The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball [Paperback]

Michael D. Mullaney (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005

This book gives detailed coverage of the fundamentals of basketball - how to play the post-offensive strategies; man-to-man and zone defenses; full, three-quarters, and half-court presses; and out-of-bounds plays. It also includes more than 200 drills, sample practice plans, coaching strategies, tips on communicating with players and parents, excerpts from official basketball rules, and more. This book includes funny and interesting quotations from sports legends and others that serve as reminders to enjoy the game. This is an indispensable book for any coach or family member seeking to help a young woman succeed on her team.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Mike has come up with a real winner. . .A must-read for any coach or player who wants to improve. -- Morgan Wootten, all-time winningest high school boys’ basketball coach

Mullaney's vision for the growth of girls' and women's basketball is put into action through the pages of this book. -- Sue Semrau, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Florida State University

Should be in the hands of all persons who will be dealing with young ladies who are playing basketball. -- Carroll Graham, National Chairman, AAU Girls’ Basketball

This book is the most complete guide to girls' basketball that I have ever seen! -- Brenda Frese, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University of Maryland

About the Author

Mike has coached hundreds of girls’ basketball games. His teams have consistently won league championships, tournaments and finished in the final four in the AAU Potomac Valley Region (Division II). He is currently coaching AAU and high school girls’ basketball teams in Maryland. At Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Florida, he was named Most Valuable Player for the 1973-1974 season, was named to the All-City Basketball Team as a point guard, and was awarded the 1974 John Burke Award for being the top student-athlete in the school. He was All-State in the mile and two-mile runs in Florida. He is a graduate of Florida State University. He has been married to his wife, Sue, for over 20 years. They have two wonderful daughters, Melissa and Michele.

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: Mullaney (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976100509
• ISBN-13: 978-0976100508
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,233 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Basketball > Coaching

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely complete! -- a must-have book for coaches at all levels!, December 21, 2005

By 

Coach Fonz "HoopsU.com" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball (Paperback)

As a basketball coach who reads a lot of books, coaching materials, and so forth for personal use and for my hoopsu.com reviews, I have read many so-called 'guides to basketball'. Some are decent, but most of them are so basic and watered-down that you could learn more watching an 8-year old in her driveway. The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball is not one of those books.

The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball is far and away the most complete book I have read on the basics, fundamentals, and strategies of basketball. This is a great book for coaches at all levels; girl's or boy's. Coach Mullaney didn't just slap some notes between a book cover; he obviously put forth a lot of time and effort writing this book. It is extremely well organized, easy to read, and simple to understand.

The main thing I like about this book, in comparison to many of the other 'guides', is that it goes well beyond the basic cookie-cutter information. The basics are discussed, but Coach Mullaney goes further and describes more in-depth and pertinent topics, ideas, and drills. That is why this book is not only great for the first-time coach, but also for even the most experienced of coaches at all levels of play.

I also really enjoy Part One of the book, where Coach Mullaney guides you through developing your own plan, philosophy and communication skills. This is an area I would have found invaluable when I first began coaching.

The Complete Guide To Girls' Basketball also details offense, defense, and special situations by breaking down all the skills involved and teaching how to perform them effectively. The drills section is also very well put together with over 200 exceptional drills - with easy to follow diagrams. All facets of the game are touched on so you can use these drills to help prepare yourself or your team.

The title says, 'The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball', which it most certainly! If you coach girls basketball, this book is must-have addition to your library. If you coach boys basketball, I also recommend this book...there are so many great ideas in here it is worth checking out! If you want to improve your coaching knowledge and coaching skills, The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball deserves a look!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will help you win your next game., January 21, 2005

By 

AAU Coach - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball (Paperback)

Thank you Coach Mullaney. This is absolutely the best book on coaching basketball I have read. If you are an experienced coach, you will want this book as a great reference tool. If you are a new coach, this is the only coaching manual you will ever need (I have at least 30 of them and they can all go into the dumpster). If you are a player, a fan or a parent of the next Sue Bird, you will learn more about the game from this book than any other source.

The author has divided his book into 2 main sections of skills and drills. The Skills section is superbly organized beginning with Coaching Philosophy and then onto Offense, Defense, and Special Situations. The information is presented clearly and concisely with matching photographs on nearly every page showing the players performing what is written. Every page has interesting and humorous quotes from famous players, coaches, etc.

The Drills section is equally well done. It's like getting 2 books in one. Unlike other drill books, the diagrams are clear and the seequences are perfectly understandable without the reader needing to decifer what the author meant. Coach Mullaney continues the terrific photos in this section to keep what is usually a dry and difficult study in other dull books, a much more readable section.

If you are a boys coach, this book will be equally useful. If you ignore the ponytails in the photos, it is just as instructive. If you want to improve your coaching skills, this is the best book investment you will find.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Adults, April 11, 2007

By 

ems (westchester, ny) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Girls' Basketball (Paperback)

More for coaches or for parents of players. My kid didn't read it, but I did and found it helpful in explaining points of the game. Good buy, but don't expect the kids to read it.