Effort Charting on the Bench by Adam Spinella

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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Basketball Coaching

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January 26, 2015

Effort Charting on the Bench by Adam Spinella

Charting effort during a game or a practice is all about rewarding players for their contributions that do not show up in the stat sheet. Since stats can be readily available either online or from another source, its not only important to take these statistics but to share them with your players! Post them in a locker room after a game, chart them in practice and show them who is making the effort plays. Effort is always to be rewarded – by recognition, by more playing time, whatever most benefits the team.

I define effort plays as the plays that either create extra possessions or limit the possessions of your opponents. Those plays can swing momentum in the flow of a ball game. Diving on the floor, scoring in transition, stealing the ball or causing a deflection are plays that can create extra possessions or take advantage of those possessions that were created. I also like to include setting solid screens on the list: I like to reward big men for getting their teammates open, which creates higher-percentage shots.

The biggest stat to chart is charges. Taking a charge not only creates an extra possession but gets a player in foul trouble. It is a massive momentum-swinging play. I like to use a point system when rewarding plays, giving one point for a positive play and minus-one for a negative hustle play. Charges, however, I give three points for. They have great value and encourage players to attempt them further. Some coaches or programs may give one point for an attempt to take a charge simply to encourage more players to take them.

I am also a believer of not just rewarding hustle plays but penalizing those players who do not commit to hustling. Some of the negatives that could be charted: poor closeouts, allowing middle drive, not boxing out, not getting back in transition or even not knowing the playbook. These would be worth a negative point.

Coach Adam Spinella is entering his first season as an Assistant Coach at Culver Acadelinmies in Culver, IN. Spinella spent the three years prior as a Student Assistant Coach at Division III Dickinson College. The Dickinson Men’s Team advanced to two NCAA Tournaments and accumulated an overall record of 59-26 (.694) during the three-year span, with the 2013-2014 season ending in the Division III Elite Eight. A native of Bow, New Hampshire, Spinella has a keen interest in X’s and O’s, particularly in professional basketball, and skill development.

effort charting