To further explain the first rule of deep practice, chunk it up, let’s consider what it really means to teach the game and show some examples of how to do it. This method of teaching is foundational for skill development, so this will be the focus of the next few sections.
More broadly, our concern will be this: What does it really mean to teach?
When we first introduce a new concept to players, we want to demonstrate it in a game-like situation or with video breakdown of the concept. Using both is ideal. Here is the sequence we follow: Demonstrate the situation in a half-court (or full-court) setting, and have the players involved in the situation out on the floor. In many cases, these are two-on-two or three-on-three walkthroughs).
Example: Beating the Help Side
This example will deal with finishing on the help side. I will go on the wing with the basketball and have one player defend the ball. I’ll then assign one player to be the help-side defender and one player to be my teammate. If the help-side defender gets there early and tries to take a charge, we will execute a “Eurostep.” If the help side is a shot-blocker and gets to the rim at the same time I do, we’ll shoot a “floater.” After we walk through, we’ll go at closer to game speed since the demonstrators now understand the situation.
We will also watch these same situations on game film. Rajon Rondo is a great example of a player using the Euro Step and floater to finish on the help side.
After explaining the situation and demonstrating the move in real time, we will break it down. The less skilled the players are the more you have to break it down. With more advanced players, you can usually just show the move and they will be able to perform it immediately. I believe this is because they have seen it several times before, though they may have never worked on it previously. Recent neuroscience studies cited in The Talent Code have shown that the brain interprets actual physical activity almost the same as vividly imagining the situation.
Here’s a breakdown of how I introduce these two moves for finishing on the help side.
Eurostep with imaginary basketball in the right hand:
- Right: Sell step right
- Left: Left step past defender
- Jump: Jump off left foot for the finish
Then we will add the basketball:
- No dribbles: Right-Left-Jump and finish off left foot
- One right-handed dribble: Right-Left-Jump and finish off left foot
- Two right-handed dribbles: Right-Left-Jump and finish off left foot
- Game speed: game-situation drill
- Situational: one-on-one game where you have to beat the help side
This is just one example of how you can chunk it up, but this demonstrates the specificity and sequence for how to do it. When players have a clear conceptual understanding of a skill or game situation, it provides them with more incentive to keep developing that skill with diligence and proper form.
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Mike Lee Basketball Services trains thousands of middle school through NBA players across the country each year in their skill development training, camps and coaches Academies. The owner, Mike Lee, is also a former Nike Girls Skills Academy instructor and former assistant director for the Stephen Curry Skills Academy. Recently the company has authored 7 skill development DVDs and created miSkillz Online Basketball training.
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Click here for more information on Daniel Coyle and The Talent Code