Pre-games are an important part of preparing for each game. Clinicians will beat it into all of our brains how important they are. Some guys like them. Some guys hate them. Like athletes, we all probably have our own styles and routines to get ready for games.
This year was funny for me. On about 5 occasions, I had what I call Pre-Game Warriors on the warpath in the dressing room before the game. These guys felt it important to spend between 15 and 45 minutes going over any possible scenario that could happen during a game. And the really funny part is, on every one of those occasions, the Warrior went out and did not follow what he covered in his extended pre-game. Every time.
On the flip side, I had a couple of buddies who were disappointed in the lack of a pre-game done prior to one of their games, and they felt that the lack of a pre-game hurt their personal performance, and that the crew wasn't the greatest either.
I think you can have a very good and effective pre-game in 5 minutes. If my life depended on a pre-game, here's what I would cover:
1. First and foremost, we cannot allow any non-basketball stuff to happen on the court. Cheap shots and dead ball contact must be penalized immediately. Pay attention during dead balls. Small things like shoving, chucking cutters, and using the upper body to fight in the post must be addressed. I don't care if you talk to the players, warn them, call personal fouls, or whack them--just take care of it so blood is not spilled and nobody is carted off with an injury. If they wouldn't do it to a buddy in a pickup game, they shouldn't be doing it on our floor.
2. We must limit negative emotions. Players and coaches will react to calls. We need to understand their emotions. We have to give them a couple of seconds to react, because we do miss calls, and sometimes they perceive we missed them. However, we must move on. Games don't stop because of a bad call. Again, just address it however you have to. Use your communications and people skills to de-escalate negative emotions.
3. Decide how the transition between the C and T will occur as the ball crosses half court.
4. Decide who is taking block/charge calls on strong-side drives between the T and the L.
5. Decide if you want to "hand-off" to a partner if you call a 5th foul on a player. I "hand-off" every single time.
6. Decide how to handle a T. I get goofy when I call them, so I want a partner to hear what I have, and then play quarterback, and tell me where to go, and what to do.
7. Last, if you come in to help, you have to be 100%. If I ask you if you had a good look, you missed it, but you can decide whether you want my help. If you passed on a foul, "Yes, I had a good look," will cause me to go away quickly. Don't offer me help unless you are 100%, even if I ask for it. Don't ever guess when offering help.
Done. If folks want to chat about other things, that is just fine. But make sure that if you want a long and extended pre-game, that you are not just dry humping your partners. Walk the walk. Talking the talk is for posers.
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