20 Best Basketball Books For Coaches (2023 Update)

In this informative and inspirational book, coach k, duke university's head basketball coach, tells readers how he coaxes peak performances from his team, relying on lessons he learned as a captain in the u.s. army. duke university's head basketball coach mike krzyzewski has proved himself a leader both on and off the court. he's led the duke blue devils to five straight final four appearances, culminating in back-to-back championships in 1991 and '92. he has received five national coach of the year awards–and many of the players he coached in college have gone on to nba stardom. from sportsmanship to respect, leading with the heart is a genuine gift from a coach who knows how to lead with heart.

The only resource you need for a standout seasonall basketball coaches can use some fresh ideas for practice drills, game plays and strategies. whether you are coaching beginners who need a place to start, or a successful team that just needs polish, basketball drills, plays, and strategies is a resource you can trust to produce positive results on the court.with over 160 drills and plays, this book covers every aspect of your season. it will help you run efficient and effective practices and improve your game in live competition. step-by-step instructions, accompanied by diagrams and illustrations walk you and your players through every step of the way. areas of the game that are covered in detail include: – fundamental skills like dribbling, shooting, passing, and rebounding – offense and defense – inbound and tip-off plays – presses and press breaks – conditioning drills because each drill and play includes adjustments to make things easier for beginners and more difficult for advanced players, you will be able to rely on this resource throughout your coaching career no matter what level you are working with. so don't let time run out—start preparing for your next season today!

A collection of essays by the long-time head coach of the duke university basketball team presents his personal philosophy on winning, losing, and sportsmanship, as well as motivational lessons that can be applied to the personal and professional arena, including doing the right thing, leadership, accountability, and responsibility.

Runnin' the show spells out what it takes to be a real leader on a basketball court. how can a coach get the most from his players? how can a player make everyone around her better and do the little things that lead to championship performance? leaders have to sell their dreams, get players to work together, inspire teamwork, and understand people, attitudes, and motivation. this is the last book dick devenzio ever published and is a treasure for leaders in all walks of life.

"if you are interested in coaching the system, you must be either desperate or crazy!" at least that's what people told authors gary smith and doug porter when they began investigating this revolutionary style of play almost a decade ago. ignoring the critics, they went on to coach the two highest scoring teams in men's and women's college basketball history: the university of redlands, california (132.4 ppg), and olivet nazarene university in illinois (104.1 ppg). from its origins as the sonny allen numbered fast break, to paul westhead's loyola marymount up-tempo game, the system has been around for decades. but when grinnell college's david arseneault added platoon substitution patterns and hockey-style short shifts, placing a priority on creating three-point looks for his “preferred shooters,” the system truly came into its own.smith and porter learned the grinnell version of the system from arseneault himself, adapting it to fit their situations coaching men's and women's programs. in the past decade their teams set 32 ncaa and naia records between them, including most 100-point games in a season (redlands-23; olivet-24). olivet also holds national records for defensive turnovers (36.3 per game) assists (23.8 per game), and three pointers made in a season (509, 15.6 per game). redlands owns college basketball records (all levels) for field goal attempts (110.3 per game), and three-pointers made (23.8 per game). now you can learn every detail of this devastating full court run-and-press attack that allows you to dictate tempo and force your opponents out of their normal game plan, capturing the imagination of your players and community, and making coaching fun again! you'll learn exactly how and why the system works, how to adapt it to fit your personnel, suggestions for conditioning players, organizing system practices, and even ways to respond to the inevitable criticisms that come with playing the game this far “outside the box.” other chapters offer complete descriptions of the redlands attack (coach smith's variation of the grinnell offense), the lmu attack (which westhead popularized and used to advance to the ncaa regional finals in 1990), and the olivet attack (coach porter's hybrid version of the lmu and dribble-drive offenses). finally, you'll learn system defensive principles, terminology, and how to cover every conceivable press attack and press-breaker alignment. also included are 57 drills and over 300 diagrams to illustrate system offense and defense, providing you with a complete blueprint for “coaching the system!”

Pat summitt, the all-time winningest coach in ncaa basketball history and bestselling author of reach for the summitt and raise the roof, tells for the first time her remarkable story of victory and resilience as well as facing down her greatest challenge: early-onset alzheimer's disease.pat summitt was only 21 when she became head coach of the tennessee vols women's basketball team. for 38 years, she broke records, winning more games than any ncaa team in basketball history. she coached an undefeated season, co-captained the first women's olympic team, was inducted into the basketball hall of fame, and was named sports illustrated 'sportswoman of the year'. she owed her coaching success to her personal struggles and triumphs. she learned to be tough from her strict, demanding father. motherhood taught her to balance that rigidity with communication and kindness. she was a role model for the many women she coached; 74 of her players have become coaches.pat's life took a shocking turn in 2011, when she was diagnosed with early-onset alzheimer's disease, an irreversible brain condition that affects 5 million americans. despite her devastating diagnosis, she led the vols to win their sixteenth sec championship in march 2012. pat continued to be a fighter, facing this new challenge the way she's faced every other–with hard work, perseverance, and a sense of humor.

Football clearly is not basketball or baseball or any other sport. this concept is seen easily through the game of basketball as it is a fluid game that requires adjustments each time up and down the court. many football programs are embracing this concept in their own programs. the goal of this book is to cause you to think of "why" you are teaching skills and drills to your players, and to cause you to know the "why" of your scheme and how it must be able to adjust. this book is geared for football coaches. while it uses concepts from basketball to prove some points." coach kenny simpson has scored another touchdown with his book. outstanding read that will help any coach grow and improve. great wisdom and insight in relating football coaching to basketball." – tim horton, running back coach vanderbilt university"this is a dynamite read! coach simpson has taken a unique look at coaching football by learning from another sport: basketball. as i read this book, i was really inspired to think more deliberately about football teaching methods. he then goes on to explain those differences, while at the same time making football coaches critique their own practice "why's and how's." he is always connecting and trying to help coaches. coach takes a fresh approach with this new book and it's a slam dunk".- shea monroe, alabama spread and defense clinic"coach simpson has done it again! this book challenges football coaches to become more dynamic in their approach to teaching the game. coaching "concepts over plays" will allow coaches and players to have a deeper understanding of their playbook and how it can be used in every situation." – brent morrison, head football coach at westerville central high school, ohio"coach simpson's book should be on every young coach's reading list regardless of scheme or style. it's a valuable resource to any football coach in today's game." – kevin swift, ad/former head football coach gold beach high school, oregon

Coach girls for success on and off the courtcoaching girls' basketball is a blast! witness a well-executed fast break, an intense defense, or a team's unbridled enthusiasm, and you can't help but be inspired. the effort, pride, and enjoyment on the girls' faces are great rewards for parents and often the signs of a good coach—the type of coach you want to be. so how can you get there? perfect for coaches of girls up to age 13, coachng girls' basketball includes everything you need to be an outstanding coach and mentor to your players. whether you are a seasoned coach looking to fine-tune your skills or a rookie eager to take the court running, you'll discover techniques for success that are tailored specifically to the needs of girls, including:·drills and strategies for coaches new to the world of coaching basketball ·tips on what girls want and need from their basketball experience ·practical suggestions on how to motivate in a positive and encouraging way ·advice for helping girls deal with their changing bodies ·and much more! now, you can be a coaching winner and help bring out the best in your players, both on the court and in the game of life.

Any coach or player who wants to improve his or her knowledge and skills of the game of basketball will benefit from reading this book. it contains the secrets, strategies, and techniques that produced the greatest winning tradition in college basketball. although the book is based upon the college game, the essence of the book, when applied, will produce results and successes for coaches and players at all scholastic levels. the book brings together two outstanding basketball coaching talents. dean smith's analytical and innovative coaching strategies are complemented by bob spear's special section that highlights the shuffle offense. air force academy), is regarded as one of the finest teachers of the game. their combined talents have produced a new standard of excellence in coaching books.

Coaching youth basketball is challenging in many ways for the adults who undertake the task. while many club and youth league coaches have a good understanding of how to play the game of basketball, these same coaches often struggle to find ways to teach the skills, tactics and strategies need to have success in the sport of basketball. 201 drills for youth basketball provides the solution to this challenge. included in this 400+ page manual are drills for: –man-to-man defense –competitive rebounding –lay-ups –free throws –shooting drills –fast break drills –drills for essential fundamentals illustrated with extensive diagrams, each drill is described in as concise a manner as possible. use the drills as described in the book, adapt the drills to your own specific team and the requirements of the players or use the drills as a basis to design your own drills. eight time coach of the year award winner kevin sivils has shared many of his favorite drills that helped his varsity teams win nearly 500 games in 22 seasons. also included in the book are brief suggestions for planning practice, selecting drills and guidelines for planning to develop shooters.

Numerous coaching books cover the skills and drills of basketball, but very few hit on the tactical skills of the game–the situational decisions players and coaches make that often determine the outcome of games. written by kathy mcgee, the winningest high school girls' basketball coach in michigan, in consultation with usa basketball's don showalter, this book will prepare you to be a better teacher and tactician of the game whether you coach men's or women's basketball. technical skills (such as dribbling, shooting, and rebounding) are examined in depth, as are the tactical skills (such as the give-and-go, backdoor cut, and trapping). more than 195 photos and illustrations bring the basic to intermediate skills to life, while sample season and practice plans will help you in your preparation. you'll find quick tips on how to detect and correct errors in both male and female athletes, cues they need to be aware of in various tactical situations, and key information they need in order to make the appropriate on-court decisions. produced by asep and endorsed by the women's basketball coaches association (wbca), this book serves as a resource for the coaching basketball technical and tactical skills online course, a part of asep's bronze level professional coaches education program. numerous state high school associations, colleges and universities, national sport organizations, and national governing bodies of olympic sports use the bronze level in whole or in part to qualify coaches. the bronze level prepares coaches for all aspects of coaching and is a recognized and respected credential for all who earn it.

A good strategy is important for success in any sport, and this is certainly the case in professional basketball. the coach is the one most responsible for the strategy, as well as being the team's leader and inspirational motivator. from legendary innovators such as john kundla and red auerbach, to the championship leaders of today such as phil jackson and pat riley, author ron knapp takes a look at ten of the greatest coaches to ever lead their teams into battle. read profiles of chuck daly, alex hannum, red holzman, don nelson, bill russell, and rudy tomjanovich.

A new york times bestsellerthe definitive biography of college basketball's all-time winningest coach, mike krzyzewskimike krzyzewski, known worldwide as "coach k," is a five-time national champion at duke, the ncaa's all-time leader in victories with nearly 1,200, and the first man to lead team usa to three olympic basketball gold medals. through unprecedented access to krzyzewski's best friends, closest advisers, fiercest adversaries, and generations of his players and assistants, three-time new york times bestselling author ian o'connor takes you behind the blue devil curtain with a penetrating examination of the great, but flawed leader as he closes out his iconic career.krzyzewski built a staggering basketball empire that has endured for more than four decades, placing him among the all-time titans of american sport, and yet there has never been a defining portrait of the coach and his program. until now. o'connor uses scores of interviews with those who know krzyzewski best to deliver previously untold stories about the relationships that define the venerable coach k, including the one with his volcanic mentor, bob knight, that died a premature death. krzyzewski was always driven by an inner rage fueled by his tough chicago upbringing, and by the blue-collar polish-american parents who raised him to fight for a better life. as the retiring coach k makes his final stand, vying for one more ring during the 2021-2022 season before saying goodbye at age 75, o'connor shows you sides of the man and his methods that will surprise even the most dedicated duke fan. "basketball fans might feel as though they already know coach k – or mike krzyzewski, the decades-long coach of the duke blue devils who's set to retire after this season. in this insightful biography, sportswriter o'connor captures the formative experiences and inner drive that catapulted the coach to icon status. even the most die-hard fans will learn something."-the washington post

"coach hatchell's book is a must-read for every girls' basketball coach. she is fantastic in every phase of the game, and i love watching her teams play."—roy williams, head men's basketball coach, university of north carolina, and associated press coach of the year, 2006 what does it take to turn a good coach into a great one? you need to be a teacher, a motivator, a guru of x's and o's. coach sylvia hatchell shows you how she manages all these roles and gives you her winning advice to creating a team of champions. head coach of the university of north carolina's women's team, coach hathcell combines the tar heels' longstanding tradition of basketball greatness with her personal dedication to guiding young women as she teaches you how to: communicate effectively to get peak performances from 11- to 18-year-old girls teach all the fundamentals of the game and run a productive, high-energy practice develop a formidable offense and tenacious defense master 75 of her favorite drills, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced sylvia hatchell, a college coach for 30 years, has accumulated a record of 445–187 in 20 seasons at the university of north carolina. in 2006, her tar heels made the final four and hatchell was named the associated press women's coach of the year. she was inducted into the women’s basketball hall of fame in 2004. she lives in chapel hill, north carolina. jeff thomas has coached girls' basketball for 16 years at the youth, high school, and amateur athletic union (aau) levels. he lives in richmond, virginia.

It is not difficult to learn to play basketball. that's more, it can be really fun! bball basics for kids is a step-by-step handbook featuring "hoops," a playful, basketball-loving friend who shows kids of all ages the most important skills of the game. he applies his experience of having coached more than a thousand games to teach kids the basics of a sport that combines individual skills with the skills of teammates. for those who are just beginning to learn the game, coach kaplan shares practical tips on the fundamentals: – dribbling and passing- shooting and rebounding- playing defense- improving footwork on the court – included is a history of the game, inspirational stories, warm up exercises, a glossary of basketball terms, and a sixty-minute self-improvement practice plan to help young players refine their skills. – bball basics for kids not only teaches the basics of a great game played by millions around the world, but also educates young players about the enduring values of cooperation, respect, trust, sacrifice, and perseverance. – bball basics offers the unique opportunity for any basketball program to customize the handbook with their own personal photos.

New york times bestseller – the nba according to the sports guy—now updated with fresh takes on lebron, the celtics, and more! foreword by malcom gladwell – “the work of a true fan . . . it might just represent the next phase of sports commentary.”—the atlantic bill simmons, the wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining basketball addict known to millions as espn’s the sports guy, has written the definitive book on the past, present, and future of the nba. from the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between bill russell and wilt chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, simmons opens—and then closes, once and for all—every major pro basketball debate. then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how nba hall of fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the pyramid: simmons’s one-of-a-kind five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. and ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one nba great to uncover that coveted thing: the secret of basketball.comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for celtic-haters), the book of basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game’s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.

This new updated and revised edition of "coaching basketball"–the national association of basketball coaches official coaching handbook–features more than 130 articles by basketball's leading coaches, covering every aspect of the game. dozens of current and former coaches from high school through the collegiate and professional levels, such as john wooden, rick majerus, and rick pitino, share their ideas and tips on fundamentals, strategy, and conditioning, as well as coaching foundations, including coaching philosophy, running a program, and recruiting.

Post more victories this season and every season with advice from high school basketball's ultimate winner! in coaching basketball successfully morgan wootten shares his full arsenal of coaching wisdom on topics ranging from player communication and motivation to xs and os. the new material on zone offense, quick-hitting plays off the secondary break, man-to-man and trapping defenses, and situational in-bounds plays is sure to make this second edition even more popular than the original work (which sold more than 75,000 copies). this latest edition includes guidelines for physical conditioning, recommendations for job interviewing, advice on conducting summer camps, and a master plan for handling game situations. and sprinkled throughout the book are many of wootten's "thought for the day" phrases the coach has found especially effective in motivating and communicating important lessons to athletes. wootten amassed the most successful high school coaching record ever (1,274-192) during his 46-year career at dematha high school in hyattsville, maryland. his coaching has been praised by the game's best all-time coaches: john wooden, mike krzyzewski, bob knight, pat riley, rick pitino, lute olson, dean smith, chuck daly, and others.now, in coaching basketball successfully, wootten shares the wealth of knowledge that produced a .869 winning percentage, 5 national championships, a national basketball hall of fame induction, and hundreds of high-achieving student-athletes. just as wootten is considered the best high school basketball coach, legendary ucla coach john wooden is considered the best college basketball coach. so when wooden states that wootten's "coaching basketball successfully is as fine a teaching aid on the development of a high school team and program as i have ever read," he speaks with authority on the quality and appeal of this book.this edition of coaching basketball successfully proves that you can improve on a classic. with expanded offensive and defensive tactics and new personal insights from one of the game's greatest coaches ever, this book is sure to be a winner for many years to come.

Many excellent basketball books have been written in past years that have contributed greatly to the growth of the game. this book is presented in the sincere hope that it will be a worthwhile contribution and that each reader may find something of benefit. the manual represents an attempt to compile numerous offensive and defensive formations, fundamental techniques, and supplementary coaching methods into one easy-reference volume. the author encourages correspondence from readers and will welcome any suggestions that may be used in future revision to make it a more complete guide to modern basketball.

Coaches: win more games by teaching your players the fundamental skills, intangibles and finer points of the game that other coaches don't know. help your players eliminate costly turnovers by learning to read the defense, score more points by fine tuning your fast break and improve your offensive attack skills. players: take your game to another level by learning the skills and details of the game the elite players know. learn how character issues can impact a player either positively or negatively. gain insight into the minds of coaches and learn to think like a coach on the court. fans: have a deeper appreciation of the game beyond just recognizing the type of defense or offense being used. impress your fellow basketball fans with your knowledge of the finer points of the sport and become a true connoisseur of the game of basketball. "there has never been a book before for coaches, players and fans like the game of basketball. for the coach, this book is about moving a player's game to a higher level. for the player, the information in this book can make the difference between being an average player and a good player or even a great player. for the fan who wants to appreciate the sport and the nuances of the game, this book provides many of tiny details the average fan is never aware of." rusty rogers – 2 time naia div. ii national championship coach and 2 time national naia coach of the year "once again kevin sivils has produced a book that ought to be in every coach's library. i've never seen a better compilation of the little things that can turn a basketball player into a "player". coach doug porter – head coach olivet nazarene university women's basketball – 8 time coach of the year