Secret 🤫 Scrimmage

[DeerPark12]

So KnoxLikeUs was pretty much right this entire time?

No, he was still regurgitating his opinion on half truths and rumor posted by an anonymous Twitter account. Very little of what he said resembles what happened here in reality.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I agree. That goofy will keep talking (typing) as if they are an insider but they ain’t no one important. Facts are facts. I’m hyped for the start of this season.

I was just reading the post and I was like KnoxLikeUs just said all this but at the end I'm just happy we are close to the first game.

 

[wpcadetdad]

The majority of this thread perfectly illustrates why coaches would prefer to keep fans out of these things. Fans are crazy, and they often read too much into every little silly thing. It’s what fans do, but it’s still crazy as hell.

Spot on and if you read comments from other publications it only reinforces how crazy fans can be without research on any given topic.

 

[lvocd]

Spot on and if you read comments from other publications it only reinforces how crazy fans can be without research on any given topic.

I actually don't mind all the speculation and such. These message boards were made for crazy fans to have a place to banter back and forth with other crazy fans. Unless a poster is here officially representing a newspaper or other trusted news outlet, then nobody is required to uphold journalists' ethical standards. Message boards aren't official news outlets. They are primarily supposed to be fun and entertaining for fans, and if we're lucky, sometimes informative. But I certainly don't expect credible sourcing here like I would if I were reading a newspaper with actual journalists.

 

[BruisedOrange]

The half-court condition makes sense to me. If UNC had trouble beating Tennessee's press, then they wouldn't be getting as much practice running their half-court sets. By making that request, UNC was assured they'd get the full benefit from the scrimmage.

UNC might have just requested we not press them for a half, but I doubt CKC would have agreed to that because it would be taking the LVs out of the very habits she's attempting to install with the 7 new players. Just playing half-court ball would be the logical compromise.

Given problems we had last year in our halfcourt defense, I think we probably benefitted from it, too.

 

[volsagain]

The half-court condition makes sense to me. If UNC had trouble beating Tennessee's press, then they wouldn't be getting as much practice running their half-court sets. By making that request, UNC was assured they'd get the full benefit from the scrimmage.

UNC might have just requested we not press them for a half, but I doubt CKC would have agreed to that because it would be taking the LVs out of the very habits she's attempting to install with the 7 new players. Just playing half-court ball would be the logical compromise.

Given problems we had last year in our halfcourt defense, I think we probably benefitted from it, too.

Every team practice half court sets. Waste to much time running the full court just to setup and work on your half court sets. Game prep you work against the up coming teams best defenses no reason to run the full court to do that.

 

[glv98]

Every team practice half court sets. Waste to much time running the full court just to setup and work on your half court set

I hope the LVs are spending lots of time on half court sets. The exact problem last year that led to a mid pack conference finish was lack of half court finesse both on offense and defense. I think we learned last year that while the running style is great and all, you can not live by that alone.

 

[lvocd]

I hope the LVs are spending lots of time on half court sets. The exact problem last year that led to a mid pack conference finish was lack of half court finesse both on offense and defense. I think we learned last year that while the running style is great and all, you can not live by that alone.

Agreed.

It may not be possible at all given how busy everyone is, but the ideal situation would be if the players can make time to get together in groups, on their own, to at least jog through half-court sets together over and over and over again. This is something they can do on their own if the can get lucky enough to get enough teammates together at the same time to do it. They would benefit greatly, mentally, from the repetition of seeing and feeling themselves moving from spot to spot, even if they're not going full speed. Kinda like visualization, but actually trotting through the movements instead of just mentally doing it.

But like I said, it may be asking too much, especially for all the freshmen who are still (I'm guessing) adjusting to life/coursework on a college campus. It'd sure be nice, though!

 

[madtownvol]

I hope the LVs are spending lots of time on half court sets. The exact problem last year that led to a mid pack conference finish was lack of half court finesse both on offense and defense. I think we learned last year that while the running style is great and all, you can not live by that alone.

Yeah, that is why i am puzzled about folks getting up in arms over the "secret" scrimmage (allegedly) switching to a half court format in the 4th quarter. It seems people feel some great injustice was done because (allegedly) the LVs went from dominating the full court format and then (allegedly) struggled in the half court game. The flipside of the outrage is that, during pre-season, you had better be working very hard on your weak points because those deficiencies are what opponents will try to exploit in the regular season.

Again, the pre-season talk on this board is exactly like last year. We are team of "cheetahs" that no one will be able to keep pace with and we will run everyone out of the gym (every game LVS 105 opponents 42!!!).
No team will ever have seen anything like this and so give us the national title right because the season is just a formality.

Well, we saw last season, that good teams (and sometimes even middle of the road ones) can slow the tempo down and force the cheetahs to run half court sets.

But wait, we have more cheetahs this season!!! It does not change the dynamic that much. The better teams will handle the LV press and not let the game turn into a fast break fest. Good 3 pt. Shooting and half court execution remains a necessary component of a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

 

[Coach Jumper]

Yeah, that is why i am puzzled about folks getting up in arms over the "secret" scrimmage (allegedly) switching to a half court format in the fourth quarter...

This "folks" wasn't upset that there was a switch. What upset me is the fact that we were there expecting to play a full scrimmage game and it was changed without prior knowledge that we would be working on half court offense.

As a coach myself, I know that if I go into a situation prepared for one thing and something else is programmed..it makes me look unprepared and that affects my entire day. As a coach, I go into any situation, practice. Or game with a plan. And if that plan is altered not by my own doing it upsets my entire plan.

 

[madtownvol]

This "folks" wasn't upset that there was a switch. What upset me is the fact that we were there expecting to play a full scrimmage game and it was changed without prior knowledge that we would be working on half court offense.

As a coach myself, I know that if I go into a situation prepared for one thing and something else is programmed..it makes me look unprepared and that affects my entire day. As a coach, I go into any situation, practice. Or game with a plan. And if that plan is altered not by my own doing it upsets my entire plan.

The Importance of Adaptability in Leadership — Loeb Leadership

Adaptability as a leader is key to success. Learn the importance of adaptability in leadership and how to develop it for lasting impact. What is adaptability in leadership? Find out now!

www.loebleadership.com

 

[Coach Jumper]

The Importance of Adaptability in Leadership — Loeb Leadership

Adaptability as a leader is key to success. Learn the importance of adaptability in leadership and how to develop it for lasting impact. What is adaptability in leadership? Find out now!

www.loebleadership.com

there is pretty much a page for every situation,,,and its antithesis

Why Planning is Essential for Leadership Success - Insights Newsletter

By Jonathan Eisler, VP, AllOne Consulting, Team Leadership Vision alone isn’t enough—leaders must turn vision into reality through effective planning and execution. The best leaders don’t leave success to chance; they create strategic plans that align goals with actions, ensuring teams stay...

allonehealth.com

 

[madtownvol]

there is pretty much a page for every situation,,,and its antithesis

Why Planning is Essential for Leadership Success - Insights Newsletter

By Jonathan Eisler, VP, AllOne Consulting, Team Leadership Vision alone isn’t enough—leaders must turn vision into reality through effective planning and execution. The best leaders don’t leave success to chance; they create strategic plans that align goals with actions, ensuring teams stay...

allonehealth.com

As a point of clarification, adaptability and having a plan are not antithetical. Adaptability means revising your plan in response to unexpected circumstances.

 

[Coach Jumper]

As a point of clarification, adaptability and having a plan are not antithetical. Adaptability means revising your plan in response to unexpected circumstances.

You go into a practice with no plan and ready to adapt unexpected circumstances...I'll go into a practice with a plan and we'll see who accomplishes more

 

[madtownvol]

You go into a practice with no plan and ready to adapt unexpected circumstances...I'll go into a practice with a plan and we'll see who accomplishes more

Google on "false dichotomy." Where did going into practice with no plan come from anyway? Per my previous post, "Adaptability means revising your plan in response to unexpected circumstances."

 

[lvocd]

Scrimmages aren't just practice for the players, they are also practice for the coaches. If a coach is totally discombobulated by a need to change plans when necessary, then there's a problem. I'd like to think Kim and her staff welcomed the chance to grow a little themselves that day. They had better be ready for a lot of different scenarios, 'cause the "new Lady Vols" are no longer a surprise to anyone, and opposing coaches will have their own plans to throw at us in hopes to surprise US.

 

[Rickster]

I'm sure the team appreciated the change of venue. Pretty impressive outcome if we did hold a couple of players out.

 

[RespectAPA]

But wait, we have more cheetahs this season!!! It does not change the dynamic that much. The better teams will handle the LV press and not let the game turn into a fast break fest. Good 3 pt. Shooting and half court execution remains a necessary component of a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

I think the jury is out on whether it "does not change the dynamic". I mean, shoot, we still haven't seen a single game of play with this rebooted roster, and we're already throwing in the towel on the idea that we could give even the best teams trouble? I'd like to see our pressure struggle at least once before assuming that this defense won't hold teams under 70 points way more often than last year's. (vs last year's team that gave up 93 to Liberty, 75 to Memphis and Middle...)

I mean, you're as free to speculate as much as I'm speculating here, of course. It does seem to me that you think that this year's team will only have marginally better pressure than last year's team, in spite of the difference in athleticism. Is that a fair assessment of your take?

"Well, we saw last season, that good teams (and sometimes even middle of the road ones) can slow the tempo down and force the cheetahs to run half court sets."

Did last year's roster even have 5 cheetahs? I think we're doing waaay better than that this year. Stepping up in the place of some graduating non-'cheetas' we've got players that Kim has especially targeted, with her system particularly in mind. (rather than inheriting those players regardless of athletic fit, arguably to the detriment of the efficacy of our full-court -- altho Darby, Spear, and Hollingshead made up for it offensively to varying extents)

Again, I'd say let this season play out a bit before concluding that cheetah theory is a bust.

 

[Coach Jumper]

/\ /\ this X100 /\ /\

this year we have cheetahs on the bench too

 

[RetroVol]

/\ /\ this X100 /\ /\

this year we have cheetahs on the bench too

AND a core group of players with a year in CKC's system.

AND CKC has a year in the SEC.

Guaranteed? Of course not. But certainly reason for some excited anticipation, at least for me!

 

[madtownvol]

I think the jury is out on whether it "does not change the dynamic". I mean, shoot, we still haven't seen a single game of play with this rebooted roster, and we're already throwing in the towel on the idea that we could give even the best teams trouble? I'd like to see our pressure struggle at least once before assuming that this defense won't hold teams under 70 points way more often than last year's. (vs last year's team that gave up 93 to Liberty, 75 to Memphis and Middle...)

I mean, you're as free to speculate as much as I'm speculating here, of course. It does seem to me that you think that this year's team will only have marginally better pressure than last year's team, in spite of the difference in athleticism. Is that a fair assessment of your take?

"Well, we saw last season, that good teams (and sometimes even middle of the road ones) can slow the tempo down and force the cheetahs to run half court sets."

Did last year's roster even have 5 cheetahs? I think we're doing waaay better than that this year. Stepping up in the place of some graduating non-'cheetas' we've got players that Kim has especially targeted, with her system particularly in mind. (rather than inheriting those players regardless of athletic fit, arguably to the detriment of the efficacy of our full-court -- altho Darby, Spear, and Hollingshead made up for it offensively to varying extents)

Again, I'd say let this season play out a bit before concluding that cheetah theory is a bust.

I understand that anyone suggesting that the LVs might even have one game where they will need a good half court offense to win is a HATER, who has no excitement for the season and has deemed the cheetah theory a bust. Such people must be stoned to death. But before my final breath exits my body under the weight of my deserved punishment, a few last words. Last season, Spencer, Boyd, Whitehorn, Cooper, Spearman, and Latham were fast players (that is 6). Spear was not a cheetah but she was not a sloth either. Hollingshead was very mobile for a 6-5 player.

Now the LVs have more speed depth this season but let me reverse your “all in”stance with this question, my prior post said that it is good the LVs are working on their half court offense in the preseason. You took strong exception to that claim.

Is your all in stance that CKC should not waste any time on half court sets? If yes, then add a few more stones to my pile and if not, then please take a few off.

 

[volsagain]

I understand that anyone suggesting that the LVs might even have one game where they will need a good half court offense to win is a HATER, who has no excitement for the season and has deemed the cheetah theory a bust. Such people must be stoned to death. But before my final breath exits my body under the weight of my deserved punishment, a few last words. Last season, Spencer, Boyd, Whitehorn, Cooper, Spearman, and Latham were fast players (that is 6). Spear was not a cheetah but she was not a sloth either. Hollingshead was very mobile for a 6-5 player.

Now the LVs have more speed depth this season but let me reverse your “all in”stance with this question, my prior post said that it is good the LVs are working on their half court offense in the preseason. You took strong exception to that claim.

Is your all in stance that CKC should not waste any time on half court sets? If yes, then add a few more stones to my pile and if not, then please take a few off.

Just #1 simple fact if you're not working on half court sets well then you're not coaching. It doesn't matter if you're just going to give it to someone and dribble drive in the half court. Spacing is really important in the offensive sets .

 

[madtownvol]

Just #1 simple fact if you're not working on half court sets well then you're not coaching. It doesn't matter if you're just going to give it to someone and dribble drive in the half court. Spacing is really important in the offensive sets .

I agree. I am sure CKC does as well.

 

[lvocd]

Since half-court play was Tennessee’s Achilles heel last season, opposing coaches will be hoping that it will again be the weakest part of our game. Considering Kim’s system and the roster she has this year, it’s pretty much a given that the half-court WILL be our weaker spot, so Kim knows she’s got to have this team quite a bit better in the half-court this season. We don’t have to be GREAT at it, but we’ll have to be better at it than we were last season. Enough better at it that it’s not the biggest reason we lose if we aren’t.

What did I just type? Good grief.

 

[ron1989]

Since half-court play was Tennessee’s Achilles heel last season, opposing coaches will be hoping that it will again be the weakest part of our game. Considering Kim’s system and the roster she has this year, it’s pretty much a given that the half-court WILL be our weaker spot, so Kim knows she’s got to have this team quite a bit better in the half-court this season. We don’t have to be GREAT at it, but we’ll have to be better at it than we were last season. Enough better at it that it’s not the biggest reason we lose if we aren’t.

What did I just type? Good grief.

We understood lol