Fond du Lac Cardinals
Girls Basketball
Four Pillars of Success:
Work Ethic--Confidence--Leadership
--Humility--
Table of Contents:
Program Mission and Vision/Offseason Work…………3
Program Philosophy………………………………………………4
Defensive Philosophy and Principles………………………5
Offensive Philosophy and Principles………………………6
Program Player Expectations…………………………………7
Program Coaching and Practice Planning……………….8
Youth Program………………………………………………………9
Camp Plan…………………………………………………………….10
Defensive Ideas/Offensive Ideas…………………………….11
Practice Plan Example…………………………………………..12
Camp Plan Example……………………………………………...13
Offseason Program……………………………………………….14
Off-Court Resources/Academics/Expectations……...15
Parent Meeting Agenda (Example).............................16
Offseason Handout, Playbook Examples, Drills and Skills ……..………Not Numbered
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Fond du Lac Girls Basketball Program Vision and Mission
Mission Statement:
The mission of our program is to create strong leaders and individuals who will be
successful on and off the court. We will strive to instill the four qualities of our
program which are work ethic, confidence, leadership and humility. These qualities
will be learned and utilized to create a winning culture and foster growth in and out of
basketball.
Vision Statement:
The vision of the Fond du Lac Girls Basketball Program is to build a championship
level program. Within the program we want to set a standard for all student-athletes
that exude excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community.
Goals and Objectives:
● Support Teammates and Encourage ALL to be their best
● Create an Environment in which players can succeed individually while always
keeping a TEAM FIRST mentality
● Develop Leaders on the court, in the classroom, and in the community
● Provide opportunities for ALL players to develop skills and fundamentals while
also gaining basketball IQ
● Provide players with a chance to improve each day in all areas (skills, IQ,
leadership, confidence, humility, and work ethic)
Offseason Work:
We improve the most in the offseason when are skills can be honed in and fine tuned.
Improvement comes from the will to win, will to be better, and consistency. This time
is of the most importance, this is when players improve the most. The offseason is a
time to focus on weaknesses and time to fine tune the skills that we already possess
without the pressure of wins, losses, nagging injuries, or large crowds creating
nervousness. The work each player puts in during the offseason is crucial and will
show up during the first practices of the season. There will be contact days, camps,
and open gyms for the players to improve upon their game. Outside of these select
times and limited opportunities in the offseason, to see optimal results, players must
want to put in additional work. This work consists of shooting, dribbling, and other
skill work along with weight training outside of camp or open gym hours. All of this
occurs while knowing that improvement comes with consistent and intentional hard
work!
“ABILITY is what you’re capable of doing, MOTIVATION determines what you do,
ATTITUDE determines how well you do it.”
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Fond du Lac Girls Basketball Program Philosophy
The philosophy of our basketball program starts with a willingness to be a team player
at all times. As a team we work TOGETHER, always moving toward a goal as a unit and
not an individual. Together we will learn, grow, and compete. Building and working
toward goals will be done with our four pillars: Work Ethic, Confidence, Leadership,
and Humility. Using these four pillars a competitive, winning culture will be built and
continued. While winning is our goal we know that our experience is more than that.
We are student-athletes who want to win, grow, and learn life-lessons through the
game of basketball.
The goal of this program will be to build our student-athletes not only as basketball
players, but as individuals too. In doing this our four pillars of success will be key. The
four pillars or traits are explained below.
Work Ethic - W ork ethic is the most important pillar and trait of our players. We
want our players to leave our program with a work ethic that pushes them to be their
best at all times, and in any situation. The desire to improve and work hard is the key
to the success of any program, academic study, and profession.
Confidence - Confidence is a pillar of our program because without confidence
together we cannot succeed. Confidence is to believe or trust in yourself, someone
else, or a group. As a team we need to be confident in our abilities, our teammates, and
our coaches. Confidence to be our best at every moment will help us achieve our goals
in all areas.
Leadership - Building leaders in our program is of the utmost importance. Each
player should leave the program knowing that they can lead in one way or another.
Leadership does not mean confrontation, leadership can be loud, quiet, or can be
shown. We want to encourage all forms of leadership in our players that they can carry
over from the basketball court to all other areas of their lives.
Humility- Humility will be shown in wins, losses, and in every practice. Players in the
program will show sportsmanship and be humble in all situations of competition, in
the classroom, and in the community. We will not stoop down to the level of others
and we will not boast our accomplishments in the faces of others. We will show
humility in celebration and in defeat.
“You already know what giving up feels like, see what happens if you don’t”
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Defensive Philosophy and Principles
Defense is going to be a large focus in our program. From the youth levels on up to the
high school program there needs to be a focus on aggressive, on-ball, attacking
defense. The goal of defense is to make the opponent uncomfortable and force
turnovers. Forcing turnovers, being aggressive, and being relentless is going to be a
cornerstone of our success. The players must be willing to give 100% effort every
defensive possession. The phrase “defense turns into offense” is going to ring true for
our program. The aggressive, on-ball, pressuring defense that is played will allow us
to make teams panic, and there should be no question about how important defense is
to our programs success.
Ball Pressure - Ball Pressure is a major focus point of our defensive philosophy. We
will be in the face of our opponent, pressuring the basketball at all times forcing
turnovers and creating scoring opportunities from the defensive end of the court.
Players will play “palms up” defense and be aggressive in taking risks to turn a poor
pass into a transition bucket.
Communication - Communication will be crucial for our defensive success. We will
be communicating through every screen, for every rebound, and help situation.
Talking on defense will not only help us work TOGETHER as a defensive unit but will
be a distraction to our opponents. Communication will work as our “6th player” on
the court, allowing us to relax and know that as a team we can rely on our teammates.
Rebounding and Transition - Rebounding and boxing out are fundamental to our
defense. When we rebound we will look to get the ball out to a guard and run the floor.
Finding our spots and running the floor with correct and wide spacing will allow us to
once again, create offense from our defense. Rebounding and Transition will be key to
our success as a team.
Defensive MUST-HAVES:
● Ball Pressure
● Communication
● Rebounding
● Box Outs
● Transition
● Help Defense
● Open-Mindedness (we will run multiple different defenses)
● Close Outs
● Pack Line Defense
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Offensive Philosophy and Offensive Principles
We will run in transition whenever the opportunity presents itself from a strong
defensive possession. From a transition opportunity we can get a quick score or pull
the ball out and begin our offense. We will run a variety of offenses, sets, and quick
hitters. Our offense will be focused on getting good, quality shots that come from
drives, kicks, and open jump shots. We will be unique offensively being able to slow
games down in the halfcourt, but also looking to push tempo off of transition looks.
Some of our offensive schemes will include 4 out Motion offense, Read and React,
Swing (Badger) Offense, Dribble Drive Motion, and 5 out Screening/Cutting looks.
Ball Handling - Taking care of the ball and being able to utilize different dribble
moves to create looks and penetration will propel our offense. Ball Handling will be a
point of emphasis in our offense and our guards will be expected to have the necessary
skills to run our offense effectively. Guards, wings, and bigs will all be expected to take
care of the ball and have ball handling skills. Ball Handling will help us control our
tempo and create scoring opportunities. Ball Handling also includes passing and
catching the basketball. These fundamental skills will be a necessary tool in moving
the ball in our offense.
Moving Without the Ball - Moving without the ball is just as important, if not more
important that moving with the ball in our offense. Moving without the ball will help
our offense create looks, move the defense, and give our guards opportunities to
facilitate. Moving without the ball helps us create open looks and jump start our
offense.
Shot Selection - Shot Selection in our offense will be key! Some of our offensive
schemes require our players to use their natural ability and basketball IQ. Players will
need to know how to sever the line, when to shoot or pass off, when to drive or kick,
and finally how to create their own shot.
Offensive MUST HAVES:
● Ball Handling
● Moving Without the Ball
● Shot Selection
● Player Movement
● Ball Movement/Ball Reversals
● Screens
● Penetration into the Lane
● Getting to the Line
● Bigs Crashing Boards
● Reading the Defense
● Knowing and Executing the Plays/Offense
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Program Player Expectations
Player expectations are based on what we want to see from our players in the
classroom, at practices, at games, and in the community. We have a higher standard
for our players as we strive to meet our four pillars of success. We encourage our
players to maintain a level of effort, energy, work ethic, leadership, and humility
while in our program. Along with expectations of being a positive role model and
individual, we have program specific expectations that relate specifically to basketball
and the winning culture we strive to build and continue.
Be Coachable - Being coachable is the best trait a player can have. As a player in the
program be willing to be coached and listen to your coaches will help our team grow.
The biggest piece of being coachable in our program is turning constructive criticism
into a positive opportunity to grow your game and knowledge of the game.
Be a Great Teammate - As a player in this program we expect that you encourage
your teammates and build them up to the best they can be. Being a great teammate
will help build our team as ONE and will promote the best play possible out of each
player. Teammates pick each other up in times of loss and rough stretches, while also
being encouraging and celebrating with one another in times of victory.
Win the Moment - Winning the Moment refers to giving it your all at every practice
and game. We are looking for players who want to give it their all at every moment.
The same effort should be given in a scrimmage as you would give in the state
championship game. Winning the Moment is also finding a way to get better each day
you are on the court. Find a way to Win the Moment and become a better you, a better
teammate, and a better TEAM TOGETHER.
Off-Court Encouragements - Off the court we hope and encourage our players to
hold themselves and one another accountable in the classroom and community. We
hope that our players are representing their school, their program, and themselves in
a positive light. We encourage our players to always show pride, respect,
responsibility, leadership, work ethic, and accountability.
MUST HAVES:
● Coachability
● Work Ethic
● Leadership
● Competitiveness
● Will to Win
“Strive for Excellence NOT Perfection”
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Coach Expectations and Practice Planning
Coaching Responsibilities
Each Coach will have a specific responsibility and will have different roles based on
practices and games. Coaches are responsible for making practice plans, watching
film, implementing adjustments and any other preparation.
Coaching Assignments: JV will Practice at times w/Freshman and at times w/Varsity
Head Coach - Plans practices and will oversee program
Varsity Assistant - Works in tandem with HC - may have a focus (i.e. Defense,
Scouting, etc.)
Varsity Assistant 2 - Watches Individual players, helps implement drills, and O/D
principles
JV Head Coach - Oversees JV team. Implements Varsity principles (Does Varsity Home
Book)
JV Assistant - Works in tandem with JV HC (Does Varsity Away Book)
Freshman Head Coach - Will have a focus (Watches Fouls for both teams for Varsity)
Things Expected of Head Coaches:
● Practice Planning
● Lineups
● Preseason and Postseason Meetings/Jersey Handout and Return
● Organization
● Player Meetings (if concerns arise)
● Film - Sending and Receiving (Varsity Coach Only)
● Delegating Responsibilities to Assistant Coaches
Things Expected of Assistant Coaches:
● Practice Planning Assistance
● Practice Material Preparation (getting cones, basketballs, etc. out to practice)
● Assisting with Film Breakdown
● Assisting Head Coaches with Basketball Duties
Level of Communication for Parents and Players:
If concerns arise please have your student-athlete talk with the coaches first. If the
issue does not appear to be resolved please have your student-athlete reach out to the
coach requesting to have a parent meeting with the coach.
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Youth Level Expectations and Camp Ideas
Goals for Youth Programs:
Grades 3-5: G rades 3-4 should participate in 5 tournaments and look to improve by
working on fundamentals. Practicing and working on fundamentals and understanding of
the game is crucial at this level. Playing time should be equal at this level, this will keep all
interested in the game. DEVELOPMENT and LEARNING is of highest importance at this age.
Grade 5 should participate in 6-7 tournaments. BOTH programs should focus on the high
school DEFENSIVE system. The high school Offense should be taught, but not forced at this
level if they are not ready.
Grades 6-7: G rades 6 should participate in 7 tournaments or 5 tournaments and a league.
The 6th grade level should still be stressing fundamentals and should begin working on the
high school offensive system. Coaches should be following the high schools systems and
working on improving fundamentals at this level. Preparing students for higher level
competitions is key at this level. DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT! Division
1 Level Tournaments at this level ONLY (or as much as possible).
Grades 8: Grade 8 club basketball should be of the highest intensity! We are looking to
create high school players at this level. Any fundamental improvements are stressed here,
on top of stressing the high school system! Coaches at this level should be in close
communication with the Varsity program to ensure the systems are matching. Grade 8 club
ball should be entering tournaments that are Division 1 or FVA level! It is our job at this level
to get our players as ready as possible to play the next level.
Club Level Coaching Expectations:
GRADES 3-5 c oaches should be focused primarily on the development of fundamentals and
love of the game. Our players here should be growing at each practice and tournament.
Playing time at this level should be equal to keep players interested. Winning at this level is
not of the highest importance.
GRADES 6-7 coaches should continue to stress fundamentals and development of our
players. At this point we are really going to begin stressing the implementation of the high
school’s offensive and defensive principles/systems. They should be communicating
pre-season with the high school coach for their seasons focus points. In these grade levels
we should begin playing teams in comparable size (Div 1 or FVA).
GRADE 8 coaches should be developing our players offensive and defensive knowledge of
the high school system, and they should be “fine-tuning” the girls fundamentals. At this
level coaches should be in close communication with the Varsity Head Coach to ensure that
growth is occurring and the girls are being adequately prepared for the Freshman, JV, and
Varsity program. Girls should be conditioned, and should be learning all principles that are
taught at the next level.
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Camp Plan:
Grades 1-3: Working on Dribbling, Passing, and making the game fun. Their camp should
include all fundamentals and games that create a love for the game.
Grades 4-6: Fundamentals, Fundamentals, Fundamentals! At this level we are working on
basketball skills - dribbling, cutting, screening, shooting form, pivoting, jump stops, post
and perimeter skills, and basketball terminology. At this level we should also be learning
MAN defense principles and sprinkle in ZONE principles.
Grades 7-8: Fundamentals should be fine-tuned here. At this level we are working on
off-hand dribbling, pivots, jump stops, post moves, and guard skills. This level will be about
creating speed in what we do and increasing basketball IQ. Learning sets, offenses, and
situational basketball is key.
Grades 9-12: The focus here is the high school program. The players at this level are
working on fine-tuning weaknesses and learning to create shots for themselves and
teammates. This level of work should be the most intense. At this level we are asking that
they also mentor our younger grades as they pursue basketball. Learning and MASTERING
the high school offense and defense is key throughout camp. Camp will include: Skill Work,
Offensive and Defensive work, and conditioning!
Focus for ALL at Camp:
● Ball Handling
● Shooting Form and Consistency
● Defensive Stance/Spots - Palms up
● Rebounding and Boxing Out Fundamentals
● Improving Basketball IQ
● Conditioning
● Post Footwork
● Rip/Sweep/Pivot
● Finishing High at the Rim
● Moving without the Ball
● V-Cutting/Ball Side Cutting/Screening
“Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard”
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Defensive Ideas:
Defensively, we will look to be aggressive and force turnovers with on-ball pressure.
Much like our offense, we will look to use multiple defensive schemes. Below are what
we plan to do defensively. Finally, we will look to run in Transition out of a quick
defensive stop, or long rebound.
Primary Defense - Man to Man Pack Line Defense
Secondary Defense - 1-3-1 Zone Defense and 3-2 Zone
Primary Press - 2-2-1 Press
Secondary Press - 1-3-1 Full Court Press
Emergency Press - Man to Man Full Court Press
Offensive Ideas:
Offensively we will look to run out of a halfcourt system. We will look to have various
offensive sets, schemes, plays, and quick hitters. We will look to use a variety of
offenses for various reasons. We want to be difficult to scout and we want to be able to
adjust to many different defensive looks and adjustments.
Primary Offense - 4 Out Motion (DSHA/Kansas 4 out) and 4 Out HIGH
(cutting/chipping off of screening action); Badger Swing Offense
Secondary Offense/Set - Kansas Strong and 5 out Read and React (cutting and
screening away); Dribble Drive Motion
Tertiary Offense - Swing (Badger) Offense and 4 Out Active w/Screening Action
Sets - Isolation w/Shooters; Panther; 14; Pick n Roll or “1”; UCONN 1-4 High
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Practice Plan Example
Thursday January 9th, 2020:
3:30-3:45 - Tune up and Dynamic
3:45-3:55 - Perfection Drill and Consequences
3:55-4:05 - Dynamic 3 Line Dribbling = Crossovers, Between Leg Cross, Hesitation
4:10-4:20 - 1 on 1 Foster Drill (Split into 2 groups?)
4:20 - 4:40 - 5 Green (5 on 5) - keep score, man press, 1 T.O. per team; punishment for losing
team!
4:40-5:00 - 2-2-1 Press/Defensive spots
5:00-5:10 - Goal Shooting: 35 makes in 4 min
5:10-5:30- 23 cone shooting (shooting/conditioning drill)
Friday January 10th, 2020:
3:30-3:45 - Tune up and Dynamic
3:45-3:55 - Perfection Drill and Consequences
4:00-4:20 - 2 Groups - Dynamic Dribbling w/Q and Williams and Foster 1 on 1 with Bonlander
4:25-4:45 - Perfect Possession
4:45-4:55 Mikan 1 foot, 2 foot, reverse
4:55-5:10 2-2-1 Press/break
5:10-5:20 half court 5 green and 5 yellow
5:20-5:30 - 13 Cone Shooting (conditioning)
*Practice Plans will be created/shared among coaches - they will detail the
layout for each practice and what we will be focusing on*
*This is an example of the JV Practice plan that I created as an assistant*
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Camp Plan (Example)
1st Grade Thru 3rd Grade: 60 Minutes Total
- 15 Minutes - Dribbling and Ball Skill Work
- 10 Minutes - Dribbling Games (Dribble Knockout, Bulldozers and Builders, Etc.)
- 10 Minutes - Rip, Pivot, Sweep Work
- 15 Minutes - Active Dribbling Work and Defensive Stances
- 10 Minutes - 2 on 2 Dribble Knockout and ATTACK (Ball handling/Defensive Drill)
4th Grade - 6th Grade: 60 Minutes Total
- 5 Minutes - Dynamic Dribbling OR 2-Ball Dribbling
- 10 Minutes - Dynamic Ball Handling/4 Line Finishing
- 15 Minutes - Shooting Drills (52, 5 spot, 7 spot, 9 spot Game Shooting, etc.)
- 10 Minutes - 3 on 3 w/Rules = 3 Dribble Max, Only Passing to Cutters, Only score off
of laypus OR Basketball Games like Dribble Knockout (Keeps Camp Fun)
- 10 Minutes - Offense Individual Stations - Shooting, Footwork, Passing, etc.
- 10 Minutes - Defensive Individual Stations - Stance, Footwork, Rebounding, 1 on
1’s
7th Grade - 8th Grade: 60 Minutes Total + Weight Program
- 5 Minutes - Dynamic Dribbling and 2-Ball Dribbling
- 10 Minutes - Shooting
- 10 Minutes - Screening, Cutting, 4 Line Finishes
- 15 Minutes - 3 on 3
- 10 Minutes - Individual Offense = Rip, Pivot, Sweep, Post work, Screening/Cutting,
- 10 Minutes - Shooting with Conditioning
High School: 80 Minutes + Weight Program
- 10 Minutes - Dribbling (Dynamic and 2-Ball)
- 20 Minutes - Shooting and 3 on 3 (2 groups - switch at 10 min mark)
- 20 Minutes - Offensive Concepts (Learning and running through reads, plays, sets)
- 20 Minutes - Defensive Concepts (Spots, Stances, Defending 1-on-1’s, Closeouts,
Box Outs)
- 10 Minutes - Shooting and Conditioning
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Offseason Work
What will the Offseason look like?
The goal of the offseason is to become a better basketball player and to work on
weaknesses. When we think of the offseason, there should be goals set, shots put up, and
hard work being completed! To help facilitate some of this offseason work the coaches will
handout Shot Trackers, Develop Drills, and give other suggestions for players to utilize on
their own during the offseason. Like previously stated, the offseason is essential in the
growth process of our players. The greatest improvement occurs in the offseason!
Shot Charts:
The program will have shot charts that are given to each player in the high school program
and in the youth program. The chart will include dates, shots attempted, shots made, and
where the shots are being taken. The purpose of the shot chart is to get up a desired
number of shots prior to the season beginning (i.e. take 15,000 shots from May - October).
The shot charts may be used as a reward/incentive for our youth programs. A large
incentive is being honored at the halftime of a Varsity game during the regular season.
Drills:
Drills will be a large portion of the offseason program. We will give players suggestions of
drills to fine tune their skills. Some of these drills may be done with partners, but ALL
drills can be done individually. Some of the drills that will be included are Passing,
Shooting, Dribbling, Defense, Conditioning, and Rebounding. Some drills that may be
included are: Dynamic and 2-ball dribbling, 9 Spot GameSpeed Shooting, Defensive
Stance/Slide Work, High Point Rebounding (Throwing Ball off the Glass and Putting Back
up), and other drills that can help our players fine tune their skills prior to the season.
Conditioning/Weight Program:
- The Girls Basketball Program will continue to work with the Strength/Conditioning
Teachers and Coaches during the summer and during the school year
- They will continue to workout and condition with ALL sports - this helps to
motivate and make them well-rounded athletes
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Off-Court Resources/Academics/Expectations:
Off-Court Resources - Parents and Guardians, our coaching staff will do our very best to
support your student athlete in their on and off court needs. We will be there as a support
to their academics by holding them accountable and giving them resources if they ask for
them. We as coaches recognize the responsibility to not only make your student athlete a
better basketball player, but, a better person, student, and leader. Don’t hesitate to ask us
for resources on academics, counseling support from the school, or other appropriate
areas that we can be of assistance. We recognize that this is a long season and bonds are
formed within teams. Please use us in a positive way to help your child succeed!
Academics - Academics will always and should come first. We want our players to be held
to a standard of excellence on and off the court. That means that academics should be in
balance with your sport. We understand the importance of athletics and time management
in regards to academics. So please know that unless your daughter chooses to stay after
practice and put extra shots up, do extra drills, or complete other basketball workouts they
will be done with practice at the times listed. It is of the highest important to us that they
are students with academic responsibilities as well as athletes with athletic
responsibilities. Our mission is to hold our players to the highest standards in all that they
do.
Expectations - Please come into the season with expectations. We as coaches come into
the season with expectations and hold them throughout the season. We want you to have
them too. Have team and individual expectations. We will have time to share those
expectations and goals.
Prioritizing Basketball:
List of importance for Players and Coaches
1. Family and Faith
2. School/Academics
3. Basketball
“A coach finds their worth in their impact made on the game and LIVES of their players.”
-Unknown
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Parent Meeting Agenda (Example)
1.) Introduction of Coaches/Brief Bio of Coaches and their Roles
2.) Defining what Success looks like in our program/Goals of the program and
Season!
3.) What will the Season look like?
a.) When is the start date?
b.) How do we know what team we are on (Varsity/JV)?
c.) Practices
d.) Games/Game Day/ Transportation Rules
4.) Fundraising
5.) Player/Parent Roles
6.) Expectations of Players at Practices and Games
7.) Questions?
Contact information:
- Coach Williams → Office Phone # (920)906-6732
- Cell Phone # (920)579-2585
- Email: w [email protected]
“Good, better, best. Never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.”
- Tim Duncan
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