Product Description
There is only one writer on the planet who possesses enough basketball knowledge and passion to write the definitive book on the NBA.* Bill Simmons, the from-the-womb hoops addict known to millions as ESPN.com’s Sports Guy, is that writer. And The Book of Basketball is that book.

Nowhere in the roundball universe will you find another single volume that covers as much in such depth as this wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining look at the past, present, and future of pro basketball.

From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens–and then closes, once and for all–every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons’s one-of-a-kind, five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball.

Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.



* More to the point, he’s the only one crazy enough to try to pull it off.
Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best of the Month, October 2009: The Book of Basketball is a 700-page work of hoops genius that would make Dr. James Naismith beam proudly – and probably blush. Author Bill Simmons, best known as ESPN.com's "The Sports Guy," explores the NBA with hilarious insight, brilliant analysis, and a bevy of irreverent footnotes. Simmons is a fan first – a fact best explained in an entertaining foreword by Malcolm Gladwell – and writes from the stands, not the press room. His knowledge and passion for the game provide him with few peers, yet his voice represents those who stick by their teams through thick and thin. As a result, The Book of Basketball is not just a tribute to hardwood heroes, but also a celebration of yelling at TV sets, revering lucky jerseys, and holding our breath until the final buzzer sounds. Throw in pages of nearly-insane statistical breakdowns (including a projected boxscore from the movie Teen Wolf), and it's easy to see why fans of all levels should clear shelf space for this instant classic. --Dave Callanan ... Read more

Customer Reviews (172)

The book of absolute sports writing genius.
I have followed Bill Simmon's rants and raves for quite some time now. We come from the same generation, so his unique approach on following sports, while injecting pop culture references so even the layman can understand the moment, has always been my favorite part of his writing. Plus, I get most of the references, so it makes for a great & entertaining read.

I've only NOW finished reading this book. My favorite sport growing up was basketball. Going over the history, the present and a glimpse at the future was an absolute delight.

If you're a basketball lover, you must read this.

If you enjoy a well written book by an intelligent writer, you should read this.

Thank you for your time.

Amazing amount of information and passion.....
Simmons hits a home run.If you love basketball, you will love this book.I mean, you have to LOVE basketball.......

A must buy
If you are a basketball fan. It's a must buy
Bill Simmons is the espn sports guy, and he wrote a big ass book evaluating all the great players and teams on the nba.

Good Book For Celtic fans from a Celtic Homer
The People in my life know that I am avid NBA fan so the book was given to me as a gift.I dont read Bill Simmons columns so I didnt know that he was the Tommy Heinson of the writing world.As A Laker fan the book is almost unreadable.His Celtic and anti-laker biases also undermine his credibility as a serious analyst of the NBA.He does a whole section on big shots by Robert Horry and doesnt mention any Horry made while playing with the Lakers (imagine that).He ranks the 1986 Celtic team as the best ever over the 1983 Sixers and the 70 win Bulls team.As players go he ranks Celtic Dennis Johnson over Dwayne Wade and the Celtic bias goes on and on.To Simmons every Laker championship was due to bad reffing or unfortunate injuries by other teams.For fans of the Pistons, Knicks and Sixers there are plenty of pro-celtic slights as well.According to Simmons the Knicks run in the early 70's was due only to injured Celtics.He also claims that the 1983 Sixer team featuring Moses in his prime, DR. J, Boston Strangler Andrew Toney, and Mo Cheeks was overrated even though they swept the Lakers and only lost 1 game in the playoffs.According to B.S. the 1986 Celtics were better (they were only better for people who dont actually remember the NBA in the 1980s).He constantly calls Kareem, Kobe, Laimbeer and other players names not realizing and not recognizing that non-celtic fans uniformly think that Ainge and sometimes Bird are also jerks.

The Jokes are repetitive and the book is way too long.And Pau Gasol, one of the best players in the world who just torched the Celtics in the finals, is mentioned once in 700 pages and is never mentioned in the context of a furture hall of famer even though the books spends about 500 pages contemplating who should be in the Hall of Fame.

I give two stars (and not one) because the author does have a genuine love for the NBA and it is apparent he went back and did his homework on the early days of the league.The author also demonstrates a general understanding of the racial components that have affected the league over the years.

But after this unabashed Laker bashing I can only take solace in the fact that this book was completed a year before his Celtics went down once again to the Lakers in seven games (oh so close but no cigar).I wonder how B.S. would spin that.

Annoying but interesting
After reading all 700 pages, plus the hundreds of footnotes, of Bill Simmons' The Book of Basketball, I've come to the conclusion that he actually wanted to write four separate books, but rolled them all into one.He wanted to write books about the porn industry, the movies he loves, a memoir about his college exploits...and, he wanted to write a book about basketball.In The Book of Basketball, you get all four.If you think that would be annoying, you're right.

Now, add this kicker--Simmons apparently convinced his editor (if you can believe there was one) not to delete anything he wrote.How else can you explain his 500-word discussion of the movies Hoosiers and Teen Wolf as the lead-in to explaining why Kobe Bryant is No. 15 on the list of the best players of all-time?His references to porn stars and movies he likes are sophomoric and distracting.

Somewhere in the 700 pages, however, is an excellent 5-star basketball book (perhaps about 400 pages).It's why I actually finished the book.

Simmons tackles a number of subjects, including "Who was better, Chamberlain or Russell? A history of the game, 33 "what if" questions, a review of the Most Valuable Player Awards, the 96 best players of all-time and the 10 best NBA teams ever.

Here are Simmons' Top Six NBA players of all-time: Michael Jordan, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Wilt Chamberlain.

Simmons is far deeper into the NBA than the average or slightly above average fan.Unless you have seen every playoff game in NBA history and are a complete NBA junkie with no life, you won't truly be able to appreciate Simmons' observations and opinions.So, that leaves how many people?

The Book of Basketball is mind-numbing, colossal, tasteless, inane, self-indulgent, interesting, informative, insightful, potentially addictive, undisciplined and irreverent.It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea. Readers might be better off selecting sections from the book a la carte instead of eating the entire menu. ... Read more

Product Description
You volunteered to coach the basketball team, but are you really ready? How will you teach the fundamental skills, run effective practices, and harness the energy of your young team? Fear not: Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball has the answers.

In Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball, longtime coaches Keith Miniscalco and Greg Kot share their experience and provide advice you can rely on from first practice to final shot. From evaluating players' skills and establishing realistic goals to in-game coaching tips, it's all here--the drills, the plays, the fun.

Develop your team's dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding skills with the Survival Guide's collection of the game's best youth drills. For plays and sets that young teams can actually run, flip to the Survival Guide's offensive and defensive playbook. And to get the most out of every practice, follow the ready-to-use practice plans.

Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball has everything you need for a rewarding and productive season. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great Coaching Book
This is one of the first coaching books I read. I only have 5 or 6 total. This book is fantastic and is the short cut for coaches that don't have time to read a ton.

Great drills, well laid out, the right attitude we all should have as coaches, and good tactical strategies.

Be forewarned - this is for YOUTH basketball - not middle school or high school players!
As the title of my review suggests, this book is for coaches who coach youth leagues for young players grades K-4 or K-5.It is NOT for middle school or high school coaches.

My lone criticism is that information is not included in the title, cover scribing or somehow conveyed in the promotional information.

Having said that, this is an excellent book for coaches who have stepped up to take on the difficult, and different, task of coaching and teaching a youth league basketball team.Coaching a 1st grader is very different from coaching a senior in high school.

The book is really well organized using a organizational model that I wish books written for higher level of play would use.There is a drill matrix that helps coaches organize and pick drills, skills lists, etc.

It covers the essential basics of the game and other key information to help the volunteer coach "survive" dealing with his or her youthful charges.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategy and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

Warning!!!! - for kids ages 5-10
I'm giving it a 4 because frankly I haven't read the book yet (don't want to slam it).I'm about to coach in a 13-14 league and when I received the book yesterday I find out it's targeted to 5-10 year old kids.I wish the Amazon product description pointed that out and I would have ordered a different book.While I'm sure there's some good info I can use, I'm disappointed in not getting what I thought.

Nothing Special!
I bought this as a gift for my husband and after looking at it, I didn't think it was very good at all. I know it is called "Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball" but I assumed when buying it that it would be targeted towards middle school or high school aged kids. It seems more for young elementary school aged kids. I was really disappointed. I think it would be good if he were couching elementary school aged kids butthis isn't going to be helpful.

Great book for parents and coaches!
We have two boys that are playing basketball (grades 7 and 3)and this book really helped us understand the basic skills. Both offensive and defensive skills are shown clearly.If you are a parent thinking about coaching youth basketball this is the book for you! If you are just a parent that wants to understand grade school basketball this is the book for you too! After getting this book we now know what is happening on the court when our boys play, and it makes the game so much more enjoyable. The coaches like that we understand the game better and arenot "coaching" from the bleachers too! Buy this book if you are at all interested in youth basketball...you will not be sorry that you did. ... Read more

Product 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. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Just Not That Great
Not that impressed with the coach's record who wrote the book. But more importantly than that I just didn't like the layout. Hard for me personally to follow. I coach 10U boys right now.

I definitely think there are better options out there, read my other reviews.

Well Organized
Having been a ball player through school (20 years ago!), I wasn't too nervous about accepting the volunteer coach position for our county's homeschool high school basketball team. However, asthe first practice started nearing, doubts began to creep in. Did my coaches teach me the right stuff? How much did I remember? How much do I really know about coaching the post players? Etc.
So, I picked a couple of books from Amazon that were rated highly. (The other, by Dean Smith, also looks very good- but I have not needed to dig much in there yet.) This book has proven to be a tremendous asset. I can easily imagine how much less structured our first practices would have been without this book. It clearly lays out drills and plays; and clearly organizes offense, defense, and fundamentals in separate sections. I would absolutely recommend to all but the most seasoned coach. For all of the rest of us, it is an absolute breeze to mine as much or as little as you need to make coaching a pleasure and not a chore.

A good basic book for those wanting to coach youth basketball
I will be honest, I did not buy this book but had a copy given to me by a friend who wanted to know what I thought about it given that I coach basketball for a living.

To sum it up, this is a very good book for any individual who wants to coach a youth basketball team.It has a lot of good, basic information, particularly about organizing practice, etc, and teaching fundamentals.

These two issues are key to the success of any youth sport team and this book addresses those.

It could be more indepth about strategy and tactics and more advanced concepts, but given the intended audience, this is not really an issue and is more of an observation based on what I always look for in a coaching book.

The book is well organized, easy to follow, and provides meaningful examples.So many coaching books have great information in them but are so poorly organized and lack good examples that for the average reader, the book is not useful.


Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

Great Help For Parent Coaches
I had never coached before and was placed in the position of coaching my son's first grade basketball team at a local league.I was nervous not knowing what to do about coaching, not having ever taught or coached 5 or 6 year old boys.The book was extremely helpful in breaking down the fundamentals of basketball and helping with drills and basic concepts of basketball.Although we have only had about 5 practices so far, it's gone very smoothly because of the tips in this book.I highly recommend getting it to help set a basic foundation for new parent coaches who have no clue on what to do.

The only area that may need help is what to teach kids regarding basic offensive strategy.But that will develop with age.

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. ... Read more

Product Description
Eight years of unfettered access, a keen sense of a story’s deepest truths, and a genuine compassion for his subject allow Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist George Dohrmann to take readers inside the machine that produces America’s basketball stars.
 
Hoop dreams aren’t just for players. The fever that grips college basketball prospects hoping to strike big-time NBA gold afflicts coaches, parents, and sneaker executives as well. Every one of them has a stake in keeping America’s wildly dysfunctional, incredibly lucrative youth basketball machine up and running—no matter the consequences.

In Play Their Hearts Out, George Dohrmann offers an up-close and unforgettable look inside the maw of that machine. He shares what he learned from his years spent embedded with a group of talented young recruits from Southern California as they traveled the country playing in elite Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) events. It’s a cutthroat world where boys as young as eight or nine are subjected to a dizzying torrent of scrutiny and exploitation. Coaches vie to have them on their teams. Sneaker companies ply them with free shoes and gear. “All-star camps” are glorified cattle auctions, providing make-or-break opportunities to secure the promise of an elusive college scholarship.
 
At the book’s heart are the personal stories of two compelling figures: Joe Keller, an ambitious AAU coach with a master plan to find and promote “the next LeBron”—thereby paving his own path to power and riches; and Demetrius Walker, a fatherless latchkey kid who falls under Keller’s sway and struggles to live up to the unrealistic expectations his supposed benefactor has set for him. As their fortunes take shape and the pressure mounts—Demetrius finds himself profiled in Sports Illustrated at age fourteen, while Keller cultivates his business empire—Dohrmann weaves in the stories of numerous other parents, coaches, and players. Some of them see their prospects evaporate as a result of poor decisions and worse luck. Others learn how to thrive in a corrupt system by playing the right angles.

Written with incomparable detail and insight, Play Their Hearts Out is a thoroughly unique narrative that reveals the inner workings of an American game, exposing the gritty reality that lies beneath so many dreams of fame and glory.Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best Books of the Month, October 2010: Each year, millions of grammar school athletes swarm fields and courts armed with little more than an infectious love for their games. These endeavors represent the purity of sport, as kids are allowed to be kids and compete outside the demands of lucrative contracts and extensive media coverage. Yet sadly, as George Dohrmann's Play Their Hearts Out demonstrates, such a paradise is fading fast in today's corporate sports world. Dohrmann provides a first-hand account of the rise of a nine-year-old basketball phenom and the grassroots programs that both helped and hindered his dreams of superstardom. To call this story a cautionary tale is to sell it short, as Play Their Hearts Out is an unflinching look at the increasing need for hype in youth athletics. Fans of the brilliant Hoop Dreams documentary are advised to add this book to their cart immediately, as Dohrmann's masterful ability to remove himself from the plotline achieves an honesty that leaves any and all judgments to the reader. --Dave Callanan

Customer Reviews (10)

Best basketball book I have ever read
This book recounts at group of young boys as they pursue their dreams to earn a college scholarship and their experience with all of the adults who want a piece of their dreams. The book is heart breaking as we see agents, coaches, parents, and shoe companies taking advantage of these children. It is a must for any American youth coach and for all those international coach it gives a great insight into the failures of the American basketball development system.

Extremely well written about disturbing subject
The book is extremely well written and contains brutally honest commentary that I imagine interested parties will be shocked to see in print. It's clear that this book was born from an eight-year journey and not something slapped together by a busy writer collecting a quick advance, ala the last 6 John Feinstein books.

As the review said, the author did a tremendous job juggling the various hats of social critic, journalist and storyteller. His account of the high stakes youth basketball scene was meticulous. His access to the principals and ability to get them talking was amazing.

One element that is greatly disturbing is how the author stood by with his notepad and recorder and watched these young athletes become manipulated by a completely delusional, egotistical, corrupt individual, Joe Keller - the main character in the story along with his athlete, Demetrius Walker. While I understand the tenets of good journalism are to not interfere with the story line, this was one occasion where the guy along for the ride for 8 years might have provided an important voice of reason to parents and kids who were being manipulated. It's hard to get past this sentiment even as I greatly appreciated the story and kept turning the pages. It's comforting to know that almost all of the boys ended up okay - if you judge merely by the escalation of their basketball careers into the college ranks.

I guess the author and readers will have to be content with the thought that the publication of this story may help prevent the cycle from perpetuating in youth sports

Great Read-Brutally Honest
Wow! I could not put the book down once I started reading it. Completed the book in a matter of days. So much of the story content was so recognizable to me. I've got two sons playing AAU basketball for the past 4 years. I met some of the characters in the book and the author didn't hold back at all about their personalities. A must read for people involved with competitive sports, especially if your child is playing serious comeptitive team sports. It is very important as a parent to remain active and attentive in your child's AAU activities. It can be easy as a parent to get caught up in the hype. The ranking of middle school players, receiving "free" shoes and clothing, flying and staying in hotels will make you lose sight if you're not attentive to your ego. And yes, there is a parent who was given a home because his kid moved from another State to play ball. Yes, I know a few parents who were given jobs to move their kids across the country to play ball. The author's book is dead on about the under the table (but legal) dealings going on in competitive youthbasketball.

Great read for any parent of basketball player
I really enjoyed reading this book, and it is very well written.As the parent of a 12 year old who plays year-round basketball, I've heard stories of nightmare AAU coaches, but I fortunately have not experienced it firsthand.We've been lucky to have had only very positive AAU experiences.

This book tells the story of young talent in Southern California that is abused by greedy coaches seeking shoe company money.While some fans complain about NCAA rules and how they impact college sports, this story shows what can happen when there are no rules at all.Young children and their parents with dreams end up putting too much trust into coaches that are more concerned about themselves than about the kids.As the story shows, they end up putting too much pressure and too high of expectations on kids at too early of an age.

I am thankful that I read this story, so that it can serve as a precaution to me, as a parent, as I help my child advance in his basketball development.

If you have a child that plays basketball competitively, this is a must read before embracing the grassroots leagues such as AAU.The choices you make can strongly influence whether or not your child burns out on basketball and whether or not your child continues to get better.

If you are interested in amateur basketball, you will no doubt find this story informative and entertaining.

I could easily see this story being turned into a movie.

A must read for anyone who has ever filled out an NCAA Tourney bracket
This excellent, engaging book is perfect for both dedicated sports fans and for any casual observer who has so much as filled out an NCAA Tournament bracket. I've often wondered about the NCAA or NBA players I see on TV. How did these young men end up in front of thousands of fans in the arena and millions more watching on TV? Dohrmann's reporting allows us to be present at the creation of these stars and the boys who never "made it." He crafts a layered tale of boys becoming young men - often before they should - and their struggles, failures and triumphs. "Play Their Hearts Out" is an unvarnished look at the youth sports culture and the coaches and parents who both prey on and selflessly support children. It's a must-read for parents thinking about allowing their children to play on a travel team in any sport. ... Read more

Product 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

Product 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 in your players. Authors Burrall and Patrick Paye have outlined drills and variations that cover the entire scope of the game in both offense and defense. The drills are grouped by skills, with variations that progress as your players learn. Explanations show you how, when, and why to use each drill.

You'll find the information to build stronger individual players and develop a winning team. The arrangement of this book makes it a perfect reference tool--all of the details are presented in a step-by-step format. The drills are categorized into three skill development levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Each drill is clearly marked by number and by name, with an estimate of how much time it takes to execute. A list of all related drills is given to help you implement a systematic order to your workouts.

There are drills for all facets of basketball, including

• balance and agility,
• footwork,
• ballhandling,
• passing,
• cutting,
• screening,
• rebounding, and
• shooting.

Defensive skills are also addressed--both for the individual and as a team--including stance and footwork, individual moves, and team defense.

It's important to start young players out right--executing each move and each technique exactly as they are meant to be done.Having youngsters learn and then practice the proper techniques is vital. Youth Basketball Drills will give you the know-how and practice tools to teach young players the correct techniques, fundamental movements, and proper footwork to excel in basketball. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good information for coaching youth basketball - but you must know the game
I have nearly every book Burrall Paye has written about coaching basketball.Without a doubt his reputation, and his record, as a basketball coach are outstanding.His other books are excellent resources for coaches wanting to learn the x's and o's of the game.

This book is a little different.It is not about x's and o's but how to teach skills and the game to young basketball players.If you have a basic understanding of how basketball works as a team sport, five-on-five, but have no understanding of how to teach skills and concepts to young players who are just learning the game, this is a great book!

It is meant for youth coaches who want to learn how, or to improve their skills, to teach the game to beginning players through the middle school level.It is not meant to help a varsity high school basketball coach.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategy and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

could be better
Could be better for beginners. some of the ideas are basic which is good for young players but some of the plays cannot be run by younger players.

bball coach
The drills in this book are well organized and laid out so that the beginning coach can use them from the 6 year old beginning player up to championship caliber high school squads. I have been coaching youth basketball for over 23 years and this is one of the best instruction manuals I have used. Outstanding.

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.
... Read more

Product Description
An updated tour of the world of roundball. Revised to include coverage of the WNBA, Michael Jordan's retirement, and other significant events, this new edition of Basketball For Dummies is packed with the latest from the hardcourt. The book includes:

• Expert tips on coaching, playing, and conditioning
• Coverage of the game at every level: NBA, NCAA, the Olympics, junior leagues, and the WNBA
• Insights into the events--on and off the court--that have influenced basketball today
• Updated photo and play diagrams, plus recent rules changes
• The latest stats on players, coaches, teams, and more

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

Product 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 (12)

My son, the coach, found it a winner
My son is a coach to a group of high school students who really needed discipline not just yelling and he told me that the drills found in the box kept them focused and improved their game. They were also drills that he did during his high school playing years but had forgotten.

It was fine. Average
Good for teenagers but not for youth.
HArd to read.
Too much bragging about former legends.
Good drills though.

A good source of ideas for teaching players at any level of basketball.
The Five Star Basketball Camps are legendary for helping players develop basic and advanced skills.Many of the same drills used at the camps are explained in this book.

It is a great source of information and ideas for youth basketball coaches, middle school/junior high coaches, sub-varsity coaches and varsity coaches.

It includes details about how to get the finer points of a given skill across to players.

A solid resource for coaches.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

five-star basketball drills
This book is very informative for anyone trying to better their basketball knowledge and skill level.

Great Drills
This book has so many great drills, it can't help but improve your players' conditioning and skills.It's full of great ideas and workouts I would have never discovered otherwise, highly recommended. ... Read more

Product 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 (12)

It's not just for X's and O's
There is not doubt Coach Wooten was a master of X's and O's and this book certainly covers those aspects of the game.Coach Wooten was probably the best high school coach ever, or at least in modern basketball history. No, you can't go wrong if you buy the book for the X's and O's.

But don't buy it for the X's and O's, buy it for all the other information in the book, like how to organize an entire program and develop YOUR OWN style and philosophy of play and coaching.Those topics are what I found set this book apart.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategy and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

For My Money, the Best Basketball Coaching Book There Is
During the 15 years that I've been coaching in Middle School, AAU, and Rec Leagues, I've read a lot of books on coaching basketball, some excellent (Dean Smith's "Multiple Offenses and Defenses," and John Wooden's "Practical Modern Basketball" come to mind), and some not so great.The book in my library that's the most dog-eared and smudged is Morgan Wootten's "Coaching Basketball Successfully."For the levels I've coached, I consider this book indispensable.The book is full not just of X's and O's and drills, although there are plenty of those, but also advice on how to organize a team, how to run tryouts, and how to relate to assistants, players, and parents.There are sections on everything from how to put together a game schedule for the season to when to call (and when not to call) timeouts.It's written clearly and concisely and at a perfect level for my needs.Part of my coaching routine every year is that the first week in August, I take "Coaching Basketball Successfully" down from the shelf and read it cover to cover, one more time.

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. ... Read more

Product 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 (13)

great pictures
i got this as a gift for my boyfriend, an avid bball fan, he loved all the articles and pictures. its a pretty big coffee table book, and arrived quickly in good condition.

Disappointed
Not what I expected at all, but maybe that's my fault.

I was expecting a collection of basketball's greatest moments, but instead got more or less a history of basketball with pictures that depict very random moments and players of basketball.

It would've been okay as a history book if the writers weren't sports writers; since it is, it's neither history nor journalism but something very awkward inbetween.

Almost perfect for hardcore b-ball fans
SI has a great reputation and they've created a great thing here. Like the football book, this is oversized and perfect for the coffee table. In our house, it has helped kick start lot of discussions.

B-Ball
whether you are playing in the school yard on blacktop or in the gym on hardwood, basketball is rich and exciting with talent. this book tell the tale of some of B-Balls finest.

8 year old son loves this book!!
We could not get our son to stop reading this book!Hours and hours of reading. He not only learned the history of basketball but was comparing stats and sharing all his new knowledge with all our friends.What parent doesn't want that! ... Read more

Product Description
The original classic story about growing up with drugs and sex and about learning to survive on the streets of New York--once again in print. An urban classic of coming of age. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (94)

Basketball Diaries
I reads this book many years ago and wanted to reread it. I loved the story and the way it was told, firsthand and very gritty. A must read if you are interested in the New York City of the late sixties and early seventies.

Great read!
A very entertaining tale of life as a youth on the streets of New York. The birth of a very talented author.

THE BASKETBALL DIARIES (TOMBOUCTOU BOOKS/1978)
REVIEW: Before he became a well-respected, well-published poet; author Jim Carroll lived like a street rat: stealing purses from old ladies, hot-wiring cars, sleeping around with girls, getting high on anything and everything he could find, copping a viscious heroin habit, holding up people for their money, dealing drugs in his own high school, and doing time on Riker's Island as a juvenile delinquent. But what's remarkable is that while he was living (and spiraling down into) his own self-destructive hell: he chronicled his adventures in a diary that he kept from the time he was twelve years old till the time he was fifteen. As such the audience gets to experience the kid's own day-to-day mischief as if they were right there with him. Unfortunately the life that we get such an intimate peak into is one that is unbearably horrendous, vulgar, empty, and morally corrupt. At times you wish you could reach into the story and shake some sense into the boy (all the while asking: "Why don't his parents wake up and do something about their child before he ends up killing himself?"). What makes the book even more tragic is that the kid has so much potential: a talent for basketball (for which he gets a scholarship to a private school) that he continuously brags about and then throws down the toilet because of his drug abuse, and a talent for writing that is so readily apparant in his poetry and in this book. Never has there been such a testimonial for what NOT to do if you are really going to succeed as a human being rather than let your flesh overrule the desires and needs of your soul. Time and time again Jim writes about "wanting to be pure" and complaining about his "innocence" being taken from him, but never does he even TRY to get spiritual or moral help. In fact, he scoffs at religion and "straights": all the while candidly turning "tricks" for money and getting turned on by a sexual encounter with a guy in the men's room at a porno movie theater (former Village Voice critic Robert Christgau once called Jim a "moral weakling": and on the basis of this book he is absolutely right). So it's very hard to sympathize with Carroll at times because he has such a know-it-all/rebellious/cynical/self-destructive attitude that makes you shake your head in wonder at how stubborn and flat-out stupid some kids can be. But aside from his moral degeneracy: the dude actually thinks he has a leg to stand on when it comes to larger-than-life issues like Vietnam, capitalism, and religion. As a result his "insights" seem particularly superficial, typically liberal, and absolutely laughable in light of any serious discussion of such topics. But no one is going to read "THE BASKETBALL DIARIES" for Jim Carroll's political/social analysis: they're going to read it like a coming-of-age reality T.V. show. And as such the book succeeds immeasurably well even though (at times) the guy doing the talking sounds like a spoiled, self-indulgent, emotionally screwed up jerk. HARSH LANGUANGE: too many to cite, but I counted about 716 hard-core obscenities. VIOLENCE: about 53 scenes and/or instances. SEXUAL REFERENCES: about 67 graphic scenes and/or instances. DRUG REFERENCES: littered throughout the whole book, but I counted about 92 descriptive references.

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. ... Read more

Product 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 (6)

Better for older middle-school
I am a mom/coach - I have played and watched basketball on and off for most of my adult life but am no expert. I signed on to coach my 10 year old daughter's town recreation team this year - mostly 5th graders, with a few younger and a few older, and bought thisbook to figure out how to start.

This book has a lot of good information and tips, but I feel it is lacking in several areas.

1. It is not a true beginner's book. It needs more basics and rules of game play, such as setting up for free throws (when can you go for the rebound and when do you have to wait), taking the ball out, etc - the things that make the game run right.Who brings the ball down? (and, strategically, what is a trap? How to get out of it?) Simple essential stuff that is missing.

2. I don't think 5th graders who are pretty new to basketball can understand picks and screens - many of the drills are too complicated. They need to see the floor, spread out,learn to cut. The rest can come later.

3. 10 year old girls cannot shoot the ball from over their head. They must shoot from the chest - they aren't tall and strong enough to do otherwise. So insisting they be taught to shoot the adult way is useless.

4. I'd like to see more in a book like this about supporting your teammates, girl relationships, empowerment - the social aspect of the team is very important to girls and more can be said about it.

5. I'd also like to see a discussion on how coaches might behave from the sidelines- is it beneficial to shout directions at the girls as they play? to stop and start scrimmages to show them what to do? Or just let them go, play, enjoy, and talk after? As a beginniner I feel quite uncertain about all this!

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. ... Read more

Product 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 (5)

Excellent Resource
I have been coaching both rec and travel teams for the last five years.I wish I had picked this book up five years ago.It is perfect for all ages including down to 3rd grade rec up to AAU level.The nice part is the explanations and the drills provided.If you are a new coach or even a experienced coach this is worth the buy.

Excellent Resource
I have never coached before and this book saved me!I got drills and tips that I used on a weekly basis.Highly recommend

Very Helpful
I've been a player for years, but never a coach.This is a great book for the basics in coaching skills as well as everything else that comes with coaching - team dynamics, setting up try-outs, dealing with parents - you name it, it's in there!

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

Product Description
This is the must-have book for Tar Heel fans and college basketball lovers everywhere.Boasting six national championships and scores of Hall of Fame coaches and players, Carolina Basketball has come a long way from the first season--when the campus newspaper published a notice asking an unknown culprit to return the team's basketball. These pages are packed with little-known stories from the program's earliest days and new insights into its best-loved moments. All the greats are here, from Jack Cobb and the "Blind Bomber" George Glamack to Lennie Rosenbluth, Phil Ford, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Antawn Jamison, and Tyler Hansbrough. Lucas reveals the meaning of the "Carolina family" and the origins and evolution of Tar Heel traditions that have made North Carolina one of the premier teams in men's college basketball.

These stories are brought to life with more than 200 color and black-and-white photos; a foreword by Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith and an afterword by fellow Hall of Famer Roy Williams; and an appendix of records and statistics. Some 30 sidebars feature first-person recollections from prominent players including Rosenbluth, Ford, and Jordan; opposing coaches like Lefty Driesell; and national broadcasters like Dick Vitale. ... Read more

Product 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 (21)

The Fist
Read wooden then read this book, and you'll see the similarities
in their style of coaching and some of their personality traits.
For me this is a lighter read than wooden but then it has alot of
useful ideas about personal and team development that you'll probably
love to look at.
The zenith of the book is to realise that father and daugther co-authored
the book and getting to know Coach K's father had to change his name to
Kross to get a low-class job to get going in the US in the '40's while the
name "Krzyzewski" was good enough to become a hall of famer in the new Millenum.
Perhaps you might say the "American dream".
I should be giving the book 5 stars but then I have some cultural
issues with some of the views he held in this book which to the
average American will not make any sense that I'm uncomfortable with such views,
never mind it's a global village and this Amazon(supposedly the biggest online market (wild forest) in
the Universe).

Team builder
We utilized this book as a team builder for our management team. Each manager read the entire book and then selected three topics they where good at and then three topics there team was good at. Very good discussion ensued.

Not Only for BBall Fans
This is not only a book for Duke fans or college bball hopefuls. I bought this book after two of my friends/colleagues had used it in a presentation for one of our graduate courses. Being a language arts' teacher, I am always on the lookout for words with which my seventh and eighth graders can (or should) connect, and Coach K's list of important words really fit the bill. My "Vocab Rehab" is not just a study of prefixes, suffixes, and roots; it's my students sharing how they have experienced or seen those words in action. It's my contention that once they've practiced the words on paper and verbally, application to life situations and/or development of life goals will be easy next steps for them. Thank you, Coach K, for providing an inspiring book for everyone.

Not just for basketball fans
A great book, even if you're not a Duke fan! A perfect choice for busy people because it can be read a few minutes a day (or in one sitting if you're so inclined). Each short chapter describes a word which is important to success, not just on the basketball court, but in any endeavor.What elevates the book above the ordinary are the real-life situations and examples Coach K uses to illustrate each point. Makes a great choice as a gift with a personal touch for high school or college graduates.

Another Great Book by a Great Human Being,
Coach Krzyzewski and his Daughter write a wonderfully inspiring book that is so true.Write-on Krzyzewski's!

As much as I loved this gem, Coach Krzyzewski's Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life is my all-time favorite motivational and taking responsibility book - ever written! ... Read more

Product Description
Kids can dribble, shoot, and swish with hours of gaming fun in this new guide! Featuring thirty puzzles, this fun and educational book is a must-have for basketball players and fans. Children will learn the rules of basketball, the history of this popular sport, and tips for enhancing their game, as well as:

• The inspirational stories of basketball stars of yesterday and today
• Various offensive and defensive plays
• Up-to-date statistics and records of NBA teams
• The scoop on the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympic basketball
• Fun basketball alternatives like ?Around the World,? ?Street Ball,? and ?H-O-R-S-E?

Product Description
Great basketball players like Tim Duncan and Dwyane Wade draw oohs and aahs with their spectacular moves. But before those players developed their superstar flair, they built a solid base of fundamental skills in all phases of the game.

Basketball Skills & Drills provides a perfect blueprint for building the foundation that every well-rounded player needs. This special book and DVD 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 skill instruction, emphasize key points, and explain how to correct common errors. And since individual skills are effective only when used within the team concept, the book also covers key team principles for both ends of the court. Tactics for offense, including special situations such as out-of-bounds plays, will improve spacing, ball and player movement, shot selection, 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 change the game with great moves and smart play. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Very good instructional book and cd for any age.
I would highly recommend for any basketball coach at any level.I have been playing basketball for 30 years and found several new techniques, ideas and concepts in this book.Very well done.

Jerry Krause is the coach who mentored Don Meyer on teaching fundamentals!
I had the distinct privilege of working for coaching legend Don Meyer for 16 GREAT summers at his Bison Basketball Camp when he was the coach at Lipscomb University. I got to meet Jerry Krause, the coach who mentored Coach Meyer on teaching fundamentals.Meyer is a master teacher of the basics of the game, but he learned a lot of it from the author of this book,Coach Krause.

This book is a great tool for beginning coaches, youth coaches and recreational coaches who want to teach more than a play or two and how to run a zone defense.

It is also a great reference for the serious high school coach who really wants to master teaching the essential fundamentals of the game of basketball.If the skill and how to teach it cannot be found in this book, it is not worth knowing about.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategy and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

Fundamentals taught by the book!!
Jerry Krause and Don Meyer really bring home how to teach fundamentals of basketball through progression.They break down defensive stance, passing, cutting, screening, and more like I've never seen before.The DVD brings any confusion to a halt by explaining drills and the exact sequence needed for players to fully understand how to play the game of basketball.This book/DVD combination is a must have for all coaches!!

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! ... Read more

Product Description

This book is a must-have for every coach and player!

• Covers the fundamentals and style of team play, emphasizing the delicate balance between the simplistic reality and incredibly demanding effort of the game
• Includes a new introduction by Bill Walton
• Includes new, updated photos

John Wooden was a teacher and coach at UCLA for 27 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

The timeless wisdom of the Wizard of Westwood
One reviewer of this book stated some of the information contained might be outdated because the book was written over 30 years ago.Wooden's UCLA teams played before the shot clock and the three point line so on the surface this statement might seem correct.Until you realize that Wooden played an up tempo style of play and played a full court pressing defense falling back to a pressure man-to-man defense.Teams still run his high post offense.Wooden's system is still just as valid today as it was when he was coaching.

But don't buy this book for his big picture offense and defense concepts, although they are very useful.It is the tiny details that go overlooked that Coach Wooden covers in this book that are priceless.

For example, how many coaches teach their players today how to put on their socks and shoes in such a way that the players do not get blisters?

Wooden's approach to teaching fundamentals is timeless as well and the sections in the book on this aspect of teaching and coaching are also what the reader will find most helpful.

My copy is well worn even though I don't run Coach Wooden's "system" on offense and defense.The sections on fundamentals is well worn though.

This book should be a required item for every individual who enters the basketball coaching profession.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategy and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

Definitive text book for coaches
This book is a fantastic text book for coaching.As one might expect from coach Wooden, it is incredibly thorough covering aspects of coaching from practice organization, to game preparation, tactics, fundementals, selecting and working with assistant coaches, as well as coaching philosophy and theory.If you only have one book on coaching basketball this should be it.I review it every year prior to the start of the season.

Could use an update
I have a ton of books on various aspects of coaching basketball, and this is by far the most comprehensive resource I own. I particularly appreciate Coach Wooden's attention to detail and his down-to-earth, methodical approach.

I'd give it 4.5 stars if that were possible, just because this edition looks like it was run off on a photocopy machine, particularly the photos, but in terms of content, it's almost certain to be the most valuable book in a basketball coach's library.

Basketball Book
I found this book to be very informative.This was purchased for my grandson who is a basketball fan and player (age 14) and I am sure that he will be delighted with the book (a Christmas present for him)

Practical Modern Basketball
Great fundamentals for life and basketball.From overviews to extreme detail. ... Read more

Product Description

Basketballs fun--let's play!

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 (3)

Basketball Book, My Basketball Book, excellent begin. reader
MY BASKETBALL BOOK
My grandson rec'd this from us for his 5TH Birthday.
He absolutely loves this book.Any child who loves sports or any boy just
beginning to read or who loves to be read to, this is a great book.
Wonderful book.This book has easy to understand drawings of how
basketball is played.Great present for a child starting basketball basics.
Really stimulates the love of learning.

excelente
el libro lo escogi para un regalo de navidad, el niño tiene 6años y recien esta estudiando ingles, ademas le gusta mucho el basketball por lo que el libro le ayudo mucho a estudiar el ingles, ademas el libro contiene todas las bases sobre el deporte y lo explica de manera clara y amena.

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

Product 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 doesn’t 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 they’re 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 con-ceptualizes the meaning of teamwork and how to quantify the value of dif-ferent 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 NBA’s "oddball" players-Manute Bol, Muggsy Bogues, and Dennis Rodman-and for the WNBA’s 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 you’re looking for strategies or new ideas to throw out while watching the ballgame at a sports bar, Dean Oliver’s Basketball on Paper will give you amazing new insights into teamwork, coaching, and success. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Basketball for Geeks
If you are a numbers geek, want to write a paper that evaluates some area of basketball, or are looking to develop a way to evaluate what your team/ players contribute to the game, this book is for you.There an interesting chapter on the "best players ever"; but for the most part Dean Oliver does exactly what the title says; he vies us tools for performance analysis at a level of understanding and sophistication that only he can provide.

This book changed how I watch college basketball
While Oliver's methods and approaches are all applied to the NBA game in this book, they nevertheless can be applied in whole to the collegiate game.After reading "Basketball on Paper" over the last year and watching the 2009-2010 college basketball season, I can truly say that this book has revolutionized how I view a basketball game -- all for the better.

Without giving away key premises, Oliver truly dives deep into the fundamentals of how a basketball game works to determine tools to evaluate how teams and players do just past the final score.Typical cliches are challenged -- some proven, some shown to be irrelevant -- as he puts a statistical and logical argument behind why the proposed approaches are superior.And I agree with his results.After focusing on them over the past year, I can truly say that this book has helped me further understand how and why a team wins just behind the final score.Diving into the box score alone can reveal hidden gems that you might not have thought about otherwise.If you're a stat nut, a basketball fanatic, or some sort of a combination of the two, this book is a definite must read.

Considering that this is one of the greatest books I've ever read, I'd say it is worthy of a five star rating.

Great analytical information
Gives great insight into technical methods of analyzing teams and players for a whole season and individual games.You may need some math background

Basketball on Paper: Rules and Tools for Performance Analysis
My order by this product (Basketball on Paper: Rules and Tools for Performance Analysis (Purchased on 03/03/2009)) didn't arrived inmy place at now. So, I can't say anything about this process in this moment.

Att,

DILSON BORGES

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. ... Read more