Books
Shortly after Larry Brown returned to the NBA as the Head Coach of the Charlotte Bobcats, he told Sports Illustrated, “The things they don’t know boggles my mind.” Coaches crave intelligent basketball players. How does one develop this game awareness?
Through drills, situations, instruction and questioning, Developing Basketball Intelligence demonstrates how to teach game awareness and basketball intelligence and Playmakers: The Player’s Guide to Developing Basketball Intelligence provides the tools for players to develop more awareness and intelligence.
DBI and Playmakers explain the basic tactical skills of every offense – from pick-and-rolls to 3v2 fast breaks – but moves beyond the skill execution to the all important perceptual, anticipatory, and decision-making skills that separate expert performers. DBI and Playmakers teach tactical skills, but develop the characteristics of high basketball IQ players who:
- choose the best option in less time;
- adapt to ever-changing situations;
- possess good spatial awareness;
- know the right play at any moment relative to the time and score and more.
Developing Basketball Intelligence is a tool to develop your offensive system as a coach, and to create a learning environment that enhances your players’ understanding so they can read and react and adjust and adapt on the court. Playmakers: The Player’s Guide to Developing Basketball Intelligence eliminates the drills and progressions and focuses on the concepts and lessons that players must learn to understand the game and make the right decisions at game speed.
“Brian McCormick has always been ‘cutting edge’ when it comes to teaching the game of basketball. Developing Basketball Intelligence will help coaches create a teaching environment that will make the advanced young player become more aware of BOTH the physical and mental aspects of the game. This is a game plan for learning and teaching basketball the correct way.”
-Fran Fraschilla, ESPN Analyst
“Brian – I’m doing a spring development program, and I’m implementing a lot of the DBI stuff. The kids love it, and you can see the improvement in their decision-making. This group was my training group with college and advanced high school kids, and I’m planning on using it with my high school team soon.”
– Vincent Minjares, Skills Trainer POINT FWD Athletic Development
“I think all coaches should give Developing Basketball Intelligence a read. In order to get the quality of content from DBI, I would have to buy 5 to 20 very good products if not more and filter through the junk. For $20, it’s definitely a steal.”
– Joe Haefner, Breakthrough Basketball
Who decided that a point guard has to be small? More importantly, what is a point guard?
We expect a point guard to be a leader and have a high basketball I.Q. Why don’t we expect or challenge all players to develop this game awareness? Why rely on only one player?
English soccer academies wait until players are 11 to play full 11v11 soccer; in Italy, youth basketball players participate in skill-oriented clinics at 6-years-old, but start competitive games at 12. In the United States, kids play 5v5 full court games and compete for national championships when they are 8-years-old.
The PBDL emphasizes learning and development. Presently, players and parents have numerous recreation options - leagues based on fun and equal participation, typically for beginners - and numerous competitive opportunities - teams focused on strategy, game preparation and winning. There are few true development leagues - until now.