Basketball Coaching Philosophy

Home > Coaching > Coaching Philosophy

Coaching philosophy is an important ingredient that all coaches utilize -- whether they know it or not.

It's important to recognize, embrace, and refine your coaching philosophy. It will guide you, keep you on the right track, give your team an identity, and make you a better coach.

All great coaches eventually acknowledge, reflect upon, and embrace their philosophy. You could say it becomes their "formula for success".

For most coaches, their philosophy will change as they get more experience. This is a good thing. This is how you grow and improve as a coach.

There is no right or wrong philosophy. Every coach must have a philosophy that fits their personality and beliefs.

But it is important for you to reflect on your philosophy, document it, and continually try to improve it.


Defining Your Coaching Philosophy

Here are a few articles to help you define your philosophy...

Establishing Your Philosophy and Priorities

The 9 Most Important Questions for Every Basketball Coach. Ignore Them at your Peril.

Perspective - Coaching Inbreeding and Being Yourself


Ideas on Coaching Philosophy

As a coach, part of your philosophy might be to focus on the fundamentals. Not only can fundamentals make your team really good -- but it puts the best interests of your players at the forefront. What type of coach would you rather player for? A coach that focuses on teaching you "his system and tactics" that you might not use in the future -- or a coaches that is focusing on developing you as a player?

Here are a few additional ideas to consider that might help you refine and improve your coaching philosophy...

Don Kelbick Interview that All Coaches Should Hear

The Most Important Aspect of Coaching & Leadership - Being a Good Role Model

To Win More Basketball Games, You Need to be Great at 3 Things!

Positive Impact Coaching

Keep in mind that your coaching philosophy should include what's most important. It can include tactical aspects of your philosophy. As an example, maybe you are a fast break coach that always plays at a high tempo -- keeping a fun and exciting atmosphere.

It should also include intangibles that you believe are important -- teamwork, your core values, character building, having fun, and so on.


How to Implement Your Philosophy

Here are a few ideas on how you can more effectively implement your philosophy...

Developing a Team Covenant

What Are Your 7 Core Coaching Values?

Communicating

Be sure to document whatever your coaching philosophy and what you feel is really important. Then refer to the documentation so you stay on the right path and never lose sight of what is most important.

Once the season begins and games start, it's very easy to get caught up and lose sight of the important things. So we can't stress enough the importance of documenting your philosophy and referring to if often.