Fake Fundamentals

Fake Fundamentals, Volume 5concludes the series, ending an examination of 50 commonbasketball drills, instructions, and concepts that persist despite a lack of evidence for their utility. The Fake Fundamentals series has been called contrarian by some who prefer not to question their coaching or ideas, even as the game changes around them. If it was good enough for me remains a strong motivator for many, whereas FF searches for best practices, often by challenging the unchallenged and disrupting the status quo.

Volume 5 cites over 150 sources, predominantly peer-reviewed research and published statistics, while examining common offensive, defensive and instructional methods. The book is not one person’s opinion, but an exploration of the game, and the ways in which we teach it, which combines practical experience, intuition, and scientific research.

Despite the lengthy bibliography and McCormick’s doctorate in Exercise and Sports Science, the vast majority of the ideas in this book and series were formed through practical experience. Experience often is biased; many chapters argue against perpetuating the coaching one received as a player.

The experiences chronicled in this book differ, as they were formed as McCormick coached boys and girls, men and women, from beginners through professionals in numerous states and countries over short and longer periods. Generalizing across a large swath of players, teams, and competitions attests to the veracity of the teaching, instruction, philosophy, and ideas. These ideas have been tested in numerous environments with players of different backgrounds and in competitions featuring varied playing styles.

The purpose of Fake Fundamentals is not to cancel certain drills or instructions, but to encourage critical thinking as coaches design practices and prepare feedback and instructions. This is not a book of drills, but a book of ideas, questioning traditional practices to discover the best approaches to developing people, players, skills, and teams. This book (and series) is for open-minded coaches looking to challenge their beliefs and discover the best approach. There is a better way to coach and develop skills beyond the pervasive fake fundamentals.

Fake Fundamentals, Vol. 5 is McCormick’s 28th book for basketball coaches.