My Tall Ferns Experience
Just recently I was fortunate enough to be involved with the Tall Ferns camp. I was invited as an NZ age group
women’s coach being involved with the BBNZ women’s program over a number of years.
This was not the first camp that I have been invited too but the fact that I would be part of the Tall Fern’s
bench on game night was definitely exciting.
This camp would be different to other camps because the first week was for trialists with the senior women
athletes coming into camp two days prior to the series.
Tall Ferns Staff:
Kennedy Kereama Head Coach
Aik Ho Assistant Coach
Dean Kinsman Assistant Coach
Gail McLauchaln Manager
Sharon Choie Physiotherapist
Tania Hunter Development Coach (NZ U20 Women, current NZ Universities Head Coach, NZ U18 3 x 3 Women
Head Coach, Auckland Lady Hawks Head Coach)
Brent Matahaere Development Coach (NZ U18 Women Head Coach, Otago Goldrush WBC Head Coach)
Athletes:
A number of athletes from all over NZ had been invited to Stage 1, mainly from the Women’s Basketball
Championship league to attend the camp. All these athletes were age group representatives, both regionally
or national. All arrived with some apprehension and anticipated the worst.... the worst being a hard regime of
fitness levels that expectations of passing were set very high.
Fitness testing would have been a priority but with the limited time that the program had to “ready” a team
for the up & coming FIBA Oceania series something had to be sacrificed.
Most of these young women were between 17 and 27 in age. To become a Tall Fern may have been a goal set
years ago but for some, it has come early.
In NZ currently many women are playing in positions that are dictated by the “make-up” of your team. For
example, you may be the tallest girl in your team and play the “big”, at 5’7, for all your playing career, however
when you arrive in the Tall Fern’s camp you find that you are a guard, never played there in your life. Some of
the young women had to adapt very quickly to their “new” playing spots, from playing in the keyhole, to
perimeter play and moving more. Congratulations they just “got on with it!”
The age range of such a young group of athletes was going to test the coaching staff. A number questions
raised by staff were:
1. Who had a good skill set?
2. Who could score under pressure?
3. Who could score uncontested shots consistently?
4. Who was physically fit?
5. Who could contribute under pressure?
6. Who could lead?
7. Who would withstand the physical contact at this level?
8. Who was smart?
9. Who could direct the game when needed?
10. Who could adapt to positional changes quickly?
On Court:
Training sessions varied from 1 hour to 2 hour sessions. The master plan allowed Coach Kennedy to precisely
plan each session. The sessions were concise and specific to the goals the coach wanted to achieve from each
session. Consideration was given to how much information the athletes could assimilate, the level of
fitness/conditioning of the athletes, injury incidents and time. The Tall Ferns probably got through 80% of the
overall Master Plan. Consistency, repetition, half court sets, into full court sets were common threads with
each session.
Once systems had been learnt, athletes and staff were responsible for the “details” of each session which
included anything from defensive stance to shot selection. The head coach the “bigger picture” of the session.
Athletes were also responsible for their own learning off the court. They were encouraged to “ask questions”,
and challenge coach’s thoughts. During 5 on 5 sessions teams were responsible for their own “huddles”;
coaches observed and listened then provided feedback in the next team huddle. These huddles were 30
seconds so discussions were short and concise usually one athlete leading.
Offensive Systems
Defensive Systems
Transition Spacing
Reminder about running the lanes
Defensive Rotations
Hedge and recover
“Team mates back”
Positioning to ball
JTB
COMMUNICATION
Defending screening actions
White – squeeze under
Blue – Hard show - aggressive
Red – Double – force away from basket
COMMUNICATION
DROP Zone
1 on ball
“Push” as ball moves
COMMUNICATION
Transition – “Early” (ball screen plays out of “stops”)
1 Finger HIGH = trial screen
Point DOWN = low post screen
2 Fingers Drag
Breaker Action
What is the defence giving us?
This will dictate the “action” of the Breaker offence READ &
REACT
Transition (Out of scores)
Low
Trial
Corner
High
Post
Dribble
Boxing Out
Specials
Three
Two
Box Three
Horns Series
Double
Special
Special 2
Zone Offence
Swinger
Swinger Skip Pass
Swinger Dribble Entry
Swinger Low Post option
Swinger Guard 2 Guard screen/Big to guard skip option
Inbounds
Triangle
Sideline Box
BOB Stack
Press Break
Generic press break
Off Court:
Coach Kennedy conducted a number of Off court/White board sessions.
Being a Tall Fern – expectations, conduct
Tall Fern history
Australian Opals
Teams – white board break down of offensives
Individual rating of where they thought they were with the offensive systems – collective average
Individual meetings – on going
All the athletes were interviewed and informed whether they had made the team or not. Seven athletes were
selected, 6 athletes were unfortunate after 3 days of training. Athletes were asked three general questions:
1.
2.
3.
What strengths did they bring to the camp?
What areas did they think that they had to improve in?
How did they find the camp?
Game Time:
Standing on – court and being part of the National team listening to the anthem in front of a home crowd is
emotionally moving. The Tall Ferns were made up of 7 “young women” and 5 senior women who had
experienced this level of international basketball intensity. How would our young women react to the pressure
of playing in front of a home crowd, friends and family and playing against an opposition who were number 2
in the world? Added to that was the legendary WNBA Loran Jackson (LJ). Who was going to guard this legend?
The team brief was again precise and specific with objectives that the team wanted to achieve. The goals were
specific and could be measurable against the stats. With this in mind the “young” team took to the court.
I have always wondered what assistant coaches do with their notebooks on the side, quickly writing then prior
to the timeouts speaking to the head coach, who then moves into the time out. Coach Dean Kinsman was
doing some stats, Coach Aik was doing turnovers/stops and I had to observe and record “uncontested” shots
and the defensive rotation – was it happening? Well after the fifth shot from LJ at the 3 point line I revisited
my role. When I reflect back to the game, the screening action for the high screen by LJ, we needed to change
as she just stepped out onto the line and “all over rover” as we know she scored 22 points in that game.
Overall this young team made New Zealanders proud as they got out and competed not at all overawed by the
experience. Although their time together was limited and not ideal I think the team unity that they developed
very quickly added to their confidence to ensure that the Opals had to “win” the game honestly! Well done to
the athletes and coaching staff which I was fortunate to be part of.
“Your attitude makes all the difference”
Key Learnings:
Details – no matter how small
The importance of training at game intensity
Application of pressure at all times
Recovery and the importance of sleep
Learning capabilities of athletes – know the learning styles of your athletes
New terminology
International trends
Importance of “scouting”
My last parting comment – any opportunity to observe, be part of a NZ team or attend a coaching workshop
where top coaches are presenting take that opportunity to attend. I challenge all coaches take that
opportunity. You may learn something, or it may reinforce what you are currently doing, it may assist you with
teaching techniques, keeps you current with “language” being used and international trends. It can also
challenge you to think outside the square especially with drills – how can I teach this drill to my 11 year olds!
“One who has mastered the art of living simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving
others to decide whether he is working or playing” James Michener
The enjoyment of coaching is not a perk; it’s an essential ingredient of winning. People want to see that
passion in a leader; it’s inspiring to think that all commitment and energy are behind your team’s performance.
You can’t fake the love of the game; it’s there or it’s not there. If you joy in leading people to success, give it all
you’ve got. If not let someone else do it. “The Little Book of Coaching – Motivating people to be Winners”