The wide variety of conditions in connection to tournament play makes it impossible to give a set of standards on the management of a tourney team. Foremost is the proper time to arrive prior to your game. I personally believe it is harmful to be there too long before you play.

If you live less than 125 miles from the tourney site, it is best to stay at home and let your players sleep in their own beds. However, if living more than 125 miles, it is most probably best to arrive at the tourney site the night prior to your game.

In case of the later, all arrangements for hotel accommodations should be made as far in advance as possible. A quite residential hotel should take preference to an uptown hotel. Also, to save yourself some time by putting a written schedule in the hands of each player, student assistant, and coach. This schedule should be designed to answer most questions, such as time of meals, rest hours for sleep, rules for mingling with hometown fans, time and place to meet to go to stadium, and any other thing that might be helpful to help players understand reasons for strange surroundings.

Proper feeding can become a big problem. Your players must have plenty of wholesome and balanced foods. Both, overeating and undereating can be detrimental to a team. Stick to the same type foods players are used to during the year. Don't try new menus.

Eat all meals from two to two and a half hours before game time. Delay eating after the game as long as possible, then eat a substantial meal to regain body strength.

Top of page

Scouting Teams in Tourney

Most coaches believe that the team should not watch their next opponent play and I am one of them. If you are staying at a hotel, it's best your players go there immediately following their victory; however, special considerations may dictate otherwise.

Today, high school tournaments are far shorter than in older days; therefore, rest isn't as important as years ago. In this age of basketball, we often see four teams in the semifinals. If your team plays first, most coaches see fit to keep the boys for the second game; however, the mental and spiritual composition of your team should be the controlling factors of your choice.

Today, most teams have video available of all prospective opponents, either acquired or borrowed. However, a coach or scout should remain behind to chart a note any possible changes in the opponent's play or style.

Top of page

Basketball Tournament Offensive and Defensive Play

Changing your regular offense to another style for tournament play usually is not a good idea. The stress and emotion of a tournament makes it difficult to properly execute or easily learn a new offense.

Stick with your old offense; however, it is appropriate to add some new play possibilities for certain opponents. If you have ample manpower, the tourney is short, and your team has demonstrated fast-breaking style, by all means use it at every opportunity. However, understand the value of ball possession.

A successful tournament team must be a good ball-control team and able to protect a lead, late in the game, with a good delayed offense. Any weakness in ball-handling will be costly.

Play your games one at a time. Your players should never think of the final game before the first is won.

A flexing zone defense, pressing man-to-man, and shifting man-to-man defenses are good tournament defenses. However, I would not recommend that a team try to learn them just for the tournament. If you have used these during the season, then, your team is well prepared.

Top of page