Basketball Quotations

A collection of quotations (mostly from a coaching standpoint) applicable to the game of basketball; the greatest game in the world.

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If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.

Maya Angelou (American Author)

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Players must be able to carry out simple instructions from the bench to the court. If they can’t, then they can’t play.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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The single most important aspect of coaching is running effective practices.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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The goal is to make practice more difficult, physically/mentally, than anything your players will face during a game.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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I always designed my practice plans the night before and then made tweaks a few hours before practice began.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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I never let a player shoot by themselves; they had to have a rebounder. Shooting by yourself is not game specific.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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I hate casual shooting. Every shot is preceded by working to get open and catch & shoot under game like conditions.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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Son, if you can’t listen and follow instructions then you can’t play.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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My practices were not set up to be easy or enjoyed.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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The shot fake is the least used skill on offense. Why would you ever shoot under pressure? Shot fakes create an advantage.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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Offensively, stay away from the baseline. The baseline is the best defender in the game!

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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What is the best thing you can do in a close game? Drive to the basket and put pressure on the defense! Not jack up jump shots.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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90% of fouls are committed with the hands. We do drills every practice with the players’ hands behind their backs.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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Every drill we do involves a full court transition. Even if we are working on half-court offense.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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Basketball is a full court game, so every drill must be done full court.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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During practice, call a time-out. Huddle the players and give them 4 or 5 specific instructions. Then send them back on the court. Wait 15 sec and ask them to write down the 4 or 5 things you asked of them. It's scary how little they'll recall.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)

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Passing is your best weapon against man to man. Dribble penetration is your best weapon against zone.

Bobby Knight (Indiana)