But Can You Dance To It

If you are old enough to have seen American
Bandstand on television, and you know Dick
Clark is more than just Mr. New Year's Eve.
He was Mr. Pop Music for years broadcasting out
of Philadelphia every afternoon in the beginning,
then Saturday mornings on ABC later.

One of the always popular segments of the show
was always when he'd take two volunteers from
the audience and have them listen to several
brand new records and rate them for all the
world to hear.

Like a "Hot or Not" for new music.

Inevitably though when they didn't like a tune,
the biggest complaint was what?

'You can't dance to it'

Like most good things in life it had to have that
swing or it wasn't worth a thing.

Your shooting has to have a rhythm too or it
won't be worth a hoot. There's an obvious beat
to the dribble, but the same is true of a good
jump shot, reverse layup, dunk, runner, and
baby hook. It's your job is to find that rhythm
in practice and be able to find it again in
warmups and during your games.

Defenses will do their best to create chaos and
knock you out of rhythm, but if you lock into it
like a great drummer and not let it go you can
become almost unstoppable.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. I've been reading a new book by Scott
Jaimet called "The Perfect Jumpshot" and it
definitely lives up to it's name. The picture
perfect jumpshot feels good to your body. In
the best of senses it is addictive, and there's
no reason you can't learn it with the help of
this book.

Keep tuned. I'll be sharing tidbits from the
book and show you where you can get it soon.

P.S.S. I'm still editing the report on the
Complete Breath, and it's coming along nicely.
If you're impatient though you could go ahead
and read Patrick Chylinski's tricks-of-the-trade
bestseller on "How To Average 20 Points A
Game".

One of his secrets is to show your teeth from
the tipoff. Let your defender know he's in for
a long night because you know what you're
doing.

You can't be passive. So here let me toss the
ball up, and, oh look, it's tipped to you. Now
run out and order Patrick's book today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

Note: This entry is protected by copyright,
but I encourage you copy and share it freely.
Please just include the whole message
including links and my contact information.
Thanks a ton.

Copyright 2006,2007 Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

Just Win Today

You don't have to save the world.

You just have to win today.

It's no secret I listen to John Wood on matters
of strength and training. He is one of the most
diligent students of the strength game you'll
find on the planet. He's also a student of what
it takes to be a winner.

I hope he's still not mad the University of
Florida beat out his Wolverines for the right
to play Ohio State for the national title in
football back in January.

I met John at an explosive Matthew Furey
seminar in Tampa about a year and a half
ago and knew right off he had the goods.
John exuded a confident enthusiasm that
was well-grounded and solid as a rock.

And with John there's no hype. Just results,
and what you see is what you get. John's
gone and written something recently I think
you'll want to hear.

And rather than put it in my own words, I
want you to be able to get the full effect of
John's wisdom. If you want to be a winner
on the court and off pay attention to this:

'In NCAA Division I College football, The
University of Michigan is #1 in all time
winning percentage and overall wins --
and its not by accident.

Much of that success is unquestionably due
to talent, but lots of places have just as much,
if not more, talent. The thing is, the other
part is of that success is due to a specific
process, parts of which you can implement
into your own life and that's what I'm going
to let you in on today.

See, we used to have a saying 'Win today', and
it was always used when the going got really
tough - usually during summer 2-a-day practice
sessions, or after a tough loss, or late in the
season when the Big 10 Championship was on
the line, when we were all sore, tired and wanted
to be doing anything else but be there practicing
football.

Win today - It was an attitude thing. If you can
come out and practice with enthusiasm especially
when you dont feel like it, you'll be tough to beat
since every practice is an opportunity to improve.

And thats what its all about - improvement.

So, in order to 'Win The Day' we also had goals
for each practice. They were not particularly
difficult goals to reach, but if we could meet those,
day in and day out, we would win everything in
sight.

These were the little things that always made
the difference in big games like no false-start
penalties or getting at least 2 interceptions per
practice.

Again, very achievable, just have to do them day
in and day out.

As far as your training, or your life, you can do
the very same thing and it will make a
tremendous difference. Before you go to bed at
night, make a list of 3 things you want to
accomplish the next day.

Make them simple and very doable - take out
the trash, put the bills in the mail, etc. You can,
and should, accomplish more than that during
the course of the day, but just be sure those 3
things get done.

Plus, they carry over but don't increase, so if
you did 2 today, tomorrow you would still have
3 - the one you missed and 2 new ones.

You'll be surprised at just how much of a
challenge it can be to do 3 simple tasks each
day but that's why its so effective.

Over and over and over again - a few simple
things, done correctly, always make the
difference.'

So go figure out what will 'Win Today' in your
quest to become a great shooter then go out
and ...

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. John's forte is building hand, wrist, forearm
and grip strength. All things you need to control
a critical rebound, whip out an ankle breaking
crossover, and shoot with a relaxed, consistent
stroke. See what goodies John has to help you out
today at:

http://www.functionalhandstrength.com/

P.S.S. Your season is probably over unless you
play in the NBA, and now is the time to ramp up
your training and see gains in strength, stamina,
quickness, and speed.

I'm sure you're busy like me though and don't
have all day to train. You want to make the most
of your time, and believe it or not you can do
exactly that. And at the same time you can be
confident you are training right with Coach Tony
Alfonso's guide to basketball-specific training
and conditioning.

Don't waste any more of your time. Get Tony's
e-book ASAP at:

http://www.deandelker.com/alfonso_order.html


Copyright 2006,2007 Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

Video Killed The Radio Star

I like a good story on TV, DVD, or at the movies
as much as anybody, but we do pay a price for
media like that which does almost all the work
for us.

And worst of all I believe it speeds up the
process of our kids abandoning their own
precious imaginations.

In college I was program director of our
campus radio station for a couple of years.
While my first love and passion was
programming music we also ran classic radio
shows on Sunday night.

Now that's one place you can really grow an
imagination, following a good story on the
radio. And the same with reading books, of
course especially good fiction.

Unless you're a total newbie to this site you
know how much I believe in mental rehearsal,
visualization, and purposely using your
imagination to enpower yourself.

Most of the great players do it in practice,
game prep, warmups and even during games.

During games, you say Coach?

Yes. Where do you think creativity in a
dribble drive or in passing comes from?

Imagination. It can work split-seconds
ahead of the actual action you take.

Most coaches rely heavily on drills, and it's
great to do that, but I think coaches do a
disservice when they try to overprogram
their players.

Yes, you want them reacting instinctively.
That's the whole purpose of the drills, but
remember you don't want them pigeon-
holed, mechanical, and lacking creativity.
It is a delicate balance.

The answer is to use drills have options,
decision making, and flexibility built in.
Look for those. Even with simple rote drills
though you can encourage players to
imagine defenders coming at them, and how
they would react and adapt.

There's a big difference between a static
shooting drill, and full speed drills where
imaginarydefenders can come flying at
you trying to steal the ball, deflect passes,
etc.

Learn to use your imagination fluently, and
it will become a powerful tool for you.
Remember not to let it dwell on the dark
side though through worries and fears like
missing shots at the free throw line.

That can become self-fulfilling prophecy, and
you will end up rehearsing and planning how
you will fail instead of how you can succeed.

Coach Dean - Shoot For the Stars

P.S. There's an art to putting up big scoring
numbers, and Patrick Chylinski can teach you
the inside scoop on increasing your scoring
average.

What would it be worth to you to add 4, 6, or
even 10 points a game to your scoring stats?

Get your copy of his best-selling e-book any
time of day or night at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

Note: This email is protected by copyright,
but I encourage you copy and share it freely.
Please just include the whole message
including links and my contact information.
Thanks a ton.

Copyright 2006,2007 Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

People Get Ready

People get ready, there's a train a'comin'
Pickin' up passengers from coast to coast.

- Curtis Mayfield (1964)

The tragedy in Blacksburg recently has brought
a soberness to most of us. Sports lost it's
significance at Virginia Tech for awhile as it
should, but now we should recognize it can also
be part of the healing process.

What we know to be darkness can always lead
us to a deeper appreciation of the light. In fact,
it's almost impossible to know success without
tasting adversity, and often failure, first. I think
that's what Coach John Wooden had in mind
when he said the following:

'Webster indicates that success is the accumulation
of material possessions. I don't think so. I think
success is a peace of mind which can only be
attained through self-satisfaction...knowing you've
made the effort to do the best of which you're
capable.

We have no control over an opponent, but we
should have control over ourselves. All we can
do is live up to our potential.

It takes hard work and enthusiasm. You need to
be conditioned and know what you're doing. You
need good skills. You must have consideration for
others and lastly, You need a competitive spirit.

You can't be afraid of a tough situation.

You must enjoy it.

And realize the most difficult tasks bring the most
satisfaction.'

Maybe the Rolling Stones 'Can't Get No Satisfaction',
but you CAN, if you learn how to handle adversity.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. I met a new friend last week in Vick Sfera. Vick
says he doesn't like my Gators, but you can tell he
does respect them :)

If you want a wealth of information about basketball,
leadership, character, and the game of life become a
reader of Vick's 'Triple Threat Basketball' blog. Vick
is a real giver, and you will always be able to find
something that will help you grow as a shooter and a
person at:

http://triplethreatbball.blogspot.com

P.S.S. In training and conditioning you put your
body and mind through adversity on purpose so
you can get stronger, quicker, faster, more
explosive, and better able to endure the rigors of
competition and come out a winner.

As the old commercial about changing your oil
used to say, 'Pay me now or pay me later'. Train
now, and your body won't give out on you later.

But to get the most out of your training you need
to know how to do it right. Too much, too little, or
the wrong kind of training will put your progress
in reverse.

Coach Tony Alfonso had all that in mind when he
created 'The Complete Basketball Strength and
Speed Program'.

If you want to be sure you're getting the most
out of your conditioning grab up Tony's revealing
ebook today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/alfonso_order.html

Note: This email is protected by copyright, but I
encourage you copy and share it freely. Please
just include the whole message including links and
my contact information. Thanks a ton.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

Through The Looking Glass

'There's no use trying. One can't believe
impossible things.'

- Alice (In Wonderland)

'I daresay you haven't had much practice.
When I was your age, I always did a half-
an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've
believed as many as six impossible things
before breakfast.'

- The Queen (In Wonderland)


Do you think that might be one reason she
became the Queen? Believing she could do
'impossible' things.

And you notice Alice had to quit looking AT
the mirror.

She had to stop seeing herself as she was,
with all her failures and limitations. She
had to look through the mirror to see what
she could become. It took awhile to sort it
all out, but her life changed permanently
when she entered that new world of
possibility.

My mentor Matthew Furey pointed out in
a recent blog you can see yourself anyway
you want. No reason you can't see yourself
as a doctor discovering the cure for cancer,
President of the United States, 35 pounds
slimmer, loving to exercise, driving a
Hummer, successful in business or coaching,
or shooting 98% from the freethrow line.

Yes, I know there's a difference between
fantasy and imagination, but how you see
yourself, your self-image, and the grace
of God determine what you are able to
accomplish and become in your life.

Whatever you believe on the inside (good,
bad, or indifferent) sets the tone for what
you'll manifest in the outside world.

And you don't even have to take my word
for it. You can prove it yourself.

Every day for the next 21 days, mentally
pretend you are shooting like you want to
shoot in some area. Freethrows, the mid-
range jumpshot, 3-point shots, the hook
shot, with the off hand, etc.

Don't change your actions though. Don't
practice any more than you already have
been.

Just take 15 - 30 minutes extra a day to
vividly imagine yourself making picture
perfect shots over and over and over in
the face of fierce defensive pressure. And
don't forget to add as much sensory
information as you can like the roar of the
crowd, thesmells, squeeking sneakers, etc.
And make it extremely enjoyable.

If you're willing to do this, I think you're
going to discover something unusual.
Without an extra ounce of will power -
you'll naturally be drawn to change.

You'll seek out the best coaching you can
find, be more teachible, and start practicing
better.

You'll start wanting to do what it takes to
be a great shooter. You'll have a burning
desire to excel, and before too long you'll
start thinking and shooting like a superstar.

First you have to get the vision and use
your creative imagination. Then watch as
change begins to manifest as you adapt
your activity till you have a new reality.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. The best way I know to see yourself as
a top notch scorer with dangerous offensive
game is to soak up the power-packed ideas
in Coach Patrick Chylinski's ebook on 'How
To Average 20 Points A Game'.

Find out how to get where you want to be
today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

P.S.S. Please read Matthew Furey's original
post at:

www.mattfurey.com/mattfurey_uncensored/2007/04/10/#000513

The thought experiment was his. I just
adapted it for shooting. And I encourage
you to read his blog and sign up for his
enpowering daily email messages.

Note: This email is protected by copyright,
but I encourage you copy and share it freely.
Please just include the whole message
including links and my contact information.

Thanks a ton.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

It's All In His Head

Let me publicly add my condolences to all the
good people associated with Virginia Tech this
week. My prayers are with you.

There's a little section in 'Pistol' a book about
Pete Maravich by Mark Kriegel that jumped
out at me recently.

Here's how it reads:

Every so often, Pete would do something he
had never done before. On those occasions,
Bud would ask,

'Hey, Pete, how come I never saw you
practice that one?'

'Oh yes I have,' Pete would say. 'Many
times.'

'When?', Bud would retort.

'In my head.', Pete answered.

In his head. All in his head.

Think about it. Imagination can be the
laboratory where new skills are
developed.

I'll show you a practical way to experiment
with your imagination next time, but you
don't have to wait for me. Create your own
future today.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. The more you learn the basics of doing
something the easier it is to picture yourself
pulling it off.

Like how when Roger Bannister broke the
4 minute mile barrier in track, 20 or 30
people also broke the mark the next year
or so.

The same thing can happen when you let
Coach Patrick Chylinski guide you through
how to score 20 points a game (without
being a ball-hog, BTW.) When you
understand how to do it you'll be able to
see yourself doing it, and pretty soon you
will be doing it.

Get started today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

Note: This email is protected by copyright,
but I encourage you copy and share it freely.
Please just include the whole message
including links and my contact information.
Thanks a ton.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

He's A True Gentleman

What do Ohio State athletes need for all
their exams?

Number 2 pencils, of course.

My youngest son told me that.

I'm not so much of a woofer as he is though
so apologies to our Buckeye fans. I've liked
Ohio State hoops through the years to tell
the truth.

My uncle lived in Portsmouth Ohio, and one
Christmas when we visited he and I listened
to a high school basketball game together on
the radio because of this wunderkid named
Jerry Lucas. After leading his team to back
to back state championships he went on to
star at Ohio State with John Havlicek and
brought them several Final Fours and a
national championship. Like many others I
was a Jerry Lucas fan.

I've always been a huge Kentucky Wildcat
fan too though. When I moved to Gainesville
25 years ago I didn't have to worry about my
loyalties much. The Gators were likable but
never used to compete for championships.

Now I'm in big trouble. I love both teams.

I'm really glad the Wildcats snagged Billie
Gillespie instead of Billy Donovan as their
new coach though even though I believe
the Bluegrass State is getting a real keeper
too.

Coach Duane Silver is a retired basketball
coach in Texas who loves the game as
much as anybody around, and here's what
he thinks of the man:

'Last Saturday morning before the Texas
A&M vs Texas Tech football game I was
waiting for a table outside IHOP in College
Station. While I waited, a headline in The
Dallas Morning News caught my eye, and
I tried to buy a paper, but the dispenser
wouldn't open.

As I tried several times unsuccessfully, a
man drove up to IHOP, got out of his
vehicle and bought a copy of The Eagle
[the local paper].

He then came over to the Dallas Morning
News dispenser, saw I was having no luck
opening it, smiled, and left. I gave up on
the paper, sat down on a bench outside,
and continued to wait for a table.

Several minutes later the man returned,
got out of his vehicle, handed me a copy
of The Dallas Morning News, and again
smiled and left. I managed to get out a
'Thank you,' but sat there in shock
someone would be so thoughtful and
take the time to do that for a perfect
stranger.

After he drove off, a couple sitting next
to me asked if I knew who the man was.
When I said no, they told me it was Billy
Gillespie, the [then] new head coach of
the Texas A&M men's basketball team.

I was floored that anyone would take
the time to do what he did, especially
someone in his position, where egos
can sometimes get in the way of good
manners. He must have had 100
things to do on an Aggie game day and
might have had recruits in town he
needed to give attention to.

I just want to thank him again publicly
and let the College Station area and
Texas A&M know how fortunate they
are to have him in their community.
He is a true gentleman.'

And he has proven to be just as good a
coach too as this year's tournament bears
out. So I believe the people in Lexington
and all over the great Commonwealth of
Kentucky are the fortunate ones now.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. You can be a real gentleman and be
as competitive as anybody. Legendary
Coach John Wooden is the ultimate
example. In fact, I believe like him if your
foundation is lacking it will eventually show
in your play.

Character and fundamentals count.

And if you want to get a solid foundation as
an offensive player you'd do well to listen
to Coach Patrick Chylinski teach how a
scorer needs to think and act.

It's all there in his high-powered ebook on
'How To Average 20 Points A Game' which
coincidentally you can just happen to find at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

Note: This email is protected by copyright,
but I encourage you to copy and share it
freely. Please just make sure you include
the whole message including links and my
contact information. Thanks a ton.

Copyright 2006,2007 Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

What's The Buzz

What's the buzz,
Tell me what's a happenin'
What's the buzz,
Tell me what's a happenin'

- Jesus Christ Superstar

If you are a fitness trainer, or are being
trained, or just have a membership at
the local chrome and fern gym you could
probably tell me the training buzzword
of the 21st century.

Functional.

As in functional training, functional
exercise, functional strength, and even
in my friend John Wood's website -
www.functionalhandstrength.com

And functional means the movement
you are training is something you will
actually use in real life or in sport. I'm
sorry but it doesn't mean doing situps
on a stability ball or whatever other
new age apparatus the gimmick gods
come up with.

Too many trainers though still use the
body building approach which isolates
and builds up individual body parts.

That may be good for standing in front
of a mirror, but it doesn't help much on
the basketball floor.

How many times playing hoops are you
asked to lay on your stomach and curl
your legs slowly up to your butt? Or
how often are you called on to sit down,
prop your elbows on a pad, and slowly
curl your arms up to your shoulders?

Never. The muscles built that way are
mostly for show. And there's no way
training like that will give you any
greater coordination and body control.

In his book 'Movement That Matters'
Paul Chek points out 6 basic movements
you need to do your work and be athletic.

The squat, lunge, bend, twist, push and
pull.

Any exercise that trains these movements,
especially in combinations involving major
muscle groups is functional.

For playing hoops and shooting those could
be movements like a lunge and medicine
ball throw (lunge, twist), a clean and jerk
(bend, pull, push) and a front squat (squat).

Most of these develop explosiveness and
core strength, balance, and the ability to
transfer force from the lower to the upper
body.

If you're getting your workout
information from a trainer who
emphasizes bodybuilding you are short
changing yourself and probably limiting
your athletic ability.

And this is especially true the younger
you are.

So please find yourself an athletic trainer
who knows his stuff and/or order Coach
Tony Alfonso's ebook for real basketball
training:

The Complete Basketball Strength and
Speed Training Program - 1st Edition

It's available for your convenience now at:

http://www.deandelker.com/alfonso_order.html

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. They aren't very sexy, but bodyweight
exercises are probably the most functional
movements you can do with your body.

Even strongman afficianado John Wood
himself and 5-time national bench press
champion Brooks Kubik extol the virtues
of bodyweight exercise for.

And you can't help become a better shooter
when your body and mind are developing
together.

You have to learn how to do them right
and control your breathing though so for
that I recommend any and all of the
following:

http://www.mattfurey.com/
http://www.bodyweightbasics.com/
http://www.brookskubik.com/
http://www.eddiebaran.com/ (for lady shooters)

Make Every Shot Count

What Is A Buckeye Anyway

With all the hoopla over UF playing Ohio
State in both football and basketball for
championships this year my wife asked
a simple question the other day.

What is a Buckeye?

Having grown up in the Ohio Valley I knew
the answer. It's a type of tree and the shiny,
dark brown, 1 - 2 inch round nuts it drops.
There were some in my neighbor's yard in
Henderson, Kentucky.

You can't eat the nuts, but they're good for
throwing at people. Light enough so no
damage is done, but heavy enough to chuck.
They have a smaller light brown circle on
them which makes them look like an eyeball.

I guess somebody along the way thought
they looked like the eyes of a big buck.

What that has to do with college sports and
why a major university would want its
teams named that I have no idea. There
are worse team names though, and I think
the buckeye may be poison. But it still
doesn't seem they would strike much fear
into the heart of an opponent, does it?

There is one Buckeye who strikes fear into
his opponents this year though, and
especially after the title game - Mr. Greg
Oden.

If you watched him play you got a clinic on
how to be a big-time player. And it doesn't
even matter what position you play. You
could learn a lot from this kid. He may turn
pro next year. I haven't heard yet.

He could though. He's that good, and only
going to get better. He sure showed his
mettle against the 3 or 4 good defenders
Florida threw at him during the
championship game.

Here's what made him so good:

1. He played big in a huge, high-pressure
game.

2. He attacked his defender and the basket
without hesitation.

3. His in great shape. Even though he tired
late in the game can you blame him? He
banged with 4 different defenders with at
least 16 fouls to give for 38 minutes at both
ends of the court.

4. He shot and scored with either hand.

5. He stayed calm and focused all night. He
played like a veteran, not a college
freshman.

That's how big-time players and big-time
scorers do it, and if you paid attention
during the game you learned a lot.

But if you want to learn tons more about
how to become a prime-time scorer make
sure you digest Patrick Chylinski's best-
selling e-book on how to dominate a
defender and be top-notch scorer.

Order it today, and you can get an almost
unfair advantage on your competition this
summer. They won't know what got into
you. So zip right on over to:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

Note: This blog entry is protected by
copyright, but you have permission to
copy and use it in its entirety as long
as the links are intact and the contact
information is included.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

How 'Bout Dem Gator Boys

At University of Florida home football games
all the fans stand up and sing 'We Are The
Boys From Ole Florida' between the 3rd
and 4th quarters .

It's like how Cubs fans sing 'Take Me Out
To The Ballgame' during the 7th inning
stretch at Wrigley Field in Chicago. In
fact, the two even have very similar, sing-
song melodies.

And I think that's where Joakim Noah got
his knickname for the University of Florida
basketball team. 'Gator Boys'. As in 'The
Gator Boys are hot'.

Sorry, but I can't let a repeat National
Championship go by without honoring this
team. Not so I can crow, because all I did
was watch and yell a lot, but just because
they're such a special group of young men.

And they can all shoot pretty darn well
when they need to if you saw the
championship game Monday night.

The best assessment of this team I've read
this year is from Ron McBay, who does a
weekly on-line column on men's college
basketball. You can find his Hook, Line, &
Sinker analysis during hoops season at:
http://www.RonMcBay.us/HLS

Here are Ron's thoughts:

'The beauty of this team was always how
well the individual pieces fit together.

Unlike [the early 90's] Duke 'Universal
Replacements' team in which the
individual versatility of several players
made them capable of stepping up and
playing different roles as the situation
dictated, this starting five had very
specific skills/talents, each bringing
something to the table that the others
couldn't.

A center who's agile enough to be the point
on the full-court press; a power forward
who can harass three-point shooters on the
perimeter; a 'tweener who can shoot threes,
drive the lane, get tough rebounds, and shut
down the opposing team's best scorer; a
point guard who can distribute and get his
own shot when the need arises; and a
designated shooter who defends well to boot.

That's everything you want a team to be
able to do with no wasted duplication.

Could they pull off the Three-Peat if the
core actually decided to return next
year? Maybe. Probably. But it wouldn't be
nearly as easy without the back-breaking
three-pointers they get from senior guard
Lee Humphrey. He's option # 5, yet if you
remove him from the equation, you can
see how imbalanced their attack becomes.'

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Not only did this team fit together
talent-wise, but they were inseparable
mentally and emotionally too. Like
brothers in arms they fought for one
another. If one struggled, no problem.
The rest of the guys always had his back.
I know every team that excels has
teamwork, but the 'Gator Boys' have it in
an abundance that is rare these days.

P.S.S. The Gator Boys learned how to win,
but they also learned how to lose like
winners. Instead of getting off track they
knew losing gave them valuable feedback
that would made them better. Coach Stan
Kellner teaches that very same principle in
shooting hoops.

If you want to learn how to miss shots
like a winner you want Stan's DVD on
'How To Be A Prime-Time Shooter'.

It's just what you need to energize your
mental game for summer ball or to come
back next fall as a shooting wizard. Get
started today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/kellner_order.html

Note: This blog entry is protected by
copyright, but you have permission to
copy and use it in its entirety as long as
the links are intact and the contact
information is included.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

Tag You're It

How long has it been since you played tag?

In an interview recently Boston Celtics
Strength Coach Walter Norton, Jr. talked
about how many kids these days work on
their individual skills, their technical
abilities, but they sorely lack general
movement skills.

What is the hoops mantra?

'He's got skills (or skillz).'

Norton though distinguishes between kids
who have 'drill skills', and those who can
get past defenders because they have the
ability to evade. They have agility and
quickness. They are mobile.

And one reason many kids can't do that is
they don't play games like tag anymore.

If you're a coach stopping practice to play
tag may seem like a waste of time or too
much fun and games and not enough work,
but is it?

Isn't evading a defender a critical skill in
basketball? Isn't it a prelude to almost
every shot? No matter how good your
stroke you're not going to be a very
effective scorer without it.

And is there a better way to teach the raw
skill than by playing tag?

Try it and let me know.

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. You can learn at least 50 more ways
to make yourself a better scorer from
Coach Patrick Chylinski in his special
insider report on

'How To Average 20 Points A Game'.

Don't spin your wheels practicing. Learn
what to focus on to produce results today
at:

http://www.deandelker.com/20ppg.html

P.S.S. Also if you want to find out how to
take your agility and quickness to new
levels while adding strength, flexibility
and endurance you can't afford not to
check out Coach Tony Alfonso's 137 page

'Complete Basketball Strength and Speed
Training Program'

It's available for immediate download
today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/alfonso_order.html

Note: This blog entry is protected by
copyright, but you have permission to
copy and use it in its entirety as long
as the links are intact and the contact
information is included.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
www.deandelker.com

I Have A Dream

By midnight tonight we'll know whether
my team of Gator Boys have fulfilled their
dream of a second straight national title or
not.

Last year they were a refreshing surprise
to the college basketball world. This year
with the starting five back so many expected
them to win. They've had the pressure and
that proverbial target on their back all season
so teams have given them their best shot.
Much harder to repeat than win the first one,
but not if you hold on to your dream.

Dreams are a wonderful things. They are
what inspires us to reach for the best. And
with apologies to Dr. Martin Luther King for
whom I have the tremendous respect,

I have a dream.

Dreams really, but the one I'm thinking of
is not political in the least. Neither is it one
of those big heroic 'Save the cheerleader,
save the world' kind of dreams.

I've had it for awhile in my heart, but didn't
know it until recently . As you might guess I
love to shoot baskets in my own driveway.
There's nothing more satisfying than sinking
shots, even if I'm just by myself.

It charges me up, gives me confidence, and
relieves stress, but I've discovered now I
want to feel like I'm shooting in Madison
Square Garden, the old Boston Gardens,
Rupp Arena, or tonight's Georgia Dome.

I want the look and feel and sound and
smell of a top quality backboard and rim.

What I have now works fine, and I do
appreciate it. It's much better than a rim
nailed to the side of a sagging barn, but
mine is one of those old ones with a sand-
filled base I bought from a neighbor who
was moving.

I know the rim is too forgiving though, and
it has this annoying feature that when you
swish a shot from the side the ball hits the
stupid base right on it's front curve and
bounces wildly out into the street.

A couple of weeks ago though a guy named
Ryan Tate from Pro Dunk Hoops found my
blog, and asked if I'd consider putting a link
to their website which carries basketball
goals.

My first, second, and third reactions were
no, no, and no - I don't do that.

But I was curious enough to look anyway.
What I found was, not basketball goals, but
dreams. Calling what they sell basketball
goals is like calling a tricked out Cadillac
Escalade, transportation.

Yeah, it's true, but sooo inadequate.

These guys create tempered glass, pier
mounted, premium, professional grade,
in-ground, adjustable basketball goal
systems for driveway and backyard court
use. Now I've got to have one. I don't know
how yet, but the desire has been planted,
and it's not going away anytime soon.

If you are serious about your hoops and
want to have the court that's the envy of
all your buddies this is your ticket to ride.
They are not cheap, but they are worth
every penny, and you can find a way to
afford them.

I might even be able to help, but first
see what you think for yourself at:

http://www.produnkhoops.com/

Shoot For The Stars,

Coach Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. One way you can justify the cost of a
beast like this is to realize it can be a great
home improvement. These units are so nice
they're going to add value to your home,
and for sure that's what you want to tell
your wife.

P.S.S. This reminds me I've had a number
of people say they'd like to buy more of my
stuff too, but they don't have the budget for
it.

Believe me I know tight budgets. Some of
you are volunteer coaches like I've been, or
work more for the love of the game and the
kids than for the money. That's one of the
biggest draws of amateur sports.

Maybe I can help with that, and you can
even work up to buying a Pro Dunk top of
the line goal system for your home. Living
in abundance is something you can grow
and develop in no matter where you are
starting. And for you to win, somebody
else doesn't have to lose. You just have to
learn the rules of the game and practice
the fundamentals.

Would you be interested in me writing
more about how to win the money game
in this blog? It's a big part of success and
character in general, and there are
specific laws of abundance and prosperity
God has laid out for all.

I'm not talking about being greedy or
idolizing the big green, but having enough
to provide well for your family, fulfill the
wholesome dreams in your heart, and to
be able to bless other people.

Let me know.

Note: This blog entry is protected by
copyright, but you have permission to
copy and use it in its entirety as long
as the links are intact and the contact
information is included.

Copyright 2006,2007
Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Coach Dean Delker
8413 SW 4th Place
Gainesville, FL 32607
352-494-6572

dean@deandelker.com
http://www.deandelker.com/