Building a Program by Norm Goodman

1. Run a 12 month program. The head coach has to work on his program year round. The program was the reason for our success.

2. Every coach in the program is on the same page. Lower level coaches are concerned most about the success of the varsity, not about winning championships at their level.

3. We never had the best talent, but we had tough kids with solid work ethic. Have a program for the players to work on individual improvement.

4. Develop your players’ strength, quickness, etc. If they become better athletes, they become better players. Encourage kids to play other sports. My own son played football along with basketball and I coached J.V. for many years.

5. Work hard at studying the game so that your players have the benefit of the latest trends in coaching. I always tried to be different than everyone by staying ahead. You can only do this by spending the time to study the game.

6. Build confidence in your players. Get the kids to believe that they are better prepared and harder workers. Build attitude that we are supposed to win. Some players and coaches go into games thinking they will lose. When that happens, the game is lost before it is played.

7. We never let up on opponents. Our subs played as hard as our starters. It was a matter of pride.

8. Always try to keep the game simple. Don’t out-think the game.

9. I never talked to a team after the game… win or lose. Tend to say the worst things. Always wait until the next practice.

10. Get kids out for basketball on the lower levels. Never let a lower level coach cut a big kid who has not learned how to play. Those are your “diamonds in the rough” who make your program great.