Today’s basketball coaching clinic notes are on Steve Alford Coaching Philosophy and “How to build a Successful Program”

Coach Steve Alford is the UCLA Head Men’s Basketball Coach right now.  I think that he will be able to mend the fences at UCLA that Ben Howland left behind. Coach Ben Howland had good success, but he was extremely rough on players.  I think that you can read these basketball notes on how to build a program and gain some great insight into Steve Alford coaching philosophy.

Here’s an excerpt from the notes:

You must be your own person. Don’t try to be some other coach the players will see through it. Take something from each program if it fits in what you do. Foundations of a successful program:

A. Attitude – positive teacher centered around discipline

B. Respect and honesty – respect goes both ways. Be fair in all situations no matter if it is your BEST OR WORST PLAYER.

1. Can’t treat any game bigger than any other.

2. Be your self and be fair. You must like who you are.

3. Rip a kid and then let him know why you are mad at him.

4. Don’t lose a kid’s respect, it may cost the kids’ love for the game.

C. Life goals

1. 1st Faith in God

2. 2nd Family

3. 3rd Team

4. Make sure the players are aware of these and you live by these.

D. Work hard, work smart, and have fun – must be in this order. You might have to define fun.

E. Challenge EACH student athlete…

A. Spirituality – chapel program, coaches conduct, attend church

B. Socially – little things no matter what level, public appearances, special group involvement, and service clubs.

C. Academically – must be an attitude toward this, no effort, no Scholarship, show improvement, attendance and on time, talk to teachers, and grade reports.

D. Athletically – first and foremost is the goals of the team, play your role, practices are harder than the games, daily motivation, notebooks with Philosophy, plays etc., if they follow scouting report the coaches xerox copy them for the players, if they do not follow the report they must copy notes from the board. Know what they are doing of the floor….Sportsmanship: let your playing be your mouth.

Click on the pdf link to download the set of notes on coach Steve Alford coaching philosophy:

Basketball Coaching Clinic Notes | Steve Alford | How to Build a Successful Program