Mid-season evaluations: Strength and weaknesses checklist for Coaches
by Jefferson Mason, on Jan 23, 2023 5:15:00 PM
What are your team strengths this season?
Shooting
- Yes
- No
Was this strength expected before the season started?
- Yes
- No
Ball-Handling/Attacking Hoop
- Yes
- No
Was this strength expected before the season started?
- Yes
- No
Rebounding
- Yes
- No
Was this strength expected before the season started?
- Yes
- No
Overall Team Defense
- Yes
- No
Was this strength expected before the season started?
- Yes
- No
Team Communication on/off court
- Yes
- No
Was this strength expected before the season started?
- Yes
- No
Proficient Understanding of Team Concepts/Schemes
- Yes
- No
Was this a strength expected before the season started?
- Yes
- No
Coaches, take a look at what was expected for the season and add in a few more if needed. If you answered no to 3 or more of the expected strengths for your team then it’s time to re-evaluate your team dynamic, strategy and practice. To do this you’ll have to answer 3 more simple questions.
- Are you willing to adjust your coaching to fit your team?
- Are you willing to change your practice structure?
- Are you willing to change your team's style of play based on strengths/weaknesses currently identified?
If your answer was yes to any of the above then it's’ time to rethink the second part of the season. First, get with your coaches to break down the above questions in more depth. Identify team concepts and skills that can be easily corrected. Then identify weaknesses that may not change until the offseason. From there determine how your style of play on both the offensive and defensive side of the basketball can be adjusted to help overcome weaknesses your team may have. For example, if your team is struggling to play individual defense, consider a zone defense that caters to your players. Also, look at changing your playing time and rotations for your players. Shaking things up a bit can promote growth and competition.
At the end of the season, the goal is to have improved in the latter half of the season. If this statement ends up being true for your team, then not only did they grow as a team and individually, but you also grew positively as a coach!
