A weekly resource for coaches
by Coach Ashworth
Game Shots: On Cig's Success, Rules Changes I Want To See, and Some Good M2M Sets
Happy Wednesday - Make sure you’re taking game shots.
Quote of the Week: “This team has met every challenge up to this point because they've been hungry and humble, prepared properly and put it on the field which requires commitment, discipline, sacrifice, eliminating the noise and clutter, controlling the controllables and putting themselves in the best position for success. Because when you prepare properly, it breeds confidence. It brings out the best.”
The Opening Tip
Lessons from Curt Cignetti
“I win. Google me.”
I’ve got to give credit where credit is due. No one saw this coming or could anticipate the quick success that Curt Cignetti has brought to Indiana football (now #3 in the rankings). I mean he was successful at previous stops…but this? Don’t lie and say you saw this happening.
What makes Cignetti so special? What stands out to me is that Cignetti does not seem caught up in noise. He can focus on having his teams prepared and still win the press conference and make headlines with some bold takes.
When you see how Indiana plays, you understand why they win. They do not beat themselves, they are organized, and they look like a team that practices hard every single day. It’s a habit, it’s culture, it’s a mentality. Whatever you want to call “it”, they have it.
Every coach, in any sport, can take something from that approach. Being steady in your leadership does not mean you’re being an #$%hole. It means being unshakable in your standards. Paying attention to detail is not about control. It is about respect for the craft. Coaching with a chip on your shoulder is not about anger. It is about finding an edge, a reason to stay hungry.
At every level, success usually looks simple from the outside, but it is built on a thousand little habits done right. Cignetti is showing that to everyone right now, not with slogans or speeches, but with how his team plays.
Questions for coaches:
Like Cignetti, are you clear and consistent in the standards you set for your program?
Do your players feel that same attention to detail and toughness in how you prepare?
Are you coaching with a chip on your shoulder, the kind that pushes you and your team to prove something every day?
The Huddle
5 Rule Changes I’d Love to See in High School Basketball
Basketball is a beautiful game. One of the things I’ve always loved is how it keeps evolving. We constantly challenge the norm and look for ways to make the game smoother, faster, and easier to officiate. While high school basketball has its own uniqueness, there are a few rules I think could make it even better - bringing it closer to the modern, free-flowing version we see at the college and pro levels.
Here are 5 rule changes or adaptations I’d love to see in high school basketball:
Shot Clock
This one feels like the most obvious change. Some states have already adopted a 35-second shot clock, but personally, I think 30 seconds is enough. If your team can’t get a good shot off in 30 seconds consistently, you’re probably going to lose anyway. A shot clock also eliminates those painful games where teams hold the ball near half court for minutes at a time. High school basketball needs to reflect the way the rest of the world plays - college, NBA, and FIBA all have versions of the shot clock, and it’s made the game better everywhere it’s been implemented.Block/Charge Circle
This would be an easy and impactful addition. A charge circle helps officials make more consistent calls and reduces judgment around the basket. Foot on or inside the circle? Automatic block. Simple and clear. The more we can take subjectivity out of these bang-bang calls, the better the game will flow.Defensive 3 Seconds
Adding a defensive 3-second rule could really open up the floor. It would be more challenging to teach and officiate, but it would create space for offense and reward players who can attack, pass, and create in open areas. The game would naturally favor movement and spacing, which is where basketball is trending at every higher level.Advancing the Ball After Timeouts
I love this rule at the pro level. It makes end-of-game situations and ATO plays far more exciting. Allowing teams to advance the ball gives coaches and players more creative options at the end of games. I understand the criticism…that it tilts in favor of the offense - but it undeniably adds drama and strategy to the end of games.The Elam Ending
Now this is more of a pipe dream. One of the biggest critiques of basketball is the end of games. You play a certain way for 95% of the game, and then the ending is entirely different. Fouling, hoping for missed FT’s, rinse and repeat. Takes forever and the flow is terrible. The Elam Ending is such a cool way to keep the flow of the game intact and have excitement at the end of every game. All games end with a game winning shot and it also allows teams to come from behind if they keep getting defensive stops. This will likely never happen at levels like high school or college, but I do think it’s a great idea.
What rule do you wish would change or update?
The Scouting Report
The Scouting Report is your weekly dose of resources that can help your coaching. Plays of the Week, videos, drills, etc. What’s the old joke? The best coaches are just the best thieves?
Plays of the Week: M2M Sets
Shared Resources
Some drills for skill development:
Good skill workout for all levels:
Crazy Parents of the Week:
We’ve all gotten that one message from a parent that makes you pause, blink twice, and say… “Did they really just send that?”
If you’ve got a funny, confusing, or just plain wild message sitting in your inbox, send it in to [email protected]. We’ll feature the best ones anonymously - names and personal info will be removed.
Let’s remind each other we’re not alone in this coaching journey.
That’s a wrap on Episode 13 of Game Shots. Thank you for subscribing. Truly.
My mission has always been, and will always be, to support coaches around the world who love the game and want to keep getting better.
