Developing Offensive Skill Sets

This post is designed to help our players and parents determine what our kids need to focus on during the summer to develop individual offensive skill sets. Often times we pick up a basketball and then become unclear of what we need to do to improve. I've attempted to breakdown what we feel is important in taking that next step forward. The following areas can take a player from average to good and from good to great. Ultimately, affording them an opportunity to play at the next level if their heart desires.

1.) Weak Hand Development - It is imperative that every player can dribble, pass, and shoot with both hands. I suggest a 2-1 ratio on weak to strong hand repetitions.

2.) Proper Footwork - I often hear people talk about this, but I seldom hear them elaborate on what this actually means. To us, at the most fundamental level, it means being able to shoot off the dribble, or shoot off the catch, with 1-2 footwork and on an inside foot pivot. It's getting ten toes squared to the basket while shooting the basketball without drifting.

3.) Ball Handling - A large portion of our skill development time is spent on this aspect. We focus on dribbling the basketball, but we also strive to improve our passing. You can incorporate weak hand development, increase confidence, and get a player comfortable with having the basketball in her hands. If kids can use either hand to drive and attack the basket, they will see their game grow by leaps and bounds.

4.) Shooting the Basketball - Game shots, game spots, game speed. Yes, technique shooting is very important, especially at our lowest levels. It is crucial that they can shoot the basketball with the same shot form on each repetition. Muscle memory must be created at an optimum level before game shots are encouraged. We don't want a player training their body with incorrect technique. However, the more our kids take shots that are simulated to game conditions, the faster we'll see an increase in their shooting percentage.

5.) Perimeter and Post Play - We want all of our players to be able to face the basket and make a play. They need to be able to shot fake and drive, rip through and crossover, and use jab moves to attack the top foot of a defender. We also develop ALL of our players post games. If players are comfortable playing with their back to the basket; they become twice as hard to guard. In the post each player should have a go-to move and a counter.

I've attached a video that shows a few of our current and former players working on some of the 5 areas discussed above.


"Don't hope for a lighter load, but work hard for stronger shoulders."


Yours in Hoops,
Josh Williams
Head Girls' Basketball Coach
Clinton High School

Summer of 2012

It's almost June and that means summer basketball is right around the corner. Last summer the Lady Maroons posted a 9-11 record at the varsity level and an 11-1 record at the JV level. The experience it gave our kids, however, was apparent and invaluable for the regular season. Because our system of play is quite unique and extensively comprehensive, the summer season allowed our kids to get a head start in learning our offensive and defensive philosophies. The attendance last summer was terrific and we're hoping for much of the same this year.

The 2011-2012 season was one to be remembered for all of our Lady Maroon fans!  The girls posted their first winning season since 2000-2001. They won the most games of any Clinton High School Basketball team since the turn of the century with 18 wins. The Lady Maroons ended with an overall record of 18-11, while finishing tied for 4th, with a 7-4 record in the Okaw Valley Conference. They won 3rd place in the 16 team Okaw Valley Holiday Tournament.  They were the only conference team to beat state ranked Tuscola. Incredibly, they won 17 games out of 23 from November 28th through January 31st.  Also, for the second year in a row, The Lady Maroons received a #1 seed. Last season they were the #1 seed in the conference tournament, while this season they were the #1 seed in the Clinton Regional.  Lady Maroons Basketball continues to rise to excellence. It's an exciting time for our community as we continue our endeavor of "Winning Championships, Developing Champions."

Click on the link below to be directed to our 2012 summer schedule.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fd5ridlv8251o50/1rJGG3VZyA/GBB%20Summer%202012.doc