MORE COACHING TIPS

* A coach's job is to put players in position that they can succeed. (Ed. Note: When a coach brings a big player outside to handle the ball and he turns it over, it is the coach's fault for putting the big in position where he could not succeed.)

* "Don't teach long 2s. Make sure players know where the 3 point line is."....Tates Locke

* "It is unbelievable the importance of making lay-ups is in college and pro basketball. High school players seldom really realize their importance."....Kevin Eastman

* "When the wing puts the ball on the floor, he should be thinking "get into the paint."....Tates Locke

"Overcoaching is the worst thing you can do to a player."....Dean Smith

"As much as I value experience, and I value it greatly, I'd rather have a lot of skill (speed & quickness) and little experience than a lot of experience and little skills."....John Wooden

"Coaching is preparation"....Pete Carril

"When you are speaking to your team after a game, never talk about the kid who was the star of the game. Talk about what your other players did to help the team win. Be sure to spread the wealth....then have individual meetings with one to three players to praise and reinforce. Make sure you touch them."....Mike Krzyzewski

* JOHN WOODEN: In describing a decision to bench Walt Hazard, "I gave him three choices: Play the game my way, sit and not play, or go someplace else" (Note: Hazard played it Wooden's way and emerged an All-American).... AND MORE WOODEN: "I found the bench to be the greatest ally I had to make individuals comply with what was best for the team."... USA TODAY

* “The number one thing on offense is shot selection.”…Ben Howland, UCLA

* A RULE OF COACHING: Whatever you allow, you encourage. If you allow the behind the back pass, you will be encouraging it. If you allow a bad shot, you will be encouraging it. If you allow a missed block out, you will be encouraging future lapses also.

* Always know how many players your opponent normally sends to the offensive board. If they send four players in most situations, expect to get some 2 on 1 fastbreak opportunities. If they keep two players back, most of your fastbreak opportunites will be 3 on 2 or 4 on 3. You must also know how many they send to the defensive board so you can plan your fast break defense accordingly.

* If you switch on your man for man defense, let your players know that they are not switching to rest, they are switching to attack!

To read about James Naismith and the 13 original rules of basketball go to: history.htm.