FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE FOR basketball enthusiasts everywhere january / february 2009

assist36

mustafa derin
u16 turkish
men’s drills
ferdinando minucci
pecora-kelly
attacking pressure defense
alan richardson
developing training
Small city,
great success
tecniques
for concentration
heinz günther
health and performance
for basketball referees
 tables of contents

2009-10 FIBA CALENDAR COACHES

FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL
2009
U16 Turkish Men's Drills 4
June 2009
07 - 20.06 EuroBasket Women in
by Mustafa Derin
Latvia (Liepaja, Valmiera
and Riga)
21 - 28.06 FIBA Asia Championship OFFENSE
for Women in Chinese
Taipei (TPE)
Attacking Pressure Defense 10
by Tom Pecora and Michael Kelly
July 2009
02 - 12.07 FIBA U19 World
Championship for Men in
Auckland (NZL)
DEFENSE
FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE 23.07 -02.08 FIBA U19 World Match-Up Zone Defense 20
IS A PUBLICATION OF FIBA Championship for Women
International Basketball Federation in Bangkok (THA) by Cesare Pancotto
51 – 53, Avenue Louis Casaï
CH-1216 Cointrin/Geneva Switzerland
Tel. +41-22-545.0000, Fax +41-22-545.0099 august 2009
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for Men in Libya (Benghazi
IN COLLABORATION WITH Giganti del Basket, and Tripoli) Court Sense 26
Edizioni Cantelli, Italy 06 - 16.08 FIBA Asia Championship
for Men in China, Tianjin
by Raffaele Imbrogno
PARTNER
WABC (World Association of Basketball City
Coaches), Dusan Ivkovic President 19 - 30.08 FIBA Americas
Championship for Men in REFEREES AND GAME
Mexico
Editor-in-Chief ADMINISTRATION
Giorgio Gandolfi september 2009
05 - 15.09 FIBA Africa Championship Developing Training Tecniques for Concentration 28
for Women in Madagascar by Alan Richardson
Editorial Office: Edizioni Cantelli 07 - 20.09 EuroBasket Men in Poland
V. Saliceto 22/E, 40013 Castel Maggiore (BO), (Gdansk, Poznan, Warsaw,
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Printed in Italy.
Copyright 2009 by FIBA. Championship for Women
The magazine is published 6 times per year. in Mato Grosso (BRA) SPORT MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT
FIBA, Edizioni Cantelli and the Editor-in-Chief
are not responsible for the opinions expressed 2010 EXECUTIVES AND MARKETING
in the articles. All rights reserved.
The National Federation and their affiliates can august 2010 Small City, Great Success 34
reproduce any part or all the magazine for their
internal use, but not sell any part or all of the 28 -12.09 FIBA World Championship by Ferdinando Minucci
magazine to an external publisher without the for Men in Turkey (Ankara,
written permission of FIBA. Antalya, Izmir and Istanbul)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Filippo Arduino, Alessandro Salerno, Gastone september 2010 DOCTORS, CONDITIONING
Marchesi, Mirco Melloni, Corrado de Belvis, Gerald 23 - 03.10 FIBA World Championship
Couzens, Raffaele Imbrogno and Lisa Cavallini. for Women in Czech COACHES AND TRAINERS
Thanks also to Michael Kelly of Hofstra University Republic (Ostrava, Brno)
and to Federico Cappelli of Mens Sana Siena. CONDITIONING COACHES
Playing Basketball in Daily Life 36
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Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 3

 COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

U16 Turkish Men’s

Drills
Mustafa Derin is the assistant coach of To- 1-on-1 Box-Out Drill
fas Bursa team (Turkish second division) If we want improve team box-out defense,
and is also the head coach of U16 Turkish we must start with the 1-on-1 box-out. Use
National Man Team. With this team he won this drill for 6 minutes at every practice ses-
the bronze medal in the 2008 FIBA U16 Eu- sion. In this drill, one offensive player shoots
ropean Championship. the ball and another offensive player tries to
get the offensive rebound. The defensive
BOX-OUT DRILLS player’s job is to box out the offensive player
These drills help the players at all levels of and get the ball. If the offensive player grabs
competition to improve an important part an offensive rebound, the defensive player
by Mustafa Derin of their game. For the young players, this stays on defense (diagr. 1 and 2).
kind of drills will help them to use their full 3-on-3 Box-out Drill
body to box-out opponents. This drill is the next step in the development

D.1

D.2

D.3

page 4 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

 a 4-on-3 fastbreak. This drill is run for 6
minutes and we count each scored basket.
The losers must perform suicide drills (di-
agr. 7 and 8).
3-on-2 Fastbreak
For this drill, players must fill the lanes,
read the reaction of the defense, and try
the score. After a 3-on-2, whoever shoots
the ball will run back, trying to recover, and
catch the offensive players. Two defensive
players must contain three offensive play-
D.4 ers and then do not give up an easy score. D.7
Blue and White teams run this drill for 6
minutes. The losers will perform suicide
drills (diagr. 9).

TRANSITION DRILLS
2-on-2 Transition Drill
We work this 2-on-2-transition drill to pres-
sure the ball and then run back on defense.
Blue and White teams, formed by two play-
ers, are set at the free-throw line extended.
The drill starts with a 2-on-2. The players on
offense then become the defenders, and
make a quick recovery with the player, who
D.5
shot the ball or turned it over, then puts
pressure the ball. One of players, who was
on defense, grabs the ball and makes a long
pass to a teammate for the fast break. A
team must try to score 11 points to win the
contest: a scored basket earns one point,
while a turnover takes away a point. (diagr.
10 and 11).
5-on-5 Transition Defense
We run this drill to create a game-like situ-
ation. We start the drill from half court de-
fensive positioning with two coaches. The
players are numbered. The coaches pass
D.6 the ball to each other a couple of times, D.8
check the defensive positions, then they
of our defensive team positioning and box shoot the ball. At the same time, a coach
out. Two coaches on the wings penetrate yells two numbers (1-4 or 2-5 etc.), and the
into the paint. Defensive players must get players, who are called, run around the
the best position (ball side/weak side) and cones, set at the intersection of the base-
must stop the penetration (step-up). After a line with the three-point line, recover on
couple of penetrations and passes, when defense, and play a 5-on-3 fast break. The
the coach shoots the ball, the defensive offensive player, who shoots or turns the
players must box out and rebound. Each ball over, runs over the cone and then they
team must get three defensive rebounds in play 5-on-4 transition defense. We count
a row, and then get out. After 4 to 5 minutes, how many defensive stops are made in 7
we rotate. We run the same drill, but this minutes. The transition defense is the key
time the smaller players must box out the for the team’s defense (diagr. 12 e 13).
big players and get the rebound (diagr. 3, 4, 5-on-5 Transition Defense Circle Drill
5, and 6). The important part of the transition de- The team that is called will get the rebound
fense is to find the offensive players and and run the fastbreak. The players of the
FAST BREAK DRILLS quickly match-up. This drill improves our team must quickly recover, match-up, and
3-on-1/4-on-3 Fastbreak Drill 5-on-5-transition defense and a quick stop the fastbreak. We count how many
If we want to score easy baskets, we have match-up, and prevents easy baskets from defensive stops are made in 6 minutes. The
to work on the fastbreak drills. One drill being scored. The players, divided in one winners shoot free-throws, while the los-
that we use is the 3-on-1/4-on-3. Three or Blue and one White team, run around the ers run (diagr. 14 e 15).
four teams of three players set up on the free-throw circle without being matched After this drill, we run a 5-player “Pacer
court. We start first with a 3-on-1, with one up. The coach has the ball and, after 15 to drill” full court. The team needs to score
dribble fastbreak. Next, the same team, 20 seconds, he shoots and yells “Blue” or six lay-ups in 32 seconds without dribbling
plus the defender, grabs the ball and plays “White.” (diagr. 16 and 17).

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 5

 COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

D.9 D.11 D.13

D.12 D.14
D.10

60s Drill players, both short and tall.

The first team of four players to hit 60 shots
is the winner. The 60 shots can come from Development for perimeter players
five predetermined spots on the floor and Drill 1: Throw the ball, catch, and:
12 shots have to be made from each spot ▼ Jab step and lay-up.
(diagr. 18). ▼ Jab step, long step, and lay-up.
▼ Jab step, shot fake, and same side
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT DRILLS drive.
I would like to suggest some specific drills ▼ Jab step, crossover, and lay-up.
to run before the team practice that I find ▼ Jab step, crossover, and step back
useful for the development of all type of move.
page 6 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
 D.17 D.20
D.15

D.21

D.16 D.18 D.22

D.19 D.23

Drill 2: Throw the ball, catch, and: ▼ Side screen and side penetration ▼ Baseline dribble and middle spin move.
▼ One dribble left side, one count stop, and (diagr. 19, 20 and 21). ▼ Middle dribble and baseline spin move.
lay-up. Development for inside players ▼ Up-and-under.
▼ One dribble right side, one-count stop, Drill 1: Ball handling ▼ Turn around jumper.
and lay-up. ▼ Mikan Drill (with changing feet). Drill 3: High Post, face up, and:
▼ Two dribbles left side, one-count stop, ▼ Two-count stop. ▼ Jab-step and shot.
and lay-up. ▼ Reverse lay-up. ▼ Jab-step, long step and power lay-up.
▼ Two dribbles right side, one-count stop, Drill 2: Low-post: throw the ball, catch, ▼ Jab-step, crossover, and power lay-up.
and lay-up. and: ▼ Catch and shoot.
Drill 3: Pick-and-roll ▼ Baseline drop step. ▼ Catch and drive.
▼ Side screen and middle penetration. ▼ Middle jump hook. ▼ Jab step, crossover, step back, shot.
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 7
 COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL
Drill 4: Low post fake ball to the left side, cuts in the lane, and lowing rules:
▼ Catch and drive. takes the position on the low-post (diagr. 28, ▼ Ten players make 20 free-throws, and
▼ Jump stop and move. 29, and 30). The player passes the ball to the seven players make 17.
▼ Face-up and move. coach on the top of the key, cuts, and re- ▼ Each players shoots one shot at a time.
Drill 5: Fake high-post ceives the ball in the lane (diagr. 31 and 32). ▼ If he misses the first one = he runs 3
▼ Catch and shot. Free-Throws Drills times.
▼ Catch, fake and power move (diagr. 22). We end the practice with free-throw drills ▼ If he misses the second one = he runs 2
Drill 6: High-low that we divide in two parts. In the first part times.
▼ Step-in. of this drill, everybody shoots (diagr. 33). ▼ If he makes the twos = he runs 1 time
▼ Coach same side pass, baseline foot- In the second part, the coach gives the fol- (diagr. 34).
work, and power move.
▼ Spin move and power lay-up (diagr. 23).
Drill 7: Pick-and-roll (both sides)
The player from the low-post sets a screen
and then cuts and receives the ball from the
dribbler (diagr. 24 and 25).
Drill 8: Fast break
▼ High post jumper.
▼ Lay-up.
▼ Ball side, post up (diagr. 26 and 27).
The player from the low-post changes his
position to receive the pass out from three-
point line, or receive a pass from the corner. D.27 D.31
The player at the top of the key passes the

D.24 D.28 D.32

D.25 D.29 D.33

D.26 D.30 D.34

page 8 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

 www.sinalco.com

GLOBAL PARTNER
 COACHES - offense

Attacking
by Tom Pecora
Pressure Defense
by Michael Kelly

Tom Pecora will be entering his eighth 1. Teaching Progressions.

season as the head coach of the Hofstra 2. Be Aggressive - “Attack.”
Men's Basketball program in 2008-09 3. Play to your Strengths.
and his 15th season at Hofstra overall. 4. Timing and Spacing.
He was named the 10th head coach in 5. Have Multiple Attacks.
Pride history on March 28, 2001 after 6. Practice Pressure Situations Daily.
spending the previous seven years as an
assistant. TEACHING PROGRESSIONS
There are several fundamental drills that
Michael Kelly, a 2005 graduate of Haver- can be used every day or every other day
ford College, is in his third season on the within practice to simulate different kinds
Pride staff after being named assistant of defensive pressure situations. As your
men's basketball coach at Hofstra Uni- players begin to understand and execute
versity in June of 2006. the basic drills, you can then incorporate
the concepts involved in these drills into
TERMINOLOGY more complex drills. This is where teach-
In this article about attacking pressure ing progressions take place.
defense, there are some words and Our first basic drill is called Pivot Drill.
phrases that you should become familiar The team is broken up into partners. Each
with. They include: group of two uses one ball. The first play-
Ball toughness: refers to protecting the er pivots with the ball for four seconds,
ball when the offensive player has pos- ripping the ball below his knees, tucking
session of it. It is not letting the defense the ball back, and ripping the ball across
knock the ball out of your hands, espe- his body. He then dribbles for four sec- D.1
cially when you are being pressured. onds, alternating hands, and protecting
Blitz: refers to a trap and is when two de- the ball. Then he picks his dribble up and
fenders pressure the offensive player pivots again for four seconds. Finally,
with the ball. when that last set of four seconds is fin-
Fake a pass to make a pass: refers to the ished, he steps and throws a pass to his
offensive player faking a pass over the partner. When he throws the pass to his
top if he wants to throw a bounce pass or partner he “fakes a pass to make a pass.”
faking a bounce pass if he wants to throw We use the expression “fake a pass to
a pass over the top. make a pass” because we do not want
If he goes high, I go by: refers to when an the defender to have an easy time getting
offensive player makes a high ball fake a deflection on the pass. By pivoting for
and the defender goes for the ball fake four seconds, dribbling for four seconds,
and reaches up to try and get a deflec- and then pivoting for four seconds, we
tion. The offensive player, if he is a good are simulating the total amount of time an
ball handler, must drive the ball right by offensive player can have possession of D.2
the defender when this happens. the ball without being called for a five-
Run through the pass: refers to the offen- second violation while being pressured
sive player having to take steps towards by a defensive player. The partner will There are two offensive players that
the ball when he is about to receive a then repeat the same drill. We do this stand about 12-15 feet apart from one
pass so that the defense cannot intercept drill for 2-3 minutes every day. another. There is one defensive player
the pass or get a deflection. Next, we have a drill called 3-Man/Pivot that stands in between both offensive
and Pass. We separate our team into players. The goal of the offensive player
There are six keys to attacking pressure groups of three. Diagram 1 shows how is to throw a crisp pass, without any kind
defense and they are: this drill is set up and how it is executed. of deflection, to the other offensive play-
page 10 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
D.3

D.4

D.5

er. The defender is looking to get a de-

flection or a steal. If the defender gets a
deflection or a steal, then the offensive
player who through the pass becomes
the new defender. The defender runs at
the offensive player. In this drill the of-
fensive player works on “faking a pass to
make a pass”, while a defensive player is
running at him. The offensive player also
works on creating proper passing angles
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 11
 COACHES - DEFENSE
offense

D.6

D.7

D.8

when he steps and throws around the posite ends of the floor. Four players form player pivots hard for four seconds and
defender. This drill simulates a pressure a box between the lane line and the side- then passes the ball to the next offensive
situation in a game where the defense line, and between the baseline and the player. The two defensive players then
looks to execute a blitz or where the de- free-throw line extended. Two defensive sprint to the next offensive player and
fense simply looks to put pressure on the players start in the middle of the box. Di- execute another blitz (diagr. 3). Once the
offensive player by running straight at agram 2 shows how this drill is set up two defensive players have executed all
the offensive player. and then how it is executed. A coach will four blitzes (diagr. 4), we rotate a new
Another drill that we use in practice is throw a ball to one of the four players group of two defenders into the middle.
called Blitz Box. There are six players in- that make up the box. The two players in In this drill, the offensive player is work-
volved in blitz box, so we usually have the middle then sprint to the offensive ing on protecting the ball while being
two groups of six execute this drill on op- player to execute a blitz. The offensive blitzed, and then faking a pass to make a
page 12 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
pass out of the blitz. The offensive player
is also working on “ball toughness.”
As you can see, going from pivot drill to 3
Man/ Pivot and Pass to Blitz Box shows
how we use teaching progressions to
simulate the pressure situations that we
will have to face in games. We go from a
drill that uses no defenders, to a drill with
one defender and two offensive players,
to a drill with two defenders and one of-
fensive player.
D.9 D.11
BE AGGRESSIVE – “ATTACK”
In the course of your daily practices, you
are going to have certain drills that have
an emphasis on offense and certain drills
that have an emphasis on defense. It is
important for your players to continue to
work on their offense, even in drills that
have an emphasis on defense. They must
always think “Attack” when they are on
the offensive side of the drill. The best
way to beat pressure is by applying pres-
sure yourself. Offensive players cannot
be passive when faced with pressure.
When the defensive player applies pres-
sure on the offensive player with the ball,
that offensive player must attack the de-
fensive player with a hard move off the
dribble or a quick pass over the top.
When two defensive players blitz the of-
fensive player, the offensive player must
take one or two dribbles backwards, and
then attack the outside leg of one of the
defenders running at him. The offensive
player can also try to split the two de-
fenders running at him. The offensive
player can make an advancing pass to a
teammate that is open. The worst thing
D.10 D.12
that the offensive player could do is pick
up his dribble and become passive. More
times than not, this will lead to a turnover
or a wasted timeout.

PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS

All of the players on your team must un-
derstand their roles, their strengths, and
their weaknesses. When your players
understand who they are as basketball
players, they will be more effective in
terms of their decision making and their
responses in defensive pressure situa-
tions. For example, a thin, passive player
should attack a blitz by making a pass
over the top to an open teammate. A
guard or forward, who does not dribble gone for the ball fake and has tried to get strengths to aggressively attack the de-
the ball that well should look to make a a deflection. A small quick guard, who is fense.
pass over the top to an open teammate already dribbling the ball could also at-
when he is blitzed. A small, quick guard tack the outside leg of one of the defend- TIMING AND SPACING
should try and step through the blitz and ers. The bottom line is that you don’t want When attacking defensive pressure, it is
put the ball on the floor. We use the players doing things that they are uncom- important for the offense to have appro-
phrase, “If he goes high, then I go by.” fortable doing, especially in pressure sit- priate spacing and to make hard cuts at
This occurs when the guard fakes a pass uations. When the defense applies the appropriate times. The offense must
over the top and then drives the ball past pressure, each offensive player must use the entire court. By extending the
his defender because the defender has know his strengths, and then use his floor with proper spacing, it makes it very
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 13
 COACHES - DEFENSE
offense

D.13 D.15 D.17

D.14 D.16 D.18

difficult for two defenders to guard one a pass so that 2 can catch the ball on the
offensive player off the ball. run and then push the ball up the floor.
When we talk about timing and spacing, As you can see a mis-timed cut, and in
it is important to know where the offen- this case, an early cut, leads to the ina-
sive sweet spots and the defensive pres- bility to hit 2 in the middle of the floor on
sure points are located on the floor. the run. Also, the early cut leads to poor
Diagram 5 identifies offensive "sweet spacing for a pass to be thrown from 1 to
spots". The offensive sweet spots are the 2. In diagrams 28 and 29, you will see
areas where we want to get the basket- this press offense set later on in the arti- how we execute our “White” press of-
ball in order to successfully attack de- cle, but let’s look at the pass that 1 makes fense set. We will get into the details of
fensive pressure and in order to create to 2. We have to make sure that 2 does this set later on in the article. Again, it is
good scoring opportunities. Diagram 6 not make his hard cut to the middle of the important to use the entire floor. If that
identifies defensive pressure points. De- floor until 1 catches the ball. If 2 cuts be- same set-up is used, but with all five of-
fensive pressure points are the areas fore 1 catches the ball, 2 may indeed beat fensive players much closer together, it
where the defense looks to execute their his defender to the middle of the floor, is easier for the defense to apply pres-
blitzes or apply any kind of pressure on but then, by the time 1 catches the ball, sure with one or two defenders, and then
the offense. Also, it is important to under- 2’s defender has a chance to recover and recover if they get beat. If the defense
stand the relationship between timing so we are not able to execute our attack. decides to blitz at any point, the slides
and spacing, in terms of attacking pres- Also, if 2 cuts to the middle of the floor for the other defenders that are not in-
sure. Let’s look at diagram 9, which too early, by the time 1 makes his catch, volved in the blitz are much shorter and
shows our first option in our “Blue” press the space between 1 and 2 will be too therefore it will be easier for them to get
offense set. We will get into the details of close and 1 will not be able to lead 2 with steals or deflections. Punish the defense
page 14 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
 for their aggressiveness by extending Diagram 7 shows our “Blue” press of- 2 pushes the ball up the floor with a pass
the floor. fense set-up. Our 4 always inbounds the to either 3 or 5.
ball. Our point guard (1) and our shooting The second option of our “Blue” set
HAVE MULTIPLE ATTACKS guard (2) set up in a stack at the top of starts like the first one, illustrated in dia-
Well coached teams will often adjust the key. Our 3 begins where the half court gram 7. We use this option when our first
their defensive schemes and so, in turn, line intersects the sideline, and is oppo- hard cut to the middle isn’t open. On the
you must have multiple ways to attack site the ball. Our 5 begins where the half slap of the ball, 1 and 2 screen for each
their pressure. We utilize several differ- court line intersects the sideline, on the other and then make hard cuts in the op-
ent ways to attack different kinds of ball-side of the floor. posite direction. 4 passes the ball to 1
pressure. In the full court, we use differ- Diagrams 8, 9 and 10 show our first op- and then steps inbounds. 2 makes a hard
ent press offense sets, and then have tion out of our “Blue” set. On the slap of cut to the middle of the floor once 1
several options within each of the sets the ball, 1 and 2 screen for each other catches the ball. 2 is not open and so 1
that we use, depending on how the de- and then make hard cuts in the opposite reverses the ball back to 4. After 2 makes
fense guards us. We will talk about four direction. 4 passes the ball to 1 and then his hard cut to the middle of the floor and
sets that we use to run against full court steps inbounds. 1 makes sure to make his realizes that he is not open, he makes a
pressure. We also have a set that we use catch “foul line extended.” If 1 makes his hard cut straight back to the sideline. 4
to attack pressure in the half court. Fi- catch below the foul line, it makes it eas- passes to 2 (diagr. 11) and then 1 makes a
nally, we will look at different ways that ier for the defense to trap him. If 1 makes hard cut to the middle of the floor once 2
a team can attack when the defense his catch foul line extended, the slide catches the ball (diagr. 12). 2 passes to 1
blitzes dribble hand-offs, post entries, that the inbounder’s defender has to and then 1 pushes the ball up the floor
and ball screens. make is longer, and so it is harder for the with a pass to either 3 or 5 (diagr. 13).
Our first press offense set is called defense to establish a quick trap. 2 makes Diagram 14 shows our third option out of
“Blue.” We use “Blue” when we are be- a hard cut to the middle of the floor once our “Blue” set. We use this option when
ing pressed, man to man, in the full court. 1 catches the ball. 1 passes to 2 and then both of our guards are being fronted af-

D.19 D.21 D.23

D.20 D.22 D.24

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 15

 COACHES - offense

ter they make their hard cuts to free

themselves. When this happens, 1 and 2
walk their men to the baseline and then
reverse pivot and seal. 4 has the option
to then pass the ball over the top to either
of the two guards (diagr. 15). In this case,
4 passes to 2, and then 2 pushes the ball
up the floor with a pass to either 3 or 5
(diagr. 16).
Now we talk about our fourth option out
of our “Blue” set. We use this option
when both of our guards are being front-
ed after they make their hard cuts to free
themselves, but 4 is not able to get them
the ball once they have walked their men
to the baseline. 3 makes a hard cut back
to the ball to the top of the key. 4 passes
to 3 (diagr. 17). Once 3 catches the ball, 1
and 2 release from their seal and sprint
up the sidelines. 3 passes to 1, and 1 then
pushes the ball up the floor with a pass
to 5 (diagr. 18 and 19).
Our second press offense set is called D.25 D.27
“Yellow.” We use “Yellow” when we are
being pressed, man-to-man, in the full
court. Diagram 20 shows our “Yellow”
press offense set-up. Our 4 always in-
bounds the ball. Then we line the other 4
players up along the top of the key ex-
tended, with 10-12 feet between each
player. Going from the ball-side to the
weak-side, we have 5 first, followed by 2,
followed by 1, followed by 3.
Our first option of “Yellow” set begins
when, on the slap of the ball, 5 takes his
man away from the ball and then makes
a hard cut back to the ball. 4 passes to 5
(diagr. 21). When 5 catches the ball, 2
screens away for 1. 1 comes off the
screen and 5 passes to 1 (diagr 22). 1
pushes the ball up the floor with a pass
to 3 (diagr. 23).
The second option of our “Yellow” set
begins like the first one. When you are
able to run the baseline, the 4 makes a
hard ball fake to get his man to react and
then sprints along the baseline. 3 takes
his man away and then makes a hard cut
back to the ball. 4 passes to 3 (diagr. 24).
Once 3 makes his catch, 1 screens for 2. D.26 D.28
2 makes a hard cut up the floor and to-
wards the sideline. 1 then makes a hard
cut up the middle of the floor (diagr. 25). 3
passes to 1 and 1 pushes the ball up the
floor with a pass to 5 (diagr. 26). length of the floor. 4 throws a baseball Diagram 28 shows our first option out of
Diagram 27 shows our third option out of pass over the top of the defense to the our “White” press offense set. On the
our “Yellow” set. We use this option player whose number was called for a slap of the ball, 1 and 2 screen for each
when there is a defender guarding the in- lay-up. In this case, 2 was the number other and then make hard cuts in the op-
bounder and when all four of the other called. posite direction. 4 passes to 1. 4 then
players are being face-guarded. 4 calls Our third press offense set is called sprints to the middle of the floor at half
out a number that corresponds to the “White.” We use “White” against a full court. 1 advances the ball with one or
number of the other four players on the court zone press. Diagram 7 shows our two dribbles and then reverses the ball
floor. Each player takes one or two hard white press offense set-up. The set-up back to 2 (diagr. 29). After the ball revers-
steps towards the ball, and then the play- for “White” is exactly the same as it is for al to 2, 2 passes to 4 in the middle of the
er whose number was called sprints the “Blue.” floor. 4 then turns and passes to 5 at the
page 16 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
D.29 D.31 D.33

D.30 D.32 D.34

top of the key. 5 then turns and makes a skip pass to the 5-man. 5 then turns and make hard cuts in the opposite direction.
bounce pass to 3 for a lay-up (diagr. 30). passes to 3 for a lay-up (diagr. 33). We 4 passes to 1. 4 then sprints to the middle
Diagram 31 shows our second option out use this option when the defense denies of the floor at half court. 1 advances the
of our “White” set. On the slap of the ball, the pass to the middle of the floor to the 4 ball with one or two dribbles and then re-
1 and 2 screen for each other and then man. verses the ball back to 2 (diagr. 34). As 2
make hard cuts in the opposite direction. Our third option of “White” set begins advances the ball, 3 and 4 exchange po-
4 passes to 1 and then sprints to the mid- like th first one illustrated in diagram 28. sitions (diagr. 35). As 2 crosses half court,
dle of the floor at half court (diagr. 32). 1 We will use this option when a team he drives the ball hard at 3. 3 then spaces
advances the ball with one or two drib- shows zone pressure and then falls back to the wing. 2 passes to 3 for a jump shot
bles and then reverses the ball back to 2. into a 1-3-1 set. On the slap of the ball, 1 (diagr. 36).
After the ball reversal to 2, 2 throws a and 2 screen for each other and then Our fourth option of “White” set begins
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 17
 COACHES - offense

D.35 D.37 D.39

other and then make hard cuts in the op-

posite direction. 4 passes to 1. 4 then
sprints to the middle of the floor at half
court. 1 advances the ball with one or
D.36 D.38 two dribbles and then reverses the ball
back to 2. When 2 makes his catch, 4
sprints directly toward the ball-side side-
line. 2 makes a hard ball fake up the side-
line to 4, and then turns and quickly
reverses the ball back to 1 (diagr. 40). 1
catches the ball, rips it across his body,
and then pushes the ball up the floor with
a pass to 5 for a lay-up (diagr. 41). We
use this option when the defender guard-
ing our 4 man in the middle follows our 4
man to the sideline. This creates more
space to attack the press in the middle of
the floor. We also have a set called “Red”
like before. We will also use this option as it is for “Blue” and for “White.” that we use against half court pressure
when a team shows zone pressure and The first option out of our “White to the where the opposing team looks to trap.
then falls back into a 1-3-1 set. On the Side” set begins when on the slap of the Diagrams 42, 43 and 44 and diagrams 45,
slap of the ball, 1 and 2 screen for each ball, 1 and 2 screen for each other and 46 and 47 show our “Red” set. We get
other and then make hard cuts in the op- then make hard cuts in the opposite di- into a 1-3-1 set once pressure is applied
posite direction. 4 passes to 1. 4 then rection. 4 passes to 1. 4 then sprints to by some sort of trap, and we look to re-
sprints to the middle of the floor at half the middle of the floor at half court. 1 ad- verse the ball as quickly as possible for
court. 1 advances the ball with one or vances the ball with one or two dribbles either a 3-pointer, a drive to the rim, or a
two dribbles and then reverses the ball and then reverses the ball back to 2. post-up, depending on who the ball is re-
back to 2. As 2 advances the ball, 3 and 4 When 2 makes his catch, 4 sprints direct- versed to and on how the defense recov-
exchange positions. As 2 crosses half ly toward the ball-side sideline (diagr. 38). ers. The trap, or blitz as we call it, can
court, he passes to 4. 5 then flashes to 2 passes to 4. 4 turns and passes up the occur when the offense tries to execute
the ball-side block. 4 passes to 5 for a floor to 5 at the top of the key. 5 then turns a ball screen, a dribble hand-off, a post
lay-up (diagr. 37). and passes to 3 for a lay-up (diagr. 39). entry, a pass towards the sideline, or a
Our fourth press offense set to called We use this option when the defender dribble towards the sideline.
“White to the Side.” We use “White to guarding our 4 man in the middle does
the Side” against a full court zone press. not follow him to the sideline. PRACTICE PRESSURE SITUATIONS DAILY
Diagram 7 shows our “White to the Side” The second option out of our “White to Even if your team is not a team that will
press offense set-up. The set-up for the Side” set begins like before. On the look to pressure the basketball, it is im-
“White to the Side” is exactly the same slap of the ball, 1 and 2 screen for each portant to be able to simulate that pres-
page 18 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
D.40 D.42 D.45

D.43 D.46

D.41 D.44 D.47

simulating pressure on a particular pos- ers, and just get the players comfortable
session without warning the defense. For with identifying the appropriate looks
example, for five minutes we will instruct that will be open when a certain blitz oc-
the players to blitz all ball screens. For curs. This enables our offensive players
another 5 minutes, we will instruct the to better understand where the scoring
players to blitz all dribble hand-offs. For opportunities will be once they are pres-
another 5 minute block, we will instruct sured. We use the areas on the floor
the players to blitz the post, either on the where we like to set our ball screens and
catch or on the dribble. We will instruct then blitz those ball screens. We go over
the players to get into our full court pres- where the scoring opportunities will be
sure defenses for a five minute block. on a blitzed ball screen. We do the same
Sometimes, we will instruct both teams for dribble hand-offs and the same for
sure during practice. This simulation of to do all of these things at once during a post entries.
pressure defense can be done by making block of time during the scrimmage. Attacking pressure defense begins with
sure that the proper players in the pro- We also simulate half court pressure in practicing basic fundamental drills and
gram are playing key positions for the de- breakdown drills. Obviously, this is differ- then incorporating those basic drills into
fense or by adding an additional player to ent from simulating pressure in our your offensive attack. Players must un-
the team that is on defense. Within our scrimmaging because we do not use all derstand their own strengths and weak-
scrimmages in our practices, we use five defenders on the floor. Sometimes nesses and at the same time, through
blocks of 5 minutes to work on different we use three defenders to demonstrate continued practice, be able to rely on
kinds of pressure that we might be faced the blitz and then the first pass that the their strengths to be as effective as pos-
with during a game. Sometimes, we don’t defense looks to take away as the blitz sible in any type of pressure situation.
use blocks of time, and we will work on occurs. Other times, we use no defend-
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 19
 COACHES - defense

Match-Up
by Cesare Pancotto

Zone Defense
This year marks the 24th consecutive year
of coaching a Series A team in Italy for Ce-
sare Pancotto, who began his career in
Porto San Giorgio in 1984. He then coached
Reggio Emilia in 1986, Forlì, Sassari, and
Pistoia. In 1993, he coached Siena, fol-
lowed by Trieste. After one season in
Rome, he came back to Trieste, where he
coached from 2001 to 2004. He spent one
season in Teramo and from 2005 to 2008 he
was head coach of Snaidero Udine. He is
currently the head coach of Fortitudo Bolo-
gna. Over the years, he was selected Best
Coach of the Year (four times) and in 2006
he won the Reverberi Award. As a member
of the Italian National Team coaching staff,
he helped guide the team to win the Medi-
terranean Games in 2005.

The match-up zone defense is based on

rules and goals. Each of these aspects must
be clear, understandable, and approacha-
ble for the player. This is a tactical defense,
one that combines portions of man-to-man
defense with zone defense principles.

GOALS
To successfully run this defense, you must
first consider the quick defensive recovery
as a main setting for this kind of zone. This
is very important, because you give the of-
fense only a few seconds of offensive play
by forcing them to attack against lined up
defense. We must prevent the attack reads
and trying to make the offense not under-
stand which type of defense we are going
to use. It is very important that the defense
closes the passing lanes. This will disrupt
the ability of the offense to do what they
want, when they want, thereby breaking
their offensive rhythm. The aggressiveness
on defense directed towards their playmak-
er is essential in helping us achieve this
goal. In this way, the playmaker is usually
forced to 1-on-5 play. It is critical that every
defensive player stay man-to-man in his
own zone on the court, while leaving the
protection of the painted area to the center,
5. If you want to use this defense, you have
to work on the defensive skills of each play-
er, and then focus attention on the ability of
the team to work together defensively. One
of these important defensive skills is the
slide to the basket or to the ball.
page 20 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
D.1 D.5

D.2 D.6

D.3 D.7

D.4 D.8

RULES to execute a lot of tactical adaptations.

To properly execute the match-up defense, 3. Each defensive player must have an of-
there are several important rules that need fensive player to defend against in his
to be followed. own defensive area. If there aren’t play-
1. You have to stay with your man or else ers in this area, the defensive player will
change your assignment if your player go into the paint area. If the offensive
cuts towards the ball or towards the player with the ball goes inside the paint
basket. area, the defensive player must do his
2. Is necessary to observe the opponents’ best to keep his opponent from scoring.
game plan, because it’s very important However, if there is a pass between the
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 21
 COACHES - DEFENSE
defense

D.9 D.13 D.17

D.10 D.14 D.18

D.11 D.15

D.12 D.16

offensive player and the ball, the defen- and press the offensive player, who is drib-
sive player must anticipate him in open bling. The defender, who is defending the
position. If the pass between the offen- man with the ball, must keep him from pen-
sive player and the ball are two or he is etrating to the basket. The defensive player
on the same side of the ball, the main will do this by guarding the area between
thing to do is to stay in the lane with the offensive player and the painted area
both feet. (diagr. 1). If the player with the ball tries to
I will now focus on the defensive attitude of go to one side of the court, the defensive
the perimeter players. One thing that our player on that side must pick up the player
perimeter players must always do is follow (diagr. 2).
page 22 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
D.19 D.21 D.23

D.20 D.22 D.24

If the player with the ball tries to dribble to-

wards an empty corner (diagr. 3), the defen-
sive player must follow him. However, if the
player dribbles towards the “full” corner
(occupied by a teammate) and there is a
possible cut on the opposite side of the
player positioned in that zone of the court,
we follow both the man with the ball and
the player, who cut (diagr. 4 and 5).
In case of dribble from the guard position
towards the corner, instead, we will make
an adjustment and we will change the
guard on all the cuts done from the low po-
sitions to the top positions. All of the high or
low cuts, which are done out of the area,
will be climbed towards the ball, it means
slide diagonally towards the ball/basket
(diagr. 6).
The most important thing for each defen-
sive player to do is to communicate with
teammates. For example, if there is a cut in-
side, the player yells, “CUT!” If the defen-
sive player stays with his man, he yells out,
“STAY!” In addition, if a defensive player
wants to switch defensive assignments, he
yells “CHANGE!”
The internal players collaborate with each
other and protect the low-post and post-up
areas. They must cover the passing line
(diagr. 7, 8, 9, and 10) and anticipate the cut
of the post when he goes towards the ball
(diagr. 11). When you are running a match-
up defense, you must consider some basic
movements. These movements are usually
performed by following the game situation
development.
If the opposing player with the ball is mov-
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 23
 COACHES - DEFENSE
defense

D.25

D.26

D.27

ing, it will be necessary that the defensive

player X1 follow the man with the ball, while
X2 goes to cover in the corner (diagr. 12).
Other important displacements to consider
occur after the player’s pass. In this case,
there are two situations to consider:
1. If there is a pass and a cut towards the
basket, it is very important to follow the
D.28 D.30
player who is cutting (diagr. 13 and 14).
2. If there is a pass and a cut on the same
side of the court (diagr. 15) or if there is
a pass and cut on the opposite side of
the court, it is necessary to rotate (diagr.
16 and 17).
After a pass in the corner, the defender has
to anticipate the possible cut away from the
ball until the change of guard with X3 on the
opposite side (diagr. 18 and 19).
The defensive player X4 will follow the cut
until he changes his position with X3. This
happens if the pass comes from the corner
to the player on the wing side (diagr. 20 and D.29 D.31
21). In a “skip” pass situation (a side-to-side
page 24 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
pass), the defender, who will attack the ball
will be always the last defender X4 (diagr.
22 and 23). The defense must try to move
contemporaneously with the opponents'
movements. For instance, when there is a
pass between the playmaker, 1, and the
guard, and then the cut of 1 and also an-
other cut from the low post on the opposite
side to the high post (diagr. 24 and 25). Or,
when after the same pass, we have a cut
from the high post to the low post on the
ball side and from the low post on the weak D.32 D.34
side to the high post, on the ball side (diagr.
26 and 27).
With a pass from 2 to 3 and the cuts of 1 and
5, while the defender X1 will follow the cut
on the baseline, X4 will follow/anticipate
the center from the low to the high post po-
sition (diagr. 28 and 29). In the situation pre-
viously described, the ability of the
defenders is very important specially while
they must change their own opposite play-
ers in the same positions (diagr 30).
In the case of the cut of 4, with the ball in
the hands of the low post, X2 will try to an-
D.33 D.35
ticipate the cut, while X4 will ascend, be-

D.36

cause the cut will be on the opposite side of

the ball. X1 will occupy the X2’s position and
X2 will occupy the X1’s spot (diagr. 31, 32,
and 33). Is very important to follow the 1’s
cut towards basket and, when the ball
comes from 4 to 2, it will be necessary a X1
and X3’s change (diagr. 34, 35, and 36).
After having analyzed the several options
and the match-up defense rules and objec-
tives, we could consider that this defense
assets could be more evident if the opposite
players will haven’t lot of talent. It will be
very important to run the practice by con-
sidering different situations.
First, from the middle of the court, and after
by using all the recover from the breaka-
way.
If you want to use the match-up zone as
base for the other defense options, then will
be necessary to work everyday on this de-
fense rules and options by improving the
game executions every day.

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 25

 COACHES - hoop market

Court Sense
by Raffaele Imbrogno

Raffaele Imbrogno has been coaching

since 1980. He is an Instructor for the Ital- In this section, we introduce the latest books, videos, CDs, and other tools that are
ian National Coaches Committee of the primarily aimed at coaches, but certainly useful for all of our readers. Please send
Federation and has been Director of the your suggestions and comments about our basketball-related media for review in
Italian Basketball Federation Study Cen- this section.
ter. Imbrogno is also the author of several
technical basketball publications.
of their game
and achieve
A New Year has just began and all of us their true po-
will try to find meaning in what we do in tential. The first
2009, resolving, at least, to do better than half of his book
last year’s efforts. Making resolutions of covers all the
this kind also applies to the basketball basics a player
court. Understanding the game, especial- must have in
ly the mental aspects, is what differenti- place, on and off
ates a good basketball player from a great the court, in or-
one, and making progress in the mental der to excel. The
game can yield spectacular results. It will second half fea-
take some work on your part, however. tures the six Css
The best basketball players and coaches that are crucial too
are known not only for their success in on-court perfor- r-
the sport, but also for the manner in which mance: coachabil- l-
they display their knowledge and abilities ity, communication,n
in playing, coaching, and teaching the cohesion, capacity to lead, competitive-
game. Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Magic ness, and concentration. Coach Giannini
Johnson, Michael Jordan, Steve Nash, brings a wealth of knowledge and experi-
Diana Taurasi, and other great players, ence to the subject as a former collegiate
past and present, share a special grasp of player and veteran coach, who has
what is needed in every situation on the earned a Ph.D. in sport psychology. His
court and how to maximize their own ef- insights and advice are combined with
fectiveness as well as that of their team. real-life examples and supported by sto-
Teams coached by John Wooden, Phil ries shared by these top coaches: Bo Ry- about the responsibilities of the players;
Jackson, Pat Summitt, and Mike Krzyze- an (University of Wisconsin-Madison Jay Wright, the head coach at Villanova
wski have won many NCAA and NBA head coach) on the player skills assess- University, looks at the NBA draft as an
championships because of their coaches’ ment; Steve Donahue (head coach of important moment of responsibility; Sha-
amazing ability to teach, motivate, disci- Cornell University) about the targets that ron Versyp, head coach of the Purdue
pline, and unite players to perform to their need to be set by an athletes in order to University women’s team, writes of the
potential individually and as a group. grow and improve, not only as athletes value of proper leadership; Tom Crean,
"Court Sense: Winning Basketball’s Men- but as people; John Beilein (University of head coach at the University of Indiana,
tal Game" (Human Kinetics), a new book Michigan head coach) describes individ- covers the development of the competi-
by John Giannini, currently the head ual motivations; Sean Miller writes about tiveness; while Jamie Dixon, head coach
coach of the La Salle University (Philadel- the improvement that can be made with at the University of Pittsburgh, describes
phia) men’s basketball team that plays in off-season training; Joanne P. McCall, the importance of concentration and fo-
the NCAA Division I Atlantic Conference, head coach of the women’s team of Duke cus on specific targets.
highlights all those qualities that make University, writes about the importance Coach Giannini has written an important
players and teams great, and he provides of mental training; and finally Oliver Pur- book for any player or basketball coach,
practical ways to improve any mental nell, head coach at Clemson University, who wants to raise the level of his game.
skills that might be lacking. Playing like a writes about good habits to cultivate on Use “Court Sense” to your advantage,
winner first requires preparing like one, and off the court. learn the valuable lessons that are de-
and Giannini, who has been a winning The second part of the book has inter- scribed within its pages, and you’ll surely
coach for his entire career, describes views with Tubby Smith, head coach at be one step closer to cutting down the
how basketball players can raise the level the University of Minnesota, who writes nets after your championship game.
page 26 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
 referees and game administration

Developing Training
Tecniques
for Concentration
by Alan Richardson

Alan Richardson has been a FIBA refe-

ree from 1978 to 1998. He then became
Referee Clinic Instructor from 1996 to
2000. Since 2000, he is the Technical Ad-
visor of the Referee Department of the
Euroleague.

Concentration is the ability to “be able to

focus attention on one aspect of per-
formance for the time necessary to be
successful.” Concentration skills are es-
sential if officials are to be trained to deal
with a transitional game of speed, varia-
tion and unfolding physical situations.
They are vital if officials are to meet the
challenge of complex tactical plays in
games that can induce many distrac-
tions.
Officials who cannot maintain concen-
tration are subject to several elements
that can undermine good performance.
These include:
▼ Loss of focus: failure to recognise
and deal with changes in the flow of
the game.
▼ Loss of intensity: decline in the power
of focus through complacency (over
confidence), choking (fear of failure)
and fatigue (decline in energy).

Games played over four periods can be

decided in one moment of play. Every
game will contain significant situations
when an official defines a moment or the
moment defines an official. A lapse of
concentration often determines that mo-
ment. Part of shaping officials' attitudes
towards a mentally tough performance is
page 28 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
D.1 D.2 D.3

D.4

D.5

helping them become aware of and pre-

pare for defining moments.

CONCENTRATION BRINGS SUCCESS

Officials must learn to recognise and
make sense of the flow of the game, the
continuous stream of images as players
and the ball constantly change position.
Each official, relative to their position on
court, must learn to focus on situations
developing within their area of control,
whilst at the same time maintaining a pe-
ripheral view of the game without being
distracted by situations that are less im-
portant and not within their area of
control.
Doing this is not easy. For some officials,
it proves to be a weakness that prevents
them progressing, but anyone can de-
velop the ability. Concentration is a habit,
not a talent and it requires motivation
and constant practice.
Officials will experience two main situa-
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 29
 referees and game administration

tions on the court that demand different 1. The purpose of training is to develop
levels of concentration: technical, tactical and mental skills
▼ Primary responsibility - the action dur- (habits).
ing the game, which IS in the official's 2. Whatever officials need to do in a
area of the court and for which that game they must first do it in training
official, has primary responsibility. and preparation.
This requires total (100%) concentra- 3. Being able to train and prepare at a
tion. consistently high level requires clear
▼ Support responsibility - the action dur- purpose, focus and intensity.
ing the game, which is NOT in the 4. Consistent training and preparation
official´s area of the court but for leads to consistent successful per-
which they can provide help and sup- formance. Developing focus and
port IF necessary. This area has a intensity in training and preparation.
relaxed concentration level for that
official. FOCUS
▼ Conducting realistic and demanding
If officials can understand the concept of preparation - Assessing the quality of
concentration, switching onto a narrow preparation.
focus with high intensity (ON THE BALL) ▼ Preparing and teaching - Knowing
and then smoothly switching off to a wid- what to focus on.
er view with low intensity (OFF THE ▼ Knowing when to relax - Recognising
BALL), then they will begin to reduce the defining moments.
number of mental lapses and start win- ▼ Managing mistakes without loss of
ning the defining moments. focus - Recovering focus after men-
tal lapses.
In diagrams 1 and 2 we look at the pri- ▼ Using self-talk or physical action to
mary (sole), increased (joint) and support activate focus - Using words or ges-
(peripheral) responsibility of the lead and tures that activate focus.
trail referees in the two man mechanics ▼ Punishing loss of focus - Rewarding
system. and reinforcing good focus.
In diagrams 3, 4 and 5, we look at the pri-
mary (sole), increased (joint) and support INTENSITY
(peripheral) responsibilities of the lead, ▼ Using prepared relaxation to build en-
trail and centre officials in the three-man ergy - Building physical and mental
mechanics system. fitness levels to accommodate high
Officials must learn, by reviewing the intensity.
flow of the game, when to switch from ▼ Establishing control over emotional
“ON BALL” responsibility to “OFF BALL” arousal - Using positive self-talk and
responsibility. They must also be aware being totally committed.
of the danger of allowing inner thoughts ▼ Being prepared for and avoiding dis-
and feelings to disrupt this process. tractions - Concentrating on what
Feelings of frustration, anger and/or fa- can be controlled and ignoring the
tigue can interfere with the process of uncontrollables.
concentration. The referee can find him- ▼ Knowing when to move between ac-
self/herself, paying more attention to an tive, semi-active and relaxed states
“inner world” rather than to the “outer of focus - Recognising when key mo-
world” of the game. Fatigue makes cow- ments require extra intensity and
ards of all of us; causing us to concentrate being able to step up.
on what WE , rest, rather than what the
game is demanding from us. Quality prac- SUMMARY
tice is essential. Learning to manage Concentration is a key element in suc-
focus and intensity begins in training and cessful officiating. It is a skill which
preparation. Only later can officials must be practised regularly and re-
transfer it to the game situation. Officials viewed through a variety of options. The
must accept the link between training ability of officials to know when to
and competition and be willing to train at switch from “ on ball” to “off ball”, to be
an intensity that can be transferred. It is able to recognise changes in the flow
no good training at 60%, when 100% is and intensity of the game, to be able to
required during the game. How you prac- recognise defining moments and to deal
tice is how you perform. with emotional pressure, will determine
which officials will progress to higher
LAWS OF TRAINING levels and maintain those levels
There are four laws of training to achieve throughout the season.
focus and intensity:
page 30 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 31
 referees and game administration

RIGHT OR WRONG?
The following questions focus on the docu- cial suspend the 3-second count to straddling the centre line. Has the ball
ment, “FIBA Official Basketball Rules: Offi- permit A3 to attempt the shot? been illegally returned to the back-
cial Interpretations.” A free download is 5. A2 is fouled during a successful field court?
provided on the FIBA website (www.fiba. goal attempt. A4 then commits an un- 10. B3 commits a technical foul in the inter-
com). For additional clarifications, explana- sportsmanlike foul on B4. A2 is awarded val of play before the beginning of the
tions or examples, please consult this doc- one free-throw, to be followed by two 1st period. Two free-throws are award-
ument. free-throws for B4 and possession of ed to team B before the administering
the ball for a throw-in for team B. If ei- of the jump ball. When the ball becomes
1. B3 in the team B backcourt attempts a ther team wishes to substitute, shall the live for the first free-throw of the tech-
pass to B4 in the team B frontcourt. A3 substitute(s) be permitted to enter the nical foul, the alternating possession
jumps from the team A frontcourt and game only after all free-throws have arrow is set to designate team B as en-
establishes control of the ball. While been administered? titled to the ball on the first jump ball
still in the air, A3 passes to A4 who is in 6. A2 deliberately scores in the team A situation. Is this the correct procedure?
the team A backcourt. Has the ball been basket. Shall a technical foul be
illegally returned to the backcourt? charged against A2?
2. A4 attempts a pass to A5 who fails to 7. Team B has committed four team fouls ANSWERS
catch the ball, after which the ball in a 4th period that ends with the score
touches the ring. Shall the 24-second tied. Early in the extra period, B4 fouls 1. Yes (30.1.2)
operator reset the 24-second device the A4. Shall A4 be awarded two free- 2. Yes (50.2)
moment the ball touches the ring? throws? 3. No (10.2)
3. On a throw-in, shall the ball become live 8. The ball is bouncing above the ring on a 4. Yes (26.1.2)
when it leaves the hand(s) of the throw- shot for a field goal when a double foul 5. No (19.3.9)
er-in? is committed. The ball does not pass 6. No (16.2.3, 38.3.1)
4. A3 has been in the opponents’ restrict- through the basket. Is this a jump ball 7. Yes (41.1.3)
ed area for fewer than three seconds situation? 8. Yes (35.2)
when A3 receives a pass and immedi- 9. A3 is awarded a throw-in at a sideline 9. Yes (30.1.2)
ately dribbles to the team B basket to in the team A frontcourt. A4 jumps to 10. No (12.4.3)
attempt a shot for a goal. Shall the offi- receive the pass and returns to the floor

page 32 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

 sport marketing and management

Small city,
by Ferdinando Minucci

great success
Ferdinando Minucci began to work with
Mens Sana Siena Basketball club (Italy)
in 1990 as the Marketing and Advertising
Director, moving up to General Director of
the team in 1999. He served as Vice Presi-
dent of the team from 1999 to 2008 and has
been team President since 2008. His team
won the A2 league in 1994, and in 2004,
2007, and 2008, Mens Sana won the Ital-
ian Division I championship. The club al-
so won the Saporta Cup in 2002 and the
Italian Supercup in 2004 and 2007. At in-
ternational level, Mens Sana reached
three Euroleague Final Four champion-
ships in 2003, 2004, and 2008. In 2007 and
2008, Minucci won the Italian Executive
of the Year award, while in 2008 he was
awarded the Euroleague Executive of the
Year award.

After all these years at the helm of the

Mens Sana Siena (Italy) basketball club
(Mens Sana is a multisport club, with a coach of the youth teams that won many would, create a top-notch club. It was this
basketball section), what I mainly remem- national titles, has always worked with me. overriding belief that carried us through the
ber are all of the difficulties that we faced, Thanks to these people and the constant lean years and helped us to get stronger. It
how we overcame them, grew the team, support of my wife, Rosanna, and my soon became clear to me that the path to
and became better and stronger. At the daughter, Federica, as well as also some ultimate success depended on creating a
beginning, the team aspect of the busi- friends, we have been able to achieve some strong base of local support. This meant we
ness was almost secondary to our other pretty remarkable results in Siena. had to become the team for the city of Sie-
goals. In some ways we could build the I started to work for Mens Sana Siena, an na and its territory. I waived my ownership,
team for each season, but there were al- historic and picturesque Tuscan town of turned over my shares to the club, and be-
ways question marks: there was a chance only 55,000 people, during the 1992-93 sea- gan to solicit the businesses of the city of
to buy great players, but they could always son. It was a difficult situation to take on. Siena and its territory to support the team
trigger disillusionment if they failed to pro- The team was just fallen to A2 league and and become, in effect, the team owners. In
duce. The main worry was the manage- everyone was disappointed. Still, I had the this way, we slowly, but steadily climbed
ment of the club. My biggest concern was feeling that we could grow, improve, and the ladder, going from a local, provincial
to collect sufficient advertising monies to get back to the top league. We had tough club to becoming a top European club.
cover the budget and carry us through the seasons, but we continued to work hard. A winning team is certainly the goal of any
end of the season, and then stay within Our advertising agency came through for sports organization, but if proper team man-
that budget during the season. us and collected more money than the main agement is not in place, with a set plan on
To help achieve our management aims to sponsor was paying. This is not to say that I how to achieve and maintain success, they
carry us over the next five to ten years, we did not get rejected by many people, when I will not be able to sustain a winning tradi-
started the “Mens Sana Project,” and as- asked for their financial support. I quickly tion. Right after winning our first Italian title,
sembled a core group of key people, who developed a thick skin. When one door was we underwent a real attack by the most
would serve as the foundation of the club. slammed in my face, I put a smile back on powerful European clubs and we were
Olga Finetti, now Secretary General of the my face and knocked on the next door. forced to surrender our best players to a
club and Jacopo Menghetti, Sport Direc- The good news is that our persistance paid bidding war for their services: Andersen
tor, were part of this group. Simone Piani- off. Granted we initially struggled, but we and Vanterpool signed with CSKA Moscow,
giani, the head coach, who had been the held firm to our belief that we could, and and Thornton and Kakiouzis went to Barce-
page 34 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
lona. We could not match the contract of-
fers, and when players are offered such
large sums, you cannot force them to stay
with your team.
The loss of these key players, however,
taught us a valuable lesson, and we started
over again, changing direction and strate-
gies so we would have a successful club
model. We would be self-sufficient and
strong, but always a micro-cosmos when
compared to the powerful European clubs,
which we would face on our road to reach-
ing success.
Our "Mens Sana Project" springs from that
ambitious idea created in the 1990s to take
our club to the 21st century. So ambitious
were our goals that many people told us
we would never accomplish them. I was
called a visionary by some, but I believed in
this project. I was sure that I had the strong
backing of the city of Siena, and I knew that
the bond with the Tuscan region would be
the key to open apparently armoured-plat-
ed doors. The involvement of the city gov-
ernment, the Province, the Monte dei Greece, CSKA Moscow, but also Rome and Our Internet site ("http://www.menssana-
Paschi Foundation, and the Mens Sana Milan in Italy. And then there are teams basket.it/"www.menssanabasket.it) is the
multisport club all played key roles in mov- with virtually unlimited budgets, including portal through which anyone can enter and
ing us forward. We created a “Public Com- the European giants, such as Barcelona become part of the “Mens Sana planet.”
pany,” the oldest in Italy, at that time, an and Real Madrid in Spain, Efes Pilsen Is- It’s possible to download and send photos,
innovation, a diffused property, which tied tanbul in Turkey, and Maccabi Tel Aviv, in watch videos, read all the news about the
more and more the club to the city and to Israel. team, and take part in all the events orga-
the people. The difference between us and those nized for the “Basketball Generation,” our
In short, we wanted to create a solid base teams is not on the quantity of economic youth project that is enjoying great suc-
on which we could work. We divided up resources, but on how the resources are cess throughout Italy. The goal is not just to
tasks, and had well-defined roles and spe- managed. Our underlying goal is to always collect new fans, but, why not, to discover
cific duties that had to be performed, all respect our budget and stay within our new talent for our youth teams.
within a structure that had common roots. means. Naturally, you need to have a good team to
After 15 years of working on our model, This is the first “must” we impose on our- win, because when a club is solid, wealthy,
now we have a complete staff, a club that selves from the beginning. We do not al- and ready to work, you must be able to
has been created and is now run by people low any extra budgeting during the season, achieve the results that justify the great
of Siena, people who have been educated something that often happens when the care that has been taken. In the last few
and grown inside the club. president is also the owner and the financ- years, we not only achieved great suc-
Our road to the Euroleague Final Four has er of the club, or when the budget is so cesses, such as three Italian titles and
been long and arduous, but thanks to the huge that a club can make any moves playing in the Euroleague Final Four three
sponsorship of the Monte dei Paschi, the without problem at any time during the times, but we built a technical staff that is
great bank of Siena and one of the most season. among the tops in Europe. This is led by Si-
successful in Italy, we have been able to Starting from this basic premise, our play- mone Pianigiani, a young coach, who is al-
achieve our short and long-term goals. In ers know that they will receive their money so from Siena, a common characteristic of
2000, when our visionary project became every month, at the same date, and with- all the Mens Sana club members. And take
reality, we were able to build, thanks to the out any problem. We are proud of this a look at our players: Bootsy Thornton
accumulated experience, a team destined sound financial heritage, which serves as came back to Siena, after two years as a
for winning, but always with total attention an example to other European clubs, es- reserve in Barcelona. Last year he earned
paid to our operating budget. This has been pecially during this present economic cri- second team honors for Euroleague, and
the priority of our club. sis. then signed a very good contract with Is-
At the Euroleague meeting last December, Budgeting is critical, but certainly not the tanbul. Players such as Terrell McIntyre,
many people in the audience thought I was whole picture in running a successful Romain Sato, Shaun Stonerook, Rimantas
joking when I said that we had a profit of team. The “Euroleague Gold Devotion Kaukenas, Benjamin Eze, and Ksistof Lavr-
6,000 euros for the 2007/2008 season. How- Award,” which was given to our club in inovic were not on the wish lists of the big
ever, this was the truth. If, at the base you recognition for having made the most in- European clubs before playing with us, but
need to have a solid club, you cannot pre- vestments in communication and promo- now they have been noted because of the
scind from the financial aspect. tion of our image in 2007/2008. This award great results they achieved in Siena. We
Our team and our operating philosophy is shows how much we pride ourselves in will keep them, however, because we are
quite different from that of the rich owners, creating fan interest throughout Italy and again ready to win, always playing within
such as Olympiacos and Panathinaikos of Europe. our “Siena system.”
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 35
 doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches

Playing
by Nazareno Notarini
basketball
Notarini, President of the Brain Refresh
in daily life
cuitry. This is true, no matter how good you A basketball rim has a diameter of 45 cm
Lab, founded a permanent training center think you are at multitasking. There’s just In the game of basketball, the word “al-
in Sharm El Sheikh, where he offers annual too much competition for the same neural most” does not exist. The goal of the game
seminars on motivation and behavior for circuits and what you end up with is a com- is to get the most balls through the rim,
managers and entrepreneurs. In addition to promise. Neither task is performed as well which has a diameter of 45 cm, by the end
collaborating with athletes from a variety as it is when performed alone. When you fo- of the allotted time. Often, in daily life, peo-
of sports to help maximize their mental cus on one task, you necessarily divert at- ple don't have such precise goals and that’s
skills, he has written several popular books tention from another. To get back up to like having a basket with a changeable di-
on the optimal use of individual psy- speed when you come back to the original ameter that is set at a variable height.
chophysical energies. topic or task, you may have to go over much Therefore, their aspirations often sound
of the same thought processes that created something like this: “I want to lose weight
The early part of this twenty-first century the neural connections in the first place. for improving my speed and increasing my
may eventually be described by historians This can take seconds, minutes, or even mobility.”
as the “era of distraction.” It seems that life hours, depending on the topic, how many While this seems like a goal, it’s not. To be a
is speeded up today and we constantly find tasks are being juggled, and the complexity real goal, a person needs to answer these
ourselves trying to do several things at the of the task.
same time. This is called multitasking. Un-
fortunately, we often become distracted, Time-out: Which strategy do we use to
lose focus, and sometimes struggle to com- overcome the mental fragmentation?
plete tasks. Multitasking is always counterproductive,
How many times have you found yourself whether in your daily activities or on the
speaking on the phone while sending e- basketball court. It seems that e-mail, in-
mails on your BlackBerry, working on a stant messaging, cell phones, and PDAs,
crossword, and watching both the evening which keep us all connected and allow
news flickering? How often do you speak on many of us to do our jobs, can also diminish
a cell phone while driving your car? These productivity. A 2007 study by Basex, Inc., a
are all examples of multitasking, doing more knowledge-management research firm in
than one thing at the same time. For some, New York, reported that knowledge workers
it’s a way to try to get more accomplished in (people whose work output is mainly infor-
less time. But is it really? mational in nature, e.g. creating documents,
Distractions can easily make a “basketball reports, studies, inventions, or patents)
practice session” chaotic and ultimately waste an average of two hours a day in ev-
unproductive. By having set goals and fo- ery 40-hour workweek. This is due to inter-
cusing solely on them for the “practice ses- ruptions from e-mails, co-workers, and cell
sion”, you will make great progress. phones. Recovery time from each interrup-
The big question that neuroscientists have tion can vary, but it comes with a stiff price
been asking is how efficient you are as you tag for the American economy: $650 billion
try to tackle multiple tasks simultaneously. every year.
While many people think that they are good Think about your “basketball training ses-
at their jobs when they multitask, are they sions” and find -and eliminate- the distrac-
really? In addition, what is going on in the tions that keep you from achieving your
brain when someone takes on more than daily goals.
one task at a time? Let’s look a little closer
at what the research has uncovered in this Time-out: What is the winning strategy?
interesting area of neuroscience. To improve concentration, you need to have
When you multitask, you may think you are a clear idea of the ultimate goal and the fo-
getting a lot done, but there’s a cost when cus of your attention. Nothing should dis-
the tasks compete for the same (and limited) tract you as you carry out your daily tasks
cognitive resources (e.g., attention, working that are designed to help you achieve your
memory) and draw on the same brain cir- goals.
page 36 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
questions: How much weight do you want to Written specific goals provide direction and liers. However, they are tremendously hard
lose? When will this goal be achieved? How focus to your activities. They become a road to put into practice. Granted, in the begin-
often will you verify your progression? In map to follow. ning, it will be a hard work for us to remain
short, in order to be real, a goal needs to be Be sure the goals and activities that you are totally focused on what we are doing. How-
measurable, verifiable, and you need to have working for are yours and that you really ever, don't be upset: “catch” your mind and
a timetable. Goal setting will help you end up want and desire to achieve them. The com- bring it back to what you should be doing.
where you want to be. mitment is vital to your success in achieving The action of noticing that your mind is
When it comes to setting goals, start with them. wandering is a great sign that your ability to
what's important to you in life. Take out a concentrate is improving!
sheet of paper. Sit quietly, and on that sheet Targeted and constant practices We can be great in the application of some
of paper, brainstorm what you want to ac- Having a precise goal is just the starting tactic, but we will be often find ourselves in
complish. On another sheet of paper, write point to beat the mental fragmentation that a hostile working environment: it's like al-
your personal goals for the next 12-month permeates so much today. Through practice ways playing away games in front of wild
period. Now, as a third step, go back and and experience, everyone of us will find his and boisterous fans. We have to tune out
compare the two goal lists you have made. perfect kind of training. The most important this distraction. I know that it is not easy to
Make sure that the items on your short-term thing is having the right mental approach. do, but if you are able to totally focus on the
list will, as you attain them, be helping you This approach can be condensed in two task, you will eventually achieve your goals,
attain your long-term goals. It is important points: no matter how loud the opponent’s fans are
that what you are doing short term is taking 1. Every time we are doing something “on screaming.
you in the right direction toward your life- the court”, we must ask ourselves this Speaking of “team”, it's very important to
time aspirations. question: Is what I am doing useful in underline the importance of your team-
The only thing in life that is constant is the helping me reach my goal? mates. When your “teammates” are posi-
fact that everything is changing. It makes 2. Every time we are doing something “on tive, when they believe in themselves, and
sense that our goals will change as we the court”, let's try to be really fo- when they have the same goal as you-to
change. Recognize how focusing on what cused on what we are doing in that mo- win-then half your battle is won. Stay with
you do want, what you do intend to accom- ment. positive, mentally flexible, and stimulating
plish, also defines what you choose not to These are two simple concepts, as seem- people and you will achieve your goals,
do. Dreams and wishes are not goals until ingly as easy as a dunk for LeBron James, both in basketball, as well as in the real
they are written as specific results on paper. the NBA superstar of the Cleveland Cava- life.

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 37

 doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches

Health and
performance for
basketball referees
OBSERVATIONS There is a big difference between refer-
1. Elite basketball referees usually achieve ees. Basketball players have a different
the peak of their officiating careers at fat % depending on their position and
an average age that is considerably their gender.
older than basketball players. Referees have to be in an optimal weight
by Heinz Günther 2. The average Body Mass Index (BMI) and fat % in order to reach a high perfor-
in FIBA, ACB and LEB was higher than mance level.
Heinz Günther was General Surgeon, work- 25. For general population, the BMI is
ing over 35 years in Austrian Government considered normal if the range is 2. PHYSICAL CONDITION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL
Hospital. In the last 10 years he was Vice placed between 20-25. Nevertheless, DEMANDS DURING A MATCH
Head of a big Surgical Department. He if the range is situated between 25-30, Until now, there were few scientific stud-
loves the game of basketball. He started as it is considered overweight. ies about the psysiological effects of elite
a player, winning Austrian championships. 3. Referees are shorter than basketball competion on basketball referees.
Then he was also coach, team doctor and players and height isn't important for All of us know referees don't have physi-
doctor of the National Team. He is a mem- them, but this variable is necessary to cal contact, don't have to jump, throw,
ber of the FIBA Medical Council since calculate the Body Mass Index ((BMI): dribble or play defence, but they have to
1977. weight(Kg) / Height 2 (m)) run all over the court with sudden move-
ments and despite feeling fatigue, they
INTRODUCTION The table 2 shows an example from span- can not be substituted during the game.
Basketball referees are responsable of con- ish referees about different folds and fat Also, referees need to be concentrated
trolling the behaviour of the players during percentage. This information is more use- from the start to the end of the game, be-
competitive basketball as well as imple- ful for sportsmen. cause their decisions are very important.
menting the rules of the game. To do this, In this table it is important to pay atten- In short, why is it important to know what
three referees are obliged to keep up with tion to the average and the minimum and type of physical and physiological de-
the playing time. Although referees are maximum value in the abdominal fold and mands referees need during a basketball
sportsmen, only some national and interna- the fat %. match?
tional federations have a medical program
for them. Table 1. Sample characteristics from referees (Body Mass Index (BMI): weight(Kg) / Height 2 (m))
People from the basketball world may think:
▼ Why do referees need a doctor? LEVEL N. AGE ± WEIGHT HEIGHT BMI
▼ How can doctors help referees? (YARS) (KG) (CM) 182,9 ± 4,8
A long time ago, sportsmen only visited a
doctor when they suffered a medical prob- FIBA 100 38,7 84,2 181,8 25,4
lem, but the situation nowadays is different
since doctors also carry out preventive
ACB 33 35,5 ± 6 84,5 ± 8,6 182,9 ± 4,8 25,53
medicine. In this article we try to explain LEB 27 31,4 ± 3 78,8 ± 8,1 179,1 ± 4,6 24,6
what is FIBA's medical program for refer-
ees and why it's necessary. The main mes- Table 2. Sample characteristics in 33 ACB referees (1999)
sage is PREVENTION.
FOLDS AVERAGE ± SD MINIMUM MAXIMUM
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLAYERS
AND REFEREES TRICEPS 14.8 ± 4.2 8 24.2
Referees and players are sportsmen, but SUBSCAPULAR 17.6 ± 5.5 9.2 29.1
there are some differences between them. ABDOMINAL 32.9 ± 10.9 13.6 53
THIGH 21.7 ± 8.9 9 42.6
1. AGE, WEIGHT AND HEIGHT
The table 1 shows an example of FIBA Eu- LEG 11.2 ± 4.2 4.8 21.3
rope's and Spanish (ACB and LEB leagues) % FAT 17.8 ±3.4 12.2 25.6
referees from different levels.
page 38 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
 ▼ Over age 35: Sudden cardiac death is
most due commonly to coronary heart
disease.
Different factors of risk include: family his-
tory in both of them, hypertension, high
cholesterol, tobacco, overweight, stress,
diabetes, stimulants.
After this situation, there are several is-
sues that we can THINK about: could it
have been avoided? Yes, in some cases.
FIBA's medical commission thinks that it
is neccessary that all referees pass a
medical examination as well as the play-
ers.
2. The second step is to design programs
to prevent common illnesses and inju-
ries in referees.
Referees usually have less injuries than
players and most of them are due to ove
For example: AND Winterich D. 1995) (Stewart MJ y ruse or recurrence of a previous injury.
▼ Type of movement. cols. 2004). Unfortunatly, some injuries and illnesses
▼ Distance covered and duration. The conclusion of these studies were that happen suddenly (as you can see in an
▼ Heart rate during the match. referees didn't feel very stressed. In fact, both Spanish and FIBA's referees) and it
only a very low percentage felt stressed is impossible to prevent, but many of them
It is necessary to know this information. during the game. (overuse) could be avoided if referees fol-
For example, during a basketball game This result suggests that “Experience is a low some prevention programs. It is im-
the average Heart Rate (HR) of a referee degree” (quoting an Spanish expression). portant to avoid injuries and illnesses and
is 150 bpm (range 110-181 bpm). This is FIBA's medical programs for referees feel healthy. That way, referees don't have
important to plan an appropriate training Due to these and other reasons, FIBA's to stop officiating and could have longer
program to maintain and/or maximize medical commission believes that it is careers.
their performances. necessary to give referees the same med- 3. The third step is to give useful informa-
ical support as players. tion to help referees improve their per-
3. LOGISTICAL SUPPORT formance. For example, information
Basketball players play either in a club or The objectives of FIBA's are: regarding:
a national team. They have a coach, an ▼ To look after the referees health. ▼ Nutrition and hydratation.
assistant coach, a physical trainer, a ▼ To prevent illness and injuries in refer- ▼ First aid.
physiotherapist, a doctor, others. They ees. ▼ Physical condition programs.
have a team plan for the entire season but ▼ To help referees reach and maintain a ▼ Recovery procedure.
this situation does not apply to the refer- high performance. ▼ Jet lag.
ees. Referees normally train alone, lack a ▼ Others medical information interesting
personal physical trainer, a physiothera- HOW CAN FIBA MEDICAL COMMISSION for them.
pist or a doctor. Also, they travel a lot and PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE? Some factors can improve performances,
some times they have another job. These 1. The first step is to recommend a medi- and it is very important that referees know
factors can cause several difficulties in cal examination before the season for them to follow.
order to follow an appropiate training pro- referees. Why? 4. The fourth step is to support them dur-
gram, but now the situation is different People think sports are good to stay in ing their clinics, physical test, FIBA's
because referees have access to the nec- good health, but this is not always the competitions.
essary information to follow a individual case in high level sports. Unfortunatly, it is Referees shouldn't be alone, they need
training plan. frequent to hear or read about sportsmen the same support as players to prevent
To be keep an optimal weight and fat % is that die during or after a basketball or medical problems and to find an early so-
good, but it's not enough if referees don't football match and this could happen to lution when this happen.
follow an appropiate training program to referees too.
achieve and maintain an optimal perfor- Sudden cardiac death is a rare but devas- CONCLUSION
mance. tating event. In order to be a good referee, having the
Victims are usually young and apparently same technical knowledge and experi-
4. PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS DURING A GAME healthy, but many have an underlying car- ence will make a big difference in the
The potential sources to induce stress diovascular disease that it is not diag- physical condition, as well as their mental
upon referees are: players, coaches, pub- nosed until after the event. and Physiological health.
lic, theirselves, their colleagues, family, The etiologists of sudden cardiac death Referees are very important for basketball
journalists, national or international refer- associated to sports activities depend on and they need the same medical support
ee departments, others. the age of the individual. than players to achieve their maximum
There are different studies about the mag- ▼ Under 35: Sudden cardiac death is performance for as many seasons as pos-
nitude and perception of psychological usually due to congenital heart dis- sible. Also, this way, they'll finish their ca-
stress by basketball referees (Raney D ease. reers without any medical handicaps.

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 39

 doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches

Improving
Explosiveness
on the Court
by Alan Stein

Alan Stein is the former co-owner of ARE THEY SAFE? ways to jump higher and run faster. After
Elite Athlete Training Systems, Inc. and If plyometric exercises are appropriately all, with all else equal, the player or team
the Head Strength & Conditioning coach picked and supervised, than they can be who can run faster and jump higher has
for the nationally renowned Montrose a safe and productive supplemental a tremendous advantage over their op-
Christian Mustangs boy’s basketball pro- training tool. However, the game of bas- ponent. Vast improvements can be made
gram. Alan brings a wealth of valuable ketball itself is already very plyometric in to a player’s explosiveness by imple-
experience to his training arsenal after nature, so adding a large volume of ad- menting a structured, progressive, and
years of extensive work with elite high ditional plyometric exercises can be safe strength training and plyometric
school, college, and NBA players. He is counterproductive and produce overuse program, complimented by dynamic flex-
a sought after lecturer at basketball injuries including orthopedic trauma to ibility training and court conditioning
camps across the country and is regu- the joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones drills. By improving in each of the follow-
larly featured in publications such as the that occur from too much impact. Unlike ing five areas; a basketball player will be
Winning Hoops, Time Out, Dime, Ameri- many other sports, today’s basketball able to run faster, jump higher, and be-
can Basketball Quarterly, Stack, and players play year round with no real off- come more explosive the court!
Men’s Health. season. It has been estimated that the
average player will perform between 450 STRENGTH
WHAT ARE PLYOMETRICS? and 500 full speed jumps per week. As If a player increases the strength in their
Plyometrics are exercises that usually in- such, what will an additional 50 jumps legs, hips and core, they will automati-
volve some form of explosive movement from a plyometric program do? While cally improve their ability to produce
such as a jumping, hopping, or bounding plyometric exercises -commonly referred force, which results in increased explo-
movement for the lower body, as well as to as ‘Plyo’s’- can be implemented care- siveness. For example, the more force a
some type of swinging, pushing, and fully into a program as a way to help player can exert against the ground – the
throwing for the upper body. Plyometrics players with their body-awareness and higher the potential to jump. As men-
are designed to increase power, coordi- confidence in performing certain move- tioned in the strength training portion of
nation, balance, and quickness. ments, it is imperative to pick only the this manual, it is extremely important for
safest exercises and use as soft of a sur- a strength training program to be safe,
HOW DO THEY WORK? face as possible to reduce the orthope- time efficient, and productive. To reduce
Plyometric exercises use the force of dic stress placed on the body during orthopedic stress strength training, play-
gravity or of a weighted medicine ball to such exercises. It is not necessarily the ers should work within an appropriate
store potential in the muscles, and then jumping that could potentially cause a repetition range (8-15 reps per set) and
immediately release this energy in the problem, but rather the landing. Be very avoid maxing out (seeing how much they
opposite direction. The energy stored, in cautious when having players jump offof can lift for one repetition). Players should
addition to physiological responses and boxes and/or performing weighted aim to make every strength training
mechanisms in the body (myotatic reflex) jumps. workout as time efficient as possible;
during the eccentric (negative, muscle this is done by using a limited number of
lengthening) phase of a muscle contrac- HOW DO YOU IMPROVE EXPLOSIVENESS? sets and exercises, thus making the
tion, is used to produce a more powerful Explosiveness is an important ingredient workout brief, but yet very intense. This
concentric (positive, muscle shortening) in the game of basketball. Players and can also be accomplished by minimizing
phase of muscle contraction. coaches are constantly in search of rest intervals in between sets to induce
page 40 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
 POWER
As obvious as it sounds, if a player wants
to be able to jump higher, he or she needs
to practice jumping as high they can.
Plyometric exercises such as jumping,
skipping, bounding, etc. - if incorporated
appropriately - provide a means for play-
ers to practice jumping with maximal ef-
fort in a controlled and safe environment.
Additionally, a proper plyometric program
can help train the nervous system to per-
form athletic movements more efficiently.
Since the sport of basketball is already
very plyometric in nature, these exercis-
es and drills should be chosen carefully
and be done in limited volume. Again, at-
tempts should be made to reduce as
much impact and orthopedic stress as
possible. That is, try and use soft training
surfaces, make sure your players are
wearing proper footwear, and know that
when it comes to plyometric training,
more is not necessarily better.
Squat jumps, broad jumps, lateral bounds,
and box jumps are some common plyo-
metric exercises used to increase a bas-
ketball player’s explosiveness. When
performing box jumps, it is highly recom-
mended that players jump onto the boxes
only; they should walk down off of the
boxes to eliminate as much impact as
possible (see pictures on following page).
It is important to note that these exercis-
es should be performed when players’
legs are fresh; they should be done be-
fore a strength training workout if both
workouts are being performed one after
the other.

FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility is widely defined as the range
of motion in a joint or group of joints. Im-
proving flexibility in the hamstrings, an-
kles, lower back, and hips, can increase
a player’s potential to be explosive. Flexi-
bility is best accomplished by performing
all strength training movements through
a full range of motion, as well as perform-
ing dynamic flexibility exercises every
workout or practice. The days of sitting
on the ground and static stretching are
over! In addition to improving flexibility,
dynamic flexibility exercises assist in de-
veloping coordination and motor ability –
both of which are attributes that help
improve a player’s explosiveness.

an overall conditioning effect. A strength ing muscle groups equally will help re- SKILL PROFICIENCY
program should focus on training the en- duce the risk of on-court injuries, while Proper skill training is the most overlooked
tire body equally to ensure muscle bal- training at a high level of intensity will aspect when trying to improve athletic
ance, as well as having each exercise produce maximum results. All of this can power. Decreasing the time it takes to per-
taken to the point of momentary muscu- be accomplished in two or three well form a specific basketball skill is in es-
lar fatigue (the point at which no further planned full body workouts per week, sence increasing the speed at which the
reps can be achieved). Working oppos- each lasting about an hour. skill is performed. Thus, increasing the
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 41
 doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches
speed at which a skill is executed will re- like it will be used in competition – or at consistently. Competent coaching, study-
sult in improved explosiveness on the actual game speed. For example, the more ing videotape, and hours of perfect prac-
court. The most effective and practical efficient a guard becomes at shooting a tice are the best ways to increase skill
way to improve skill proficiency is to per- jump shot, the more range he or she will proficiency.
form these skills through countless hours have. Increased proficiency means it will
of task-specific skill practice. Players take less time and effort to perform the CONDITIONING LEVEL
need to practice the specific skill exactly specific skill as well as perform it more A player’s overall conditioning level is vital
in his or her ability to become more explo-
sive. After all, what good is improved
strength and skill if it cannot be maintained
for an entire game? Preventing or delaying
the onset of fatigue is crucial to perfor-
mance. A well-prepared and well-condi-
tioned basketball player should be just as
strong and skillful in the second half of the
game as they were in the first half. Again,
it is important to note that being fit and be-
ing in basketball shape are two different
things. Basketball is a game of repeated
high intensity efforts that are sustained for
several minutes on end, with minimal rest
and recovery in between. A well-designed
and progressive pre-season court condi-
tioning program should reflect this, and
will make sure players are in great basket-
ball shape. Another necessity of being in
great shape is keep-
ing body fat at an ap-
propriate level. Excess
body fat is simply dead
weight. Too much
dead weight will in-
hibit flexibility, reduce
skill proficiency, and
diminish overall con-
ditioning ability. Keep-
ing players’ body fat
percentage at an ap-
propriate level is es-
sential for maximizing
their ability to be ex-
plosive on the court.
In order to maintain
body fat levels, play-
ers should eat a calo-
rically appropriate diet and adhering to a
year-round conditioning program. Please
note that additional muscle mass is not a
hindrance to improving power, but rather
an asset.
In summary, if a player wants to become
more explosive on the court, and therefore
give themselves an advantage over their
opponent, they need to become stronger
through productive strength training and
structured plyometric drills, while at the
same time mastering the skills of shooting,
ball handling, passing, defending and box-
ing out. This contributes to the goal of be-
ing in superior basketball shape. Again, all
of this can be accomplished through a
well-designed strength and conditioning
program that can be implemented year-
round.
page 42 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
AdMondo 08/01/2009 09:56 Page 1

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 news

colangelo:
"We have to get ready
one-on-one
for the 2010 World
Championship"
the men’s team. I’m now serving in the ca- it, a good example is (Kevin) Durant. Durant
pacity as chairman of USA Basketball. That came out of high school and I had him at our
involves all of the teams: men, women, ju- (Team USA) camp. And that’s before he
niors. But I will continue with my direct in- played in the NBA. And (Greg) Oden was in-
volvement (with the senior USA men’s vited but couldn’t perform because of his in-
team), although I don’t know if I will keep jury. So would there be young players invited
the title. I don’t think we’ll have managing and have the opportunity? If we feel they’re
director. But I’ll be responsible for the men’s good enough, the answer is yes.
team because that’s the passion. Coach K
and I have not even had that conversation. FIBA: You mentioned the 2010 FIBA World
We plan to meet sometime probably within Championship. The winner will qualify di-
the next month. We do not have anything rectly for the London 2012. Otherwise, Team
we need to do except to get ready for the USA would have to go through the 2011 FIBA
(FIBA) World Championship in 2010. So Americas Championship to reach the Olym-
there is no requirement for us in ’09 (FIBA pics. Does that play into your strategy in
Americas Championship) to do anything un- terms of how significant the FIBA World
less we choose to. So there is no immediate Championship will be for the USA?
urgency of naming players, or coaches or
Jerry Colangelo came up with a winning anything like that. One of the things that I’m COLANGELO: My personal feeling is that it’s
formula when he was named managing di- thinking about is having a trial for some of very significant. I think it’s important to win
rector for Team USA’s men’s team in 2005. the best young players in the game here in the World Championship because we
He enlisted the services of numerous coach- the summer from which we’ll take maybe haven’t done that in a long time. So I think
es, and gained commitments from leading the top four or five and add them to our mix we have an incentive to give them our best.
players to represent the United States in in- and see if some of them might be able to The thing I need to do is to have discus-
ternational competition. Duke University’s make our team, depending on how many of sions with a number of our players when
legendary boss Mike "Coach K" Krzyzewski our veterans are interested in coming back. they are here for the NBA All-Star break in
was appointed head coach of the men’s I think we have a good pipeline started. I Phoenix. That’s where the game will be
team and last summer, Colangelo was on think it’s a matter of servicing that pipeline. played here this February. My plan is to
hand as the USA went undefeated and cap- meet with a number of guys in our roster to
tured the gold medal at the Olympics in Bei- FIBA: That’s very exciting to hear you talk see how they’re feeling about that. I asked
jing after a thrilling title showdown with about the young players. We were recently for a three-year commitment last time and
world champions Spain. Colangelo has in North Carolina and interviewed one of (now) I’m willing to take two. But that means
since been made chairman of USA Basket- the coaches in the USA Basketball set-up, 2010 and 2012. If we get the job done in ’10,
ball, and he gave this exclusive interview to Davidson coach Bob McKillop, along with then we don’t have to worry about ’11. If a
Jeff Taylor on behalf of FIBA. one of his star players Stephen Curry. Are player says, "I don’t want to give you a
you considering adding college players to three-year commitment, I’ll give you two",
FIBA: Mr Colangelo, what is the immediate your national team squad or young players fine. I want 2010 and 2012 and shame on us
future of the senior national team? Tell us who are already in the NBA? if we don’t win in 2010 - that’s going to cost
when the squad of players will be an- you a third year. But you’ve got the option to
nounced, and also when the announcement COLANGELO: Here is the problem. It’s not a make it work.
will be about the coach of that team as Mike black-and-white situation anymore about
Krzyzewski was uncertain after the Olympics the college and pros. There was a time FIBA: Everything was gold for the USA in
if he would continue to lead the USA. when individuals went to college for four China but even then I’m sure that you, Coach
years and then went pro. Today, some of K and the players identified some areas in
COLANGELO: First of all, everything was put on them go to college just for one year and turn which the program could improve. What
hold. The one big piece of information that pro, so it’s a grey area. We’re open. The would that be in your opinion? Was there
has happened since the end of the Olympics policy is, if we think there is somebody out anything important that you think you could
is that I was serving as managing director of there who has a legitimate chance to make have done better?
page 44 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
COLANGELO: First of all, we concluded (after plished on the court, the way we were and better. You look at Spain, they do a tre-
2004) that we needed a new infrastructure. involved in the community in terms of sup- mendous job and they have a lot of players.
We needed a new culture. We totally ful- porting other teams of the United States at Argentina is another country with a great
filled the short-term aim of turning around the Olympics, the public perception of USA pipeline of players who love the game. But I
the program, getting people with passion Basketball took a quantum leap and so we’re think the bar has been raised all over the
who bought into the vision and we accom- pleased about that. It’s important to keep world. I think out of Africa will come one or
plished our goal and objective of winning that going in the right direction. two very, very good teams in the next de-
the gold medal. Now the next piece of busi- cade -I truly believe that. And, teams in Eu-
ness is to sustain it. That’s another chal- FIBA: How does the national team have a rope -Croatia, Serbia, the perennials- they
lenge. And so, we would hope to do positive influence on the players and the will continue to get better and better. So, I’m
everything better because you are never fin- NBA as a whole? hopeful that the game improves in England,
ished. This is a work in progress. I think the that France has an opportunity to become
infrastructure has put in a pipeline that we COLANGELO: I think the NBA sees it as a tre- pretty good. I think in Asia - China with its
now have in place. The great interest that mendous value to have their players not only incredible interest in basketball. I say this all
we have in our young players who now want win, but rise in popularity, name recognition, the time: there are 300 million people living
to be a part of Team USA - we turned around etc, etc. That’s from a league perspective. I in the United States, there are 300 million
that culture, too. So, we just want to get bet- think the individual teams whose players people playing basketball in China. Just by
ter at what we do and not take anything for were involved have a winning attitude. sheer numbers, you know that they are go-
granted because I do believe the competi- Those are now better players who have ing to come up with more and more players.
tion is getting much stronger. brought the experience back to their respec- The game will become more and more glob-
tive teams in the USA. So the teams benefit- al, and more and more competitive. And I
FIBA: We saw a focused Team USA at the ted individually as did the teams overall. think that is exciting for basketball.
Beijing Games every time the players ran
onto the floor. It seemed a lot of that was FIBA: Do you think that playing for pride gets FIBA: With respect to the FIBA rule changes
down to the leadership of players like Kobe more out of the players than playing for that will come into effect in 2010, do you be-
Bryant, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. money? lieve the international game will still be dif-
LeBron was particularly charismatic, espe- ferent to the NBA game and if so, what will
cially in the press conference after the gold- COLANGELO: We have players who have those major differences be?
medal game. Do you have ready-made played for money who were willing to play
leaders to step in if this trio decides to take a without pay, and were willing to perform for COLANGELO: We can only speculate on what
break from international basketball? pride in their country, pride in the game of these changes are going to mean and what
basketball. It just goes to show that money impact they will have. We can talk about
COLANGELO: First of all, leaders aren’t just can’t buy everything. What this experience how the games were different in the past.
made. They emerge. The read that I got from offers is a very unique opportunity that is not Basically, we were playing with a different
our roster is that most of the guys wanted to in the color green. ball under different rules and different types
play and do it again. Now, that may have of officiating for American players. So these
been an immediate and emotional response. FIBA: You have been involved in so many big rules are getting closer to the American
I wanted to give everyone some time away games throughout your career. What was game. You might have to say that the adjust-
from it. That’s why here in February, when going through your mind during the gold ment must come from the rest of the world
we kind of convene here in Phoenix, we’re medal game in Beijing when Spain played to the new rules because the rules are be-
just going to talk things through. I’ll have a brilliantly and the USA had to give every- coming more like ours.
much better feel of the lay of the land. But I thing to win?
feel very comfortable that we’ll have many FIBA: What would you like to achieve as
players to pick from and to keep the thing COLANGELO: I recognized first how much was chairman of USA Basketball?
rolling. at stake and how much effort and work we
had put in. I was hopeful and prayerful that COLANGELO: Raise the bar for amateur bas-
FIBA: You have mentioned that a lot of play- we would have a good conclusion to the ketball in this country. We want to help de-
ers now want to be a part of Team USA and whole thing. I will only tell you that at the velop young people, not only in the game of
that there is a pipeline. Do you believe that moment the Star Spangled Banner was be- basketball but in the game of life. We’re
USA Basketball was successful in winning ing played, when the flag was being raised working on a new campus for USA Basket-
back a public that perhaps wasn’t as sup- and the medals were being draped around ball in Glendale, Arizona, which will serve
portive in Sydney and Athens? Do you be- the players, there was a moment of total ful- as kind of the clearing house for all amateur
lieve that everyone is right behind USA fillment. basketball. We want to develop the kind of
Basketball now and is very excited? program that has continuity through that in-
FIBA: There has been an incredible growth in frastructure and pipeline that will give us
COLANGELO: Certainly. I think we turned it. I international basketball the past couple of very competitive teams on a worldwide ba-
really do. Bear in mind that when I took on decades. Where do you see basketball glob- sis. We just want to get better, and better,
the responsibility in ’05, I was selling my vi- ally in 10 years? Which countries will be the and better.
sion for what we could become. There was major players that can challenge the USA?
a lot of buying into that along the way in FIBA: Thanks very much for your time, Mr
terms of sponsorships, so on and so forth, so COLANGELO: There is no question the game is Colangelo.
we had to go out and get the job done. And I a global one. We have some outstanding
think the way the players conducted them- teams representing different countries. Our
selves on and off the court, what we accom- competitors will now continue to get better FIND MORE INTERVIEWS ON WWW.FIBA.COM

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 45

 news
news

the world
in brief
Planet
basketball

tionship between ASEAN countries

through basketball, creating the first pan-
ASEAN entertainment and sports property
and developing local basketball talents, in
an area that covers a population of 600
million people.
FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann
said at the media brief in Kuala Lumpur:
"The ASEAN Basketball League is the first
of its kind in Asia and a welcome indica-
tion of the maturity achieved by our sport.
It will further boost the popularity of bas-
ketball in this area and beyond, while cre-
ating new opportunities and dreams for
the FIBA family. We look forward to seeing
new talents and countries emerge in bas-
ketball in the next five years as a result of
this project."
“This is a historic day,” stated Tony Fer-
nandes. “We have prepared an elaborate
paper on the franchise and we are looking
ASEAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE TAKES OFF Brunei, etc.). for people with the financial ability to last
The first international basketball league in The ABL, which will be played between the pace,” he added.
South-East Asia will take off in September September 2009 and February 2010 will “A dream is coming true for our region,"
2009. have home-and-away matches. There will stated Dato Yeoh Choo Hock. “This is a
In the presence of FIBA President, Bob El- also be a knockout stage, culminating with long-term project and we want teams who
phinston and FIBA Secretary General and the final. can stay the distance and have the ability
IOC Member Patrick Baumann, the South Local talents will comprise the majority of to improve the game in their own country.
East Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) players and only four imports -two non- The objective is to raise the standard of
under the leadership of Mr Thohir and Asians and two Asians- will be allowed to the sport in our region,” he said.
Dato Yeoh Choo Hock announced the play in each team.
launch of the "ASEAN Basketball League" The Chairmanship has been taken by Tony SCARIOLO STRONGLY LINKED
(ABL) on 19th January. The Association of Fernandes, Chair of the successful airline WITH SPAIN NATIONAL TEAM
Southeast Asian Nations, commonly ab- AirAsia and of the Singapore Slingers. His Former Unicaja Malaga coach Sergio Sca-
breviated ASEAN, is a geo-political and experience in opening new businesses riolo has admitted “it would be a great
economic organization of 10 countries lo- and new markets as well as his abilities in honor” to coach Spain’s national team.
cated in Southeast Asia, which was the branding and licensing business will Currently at the helm of BC Khimki, Scario-
formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, prove invaluable to the successful estab- lo was in Italy for a EuroCup game against
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and lishment of the League. Benetton Treviso this week and was asked
Thailand and has since then expanded With the announcement, bids can be sub- about taking the helm of the world champi-
membership to Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, mitted to SEABA for the 10 available club ons.
Myanmar and Vietnam. franchises. Candidates will be submitted “It would be a great honor and I would be
Following the good response from the to stringent professional and economical very proud,” Scariolo said to Gazzetta del-
ASEAN market to the experience of the requirements to ensure the long term suc- lo Sport. “I would be measuring myself
club team "Singapore Slingers" in Singa- cess of the league. with the strongest team I would have
pore, SEABA has decided that the league The league will also install a salary cap to coached. There are no obstacles with the
will consist of 10 teams from about 7 ASE- provide the necessary balance between (Spanish) Federation. At the end of the
AN countries (e.g. Thailand, Malaysia, In- teams. month, there will be the meeting with Kh-
donesia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, The league aims at cementing the rela- imki that has to give the okay.”
page 46 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
Aito Garcia Reneses led Spain last sum- feel I let them down a little and I haven't
mer to a silver medal at the Beijing Olym- really spoken to them too much about it
pics but left the team to replace Scariolo this year. I don't want to get them too ex-
at Unicaja, leaving the Spain national side cited until I know I'm playing for sure."
post vacant. Spain will take on Slovenia, If Gordon does play for Britain this sum-
Serbia and Great Britain in group play at mer, it would give the country a quite a
this year’s EuroBasket in Poland. one-two punch with Gordon's Chicago
Scariolo was a big hit in Italy as a coach Bulls' teammate Luol Deng already in the
but he has thrived at the helm of clubs in squad.
foreign countries, too. Deng helped Britain win promotion from
Scariolo first coached in Spain in 1997 at Division A and then last year, they fin-
Tau Ceramica. “I spent 11 years in Spain, ished top of a qualifying group for Eu-
more than I had anticipated,” he said. “A roBasket 2009 ahead of Israel, Bosnia and
coach that wants to be at the maximum Herzegovina and the Czech Republic.
level cannot choose a country to coach or
to build roots, although I personally did KOBE WANTS TO PLAY IN FIBA WORLD
that.” CHAMPIONSHIP
“The experience abroad has made me be- Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bry-
come stronger because it's the hurdles ant sent out a message in mid January
that you overcome that make you jump that must have sent shivers down the
higher.” spines of the leading South Americans
Scariolo started with his family and a country but he wants to play for Chris and Europeans hoping to win a gold med-
Finch's team when the Brits go up against al in international competition.
world champions Spain, Slovenia and “The chance to represent your country,
Serbia in group play later this year. that’s not even a thought-process for
The main issue affecting his availability is me,” Kobe said. “If they want me to be on
that Gordon still doesn't know which it, I’m all game.”
NBA team he will play for next year. In other words, for those people who fig-
"I'm just hoping this summer I'll be able to ured Kobe would be one and done with
play," said Gordon from Chicago in com- the Olympics after leading Team USA to a
ments published on basketball247.co.uk. Beijing Games gold medal last summer,
"If everything goes according to plan, I well, you had better think again.
will. I'm going to be an unrestricted free Kobe plans on being in Turkey for the 2010
agent which gives me a little bit more FIBA World Championship, and in London
freedom with different teams. I'm just for the 2012 Olympics.
hoping I can get my deal out of the way Others, like guard Dwyane Wade says it's
and move on with a clear mind in time for far too early to tell if he'll be in the United
GB." States squad for a third straight Olympics
Gordon left England before his first birth- when the London 2012 Games are
day for New York, but returned to the staged.
country to visit family.
"I used to love going to England," Gordon
said. "I used to come back and see all my
group of friends last year the Fundacion cousins and relatives I hadn't seen in a
Cesare Scariolo in Malaga, a non-profit while. I have really good memories. I still
organization to help children suffering have a lot of relatives in England and
from leukemia and their families. The keep in touch with all of them, they come
foundation was set up in the memory of over and visit me in the summer but I just
his father, Cesare. haven't been able to go back and forth as
"I wanted to do something for children I would like to because of my schedule.
with leukemia," Scariolo said. "If you are I definitely do feel a tie with Britain. My
famous, you can get 20 times more (fund- mum, and some of her customs, are very
raising) than making a contribution." British.
Scariolo hosts events and conferences She brought me up having a cup of tea
organized by the foundation. every morning, and two or three times
during the day, which I guess is a British
BULLS' GORDON HAS GREAT BRITAIN thing, and lots of my family still go back
ON HIS MIND regularly and bring me back tea and
Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon may fi- chocolates and things you can't get here.
nally suit up for Great Britain this summer I talk to my relatives in England regularly
when they play at the EuroBasket in Po- and they're pumped about me playing, in
land. fact they'd been hoping I would play the
London-born Gordon, who grew up in the last couple of summers.
United States, has yet to represent the Things didn't go my way to do that so I
Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 47
dddd

news
“It was an unbelievable experience,” COACH BAUERMANN WANTS QUOTA FIBA U19 WORLD
Wade said to the Florida SunSentinel. “It FOR FOREIGNERS IN GERMAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS
was probably something, with the team The coach of the German national team, The FIBA U19
we had, if you do it again now, you'll nev- Dirk Bauermann, is in favour of a bigger World Champion-
er get that experience of the guys that we quota for German players in the German ships for Men and
had.” League (BBL). Women will gather
Wearing the red, white and blue isn’t Bauermann, who was coaching for many again the world’s
what Wade is focusing on. years in the German league, wants a mini- top talent in Auck-
“I'm not even thinking about that right mum of 50% of the players of each club to land, New Zealand
now,” he said. "We just got done with be German nationals: “In my opinion it (men) and Bang-
Olympics.” would be ideal if out of the 12 players on kok, Thailand
When the hugely-successful Colangelo is the score sheet, six would be Germans”, (women) this sum-
involved with something, though, it can he said in an interview with the German mer.
be hard to say no. newspaper ‘Berliner Morgenpost’. Many of today’s
“Jerry's a pretty good recruiter,” Wade Currently, the rule of the BBL only requires stars have made
said. only 1 player on the score sheet to be a their international
Colangelo spoke of the pipeline of play- German citizen. debut in this competition. The talent at
ers that now exists with USA Basketball. Bauermann is also in favour of a limitation display will be incredible and the fans
There is no shortage of interest from of foreign players per club. “A maximum can look forward to the most exciting
players wanting to represent the country of six foreigners in the BBL”, he said and players, youth basketball has to offer.
in international competition. added: “We have to get away from the 15 teams have already qualified for each
Wade's rookie teammate with the Miami thinking that everybody can play better event:
Heat, Michael Beasley, is hoping he has basketball than us Germans. That is not Men: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Cana-
a chance to play for the Americans. da, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Iran,
“I would definitely like the chance, just Kazakhstan, Lithuania, New Zealand,
for the simple fact of representing your Puerto Rico, Spain, and USA.
country,” Beasley said. Women: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Can-
At some point, the baton will be passed ada, China, Czech Republic, France, Ja-
from players like Wade, Carmelo Anthony pan, Korea, Lithuania, Russia, Spain,
and LeBron James to a new generation Thailand, Tunisia, and USA.
of stars. FIBA will decide shortly on the 16th team
“There's a lot of young guys that are for each event. The draw that will divide
ready to step into this thing,” Wade said. the 16 teams in four groups of four will be
“We'll have to see and judge it for the held on 26th February in Bangkok and on
best of our careers, as well.” 2nd March in Auckland.
FORMER SOMALIA PLAYER, RUBIO AND GIGLI TARGET 2014
COACH MOHAMED DIES IN CAR CRASH Spain’s Ricky Rubio and Italy’s Angelo
International basketball is in mourning Gigli have both expressed the hope that
following the death of former Somalia na- their country will be chosen to stage the
tional team player and coach, Omar Mo- 2014 FIBA World Championship.
hamed Omar. Rubio, a current true reference in Span-
Mohamed, 38, was killed in a car crash in ish basketball, will be almost 24 years of
England on Christmas day. He is survived age when the 2014 FIBA World Champi-
by a wife and five children. onship takes place. Everything seems to
Mohamed was a former captain of the indicate that Ricky will not only be an un-
national team. He took part in the Open- correct. Let the youngsters play and they disputed member of the Spanish national
ing Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics last will prove it on the court.” team in 2014, but also one of its key pil-
year. He also sees a deficit in promoting more lars would be excited about the opportu-
A 20-year-old man driving the other car German top coaches. “The BBL is the on- nity.
that crashed into Mohamed was arrested ly top league in Europe where only very ”The fact of playing at home always pro-
on suspicion of dangerous driving. few local coaches are active. Why? There vides you with an extra motivation and a
are enough high quality German coaches surplus of excitement,” he said. “I have
available in our country.” been fortunate to play three European
Bauermann is still hopeful that he can Championships in Spain and I know, first
count on his superstar Dirk Nowitzki dur- hand, that playing with the support and
ing the upcoming EuroBasket in Poland: encouragement of the fans is something
“Nothing is decided yet, the EuroBasket absolutely fantastic which brings even
is quite late and the season in the US is more excitement to everyone involved.”
over since a long time. For the develop- Gigli played a prominent role for the Az-
ment of the younger players it would be zurri at the 2006 event in Japan and would
tremendously important if he could play love to see his country hosting this pres-
with them. I am optimistic that we get this tigious event.
done.” "For sure, it would be very important,"
page 48 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine
Gigli said. “For all the movement of the girls beat Japan 91-54. In the bronze and 2 blocks. Naho Miyoshi and Aya Tsu-
national team, for all the Italian players, medal games New Zealand Beat Japan rumi paced Japan with 10 points apiece.
we hope that Rome and Italy can reach 86-85 (boys) and China beat New Zea- “It was a great win and something the
this goal but it's not easy. We have so land 95-64 (girls). girls deserved,” Australia's head coach
many years before then but we could or- Australia’s boys trail at halftime Nicole Ireland said. “They've been so fo-
ganize it very well.” A standing room only crowd at the Syd- cused and disciplined for nearly two
The national basketball federations of ney Uni Sports Aquatic Centre wit- weeks now with the camp and then the
China, Italy and Spain have presented nessed an epic men's Gold Medal tournament and today I think we played
basketball match tonight with Australia the best game of our tournament; just
overcoming China in the second half to team work, inside-outside play and our
take victory by 16 points. defence.”
Trailing by nine after one quarter and six "It got a bit scrappy at the end but for
at half time, Australia engineered a three quarters or even more of that game
thrilling 49-27 second half effort and fully we really stuck with what we needed to
deserved to take home the hardware. do defensively. They really got up for the
Tasmania's Hugh Greenwood starred for Gold Medal game."
Australia with an equal game high 27
points on 12-of-20 shooting while start- FINAL STANDINGS BOYS:
ing point guard Jackson Aldridge ran Gold Medal: AUSTRALIA (4-0)
the team well and finished with 20 Silver Medal: CHINA (2-2)
points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Hong- Bronze Medal: NEW ZEALAND (2-2)
fei Shi led China with 27 points on 7-of- Fourth: JAPAN (0-4)
17 three point shooting. FINAL STANDINGS GIRLS:
“At half time we just said to the guys Gold Medal: AUSTRALIA (4-0)
one of our goals was forty minutes of Silver Medal: JAPAN (2-2)
putting our foot on their throat and to Bronze Medal: CHINA (2-2)
keep running out of transition,” Austra- Fourth: NEW ZEALAND (0-4)
lia's head coach Paul Goriss said.
“The score that they [China] had at half ANGOLA’S PRIMEIRO CAPTURED 4TH TROPHY
time we weren't happy with.and we over-
ran them with our transition. We came
here knowing that it was going to be
tough in the final against China and they
came out with some different things but
we got over the line.”
Aussie girls trounce Japan
Australia's young women's basketball
their official bids for the 2014 FIBA World team overpowered Japan and used its
Championship on 5th December in an of- superior size and speed to outgun and
ficial ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland. outrun its Japanese opponent to lead 51-
FIBA has appointed an Evaluation Com- 18 at half time before continuing on to a
mission that will examine all files and will 37-point victory. Defending champion, Primeiro de Agosto
formally visit the countries and review Starting guard Rebecca Cole completed from Angola retain the trophy after beat-
the commitments made. a first rate tournament with 17 points, 6 ing Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia 57-54 in the
The complete bidding process will end rebounds and 5 assists to lead Australia grand final of the 23rd Africa Champions
on 23rd-24th May 2009, when the FIBA while crowd favourite Gretel Tippett had Cup for men played in Sousse, Tunisia.
Central Board will decide the host of the a fantastic all-around game to finish with Primeiro won the first quarter (15-11) but
2014 World Championship for Men. 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals both teams ended the second 10-10 and
Primeiro led 25-21 at the break. Primeiro
AUSTRALIA U18 won the third quarter (17-14) and despite
TEAMS WIN GOLD Etoile du sahel won the last (19-15), Prim-
The male and fe- iro de Agosto secured the victory and
male Under 18 captured its fourth trophy.
teams from Aus- Khanfir Maher of Etoile du Sahel was the
tralia won gold best scorer of the game with 15 points
at the Australian while his teammate Braa Hamdi poured
Youth Olympic 11 points.
festival over the Joaquim Gomez of Primeiro who record-
weekend. ed 14 points and 6 rebounds, was elected
Both teams went best player (MVP) of the tournament.
undefeated into
the Final. The
boys beat China
98-82 and the FIBA CREATES ACADEMY for executive

Fiba Assist Magazine | 36 2009 | Page 49

 news

THE ODD -
THE FUNNY -
Off-the-court
THE UNUSUAL
"WARRIOR" OKULAJA president Dragan Kapicic. "Therefore, at On the playground, the winning team stays
FIGHTS CANCER our executive board meeting we unani- on the court, taking on all challengers, un-
German power for- mously voted for Divac as we strongly be- til it loses.
ward Ademola Oku- lieve that he could help our sport to be As community organizer Obama knew
laja, who played 172 more efficient, and its functioning more when he was building relationships on
times for the Ger- successful." playgrounds in the South Side of Chicago,
man national team Divac's plan is for the Olympic Committee class distinctions dissolve in the intensity
and won a bronze of Serbia (OKS) to work "With transparen- of competition. Basketball is "improvisa-
medal at the 2002 FIBA World Champion- cy, not just among sports associations, but tion within a discipline that I find very pow-
ship in Indianapolis, has been diagnosed as well towards the nation." erful," Obama told Bryant Gumbel on HBO
with cancer in summer of last year. Okulaja "I have lot of work ahead of elections to do last year.
said he is doing well and is recovering from which must be done before February 24," Improvisation within a discipline is exactly
the serious illness after chemo therapy. Divac said. what is needed in a White House facing
"Primarily I want to recover and get com- "My first goal is the challenges of a reeling economy, a war
pletely healthy", he said. "As soon as I have to create a good in Iraq and a terrorism threat that has not
won the battle against the illness I definite- program for the gone away.
ly would like to play basketball again." future function- Obama will inherit a neglected 26-by-26-
Despite being currently weakened by the ing of OKS, and foot outdoor half-court that was installed
therapy, he feels relatively good and thinks my plan is to in- 18 years ago for President George H.W.
ahead. "The illness is a challenge that I will clude people with Bush. One of the privileges of the presi-
overcome." the highest expe- dency is the ability to expand the sporting
Okulaja had his first public appearance on rience, such as options on the White House grounds. The-
9th January after a long while at a game of (FIBA Secretary odore Roosevelt had the first tennis courts
his club Bamberg against the Cologne General Emeri- built there in 1902. Bill Clinton installed a
99ers. tus) Borislav putting green on the edge of the South
He initiated a charity under the slogan "The Stankovic," Divac Lawn. Gerald Ford ordered a swimming
warrior will be back". With an auction of said. pool and tennis courts. Richard Nixon
over 500 t-shirts that carry his eyes and the commissioned a one-lane bowling alley,
slogan, he hopes to raise funds for the BASKETBALL TEACHES OBAMA which some people have suggested could
Kinderleben e.v. (KINDerLEBEN e.V., Hy- A LESSON OF LIFE be demolished to make way for an Obama's
poVereinsbank Berlin, account No. In his 1995 memoir, "Dreams From My Fa- hoops dreams.
609061901, BLZ 263 93 00), a private organi- ther," US President Barack Obama wrote
zation that is engaged in the fight against about basketball's transformative effect on
cancer and helps children that suffer from his confidence and search for identity.
the illness. Among the many lessons he drew from his
Hawaii pickup games with "gym rats and
DIVAC FOR PRESIDENT has-beens" was that "respect came from
Serbia great Vlade Divac is the official can- what you did and not who your daddy
didate of the Serbian Basketball Associa- was."
tion (KSS) for the presidency of the Now 47 and recently inaugurated as the
country's Olympic Committee. Divac, who 44th president of the United States, Obama
had a long career in Europe and in the NBA is ready to bring the game - and its sensi-
and signed off from international basket- bilities of teamwork and spontaneity - to
ball in 2002 after helping Yugoslavia cap- the White House. It is a fitting game for
ture the gold medal at the 2002 FIBA World these times.
Championship in Indianapolis, has the full Basketball is an international sport, and al-
support of the KSS. so an egalitarian one. It is austere. A player
"This new way in which Serbian sport is does not have to pay a country-club fee or
developing means that our Olympic Com- even own a basketball to join a pickup
mittee should be very influential," said KSS game at a local park. It is a meritocracy. Find more stories on www.fiba.com

page 50 | 36 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

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