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As the Dallas Mavericks and the rest of the NBA kicked off the season last night I was excited to see Wemby's debut. One thing that kept my attention throughout the game was the Mavs assistant that the cameras kept showing calling plays and coaching up everyone, one of the rising superstars in the coaching business: the Mavericks’ Assistant Coach Sean Sweeney. 

Coach Sweeney is being mentioned as an instrumental part of developing The MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in his early days, and so far has been a key component in turning around the Dallas Mavericks as they are attempting to bring Championship back to Lone Star State.

Sean Sweeney helped the Mavericks by developing these components into team culture: 

Head First Transition Defense

One of the keys to the Mavericks' success throughout the whole season has been transition defense. Mavs Assistant Coach Sean Sweeney teaches transition defense in 5 key steps:

1. Get Ahead of the Ball
2. Stop the Ball Above the Three Point Line
3. Match Up and Communicate
4. Lower to the Basketball
5. Think Help! 

The main goal is to force offense to go against the set defense, without giving any open looks or forcing any unnecessary fouls.

To fully implement these 5 key components into game situations, Coach Sean Sweeney uses “5-on-4” and “Coaches Transition” Drills in every practice. Watch the breakdown here:

Sprint Back Ahead of the Ball

Compete, Compete, Compete!

Along with their excellent transition defense, the Mavericks have separated themselves through going the extra mile and competing on every defensive possession - whether it is closing on a shot, getting the extra steal or diving on the floor for a loose ball, their whole roster have been playing with excellent motor. 

You actually can teach hustle to a length, and Mavericks showed that turnaround and improvement from next year.

Here Coach Sweeney breaks down drills he likes to use to teach players to go the extra mile on every possession: 

Practice Competing Drills

Rebounding Rotations after Help

One of the most frustrating things is when your team plays excellent defense for the whole offensive possession, but fails to get the rebound due to players rotating out of position and not being able to box out their man to get the board. 

Here Coach Sweeney breaks down the proper close out strategy after rotating/helping on the defense:

Rotations, Guard Actions & Rebounding

Competitiveness and hustle can indeed be taught, but it needs to be taught with the right fundamentals and with purpose. If NBA players can be taught how to play harder and compete, then it can be taught on any level.

Never get out coached,

-The Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches helping Coaches