CHECK IT OUT! SHOUT OUTS! HALL of FAME! PICTURES! MORE PICTURES!

THE SITE THAT Coach Smith BUILT!

Welcome Modern

  

GOOD-BETTER-BEST!
 
Never Let It Rest
Until Your GOOD is BETTER
and Your BETTER Becomes Your BEST!

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Lil Man, Queen, me, Tre Tre & Teya after Queen's team won Districts.

My name is Coach Nell Smith.  I have coached boys and girls basketball at different levels (3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, freshman & JV) and I have also coached girls' AAU (12U, 13U, 14U, 15U & 16U).

Basketball is a great sport and a lot of fun as well.  I love to coach and teach basketball to young people because I feel there are a lot of things in basketball that can be transferred to everyday life.  Such as hard work, fun, good work ethic, good practice skills, respect, team-work, etc.

I feel that because of some of the coaches that I have been blessed to have had in my life and the things that they gave me from the game, I owe it to the kids that I coach and come in contact with to give something back.  To pass on the blessings that I have gotten because someone cared.

Just a little bit about me.  I was born and raised in Detroit, MI by my wonderful mother (Eyvonne - "Hey Momma, I LOVE YOU!").  I have over 50 nieces and nephews.  I have five GIFTS From GOD (My kids TEYA, QUEEN, LIL MAN & TRE and my grandson TYREKE).

This page is designed to give kids, parents and coaches some ideas on how to get better, where to get better and other helpful information.  And hopefully I can learn more about basketball myself.  I hope that you enjoy the site and feel free to e-mail with ideas and suggestions on how to make it better.

MUCH LOVE

Coach Smith

COMMITMENT

Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.

It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions.

And the actions which speak louder than the words.

Commitment is making time when there is none.

Coming through time after time after, year after year after year because that was your intention.

Commitment is the stuff character is made of and the power to change the face of things.

Commitment is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.
CONFIDENCE!
 
"How can I become confident or regain my confidence in shooting, passing, etc?

While this is not an easy issue, (especially if their lack of confidence has spread now to other areas of their game), it is nevertheless a fairly straightforward one.
 
Research has shown over and over that confidence is gained through:
1. Success (both real and imagined),
2. Verbal Persuasion (from yourself and others), and
3. Commitment (to a plan or schedule).

Therefore in order to gain (or regain) confidence you have to:
1. See It (Watch yourself having past success and visualize future success.)

2. Say It (Surround yourself with positive talk from yourself and others.)
3. Do It (Stick to the plan outlined to bring about success and delay evaluation until a pre-determined later date.)

If you can do these things, you are well on your way to becoming confident (again).
Mia Hamm on Being A Winner

“The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when no one else is watching.

After every game or practice, if you walk off the court knowing that you gave everything you had, you will always be a winner.

This is an extremely difficult concept to embrace as society certainly differentiates tremendously between winners and losers.

But you must always believe in yourself and take satisfaction in the fact that you did everything in your power to help your team try to win. If you can learn to equate effort with success, you will not only be a winner on the court, but, through that effort, a winner in life as well.”
                            Mia Hamm
UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES YOU TO LOSE BALL GAMES.

Second Shots: BOX OUT!

Turnovers: HANDLE THE BALL SAFELY!

Shot Selection: PASS UP A GOOD SHOT TO GET A GREAT SHOT!

Fouling: PLAY GOOD DEFENSE AND DO NOT FOUL!

Fast Break Lay-Ups: GET BACK ON DEFENSE!

Open Shots: DO NOT ALLOW UNCONTESTED SHOTS!

Putting an "I" in Team: PLAY AS A TEAM!

 
GAME TIME!

THIRD GRADE GEOGRAPHY TEST!
Can U Pass 2 The 4th Grade?

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Nicole and Greg Jennings

ATTITUDES CAN BE CONTAGIOUS!
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IS YOURS WORTH CATCHING?
 
The single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude.

It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position.

Attitude is that "single string" that keeps me going or cripples my progress.

It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope.

When my attitude is right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.

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Don't worry the Light-Sabre is just how I adjust attitudes in practice. :-)

WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING, BUT ITS A LOT!
(Adapted from Michael Josephson's Gabriel Award-winning radio commentaries)

If you want to raise the blood pressure and lose the respect of people serious about sports, belittle their passion by telling them, "Its just a game."  Then smugly point out, "Its not whether you win or losethat matters most...Its how you play the game."

To those who devote substantial portions of their lives to sports as athletes, coaches or administrators, these cliches are naive and offensive.  In the world they live in, winners are respected and highly paid while losers get eliminated or unemployed.  In fact, even youth coaches rate winning so highly that they think a child would rather sit on the bench of a winning team than play for a losing team.  Surveys show they are dead wrong.  Kids like to win, but its the adults who need to win.

Winning isn't everything, but its a lot.  Its the grand reward for effort, the golden ring that motivates sacrifice and justifies hard work.  Yet too many adults overestimate the importance of victory and underestimate all the fun and learning that can take place in passionate pursuit of victory.

I always wanted to win but as a high school basketball player who played three years for a mediocre C-team I know that one can enjoy the game immensely and develop important life skills without winning.

If we teach our children to love the process more than the result, to find pleasure in competition and play, not merely victory, we give them a lifetime gift of renewable pleasure.

This is Michael Josephson reminding us that character counts.

ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG OR A COFFEE BEAN
 
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.  She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as if as soon as one problem was solved a new one arose.  Her mother took her to the kitchen.

The mother filled three pots with water.  In the first, she placed carrots.  In the second she placed eggs.  And the last she placed ground coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil without saying a word.  About twenty minutes later, she turned off the burners.  She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.  She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.  Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.  Turning to her daughter, she said, "Tell me what you see."  "Carrots, eggs and coffee," she replied.
 
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.  She did, and noted that they felt soft.  She then asked her to take an egg and break it.  After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg inside.  Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.  The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich flavor.  The daughter then asked, "So, what's the point, mother?"
 
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently.  The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting.  However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.  The egg had been fragile.  Its thin outer shell had been protected its liquid center.  But, after sitting through the boiling water, its insides had become hardened.  The ground coffee beans were unique, however.  After they were in the boiling water...they had changed the water.  "Which are you?" she asked her daughter.  "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?  Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
 
Think of this:  Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?  Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?  Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?  Does my outer shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?  Or am I like the coffee bean?  The bean actually changes the hot water - the very circumstances that bring the pain.  When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor of the bean.  If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you instead of letting it change you. 
 
When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?
 
How do you handle Adversity?
 
ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG OR A COFFEE BEAN?
WHAT PLAYER PRIORITIES SHOULD BE ACCORDING TO COACH WOOTEN
(from the book "Coaching Basketball Successfully" by Morgan Wooten)

We encourage our players to devote themselves to four things.

  1. GOD
  2. Family
  3. School
  4. Basketball

Everything else must come after.  Show me young people who have their priorities in order, and I'll show you players who have the best chance of getting the most out of their lives, both on and off the court.

These priorities are one element of my coaching philosophy that has not changed over the years.  These four cornerstones came as a result of stepping back and taking a look at the characteristics I wanted in a player.

My primary emphasis on a strong spiritual commitment results from experience, those with such a conviction are better able to meet life's challenges than those without one.  Second, I have found found that young people who are loyal and devoted to their families are more capable of becoming loyal and devoted members of a team.  Third, academics are the purpose of school; a student who is willing to work hard toward that purpose is more likely to work hard toward becoming a better basketball player and helping the team.  And fourth, basketball is the sport the athlete is playing, so obviously a strong commitment to that is necessary as well.

Players who demonstrate these priorities are far superior to those with equal talent who do not have such objectives.  Because I have seen much less talented teams with the proper priorities beat more talented teams, I love to play against teams with whose players are only interested in individual statistics and scoring their 25 points.  That kind of player is not the player for me.

 
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR COACHES and PLAYERS:

MULTIPLE DATES (March 13th - June 15th, 2009)
MHSAA's CAP (Coaches Advancement Program) TRAINING
Multiple Sites in Michigan
Cost for CAP each level is: $60.00 per individual (includes instruction, binder and refreshments)
 
CAP Beginning Certification is achueved after completing CAP1 and CAP2; additional certification occurs after completion of subsequent levels.
 
*****Must complete CAP1 and be certified before taking CAP2, etc.*****

CLICK HERE TO GET DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS
 
CLICK HERE TO GET REGISTRATION FORMS
 
CLICK HERE TO GET "CAP" COURSE OUTLINE 
 
CLICK HERE FOR THE MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) WEBSITE
If you think you might want to continue your athletic career at the college level, but not sure how to go about it.
 
Here is a Do-It-Yourself Guide to help with Questions you may have about the process.
 
The material was reviewed and approved by staff members of the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA
 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RECRUITMENT
 
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE D. I. Y. RECRUITING GUIDE
(Requires 11 X 14 Paper)

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE D. I. Y. RECRUITING GUIDE

 
PLACES TO GO PLAY YEAR AROUND (CAMPS & CLINICS):
THE KALAMAZOO COURTHOUSE ATHLETIC CENTER
7365 S. Sprinkle Rd. - Portage, MI
269-329-0033
 
 
THE GRAND RAPIDS COURTHOUSE ATHLETIC CENTER
8455 Byron Commerce Dr. S.W. - Byron Center, MI
616-878-7600
 
 
HOOP CITY-BASKETBALL GYM & ACADEMY
PO Box 68544 - Grand Rapids, MI
616-957-HOOP (4667)
(Call for Gym Locations)
 
 
 
MOREY COURTS
5175 E. Remus Rd. - Mt. Pleasant, MI
(989)-953-PLAY (7529)
 
 
RANDO ACTIVITY CENTER (RAC)
3055 Shirley Dr. - Jackson, MI
517-768-BALL (2255)
 
 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:
 
 
AUGUST 23 & 30, 2009
KALAMAZOO HEAT GIRLS AAU BASKETBALL TRY-OUTS
Gobles HS Gym - 409 N. State St. - Gobles, MI
Girls ages 10-18
3pm - 4:30pm
 
For more information contact Kalamazoo Heat Organizer, Dan Thornton:
 
269-998-2384
or
KalamazooHeat@Hotmail.com
 
SEPTEMBER 18 - 20, 2009
NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL CLINIC
University of Richmond's Robbins Center - Richmond, VA
Cost: $115 per coach
All sessions are on-court with players
 
Friday, September 18, 2009
  • 5:30pm - 6:45pm "Attacking Gimmick Defenses and Special Situations" - Bruce Weber, Illinois
  • 7:00pm - 8:15pm "Developing Leadership Skills in Your Players" - Dave Bollwinkel, Chicago Bulls
  • 8:30pm - 9:45pm "Zone Offense" - Jim Calhoun, Connecticut

Saturday, September 19, 2009

  • 9:00am - 10:15am "Pre-Season Strength and Conditioning - The Foundation of a Championship Program" - Alan Stein, CCS, CSCS
  • 10:30am - 11:45am "Our Defensive Approach" - Leonard Hamilton, Florida State
  • 1:45pm - 3:00pm "The Best Things I've Learned Lately" - Don Meyer, Northern State (SD)
  • 3:15pm - 4:30pm "Half Court Offense" - Chris Mooney, Richmond
  • 6:30pm - 7:45pm "My Favorite Individual and Team Fundamental Drills" - Tom Pecora, Hofstra
  • 8:00pm - 9:15pm "Plays for your Players" - Jay Wright, Villanova

Sunday, September 20. 2009

  • 8:00am - 9:15am "Offensive Concepts" - Bobby Cremins, College of Charleston
  • 9:30am - 10:45am "Conditioning Drills With The Basketball" - Steve Smith, Oak Hill Academy

CLICK HERE FOR RICHMOND, VA BASKETBALL CLINIC WEBSITE

 
CLICK HERE FOR NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP CLINIC WEBSITE
SEPTEMBER 25 - 27, 2009
NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL CLINIC
St. Louis University's Chaifetz Arena's Practice Facility - St. Louis, MO
Cost: $115 per coach
All sessions are on-court with players
 
Friday, September 25, 2009
  • 5:30pm - 6:45pm "Ten Drills for Building a Man to Man Defense-Shell" - Kevin Boyle, St. Patrick's H.S. (NJ)
  • 7:00pm - 8:15pm "Our Defensive Philosophy" - Tubby Smith, Minnesota
  • 8:30pm - 9:45pm "Our 2-3 Zone Defense With Drills" - Jim Boeheim, Syracuse

Saturday, September 19, 2009

  • 9:15am - 10:30am "Attacking Man to Man Defenses" - Tom Izzo, Michigan State
  • 10:45am - 12:00n "Zone Offense" - Sean Miller, Arizona
  • 1:45pm - 3:00pm "Pre-Season Strength and Conditioning - The Foundation of a Championship Program" - Alan Stein, Stronger Team, CCS, CSCS
  • 3:15pm - 4:30pm "St. Louis' Man to Man Offense" - Rick Majerus, St. Louis
  • 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm "My Favorite Drills - Individual and Team" - Sherri Coale, Oklahoma
  • 8:00 pm - 9:15 pm "Offensive and Defensive Tips" - Hubie Brown, NBA TV and Radio Analyst

Sunday, September 20. 2009

  • 8:00am - 9:15am "One on One Drills to Improve Your Team Offense" - Mike Rice, Robert Morris
  • 9:30am - 10:45am "UNI's Defense - With Competitive Defensive Drills" - Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa

CLICK HERE FOR ST. LOUIS, MO BASKETBALL CLINIC WEBSITE

 
CLICK HERE FOR NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP CLINIC WEBSITE
OCTOBER 2 - 4, 2009
NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL CLINIC
Maine West High School Gym - Des Plaines, IL
Cost: $115 per coach
All sessions are on-court with players
 
Friday, October 2, 2009
  • 5:30pm - 6:45pm "Our Fast Break Philosophy" - Gary Waters, Cleveland State
  • 7:00pm - 8:15pm "Penn State's Runner Man to Man Offense" - Ed DeChellis, Penn State
  • 8:30pm - 9:45pm "Man To Man Offensive Concepts" - Mark Few, Gonzaga

    Saturday, September 19, 2009

    • 9:00am - 10:15am "Fundamental Drills to Improve Individual Players and Your Team" - Pam Borton, Minnesota
    • 10:30am - 11:45am "Attack With The Press" - Mike Anderson, Missouri
    • 1:45pm - 3:00pm "Practice Drills to Develop Toughness" - Bob Huggins, West Virginia
    • 3:15pm - 4:30pm "Virginia Tech's 1-3-1 Lane Zone Defense" - Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech
    • 6:30pm - 7:45pm "Our Defensive Philosophy With Drills" - Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's
    • 8:00pm - 9:15pm "Half Court Shell Drill Buildup" - Buzz Williams, Marquette

    Sunday, September 20. 2009

    • 8:00am - 9:15am "The Little Things Within the Fundamentals" - Pat Sullivan, University of St. Francis (IL)
    • 9:30 am - 10:45 am "Motion Offense" - Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech

    CLICK HERE FOR CHICAGO, IL BASKETBALL CLINIC WEBSITE

     
    CLICK HERE FOR NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP CLINIC WEBSITE
    OCTOBER 9 - 11, 2009
    NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL CLINIC
    The Holiday Inn-Independence & Cuyahoga Heights High School Gym - Independence & Cuyahoga Heights, OH
    Cost: $115 per coach
    Saturday & Sunday sessions are on-court with players
     
    Friday, October 9, 2009
    • 6:15pm - 7:30pm "The Best Things I've Learned Lately" - Don Meyer, Northern State (SD)
    • 7:45pm - 9:00pm "COACHING: Keys to Improving and Moving Up in the Profession" - Mike Fratello, NBA TV Analyst and Former NBA Coach

      Saturday, October 10, 2009

      • 8:00am - 9:15am "Perimeter Skill Development" - Kevin Sutton, Montverde Academy (FL)
      • 9:30am - 10:45am "Triangle Offense" - Tara Vanderveer, Stanford
      • 11:00am - 12:15pm "Our Fast Break Philosophy" - Gary Waters, Cleveland State
      • 2:15pm - 3:30pm "Our Pressing Philosophy" - Fran McCaffery, Siena
      • 3:45pm - 5:00pm "Match-Up Zone Defense" - Jeff Bzdelik, Colorado
      • 6:45pm - 8:00pm "Ball Screen Offense" - Chris Mack, Xavier
      • 8:15pm - 9:30pm "The Daily Ten Defensive Drills" - Tony Barone, Memphis Grizzlies

      Sunday, October 11. 2009

      • 8:00am - 9:15am "Zone Offense and Quick Hitters vs Zones" - Keith Dambrot, Akron
      • 9:30am - 10:45am "Our Defensive Philosophy" - Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh

      CLICK HERE FOR CLEVELAND, OH BASKETBALL CLINIC WEBSITE

       
      CLICK HERE FOR NIKE CHAMPIONSHIP CLINIC WEBSITE
       
      Please contact me with any Suggestions, Comments or Questions about the site.

      CLICK HERE TO SIGN MY GUESTBOOK BEFORE YOU LEAVE!

      ALWAYS USE YOUR SUPER-POWERS FOR GOOD, not evil!!!!!