with Fran Fraschilla,
ESPN Basketball Analyst;
2023 NABC 'Guardians of the Game' Award recipient for Advocacy;
2023 FIBA 3x3 World Tour (Team Washington DC head coach);
2022 FIBA 3x3 Men's AmeriCup - Gold medal;
New Mexico Head Coach from 1999 to 2002 ;
2000 NABC Literacy Pioneer Award;
St. John's Head Coach from 1996 to 1998;
Manhattan Head Coach from 1992 to 1996;
1995 MAAC Coach of the Year
Features and Benefits:
- Learn how to organize execution in special situations during the preseason.
- Develop skills for coaches and players to execute under pressure.
- Stimulate thinking about how to prepare for special situations.
Good coaches can teach their teams how to play basketball at a high level. The jump from ‘good to great’ occurs when players can execute pressure situations when they matter most. In this video, former college basketball coach and current ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla shows how to prepare for special situations and demonstrates ideas for executing your game plans and best decisions with precision when the game is on the line.
Situational Preparation
Coach Fraschilla places an emphasis on beginning the process of preparation before the season begins. Sitting down with the coaching staff to cover situations that might arise during the season in a game is the first step. Afterwards, preparing for them in the lowest pressure situations possible is a must.
At the same time, the preseason also offers an opportunity for greater introspection. The introspection focuses on teaching situations in addition to teaching basketball skills. Again, this comes at a time when there is the least amount of pressure ahead of moments where the pressure really mounts.
Three “C’s” of Special Situations
Coach Fraschilla lives by the mantra of Hall of Fame coach Hubie Brown who said, “The notoriety of the coach is directly proportional to his team’s execution under pressure.” To have a team that can execute under pressure, Fraschilla discusses the three “C’s” of executing special situations.
- Are you clear?
- Are you consistent?
- Are you and your players confident?
In addition, Fraschilla covers the five items that make a successful coach:
- Teaching skills.
- Communication skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Motivational skills.
- Under pressure skills.
With an emphasis on developing under pressure skills, Fraschilla takes you into the mind of a coach who understands how to prepare for late-game situations with the game on the line and a season at stake.
Ideas for Special Situations Preparation
Coach Fraschilla discusses how teams can prepare for late-game situations. One way is using time-and-score scrimmages. An example shared is to begin with one team trailing by eight points with three minutes remaining. Another example is to simulate the first three minutes of a half and how to establish how your team wants to play against a given opponent.
Fraschilla also introduces plays that can be used in late-game situations. The first of these is “Carolina,” a sideline inbounds play that is designed to get a shot with 1.4 seconds remaining. The play looks to get a three-point shot for a shooter in the corner. A variation of the play called “Carolina Again” that can be run with 0.5 seconds remaining that gets an open lob for a lay-up or dunk.
For baseline inbounds plays, a system is introduced. With plays out of a box alignment, several sets are introduced using different calls and tags that can develop an extensive system of plays that create a variety of options and scoring opportunities. Additionally, plays out of the P formation are also shown to give the defense a different look.
Coach Fraschilla knows how to have a team ready to play. When it comes to crunch time, his ideas and emphasis on being prepared well ahead of time will take your team to the next level!
69 minutes. 2025.