Current Secretary-General of FIBA, Mr Patrick Baumann and Mr Anton Maria Comas (then President of the European Association of Basketball Coaches) chaired the working group that produced the book. The authors of that book were Mr Aleksander Avakumovic, Dr Maria Buceta, Mr Maurizio Mondoni and Mr Laszlo Killik and it is testament to their expertise that the book has remained one of the most important resources in basketball development since its publication. It has been translated into several languages

In 2013 this publication was reviewed by the World Association of Basketball Coaches, chaired by Patrick Hunt and Zoran Radovic, FIBA’s Sport Development Director. The review confirmed the book as still an excellent resource for coaches, however, it identified a need for it to be substantially revised on account of:

• Changes in technical and tactical aspects of the game;
• Advancements in various areas, particularly in Sports Science and Medicine;
• Impact of rule changes, including new keyways, block/charge circle;
• Accessibility of various technologies for coaches.

The WABC commissioned a working group to produce this resource for coaches of young basketballers, drawing upon the previous book as required. Accordingly, this book is a new work, however many of the themes of the previous book also remain current.

Patrick Hunt acted as Editor in Chief for this book, and the primary writer of the book was Michael Haynes who was also the editor. The book has contributions from Neil Gliddon, Peter Lonergan, Michael Haynes, Patrick Hunt, David Munns and Zoran Radovic. Florian Pasquet, (National Federations & Sport Senior Associate with FIBA) managed and designed the book and lead the development of the accompanying online resource, assisted again by Michael Haynes.

FIBA would also like to thank the other members of the Executive of the World Association of Basketball Coaches, for their invaluable contribution to this book:

• Mr Brooks Meek,
• Mr Michael Schwarz
• Mr Milan Opacic
• Mr Veselin Matic

Sport can develop self-confidence, self-concept, self-esteem and self-control and provide players with positive experiences such as having fun, feeling competent and receiving the appreciation of others and, of course, to the development of the basketball skills of the young player.

As such, sport plays a very important role in the athletic and human development of young people and “coaches contribute to the development of athletes as people, teams as cohesive units and communities with a shared interest. Coaching can also contribute to social aims by promoting activity
and health.”¹

This book sets out the material used in FIBA’s coach education programme:

• Level 1 – for coaches of junior athletes at Club level;
• Level 2 – for coaches of junior athletes at Regional level;
• Level 3 – for coaches of junior athletes at National level.

The book is not confined to just coaching junior athletes and many topics are also explored in the context of coaching senior athletes.

The book explores the role of the coach and looks closely at the coach-athlete relationship, encouraging the coach to understand that what they do is as, if not more, important than what they say and to understand their own personality and philosophies and to consider how that impacts upon them as a coach.

The book recognises that every athlete is an individual and discusses the different ways people learn and how different personalities impact upon how to best teach that athlete. Central to FIBA’s philosophy is that “a coach who unifies a group for a common purpose or provides skills for lifelong participation is every bit as successful as the league title winning coach”. ²

One of the primary responsibilities of a coach “is the protection of and respect for the integrity and individuality of those with whom coaches work. Coaches have a particular responsibility to safeguard and protect children and young people in their care”. ³