There is only ONE BALL

Basketball has 10 players on the court at one time. Five per team.
There is only ONE basketball.
So, almost 100% of the time, 90% of the players will not have the ball in their hands.
Guess what the best coaches and scouts are watching when they are recruiting players? They are watching how the players play when they DON'T have the ball.

One of my favorite basketball blogger/tweeter is Eric Musselman. He tweeted recently that: "Basketball is played on the flight of the ball NOT on the catch."

Getting position, creating space, blocking out, going for deflections or interceptions,,, these are what the greatest basketball players are doing while the ball is in flight. Wasn't it Carly Simon who sang, "AN TISS A PAY TION".... ah yes!

So, from elementary school through high school, the BEST coaches teach the 9 guys without the ball what they're supposed to be doing, and HOW they should be doing it.

Working without the ball. Away from the ball screens. Use your teammates or your opposition as PICKS without their knowledge to create space and passing lane.

And when a shot goes up, regardless of offense or defense,, every player should know what to do. Position. Block out. Drop back safety. See the ball, run to where it is GOING to be....and then go for it with all you've got. Think Dennis Rodman. [for those of you not familiar with the flamboyant, crazy Rodman, he is regarded as one of the most relentless rebounders in basketball history; played with Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls [the Michael Jordan era!]. His off court activities is a whole different subject!

I love what Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo said about rebounding:
"Rebounding is a wrestling match AND a fist fight."
You better be tough when you go against the Spartans~

Bottom line: Basketball is the ultimate team sport; defense and offense is a FIVE PRONGED attack or defense. Learning how to be successful on the court, is an ongoing process and the best teams and coaches, improve dramatically from the beginning of the season until it's tournament time.