Coach David Stark has been coaching the Phoenix Force for several years. Coach Stark is also the varsity boy's coach at Marco de Niza High School.

Phoenix Force Basketball

A successful team needs good players, but these players must play within the framework of a system.  This booklet identifies some ingredients, which will contribute to the Force’s success.

The Players
    #1 point guard: A good ball handler who can penetrate to the free throw line, draw the defense to him, and either shoot or pass.

    #2 off guard:  A good perimeter shooter who can also score with the pull-up jumper and can handle the ball when needed.

    #3 off guard:  A player can shoot the “3” but also attack off of the dribble.

    #4 small forward:  A big guy who can score in the low post and pop up to the free throw line or the baseline for a jump shot.

    #5 Power forward/center:  The same as #4 only bigger and uglier!

Off the court:  A season is full of injury and illness.  One player may perform well against one team but not another.  A good team needs players united for one common goal:  the success of the team over the success of the individual.

This list describes an ideal team. Through hard work, discipline, dedication and desire, we can be the best team both on and off of the court.

Absolutes

Play hard:  This is the single most important sentence in basketball.  If a player isn’t willing to give basketball his best effort, he should choose another game.  Discipline, Dedication and Desire are three attributes that every Aprende player must have.

Acknowledge a good pass:  If a player scores after receiving a good pass, he should identify the teammate who delivered the ball.  Pointing an index finger at the passer while running to a defensive position is a good way of acknowledging  good pass.  Remember that we are a team and when team members help each other achieve a common goal, the outcome is positive.

Get floor burns:  The best teams have courage.  They are willing to dive onto the unforgiving gym floor to secure a loose ball.  Coaches like players with intensity and who will give it there all for the good of the team.  These type of players inspire us all to do our best.

Box out:  When the opponent shoots, get your body between the player and the ball and keep it there at all costs.  Now the game becomes less an art form and more like a rugby scrum.  A good job of boxing out allows a smaller team to out rebound a taller opponent.

The paint belongs to the Force:  This is the most important part of the floor; the place where the easiest shots are taken and the most rebounds are secured.  It is these high percentage shots that make the difference.  We expect our players to control this area with good footwork, plain old hard work and courage.

See the ball:  Never run the court without knowing where the ball is.  It’s embarrassing when a pass hits a player in the back of the head.

Be ready to play:  This extends from wise use of practice time to mental preparation before each game.  Coaches have no time for players who discuss the latest thing that happened at school or players who’s attention is not on the task at hand.

Everybody plays:  Let’s face it, we are not gunning for an NBA title.  We are, however, fostering growth so players can appreciate this great game we call basketball.  Everyone will have an opportunity to improve their skills and contribute to the success of the team under game conditions.  You must be prepared to play at any point during the game, be ready!

Communication

We want our players to be a team, not five headless chickens thrashing about.  The best first step is communication on the floor.  The following key words must be used and understood.

    Watch behind:  This signals to the Force dribbler that a low-down, rotten opponent is sneaking up behind him with the intent of swiping the ball.  The Force player better protect the ball.

Double: A second defensive player is attacking the Force ball handler.  The Force player should find a teammate to throw the ball to, quickly!

    Switch:  The low-down, no-good opponents are again trying to fool the Force with a pick and roll or similar maneuver.  We foil this attempt with an aggressive exchange of defensive assignments.  Keep in mind that we only switch from the free throw line extended, otherwise we fight through the pick.

    Help:  A Force player has lost track of his assignment.  His teammates should cheat on defense to cover the loose opponent until the player has had time to recover.  We play a sagging defense.

    I got the ball:  The low-down, nasty, rotten opponents have     gained an advantage by beating us back on defense with a 3 on 2     or similar situation.  Our first job is to stop the ball.  This is done by the player closest to the opponent with the ball hollering, “I got the ball” and pointing to the person he is covering while his teammates cover the next obvious pass.

    Outlet:  This tells the Force rebounder where to throw the pass to start our transition game.  This signal should be made near the free throw line extended on both sides of the floor.

Defense

Defense, for the most part, is plain old hard work.  Some athletes are gifted with a soft touch or an outstanding vertical jump.  A good defensive player needs only an attitude.  Youth players and old men often relax on defense so they have more stamina for offense.  With the force, we reverse this concept.  We expect our players to work hard on defense, constantly adjusting their feet and positioning their bodies to allow the opponent no advantage.  If a player has to ease up a little to regain his breath, he should do so on offense.  Some principles of good defense include the following:

    1.  Stay low, leaning forward on the balls of your feet.  Coaches hate to see a player standing straight up with knees locked.  The player may think he’s ready but he’s not.

    2.  Deny the pass to the post.  We don’t want the opponent to have the ball within eight feet of the basket.  Remember the paint belongs to the Force!

    3.  Cut off the baseline.  A defensive player can expect more help in the middle than outside so he must not allow his opponent to drive to the basket along the baseline.

    4.  Play “help” defense:  The Force does not allow an opponent to go one-on-one.  If the opponent drives, he can expect a second Force player to deny him access to the lane to the basket.  The “help” man will, of course, expect another teammate to pick up the player he left.

    5.  Move your feet.  Quick hands are nice but hands do not make a defensive player. If the feet are in the right place, the rest is easy.

    6.  Trap the lines.  If the opponent is foolish enough to pick up his dribble in the corner, he is in trouble.  We will send the nearest defensive player to double-team the opponent.  With two Force players at the baseline trapping the opponent, he  will often commit some kind of turnover. Force coaches like opponents’ turnovers.

    7.  Study the key terms.  It is imperative that every player on the team is aware of what each key term means.

This all means we can’t afford any unprepared players.  Everybody must know the defense.  We can’t have four players playing one defense and the fifth a different defense.  The bench, especially, must be aware.  Rarely does a coach have time to explain all the subtleties of the offensive and defensive plans before he sends the substitute into the game.  The sub must already know.

Offense

This is the glamorous end of the court, but too often it is the place where “team” disappears and the selfish replacements, “I” and “we,” show up.  Everybody likes to score points and the fans always mention the high point men.  But there is only one ball.

Force coaches like points too but we understand that a goal is the result of a series of successful maneuvers.  For example, two points might be preceded by a rebound, a pass to the outlet, the point guard dribbling downcourt under pressure, another pass, a pick, a third pass, and finally the shot.  The Force has two more points but only one
player receives credit in the scorebook.

We like players who can shoot well and we spend a large share of practice time developing this skill, but we do not underestimate the other skills which make a successful offense.  We don’t want five players standing around waiting for the ball so they can shoot.  We want five players working as a unit.  Force players must recognize that the best shooters should shoot the most. This doesn’t mean the other players cannot shoot; they must, however, be more selective in choosing their shots.

We have three avenues for scoring:

    1.  A steal:  This happens when the defense applies enough pressure so the opposition makes a ball handling mistake.  The trick is creating pressure and having players in the right places to take advantage.

    2.  The transition.  As the opposition moves from offense, The Force will hustle the ball upcourt to find an opportunity before the defense has time to set.  This requires good decisions, especially from the point guard.  We want to hurry but not so much that we make turnovers.  We want to find a high percentage shot with our rebounders in position.

    3.  The half-court offense:  Coaches love to spend hoursdesigning elaborate offenses.  None of these, however, is any good unless the players are unselfish and patient.

Referees

Most coaches never met a referee they liked.  Actually, referees work hard for little money and a great deal of abuse.  They are human.  They make mistakes.  We expect Force players to accept these mistakes without throwing a tantrum.  Referees don’t change their minds.  A player’s tantrum will accomplish nothing except a technical foul.  A player who gets a technical will soon join his unhappy coach on the bench.  

The general rule is “The players play.  The coaches speak to the referees.”

(Incidentally, a technical counts as one of a player’s five personal fouls.)

Sportsmanship

Play hard.  Scratch and claw for every loose ball.  Offer the opponent no quarter.  Prey on his every weakness, but when the game is over, shake hands.  Basketball is a game, not a life-or-death struggle. We lead by character and shine by example.

Practice

Practice time is a valuable commodity.  Force players don’t waste it.  They are dressed and warmed up 15 minutes prior to practice beginning.  They don’t mess around “jiving” with their teammates.  They don’t waste time with half-court hook shots or behind-the-backboard-through-the-apparatus shots.  A Force player should try to simulate game conditions at all times during practice.

The only exceptions for missing practice are the following:
    
     Illness
     Family emergency

Off the Court

1.    Keep up with your studies.  They come first.
2.    Respect yourself and those that you meet.
3.    Practice on your own and work on those things that are weakest first. Hone your abilities and strengthen your weaknesses.
4.     Stay out of situations that are disrespectful to yourself, your family and your team. Force coaches do not mind you having a good time with friends, but remember to keep yourself out of situations that present negative influences.  A Force player has to make some sacrifices. 
5.    Represent the Force well.  Force basketball is a class act.  We clean up before we leave. We shake hands with the referees and our opponents. We do not taunt the opponent or the referee.
6.    We give thanks to our creator.
7.     The word to remember is respect:  have it, use it, and give it to all you meet.

Welcome to the Phoenix Force Basketball team!  We are glad you are a part of our program!  

Coach Michael Stark and David Stark

In our attempt to become champions on the basketball court, we must also learn to be champions in the game of life. Below are the high standards and guidelines that we expect from our players:

* Act like a Champion.

* Excel in the class room. You will either pay the price now, or you'll pay a bigger price later!

* Expect to Win. Doubters don't win. Winners don't doubt.

* Play Hard. Always give your best.

* Play with Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm shows the world that you're excited and have a passion for what you're doing. Get excited and enjoy what you're doing!

* Play Smart. Stay focused and maintain a high level of concentration.

* Never Give Up! People who won't quit, don't.

* Be Coach-able. These are the people you win championships with.

* Act Mentally Tough. Don't panic and break under pressure!

* Always Have a Positive Attitude. I can't stand negative people!

* Don't Make Excuses. Learn to accept responsibility for your actions.

* Be a Leader. Leaders are people who show the way and lead by example.

* Always put the Team First! Selfish and self-centered people can't.

* Work hard in practice. This is the time you earn the right to play for titles.