Basketball Coach

The Houston Astros is doing noticeably well this season. Let’s explore the team behind the team creating success for Houston. When Hinch was signed as Astro manager in 2014, he became the 18th person fulfilling this role. During the four years which he has been at the Astro’s, he proved himself to be one of the best in MLB. Not only is he the man behind three appearances in playoffs, but also a World Series Championship. This was welcomed after a nine-year drought to the franchise. A franchise-record was also set during 2018 with 103 wins, making them the fifth franchise to break the 100 wins barrier in one season.

Joey Espada as the Bench Coach

In 2017 Espada joined the Astros as bench coach. This season is his 9th in the league as a coaching staff. Espada is also in charge of the infield positioning. Before the Astro’s he was involved at the Yankees as third-base coach, as well as at the Marlins for about eight years before his Yankee run.

Hitting Coaches

The Astro’s two hitting coaches are Alex Cintron and Troy Snitker. Cintron joined the Astro’s three seasons ago. Initially, he was their Spanish translator as well as advance coach and assistant coach before becoming first base coach, also involved in infield positioning. This year is his first season as hitting the coach. Cintron is also involved in dealing with all matters concerning the Spanish-speaking players of the franchise. This season is Snitker’s first season on the Astro’s coaching staff as well as in the position of coach in Major League. In the previous season, he was fulfilling the role of hitting coach at Corpus Christi, A Double-A team. This position earned him the title of Inaugural Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Coach of the Year in Texas League. This was based on his outstanding performance, the knowledge of the game, his skill for mentoring the youth and his work ethic.

Pitching Coach

Brent Strom has been fulfilling this position since 2013. This was his third time being a pitching coach in Major League. He was formerly the pitching coach for the Astros during 1996 and then, later on, joined up with the Royals. During 2018 the Astros set a Major League record with 1 687 strikeouts. This was done under the guidance of Strom.

Third Base Coach

Gary Pettis has been a third-base coach at the Astros since 2014. He is also involved as a baserunning and outfield instructor. Pettis has led the Astros to maintain the highest percentage in fielding in the AL, during the past two seasons, delivering .995 in 2018 and .989 in 2017. The Houston Astro’s also have Joshua Miller in the role as bullpen coach. This is his 13th season at the Astro’s. This is also his first coaching position in Major League. At bullpen catcher is Javier Bracamonte. Their catching coach is now in his second season at the Astro’s and is Michael Collins.

Being a basketball coach requires much more of you than just being present during a practice session. It is indeed a physically and emotionally challenging career which considering that you have a passion for the sport, can be extremely rewarding. Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions when considering a career as a basketball coach.

How much do they earn?

Before choosing a career path, it is best to know whether the career will offer you a sustainable income. There are only a limited amount of very passionate and highly skilled coaches who make it to coaching NBA and earning the $11 million which Gregg Popovich is paid. Don’t expect the same kind of remuneration, at least not right away. On average a basketball coach can expect to earn in the region of $44 000 annually.

What Exactly Will the Job Require?

First and foremost, coaches are required to organize practice sessions, analyze players to determine how to help them excel individually within the team, supervise their physical training, guiding them into excelling as a unit and calculating the best game strategies. It is also more than that since you have to keep the team emotionally inspired and motivated to give their best.

You will be able to fill this position on various levels, from school level, collegiate basketball or professional level. You will also often have to be available for the team on an emotional level. It is a physically and often emotionally demanding position. Although at the high school level, this can sometimes be a part-time position, it is often considered as a full-time position too.

What Training is Required?

First, you will have to earn your Bachelor’s Degree. There are options available between a degree in physical education and training programs or more specialized with a degree focused on coach training. During these programs, you will learn how to work with athletes effectively, how game plans and strategies are developed, as well as how to develop training programs and enhance skills development within your team. Focus is also placed on injury prevention.

Although it is not a requirement, it is always helpful if you have a background of playing basketball yourself. This will help you to be a well-rounded coach. You will need to get certified. Most schools and colleges will require certification from you. This is to prove that you have proper CPR, first aid and coaching training.

Now you need to get as much experience as possible. The more knowledge you have to show, the better your chances of getting into better positions again start as an assistant coach and learn as much as you can while in the area. This is the perfect opportunity to gain some skills in a practical situation.

Once you can start coaching, it is your story to write and where you will end up, will depend on the amount of effort and focus which you put into your career. Enjoy your passion at all times, and you will excel.

The New York Yankees are having a high season, and it is time to explore the force behind the team a bit more. Since the coaching team remained unchanged since the previous season, we have to ask who the men are carrying the organization forward in their success and glory? Here we explore the careers of the behind the scenes influencers.

Aaron Boone

Very late in 2017, Boone became the 33rd manager in Yankee history. He is employed by a three-year contract which will end at the end of the season in 2020. It does, however, allow for the extension of another season. Boone was the first in baseball history, to be part of a family with three generations of great baseball players. Both his father and grandfather well as his brother were Major League players as too.

Josh Bard

Josh Bard joined the Yankees in 2018 as bench coach, after spending five seasons with the Dodgers. During his playing career of Ten Major League seasons, he played for the Cleveland Indians, Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners. During his time at the Indians in 2005, he played alongside now Yankee Manager, Aaron Boone. He delivered on 586 Major League games during his career. Bard also spent some time in the Dodgers front office in the position as a pro scout and was assistant to the manager, with them for one season.

Marcus Thames

In his second year as hitting coach for the Yankees, after spending two seasons as hitting coach assistant. Under his guidance, the Yankees set the record for a single-season Major League record in 2018 by hitting 267HR. His path already crossed early on in his career with that of the Yankees, being selected in 1996 in the 30th round. During his career, he played regularly during 10 Major League seasons for the organization. Although the highlight in his playing career was a 26 HR in 110 games in 2006 with the AL Champion Detroit Tigers.

P.J. Pilittere

Being contracted by the Yankees in 2018 as assistant hitting coach to Marcus Thames, this is now his second season with the team in this position. Pillitteri is only the third person to be employed in this position in Yankee history. During his playing career, he played as a catcher during eight minor league games for the Yankees.

Lawrence Rothschild

Rothschild is in his 45th season of professional baseball. During his career, he was player, coach and manager. Currently, he is in his ninth season with the Yankees as their pitching coach. The Yankees pitchers have always been performing very well under the guidance of Rothschild. In 2018 they set their franchise record with one 634K. This record is also noted in Major League history as the second-highest mark. During his playing career, Rothschild pitched for 11 years. He played for both Detroit and Cincinnati. During his Major League career, he also made seven relief appearances for the Tigers.

We are here to take a glimpse at the wide variety of men in suits that sit on the bench and find out what they do during an NBA game. We will also take a look at the seating arrangements to understand who sits in the first and second row and the duties each of them has during an NBA match. There are tons of folks that sit on the bench, so without any further delays, let’s meet the men from the first and second row.

The First and Second Row

The front row primarily refers to the courtside bench. However, this hasn’t been an actual bench for a very long time now. The rules of the NBA stipulate that a head coach, athletic trainer, and a maximum of three assistant coaches are allowed on the courtside bench.

The second row is situated directly behind the first-row bench. It is usually occupied by a player development assistant and a fourth assistant. You will also find an assistant trainer, athletic performance staff members, an advance scout, a video coordinator, and even a security person for the team. If a superstar is playing on the court, you might also see his security in the second row too.

There are loads of people for every match. However, what do each of them do during a game? Each of their responsibilities will vary. The associate head coach or lead assistant coach usually sits between the head coach and athletic trainer. He can be seen as the consigliere for the head coach and is given loads of responsibility in terms of strategy, suggestions, and advice.

One of the coaches in the first row is responsible for a scouting report on the opponents for the evening. He would give suggestions and advice based on the advance report. In most cases, he would even provide defensive calls if he understands the play-calling signals of the opponent.

In every case, the full range of assistant coaches is tracking data. Some teams will allocate this to the assistants in the second row, but most organizations will follow this chart when it comes to assistant coaches and staff.

First row

• Offensive actions/sets (points per possession, results, play calls, etc.)
• Defensive non-contests/contests and missed coverages
• Defensive efficiency (why, where, when, what, who, and how)
• The athletic trainer is in charge of timeouts and fouls as well as the whiteboard for the head coach.

Second Row

• Anecdotal observations and individual player notes
• Defensive deflections
• Play-by-play times that are needed by video staff for both in-game and halftime instruction.
• Opposition offensive times and calls

All this phenomenal tracking of a match stretches back to the 1970s. As squads were adding coaching staff, it became more complicated when it came to tracking data. This allows the coaching staff to get their hands on immediate feedback and keeps each of the staff members focused on the smaller details of the game.

When most think of the National Basketball League, they think of superstars and teams. Superstars like Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James as well as organisations such as the Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, and Knicks. However, most of the success that players and teams experience is due to superior coaching. Today, the NBA comprises of several coaches that are considered the best in the world. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the greatest coaches that are currently in the NBA.

Gregg Popovich

When you think about the best coaches in the history of the league, names like Pat Riley, Red Auerbach, and Phil Jackson come to mind. However, Popovich should be among this phenomenal group of coaches. Since 1997, there hasn’t been a team within North America with a higher winning percentage. Popovich is also tied for third place with Larry Brown for all time playoff wins. He has been the coach for the San Antonio Spurs since 1996 and was voted coach of the year in 2003.

Doc Rivers

Doc Rivers has been the head coach for the Boston Celtics since 2004. Similar to Rick Carlisle and Tom Thibodeau, Doc Rivers managed to win the Coach of the Year award during his first year with the Boston Celtics. Just like the other two coaches, he is also renowned for having solid defensive teams. Rivers has also been able to mix loads of dynamic personalities within his cohesive unit. Although the Boston Celtics aren’t as dominant as they were a few years back when it comes to defence, he consistently produces winning teams.

Rick Carlisle

Like Doc Rivers, Rick Carlisle managed to win the Coach of the Year award during his first year with the Detroit Pistons. Due to his team management issues a year later, he was fired. In 2004, he managed to lead the Indiana Pacers to the best record in the league and established the best defensive team in the process. In 2008, Carlisle joined the Dallas Mavericks as the head coach and took the team to their first championship in 2011. He can make the team win yet another championship in the next two years if his team can stay healthy and intact.

Mike Brown

To be the best, you have to train the best. This is precisely where Brown had a significant advantage when compared to other coaches as he had the opportunity to work for the Spurs as an assistant coach while getting mentored by none other than Gregg Popovich. After he was an Indiana Pacers assistant coach, Mike Brown became the Cleveland Cavaliers head coach in 2005. Although the Cavaliers fell short of the 2007 NBA finals, he still proved to be the best coach when it comes to defence in the league. He is currently the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers who are dominating the league due to his coaching skills and abilities.

Real leaders inspire their players to better their performance through a philosophy, we look at the principles of the greatest. Phenomenal couches are logicians, thinkers, and philosophers, embracing and developing ideologies that ensure they are more effective at crafting winning team cultures one season after the other. The all-time greats are coaches that successfully ingrain their own philosophy into their players, and they are the ones who leave behind legacies to remember. From embracing focussing to meditation, the fundamentals hone consistent and a clear worldview that inspires and empowers players to constantly perform at their very best.

Phil Jackson Coach of the Chicago Bulls

Jackson was an avid practitioner of meditation since he read the book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, not long after he started leading meditational groups, campaigning selflessness, compassion and mindfulness. His mediation assisted him in leading the team to win no less than eleven NBA championships. Jackson noted that the goal of meditation was to strengthen the muscles of the mind, athletes could learn to centre and focus themselves, leaving only that required to perform at their very best. One of his techniques was to have players sit still in practice, his way of teaching them where their shoulders should be, how to hold their hands as well as the complete process of being in upright situations and the team bought into it.

Bill Belichick Head Coach of the Patriots

Winning fourteen seasons one after the other was Belichick’s legacy, do your job was his philosophy. His training was all about showing players the art of focus only on that they could control, their output, their performance. Everything else was to be ignored as it was just noise. In today’s fast-passed, hyper-connected environment getting distracted is easy. Ultimately the best performers in sports are those able to concentrate on their own responsibilities, it’s a matter of own your tasks or work and to embrace the clarity of it.

John Wooden Head Coach UCLA

Wooden had only a trio of rules, don’t make excuses, don’t complain and never whine only do your best. Keep moving forward even when things go wrong, don’t stop to complain or blame it only slows you down.

Mike Krzyzewski Head Coach Duke Basketball

Krzyzewski’s remarkable record is credited to his philosophy of next play. His belief is that not all is about what happened, that is the biggest mistake anyone can make, it’s never about the success you had before, it is always about the next play, the next thing you are planning to do, that way you can never fall behind.

Bill Walsh Head Coach San Francisco

The Score Takes Care of Itself became a hit written by Walsh, in it, he explains in detail the concept of success. In advance of a game he wrote down every possible play for every situation, it gave him the confidence that he could execute any of it under pressure. Hard work is making decisions, always focus on the best outcome while being fully prepared for the worst.