Questions From Subscribers...

i need to my players to not waking by ball

I am deaf and coaching a deaf boys 5th - 6th graders team. The communication here is very much different. During the games, I jump to get their attention even use towel sometime to get their attention. We communicate plays by using numbers or alphabets. I wonder if you have any advice that probably will help me with improving the team and coach communicate during the games.

Hi Rima,

That's a very difficult question. Unfortunately, I've never had this question asked and I've never had to deal with those circumstances. Here's a couple ideas that came to mind:

- You could use big cue cards to have your players look at.

- If you have trouble getting kids to look at the bench, you could assign a couple kids to look at you during the game to communicate what plays, defenses, timeouts, etc. to the other players.

If I can find other tips for this situation, I'll make sure to pass it on.

Rima,

Your situation definitely presents a bunch of new challenges that most of us don't have to deal with.

However, I would say that your techniques are very similar to what other coaches would use.

For example, a good way to get them to be communicating on defense is to use 5-on-4 and 4-on-3 type of half court drills. When overloaded the players are forced to constantly scramble and help each other. If they don't communicate, they will fail miserably. I've found this is a good way to improve communication on defense. Our players solve the problem by talking. However your players will need to come up with a different way to communicate. When presented with the problem, I'm sure they'll come up with a solution.

Beyond that you can just make it a point to require communication on all drills. Coach K at Duke incorporates talk on most drills. I don't believe he does anything special other than requiring that they talk. And he also gives some suggestions on what they should be saying in certain situations. Just adding communication as your "points of emphasis" to all drills on you practice plan should help. I just wouldn't suggest useless communication. Everything should have a purpose.

Lastly, this might seem out there but I believe this is possible.

Coach Phil Jackson of the NBA is big into Zen philosophies. Part of this includes a unique type of communication. Phil and his players claim that they communicate telepathically. Phil will think about something on the bench and his players pick up on it. I know this sounds strange but his players have given interviews and claimed it to be true. This is partly why Phil Jackson has very strict pregame rituals. He does not talk or acknowledge the crowd before games. He gets in a very focused Zen state so he can control things mentally.

I told you it what out there but if anyone has the ability to make this happen it would be your team.

Good luck.

Jeff

So if we learn how to communicate on the curt we will learn how to do it the real game.

It is always challenging experience for us, deaf players. I grew up playing basketball and now coaching 5th and 6th graders who are also deaf. We grew up with many challenges being deaf. We handled it pretty well. As on the court and me as a coach, we figure something out. I just want to challenge you all and see what advices you can give. Thanks for some ideas. ;)

It is interesting when it comes to zen philosophies. It would be difficult for me because I talk too much. I usually stand and jump often on the line to get the boys attention. I think it is more difficult with the young boys, basically their first 1-2 years of playing team basketball. It is how I do it, using towel or jump to get their attention. We wide open with our eyes and see what is going on.

Thanks again for advices and ideas.