Practical Modern Basketball (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

John R. Wooden (Author), Bill Walton (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 18, 1998

Coach Wooden, more than anything else, is a teacher. Basketball just happens to be his subject. This book outlines a pattern, a theory, a strategy, and a course for how to develop as a basketball player and as a person. It organizes and dispenses the knowledge that Coach Wooden has accumulated over a lifetime in the game of basketball. It gives the reader an understanding of the delicate balance of the simple reality of the game and the incredibly demanding effort and dedication needed to master basketball. This timeless book will help everyone who is interested in improving their life and their basketball game. This book is so well thought out, well planned, well organized, and well written that it is perfectly applicable thirty-two years after its first publication. Reading it will make you feel like a member of the team.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book is a must-have for every coach and player!

* Covers the fundamentals and style of team play, emphasizing the delicate balance between the simplistic reality and incredibly demanding effort of the game
* Includes a new introduction by Bill Walton
* Includes new, updated photos
Coach Wooden, more than anything else, is a teacher. Basketball just happens to be his subject. This book outlines a pattern, a theory, a strategy, and a course for how to develop as a basketball player and as a person. It organizes and dispenses the knowledge that Coach Wooden has accumulated over a lifetime in the game of basketball. It gives the reader an understanding of the delicate balance of the simple reality of the game and the incredibly demanding effort and dedication needed to master basketball. This timeless book will help everyone who is interested in improving their life and their basketball game. This book is so well thought out, well planned, well organized, and well written that it is perfectly applicable thirty-two years after its first publication. Reading it will make you feel like a member of the team.

John Wooden was a teacher and coach at UCLA for 27 years.

About the Author

John Wooden was a teacher and coach at UCLA for 27 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 452 pages
• Publisher: Benjamin Cummings; 3 edition (December 18, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205291252
• ISBN-13: 978-0205291250
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Basketball > Coaching

More About the Author

Coach John Wooden was named The Greatest Coach Ever by Sporting News and Coach of the Century by ESPN. He won 10 NCAA championships as Head Coach of men's basketball at UCLA. Since then, his wisdom, summarized most famously in his Pyramid of Success, has reinforced his status as a modern-day legend. His memorable mottos, unforgettable turns of phrase and timeless, sage advice have enriched countless lives.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Modern Basketball, May 30, 2000

By 

Jon D. Brewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Modern Basketball (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

When you think of Success, you should recognize John R. Wooden as the leader in this area. This book expands upon his Pyramid of Success philospophy through his coaching regiment. Here again, what was the reason for UCLA's success. It was through the attention to detail and preparation. This book is very detail oriented. It is a working example of what it takes to become successful in coaching basketball. If you are coaching youths that are below the high school ranks, then this book is probably to advanced for knowledge transfer. But, there are many drills, offensive sets and defensive alignments that are teachable to young basketball players. For coaches involved in youth leagues, CYO, AAU, Intramurals, Junior High School, this book can help if you are trying to improve upon specific areas of teaching basketball. For instance, I found the 3-1-1 or "T" Half Court Zone Trap to be quite effective and provided a new look defense. There are a multitude of offensive sets, systems, and drills that may help as well. What you'll find in the book is there is no magic to winning as the label "Wizard" would suggest. It is accomplished through hard work and for coaches it is the details. Thanks again Coach Wooden.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly Best Basketball Fundamentals Book of All Time, July 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Practical Modern Basketball (Hardcover)

Written by the geatest coach, this book offers the ideas and tested methods on how to achieve success, in the right way. Coach Wooden is a brilliant man, and an equally brilliant teacher of the game. This book exemplifies both those qualities.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Bible of the Sport, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Practical Modern Basketball (Hardcover)

Once again, coach Wooden enlightens us with his tremendous insight, not only to the game, but in all aspects of life.

At 31 years of age, and starting my coaching endeavors, I can remember back in my high school playing days, seeing my coach reviewing this book that looked like a text book, over to one side of the gym. This is it, the one book that shows and says it all....From the Wizard himself....John Wooden the legend...There will never be another one like him!