Coaching Basketball Successfully

Morgan Wootten compiled a remarkable 1,274-192 (.869) record in his 46-year career at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. Under Wootten, DeMatha won legendary national championships in 1962, 1965, 1968, and 1984. In 1984, USA Today named Wootten the National Coach of the Year. His teams recorded 44 consecutive seasons with at least 20 wins and won 33 Catholic League championships. Most impressive, DeMatha has finished the season ranked number 1 in the Washington, DC, area 20 times in the last 33 years. Wooten first put DeMatha on the national map of high school basketball in 1965 when his team broke the 71-game winning streak of Lew Alcindor's Power Memorial (New York) club. More than 160 of Wootten's former players have played college basketball, and a dozen have played in the NBA, including Adrian Dantley and Danny Ferry. More than 20 of his former coaches or players are now coaching on the high school, collegiate, or professional level. Wootten was inducted into the Naismith National Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. He retired in November 2002. Wootten is regarded as one of the best teachers in the history of the game. Coaches throughout the world have read his books, watched his videotapes, and sat spellbound through his clinics for many years. He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Hyattsville. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, golfing, and traveling.

Part I Coaching foundation: developing a basketball coaching philosophy; communicating your approach; motivating players; building a basketball programme. Part II Coaching plans: planning for the season; preparing for practice. Part III Coaching offense: basic offensive positions, skills, and sets: teaching offensive skills; developing a running game; developing a half-court offense; special situations. Part IV Coaching defense: basic defensive skills and strategies; teaching defensive skills; teaching team defense. Part V Coaching games: preparing for games; handling game situations. Part VI Coaching evaluation: evaluating players; evaluating your programme.