Watch & Learn

I'm amazed that most players do not know how to "watch & learn" basketball on TV.
 

There are two forms of viewing:
   1) For pure entertainment value
   2) To absorb and learn the game

For pure entertainment value- how do you watch? The answer is: as an average fan. You watch the ball. You see the one-pass-to-a-score/dunk, the athletic drive or the in-your-face-shot. It's fun, exciting, and instantly gratifying.

How to you watch basketball to learn the game? Teach your players this one simple rule: don't watch the ball!! This habit is difficult to adopt because it goes against what most of them have done for years. When you are watching off the ball action, you'll see the screen that led to the cut that led to the pass. You'll see the weakside action and how that impacts strong-side defense. You'll also see players set up their cuts, execute screens, go backdoor, play help defense, etc.