Sean Sweeney: Mastering Game Management (Knowing the Time, the Score & Knocking Down Shots) for Close Game Victories

with Sean Sweeney,
San Antonio Spurs (NBA) Associate Head Coach;
Dallas Mavericks (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2021 to 2025;
Detroit Pistons (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2018 to 2021;
Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2014 to 2018;
Brooklyn Nets (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2013 to 2014;
New Jersey Nets (NBA) Video Coordinator from 2011 to 2013;
Northern Iowa Video Coordinator from 2010 to 2011;
Academy of Art University Assistant Coach from 2010 to 2011;
University of Evansville Director of Basketball Operations from 2007 to 2009;
Played college basketball at St. Thomas (MN)

Game management is an element of the game that separates good coaches from great ones.  Coaches have to know time, score, and their players ability to knock down shots.  Thankfully, these factors can all be worked on in practice to help build confidence, and Dallas Mavericks' Sean Sweeney does a masterful job of presenting, explaining in detail and leading levee demonstrations on the court to illustrate it all!

Coaches can use the elements in this video to help them put players in higher probability positions to be successful.

Philosophy 

Late game situations can bring forth all types of situations and scenarios. Coaches have to be prepared for anything. Understanding data and breaking down film are two key elements that can prepare a coach how to game plan for the possibilities. Coach Sweeney will show you different data points you can track to help you prepare for certain late game situations and understand how often it will happen. These specific types of data points will help you outsmart your opponents. Coach Sweeney's methodology may possibly be an entirely new way of thinking and considering what you face and how to counter for your staff.

Fundamental Development

As Sweeney talks about the high level of players he works with on a daily basis, it becomes evident that even the very best players in the world don't get bored with the basics - they lean into them!  

Shooting, passing, and dribbling are elements of the game that the best players in the world have to be the best at to remain at the top of their game everyday.  

In Rapid Fire, players are shooting from certain spots as quickly as they can in order to help develop quick release and accuracy; quick release and accuracy are the two critical elements they must focus on in their pursuit of excellence.  

In 7 Spot Multi Shot Drill, players are working on common actions such as pin downs, shake up, Klay Shots, and pick the picker action to help them work on catch and shoot shots.  

Basic dribbling drills will help players use their skill to see the whole floor.  

In 3v2 Dribble Trap, players have to use their retreat dribble and crossover move to get out of a trap and pass to their partner allowing them to work on cutting after passing out of a trap.  

Drive and Kick Drills 

Today's offenses are built around getting into the paint and hitting the open perimeter player for a shot.  This style of play has become a staple at the professional level, in college and into high school play now; constantly looking for one more pass to get the best shot off.  

Drilling this in practice will help your players know where to look for that next pass.  

In 3v3 drive and kick, players are attacking the helpside defender and looking at where they are going to recover to find the best shot.  Coach Sweeney will show several of the best actions you can incorporate in your offensive system.  

Late Game Situation 

Rounding out Coach Sweeney's on court demonstration are late game situations. Using a free break late in the game will help get a quick shot. Running the corners and looking for screening action on the weak side will help improve the shot quality you are looking for late in the game.  Coach Sweeney demonstrates a stagger away option you can use out of transition and off of the break in order to get your best players an open look. 

Learning from coaches at the highest level can improve your understanding of the game and help players learn how to make decisions quickly.  Coach Sweeney does a terrific job of breaking down some of the concepts they use to help tip a game into their favor by understanding the situations  - and what to do - when it really counts!  

This is a must-have video to add to your collection!

Customer Review: 5 out of 5 Stars! - 'Loved this video! The concepts Coach Sweeney shares on how to train players and prepare them for game situations plus the use of data in strategy preparation was so well done!'

59 minutes. 2024.