May/June 2019 - 16

What the coaches are saying:
" Bob knows what it takes to develop players at every age and every level. I've
had the chance to see his kids and his players firsthand on the court, and one
thing is for certain: His kids can play. With the dramatic decline in player
development in favor of games, tournaments and exposure events, this book
is needed now more than ever before. Bob's proven success formula will be a
tremendous asset to you as a coach or parent! "
- Mano Watsa, president, Point Guard College Basketball
" Bob Taylor is as knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the game as anyone
I've known in the game of basketball - his connection to youth basketball can
greatly help any youth player coach or parent. "
- Dick Parfitt, former Central Michigan University men's coach; won three MAC
championships and 1975 MAC Coach of the Year
" Bob Taylor's methods for teaching young players are what basketball has been
waiting for. It makes perfect sense. From teaching music to teaching language
and sports, you can't learn the fundamentals until you understand the concepts.
Coach Taylor is right on! "
- Greg Kampe, men's basketball coach at Oakland University; third
longest-tenured Division I head coach; four-time winner of
The Summit League's Coach of the Year
The Old
Man In
The Gym
By Coach Bob Taylor
with Terry Ayrault
ISBN 978-0-578-45196-1
$24.95
52495
Great American Media Services
P.O. Box 128, Sparta, MI 49345
Phone: 616-887-9008
9780578 451961
Making sense of youth basketball nonsense
By Kevin Hoffman, Editorial Director
This winter, longtime basketball coach Bob Taylor
published his new book, " The Old Man In The Gym. "
The book explores the slow decline of basketball IQ
among today's players, and it identifies a cause: the
youth game. Taylor breaks down strategies, drills and
lessons to help coaches build basketball players the right
way, developing their decision-making skills and overall
feel for the game.
In February, Winning Hoops caught up with Taylor to
ask him about the book and his ideas to improve the sport.
Here's what he had to say.
Explain the name. What, or who, is the " old man in
the gym? "
I'm calling it a spirit. It's the way kids learn, that I think
they should learn. When I would play growing up, the
alumni would watch us play at the park or open gym and
they would teach us the " old man's game. " They would
give us tips, but we were playing to try to learn to express
ourselves on the court, to play the game. I, in a way, am
the " old man in the gym. " I've observed the game for 30
years, and observed my kids playing the game. The " old
man in the gym " could be anybody that truly cares about
helping kids get better.
What prompted you to write this? What's wrong
with youth sports?
I think it's overorganized. We have an overorganized
organized sport. The natural way a kid should learn is
in the park, in the driveway, playing with neighbors so
they can learn what they love about the game. What
we changed it to is we now have to get organized
by Saturday. We have two practices and have to get
organized. So kids are playing a game that's dictated to
them, and it's really taken the spirit out of the game.
16 MAY/JUNE 2019
So do you think coaches have become too
obsessed with plays and schemes, instead of just
teaching players how to react and adapt?
Especially at the youth level where the game is taught,
yes. I use this analogy: What if you were a choir director
and you had your first concert? The kids never sang
before, and you have to get them organized by Saturday.
You'd just get the best singer to sing, and the rest would
say " doo-wop. " Nobody is allowed to figure out what they
like about the game and what they're good at.
You write a lot about your friend Don Meyer. How
would he view youth sports today?
I think he would be on the same page. I talked to him
at the end, and I told him I think his camps would have to
change now because people that used to go to Don's camp
were die-hard basketball players. They were players who
were learning from the hardcourt, and he would add the
fundamentals.
You talk about parents having a role. What's
their responsibility?
I think the parents and the youth coaches are key.
Where they put their kid will determine the kid's success.
We allow kids to walk down the court, but we don't
allow them to practice with enthusiasm. We have them
at the youth level at a key age. We have them where we
can put in work ethic, drive and motivation. We have to
competing and enjoy trying to get better.
The game is taught at the youth level, and their
introduction to the game is through their youth coach.
The parents, they can supplement all of this. You can take
your kid and shoot with your kid. How many times do you
talk about playing catch in the backyard, or having kids
shoot with parents rebounding? I'm trying to bring that
The Old Man in the Gym
Coach Bob Taylor with Terry Ayrault
May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2019
