Basketball Basics [Paperback]

Howard Marcus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1991

"Basketball Basics has a great deal to offer as a guide to teaching beginning basketball skills." -- Aubrey Bonham, Former Whittier College head basketball coach and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame

Basketball Basics is the definitive instructional manual. Loaded with photos and diagrams, it covers all the fundamental skills and strategies of coaching youth basketball while stressing the importance of making the game a positive learning experience for players. This complete, easy-to-follow handbook provides coaches as well as parents with information and teaching tips on such aspects as:

• Organizing tryouts and practices
• Teaching basic footwork and shooting techniques
• Choosing the most effective offensive and defensive formations
• Handling starters and substitutes
• Making the most of limited practice time
• Analyzing the game in progress and changing strategies
• Coaching players with different skill levels
• Building team spirit and self-confidence

The highly visual format of Basketball Basics, including illustrated practice drills that reinforce each step of the skill-building process, makes the learning and the coaching processes especially easy--and fun. With this book any coach--whether a parent volunteer or a veteran--will be armed with the essential techniques and strategies for a winning season. Howard Marcus, a high school basketball coach, has coached in numerous recreational leagues in northern California.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (September 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809239582
• ISBN-13: 978-0809239580
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,430,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great for new coaches of inexperienced players., November 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Basketball Basics (Paperback)

This book is an excellent resource for an inexperienced coach of young players. The author has coached at all levels and can relate exactly how to coach both experienced and inexperienced players. The recommended drills are tied into an overall game strategy as the book progresses. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to get started coaching basketball for beginners and any moderately experienced coach who needs a good reference book for the basics.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good book for the beginning player/coach., April 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Basketball Basics (Paperback)

Very good book for the beginning player and/or coach. Good emphasis on the basics and fundamentals. Also includes good explanations of strategies of the basic offenses/defenses

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book I keep coming back to, December 12, 2002

By 

Walter Dzierga "vital_interests" (Richardson, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Basketball Basics (Paperback)

I've been coaching girl's basketball now for four years. In the beginning I knew nothing. I was just a parent who stepped in. But now I feel like a good coach. I bought a lot of books and videos, but this is the one that is really helpful and that I come back to again and again. It is really aimed at recreational youth basketball -- grades 3-6. I'm not sure it would be useful to coaches at higher levels, but then again, the basics are still the basics regardless of your level. If you want to help young kids improve, and you want to be a better coach for youth basketball, this is your book.