Program Development Series | Pre-game Routine by Brian Rea

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 14, 2015

Program Development Series – Pre-Game Routine by Brian Rea

Have you ever really given serious thought to how important the Pre-Game Routine is for your players and program?

Are you the type of coach that just has an attitude of “let’s get in the locker room at the end of the 3rd Quarter, get dressed, give the motivational speech of the day, and go out and warm-up”…or are you the type of coach that likes to have a routine and a well thought out plan of action for every single moment leading up to game time?

The Pre-Game Routine handout that accompanies this article is meant to give coaches a working model of a Pre-Game routine from the time of arrival to tip-off. It is not a “pie in the sky” wishful thinking type of routine. It is a tried and tested routine that I use in my program. It has helped create a sense of purpose for our players and coaches throughout the last 5 years and still continues today.

The use of “Routines” and planned segments gives the players and coaches the assurance that ALL things will be done, no stone will be left un-turned, and that regardless of magnitude of the game each night that things will work out in our favor if we execute. This approach keeps the nerve level down, the focus level up, and keeps the players and coaches in a familiar state of mind so that our “Process” is the focus…NOT the opponent.

There is one thing that I always say before a game to make sure we continue to adhere to our “Process” (this is not on the handout)…and that simple statement is this:

“(Insert Opponent Here) plays Payson…PAYSON PLAYS BASKETBALL!”

This final statement, preceded by the Pre-Game Routine has led to great success for us, as well as the fact that we can keep our players and coaches more focused on the task than the outcome. It has helped is build a tradition of winning so far in 5 1/2 seasons.

Some evidence of the importance of Program Development:
116-42 record since taking over the program (2009-10 thru Current)
Back to Back Conference Championships
1st Regional Championship since 1979 Season
1st Sectional Championship in School History
1st Elite 8 Appearance in School History
1st AP #1 State Ranking in School History – 13 of 16 weeks Ranked #1
3 straight years of being State Ranked / Receiving Votes
4 In-Season Tournament Championships…
.734 Winning Percentage

In the 11 years prior to 2009
100-193 Record
.341 Winning Percentage

All of the articles shared about “Program Development” are not for show, nor are they to brag or boast. They are to hopefully show that X’s and O’s, drills, and concepts are great, BUT…the ultimate determining factor to long lasting success is DEVELOPING YOUR PROGRAM and BUILDING A CULTURE OF SUCCESS! Let the creative juices flow, the thinking outside the box commence, and the success begin to roll for all of you who are out there coaching your tails off!

Best Swishes!

pre-game routine