Customer Reviews

Practical Modern Basketball

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

Wooden was the master and this book is just as relevant today as when Coach Wooden took the time to write the book.

It is amazing the details and little things he covers in this book. Things that go overlooked by so many coaches today, myself included.

The pressing defense section was really helpful as was the chapter on how Coach Wooden adapted his system to Kareem to best take advantage of Kareem's skills.

Great Book!

This book was an amazingly detailed and organized coaching tool from the legendary master coach/teacher, the late Coach John Wooden. The logical result of Coach's passions for teaching and basketball, this 'textbook for an advanced degree in basketball coaching' is recommended for anyone interested in learning more about the art and science of the game of basketball. I cannot imagine anyone possibly knowing more of the intricacies associated with teaching, playing, and practicing basketball in a fundamentally sound way.

Coach did not miss anything related to basketball. He had a rare combination of abilities that were showcased in this book: to observe everything on or near the court; to understand completely what he observed; to analyze his observations and figure out how to improve or maximize them; and to organize his thoughts and methods to effectively teach what he learned to his players and all those around him. When you add these abilities to Coach's character and integrity, and his effective leadership style, you have an unbeatable formula for a definitive basketball handbook.

After just coaching my son's fourth grade basketball team, I found most of the book much more suited for older kids and adults. Should my son and I continue on our basketball paths, I will definitely keep this book handy and use it often.

For the book Practical Modern Basketball, the information content is great for basketball coaches; however, the quality of the printed copy I received was bad. It was supposed to be a new copy, but the pages and photographs look like the were produced with a copier machine, and the binding is bad. The pages are already falling out.

One reviewer of this book stated some of the information contained might be outdated because the book was written over 30 years ago. Wooden's UCLA teams played before the shot clock and the three point line so on the surface this statement might seem correct. Until you realize that Wooden played an up tempo style of play and played a full court pressing defense falling back to a pressure man-to-man defense. Teams still run his high post offense. Wooden's system is still just as valid today as it was when he was coaching.

But don't buy this book for his big picture offense and defense concepts, although they are very useful. It is the tiny details that go overlooked that Coach Wooden covers in this book that are priceless.

For example, how many coaches teach their players today how to put on their socks and shoes in such a way that the players do not get blisters?

Wooden's approach to teaching fundamentals is timeless as well and the sections in the book on this aspect of teaching and coaching are also what the reader will find most helpful.

My copy is well worn even though I don't run Coach Wooden's "system" on offense and defense. The sections on fundamentals is well worn though.

This book should be a required item for every individual who enters the basketball coaching profession.

Kevin Sivils - author of Game Strategy and Tactics for Basketball
Game Strategies and Tactics for Basketball: Bench Coaching for Success

This book is a fantastic text book for coaching. As one might expect from coach Wooden, it is incredibly thorough covering aspects of coaching from practice organization, to game preparation, tactics, fundementals, selecting and working with assistant coaches, as well as coaching philosophy and theory. If you only have one book on coaching basketball this should be it. I review it every year prior to the start of the season.

I have a ton of books on various aspects of coaching basketball, and this is by far the most comprehensive resource I own. I particularly appreciate Coach Wooden's attention to detail and his down-to-earth, methodical approach.

I'd give it 4.5 stars if that were possible, just because this edition looks like it was run off on a photocopy machine, particularly the photos, but in terms of content, it's almost certain to be the most valuable book in a basketball coach's library.

I found this book to be very informative. This was purchased for my grandson who is a basketball fan and player (age 14) and I am sure that he will be delighted with the book (a Christmas present for him)