Welcome to FXW Basketball!
JAGUARS HOOPS INTRODUCTION
Welcome to FXW Basketball! We are thrilled to begin coaching, training, and assisting the athletes throughout the season. This newsletter will serve as a monthly guide for ALL involved in FXW hoops to stay up to date with the latest information. While not everything in this newsletter will pertain to everyone receiving it, I hope it will help to stay engaged and active with all the events surrounding the season.
My name is Nick Bennett. I’m the Grade 6 social studies teacher at FXW. I’ll also be working as the Basketball Operations Coordinator for all FXW teams. For 11 years after I graduated college, I was a men’s basketball coach all over the country (Marquette, FGCU, Texas-Rio Grande Valley, Wisconsin Whitewater). More recently, I was the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, WI.
A big reason for my enthusiasm about being at FXW is the chance to continue working in athletics. The opportunity to teach the game of basketball to over 200 middle school students is a welcomed challenge. I am hopeful my experience as a college and high school coach will better prepare the athletes for the approaching season - Nick Bennett
Drills of the Month
Using Screens – Drew Hanlen is the trainer of Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton and numerous other NBA/WNBA stars. Click on the link to watch a video on him explaining how to properly use screens on offense.
Ball Handling – Click the link for some great examples how to improve your dribbling with Jay Wright’s basketball staff (Coach Wright won two NCAA Championships at Villanova).
Basketball Terms 101
Have you have ever been watching a basketball game on TV and wondered what some of the things being discussed by the announcers meant? Here are brief definitions of some hoops lingo:
Man to Man: Team defensive system based on each person guarding one other individual on the opposing team.
Zone: Team defensive system based on each person guarding a general area on the court.
Press: Defense centered around guarding the offense the full length of the court. Can be done man to man or zone.
On-Ball: Term for describing the defensive player guarding the person with the ball.
Gap: Term for describing a defensive player guarding a person one pass away from the basketball.
Help: Term for describing a defensive player guarding a person more than one pass away from the basketball.
Box Out: Term used for what a defensive player should do once a shot by an opposing player is taken
Dive Into the Mental Side of Athletics
While sports create a great opportunity to improve your athletic skills, every now and then we want to explore the mental side of the game. Passion, humility, unity, servanthood, and thankfulness are just a few of the traits we hope to develop over the course of this season
Prepping for the Season Ahead
What does my coach expect from me? What things can I do to help my game? How can I be a better teammate? What are some tips to be ready on game day?
If you have ever asked yourself any question listed above (or something like it), let’s try to assist.
While most remember Kobe Bryant as the Champion and MVP basketball player, did you also know he won an Oscar in 2017 for ‘Best Animated Short Film?’ After Kobe’s legendary NBA career, he was a producer for the film ‘Dear Basketball’ (the video link is found on the side). His enthusiasm and passion are felt well beyond his moments on the court. Kobe coached and trained numerous youth athletes after his playing career; even opening Mamba Sports Academy in California. The venue is dedicated to serving kids on and off the court. Kobe’s film, ‘Dear Basketball’ leaves a permanent mark describing his love for the game of basketball. Dear Basketball Film (Click here to watch)
Eat properly before a game: “So, the sugars I kinda cut out, but the carbs I kinda ramp up. Because you’re losing so many calories, you’re burning so many calories, burning all your energy throughout those game. So, I go heavy on the carbs because it gives you energy. It’s worked for me.” – LeBron James
Proper sleep and rest: “Every day is a new chance to challenge myself and push my training to the next level, but I can only do that if I keep my energy up. Sleep is an important part of that,” – Kevin Durant
Do ballhandling drills on the court: “I learned at a young age to dribble with both hands, and that allows me to be more creative when I go against bigger and stronger opponents.” – Steve Nash
Stretch to warm up your muscles: “Stretching is a crucial element of my preand post-game routine. It helps me prepare my body, prevent muscle soreness, and maintain my flexibility throughout the season.” – LeBron James
Take deep breaths to clear your mind: “You must be able to center yourself, to let all your emotions go. Don’t forget that you play with your soul as well as your body.” –Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Drink plenty of water: “Drinking water is essential to a healthy lifestyle.” – Stephen Curry
No one is perfect: "The biggest thing for myself is at the beginning of my career, I thought everything I did had to be perfect, a lot of it always relied on my shooting. I think over the course of my career I’ve been the one that’s been able to realize I’m not going to be perfect every game." – Caitlin Clark
Season Recap
What’s going on with FXW Basketball?
This space will be used to give a brief update on our teams. Please email fxwathletics@fxw.org if you have any photos from games, practices, or other team functions to share for In The Loop, social media, Yearbook or upcoming newsletters.
