and DVD reinforce the skillinstruction, emphasize key points, and explain how to correct commonerrors. And since individual skills are effective only when used within theteam concept, the book also covers key team principles for both ends of thecourt. Tactics for offense, including special situations such asout-of-bounds plays, will improve spacing, ball and player movement, shotselection, and scoring. Defensive tactics emphasize positioning, pressure,and various systems to apply in each area or level of the court.

To be an all-star, you must be fundamentally sound. Basketball Skills &Drills is your guide to becoming a complete player--one who can changethe game with great moves and smart play. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This is not just for youth or recreational teams..
I found this book to be an excellent tool for running youth practices. It explains every phase of the game and makes it easy for you to pass this knowledge on to your players.What is contained in this book are rules you will use for your entire basketball career. A great reference book.

For youth basketball fundamentals - this is the best!
Even the most experienced players will need to review basketball fundamentals if they decide to begin coaching. What is second nature for you is brand new to young players.

You will be doing a better job than 99.9% of youth league coaches if you teach your young players the solid fundamentals in this book. I have coached youth basketball for many years, and this book is the first place I look at the beginning of each season.

Some drills are too complex for very young players, but if you instill the basics found in the early chapters, your youthful players will reap the benefits for the rest of their basketball lives.

Highest recommendation!

Basics of basketball
This book is aimed at coaches who have had little or no expierence in the game of basketball. It includes all the basics of basketball and some players may benifit from it. The book is for the coach who is concerned about their players overall developement. This book will help the beginner but, it will be of very little use for the more advanced.

BASKETBALL
THE GAME AND ITS USEFULNESS ... Read more

Book Description
So you’re thinking about volunteering to coach youth basketball? Great! You’re in for a fun, rewarding experience. Whether you’re new to the sport and looking for some guidance or you’re a seasoned coach hunting for some fresh tips, Coaching Basketball For Dummies will help you command the court with confidence.

Each friendly chapter is packed with expert advice on teaching the basics of basketball—from dribbling and shooting to rebounding and defending—and guiding your kids to a fun-filled, stress-free season. You get a crash course in the rules and regulations of the game, as well as clear explanations of what all those lines, circles, and half-circle markings mean on the court. You’ll assign team positions, run great practices, and work with both beginning and intermediate players of different age groups. You’ll also see how to ramp up your players’ skills and lead your team effectively during a game. This book will also help you discover how to:

• Develop your coaching philosophy
• Understand your league’s rules
• Conduct a preseason parents’ meeting—crucial for opening the lines of communication
• Teach offensive and defensive strategies
• Keep your kids healthy and injury-free
• Encourage good sportsmanship
• Make critical half-time adjustments during a game
• Help struggling players
• Address discipline problems and handle difficult parents
• Coach an All-Star or Travel team

Complete with numerous offensive and defensive drills and tips for helping your kids relax before a game, Coaching Basketball For Dummies is the fun and easy way to get the score on this worthwhile endeavor! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Drills & Sound Advise
I have been coaching younger children for 4 years, and I wanted to get some new drills that I could use during practices. This book has a really good outline of offense, defense, rebounding and practice drills. There are also some very good points at the begining of the book on how to deal with parents and other coaches, etc... Overall this book is very good to design a practice plan for coaches who are either new to coaching basketball, or are looking for additional or different drills to run. ... Read more

Book Description
Can things get any worse? Tuck's parents are divorced. He misses his dad. He's in a new house, new town, new school. And to top it off, he can't get court time to practice for the basketball team tryouts. Life feels like one big air ball. Then Coach Walton shows up, and he shows Tuck not just how to play but how to handle all the pressures that kids face, both in the game and in life.

Written from a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction perspective, this positive, engaging story for readers ages 8 to 12 incorporates coaching guides with skills-training exercises help kids learn to coach themselves through everyday worry and stress. Mindfulness and cognitive skills included are designed to teach kids to focus on "now," use their breath to keep their cool, make choices that work, focus on the things that deserve attention, re-direct worries, and use rational and positive self-talk.

Ideal for use with kids by parents, teachers, therapists, guidance counselors, and coaches, this book can be used as a text for small groups, classrooms, and counseling sessions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A self-help guide to dealing with stress and anxiety written especially for young people ages eight to twelve.
Written by psychologist Jane Weierbach and professor of psychology and school counselor Elizabeth Phillips-Hershey, Mind Over Basketball is a self-help guide to dealing with stress and anxiety written especially for young people ages eight to twelve. Filled with coaching guides, skill exercises, self-quizzes and more, Mind Over Basketball teaches the reader how to coach himself or herself to handle stress and stay confident. Mind Over Basketball uses basketball as an example of an activity where one needs to control one's stress, but its advice is applicable to everything life can throw at a person, from tests at school to all types of team activities. Vignette stories help explain the points behind such positive behaviors as learning to keep one's cool, tune one's mind like a radio, talk positively to oneself, and more. Highly recommended as a gift book for young people and for children's library collections, "Mind Over Basketball" is also available in a hardcover edition.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting book for young and old!
Bought this book for our 4yr. old grandson who loves basketball and he studies the pictures even though he can't read yet.Loves to take it in the car with him on long drives. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball
I frequently buy instructional books about basketball, and this is the best one I have ever encountered.It is very thorough and covers all aspects of the game.

Adults
More for coaches or for parents of players. My kid didn't read it, but I did and found it helpful in explaining points of the game. Good buy, but don't expect the kids to read it.

The bestbook I heard of on learning basketball skill
This book is a must for all coaches. It will improve you skill as a coach and help your players be winners. I love this book I will share with the others.

Stan Caldwell
GERMANY

Complete Guide was very complete.
I really liked how the book was layed out. Easy to find the information you wanted.Very informative, easy to read and understand.

Completely complete! -- a must-have book for coaches at all levels!
As a basketball coach who reads a lot of books, coaching materials, and so forth for personal use and for my hoopsu.com reviews, I have read many so-called 'guides to basketball'.Some are decent, but most of them are so basic and watered-down that you could learn more watching an 8-year old in her driveway.The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball is not one of those books.

The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball is far and away the most complete book I have read on the basics, fundamentals, and strategies of basketball.This is a great book for coaches at all levels; girl's or boy's.Coach Mullaney didn't just slap some notes between a book cover; he obviously put forth a lot of time and effort writing this book.It is extremely well organized, easy to read, and simple to understand.

The main thing I like about this book, in comparison to many of the other 'guides', is that it goes well beyond the basic cookie-cutter information.The basics are discussed, but Coach Mullaney goes further and describes more in-depth and pertinent topics, ideas, and drills.That is why this book is not only great for the first-time coach, but also for even the most experienced of coaches at all levels of play.

I also really enjoy Part One of the book, where Coach Mullaney guides you through developing your own plan, philosophy and communication skills.This is an area I would have found invaluable when I first began coaching.

The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball also details offense, defense, and special situations by breaking down all the skills involved and teaching how to perform them effectively.The drills section is also very well put together with over 200 exceptional drills - with easy to follow diagrams.All facets of the game are touched on so you can use these drills to help prepare yourself or your team.

The title says, 'The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball', which it most certainly!If you coach girls basketball, this book is must-have addition to your library.If you coach boys basketball, I also recommend this book...there are so many great ideas in here it is worth checking out!If you want to improve your coaching knowledge and coaching skills, The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball deserves a look! ... Read more

Book Description
Basketball training has advanced tremendously in recent years.New and improved exercises, drills, workouts, and performance tests are nowconsidered as essential as shooting practice in becoming a top player onthe court.

Build your strength and power to be a beast on the boards. Improve yourquickness and agility to be a defensive stopper. Increase your verticaljump to rise over defenders for uncontested shots. Complete Conditioningfor Basketball, including a bonus 40-minute DVD, explains and shows howto get in ultimate shape to play the sport.

Developed by the National Basketball Conditioning CoachesAssociation--experts who train NBA players--this instructional packageapplies to both males and females and to various levels of competition. Getthe most out of your workouts to make the most of your opportunities on thecourt. Use Complete Conditioning for Basketball to fulfill yourpotential from the opening tip. ... Read more