NY Liberty - Assistant Coach


		House Analyzes Footage
		Coach Scout Sheet
		Offensive Play Evaluation
		Game Day Chart
		Workout
		Chat Transcript

A great deal of preparation and pre-game planning goes into any basketball game. While the players need to stay in top physical shape, practice plays and run drills, the coaches and coaching staff need to prepare for a game by analyzing the opposition to make sure the team is well versed on how to play against them. Compiling video, statistical and advance scouting information on the other team is key to successfully planning a wining strategy.

Jeff House, assistant coach of the Liberty, watches roughly 6 to 10 hours of opponents game footage before each game and prepares an 8-minute master tape detailing the opponents plays. Using the video and the statistical information on their offense and defense he gathers, House helps prepare the Liberty for the contest. Once the game begins, House charts the Liberty's play calls on offense, determines how the defense is responding and suggests plays to run and substitutions to head coach Richie Adubato.

After the game, House gathers the video, "breaks it down" and distributes it to the players and coaches. He enters the statistics into the computer, with help from the Liberty video operations staff, and then meets with the coaching staff to evaluate the game.

During the off-season, House develops and implements individual player skills and development programs and helps the team find potential talent by gathering information on college and international players. There's also a community aspect to the job. House helps with public relations and team marketing, making community relations appearances and supporting the Liberty's many community activities such as literacy programs and clinics for kids.

House began his coaching career while still in college. "I assisted the varsity, then co-head coached a jr. varsity teamfor a local high school. After that, I began assistant coaching at the college level for ten years before moving on to the professional level with the Liberty working with scouting, video and floor coaching" explains House. "I was fortunate, meeting and getting to know the Van Gundy family (Jeff Van Gundy, New York Knicks coach, Stan Van Gundy, and Bill Van Gundy). Through the years I prepared by taking in as much as I could from every coach, administrator or general manager I have ever been around." From his own experience, he recommends that once you have decided that you are internally driven to a particular career, you become a student to the greatest people in that profession. "Read about them, watch them, and if possible put yourself around them (perhaps through an internship). Be confident in your abilities, learn daily and be humble in your approach and never, ever think you've arrived."

A career in coaching, or as an Assistant Coach, is ideal for someone who enjoys communicating, teaching, learning and seeing results. It can be frustrating and rewarding, but is always very challenging. You do not have to be a great player to be a successful coach, but you do have to be a good learner, listener and teacher. There's a tremendous amount of learning involved, because to teach you must be confident in what you have learned and understand it fully.