The thing I love about coaches is that they love to be immersed in drills, workouts, notes, & offenses. Coaches are hungry for a new defensive scheme or that special play they can win a big game with. I contend that more is not better, especially when it comes to the amount of information we gather. If I told you that you could become a highly efficient coach by next year, would you be intrigued?

Face it coaches, you have a enormous job & are paid very small for it. Most coaches are in it for the impact they have on kids & it satisfies their love for the game. Driven to mad hours during the season, a lot of coaches are operating on “fumes.” They have stretched their limit physically, emotionally, mentally, & spiritually. We’ve all been there & we do this because we love to win! The average coach has approximately fifty pounds of papers, notebooks & coaching manuals. Add to that all of the video tapes, DVDs, & statistic software you have, you possess a garage-full of information.

Here are the questions to consider:

1. How much X & O information do you need?

2. Do you need 15 out of bounds plays or 318?

3. How is all of your information organized? Do you have a system of organization for it?

4. Can you get to specific information quickly?

5. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information you possess?

A few years ago, I was talking with an organizational expert & she asked me a question I will never forget. I was talking about all of the information I had & told her I actually still had every practice plan & scouting report from 25 years of coaching. She laughed & asked me the golden question: Can you find anything in 30 seconds?

My challenge is for you to take the same test. Ask yourself, “I want to look over those Lute Olson notes I took at the Nike clinic in Chicago in 2004, but I’m not sure where they are.” If you cannot find your notes, plays, or practice drills you have collected then what use are they at all?

This goal of this article & specific “30 second” challenge is to make you re-evaluate your organizational system or lack of any organization at all.

One of the traits I pride myself on is being highly organized. My philosophy is that if I can’t access it immediately, then it serves me just as well if it was thrown away! I have notebook systems, a filing cabinet system, & a Sideline Sports software program that helps me stay very efficient. Keep checking my website & be on the look out for a new Teleseminar, “The Organized Coach.”

If you have any questions on this orgainzation article or on any basketball/coaching topic, please visit my website or email me. My mission is to help the world’s basketball coaches become as good as they can be!

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant & mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, & coaching programs. A speaker & writer, he has authored 75 articles & features on coaching & is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, & Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships & 5 NCAA appearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, & Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com