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Supported by:AREASOFEMPHASISGUIDELINES FOR COACHESFOOTWORK AND MOVEMENTActions:• Recognise the need to coachefficient movement• Better planning, teaching andrehearsing of good footworkand balance• Confirm the value and advantage of thetriple threat position• Recognise that pivoting is the basis foroffensive footwork techniquesWhy Emphasise Footworkand Movement?As stated in the previous section (AthleticDevelopment) we need to teach and drillbetter footwork, running changingdirection, stopping and basketball stance(balance and posture).As part of this review, British Basketball hasbeen inundated with descriptions of the”inabilities” and “lack of” for our players inthe UK. “Decision making” was one areathat became most intriguing aspect foranalysis.Why are there so many turnovers, “poorreads on offense” and why do our playersfall over or have to jump to pass? All thesequestions have been under analysis by thecurriculum driver group. Further statementslike “we can’t shoot the basketball”,”ourpassing is terrible” (and catching), furtherbeg the question “where do we start?”Furthermore, how is it that physically someof our best athletes can jump but not ableto repeat sprint to an acceptable level?The answer and the common solution todevelop consistency for these skilldeficiencies is through a better focus tofootwork, body positioning, postureand balance.Answering the question, are the players incontrol of their movement? Where are theirfeet placed for advantage /disadvantage? Where is their headposition when these problems occur? Inposing these questions we are searchingfor answers in terms of techniques andprinciples.There is in fact a technical and physicalsolution to what first appears to be tacticaland technical questions of inability. Whatphysical position do our players placethemselves into to make the pass or theshot? How can we beat pressure defencewith our footwork? The answer is body tobody positioning with the use of hands andarms as well as feet.The coaching focus must be more on themovement fundamentals as well as anearlier recognition and development of themovement fundamentals in all youngplayers. Correct footwork and betterbalance and stance at the skill acquisitionand development stages are needed.Assuming all movement is a naturalmovement is a limited perspective whencoaching basketball because of the rulesand nature of the game. But what ismovement and can we coach it? Theanswer is that we can coach to improvemovement and especially improvefootwork.34