FIBA U19W - Coaches benefit from clinic in Klaipeda

KLAIPEDA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - A number of aspiring coaches on Saturday were treated to a clinic facilitated by the World Association of Basketball Coaches (WABC), prior to enjoying some of the most decisive games at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Lithuania.

Amongst the guest speakers were Allison McNeill who spent a decade at the helm of the Canadian women's senior team, Darius Dikcius - head of the Lithuanian national youth teams, Vytautas Valiulis - a coach specialising in individual technique and Jim Foster, head coach at the University of Tennessee at Chatanooga.

Foster expressed his delight at being able to play a part in the coaching clinic.

"It is always enjoyable to be with young people and there was a lot of energy and I love to be coaching in that kind of environment," he said.

"It was a great opportunity and underlined just how much basketball is such a universal game.

"I really enjoyed the discussions and things around the important subtleties of individual development.

"It was fun to have opportunity of looking at those things, rather than only considering team concepts.

"It was very refreshing."

He continued: "It's also great to be part of a clinic at a FIBA World Championship event because at any level, I love it even more than the Olympics as there is only basketball.

"To see some of the best young players in the world and see some of the best coaches is a big opportunity.

"Besides, the day when you stop thinking you can learn as a coach is the day you should pack your bags and move along."

Foster, who focused on drills for an offensive and defensive segment of practice particularly enjoyed the session given by McNeill who demonstrated drills to improve decision-making.

"I enjoy listening to other coaches and I thought Allison McNeill was terrific in the way she presented and communicated her topic," he explained.

"Anytime you have the opportunity to be with and also to learn from other coaches, you should take it.

"It's fundamental that you find and consider different ways to communicate and motivate, so you get players to enjoy the process of development as much as you do as a coach."

Coaches in the audience also benefitted from sessions on how to improve individual abilities in game situations and on individual game preparation for players.

FIBA