Coaching Xs & Os with elite Development female basketball athletes : Phil Brown’s 25 Years at the AIS
Warwick Cann
Director, Mentor Coach, Coach Developer & Performance Sport consultant specializing in basketball
Welcome to the Australian Basketball Coaching Spotlight series , where we delve into the illustrious careers of 30 of Australia's most successful basketball coaches from the past 50 years.
Through candid conversations, we uncover coaching lessons, mindsets, strategies, and unforgettable stories from the courts. this is a short summary of Phil Browns forth or five coach conversations on Xs & Os.
Today, we continue to highlight the career and insights of Phil Brown, the former AIS Women’s Head Coach, who has significantly influenced Australian basketball.
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Phil Brown’s Coaching introduction
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Phil Brown served as the head coach of the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) women’s basketball team for 25 years—a critical era for youth women’s basketball in Australia. His experience extended to being the GEMS Under-20 Head Coach, an assistant coach with the Opals, and the Canberra Cannons in the NBL.
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Phil’s coaching journey is marked by strategic transitions, innovation in training methodologies, and a deep commitment to developing the sport. His career spans two significant tenures at AIS—first from the early 90s and then after his return from the University of Oregon in 2012. His coaching philosophy evolved by leveraging external funding to create assistant roles, which eventually led to the recruitment of full-time assistant coaches.
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Developing Coaching Skills and Philosophy
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Phil attributes much of his early development as a coach to hands-on experience and observation. He began as an assistant coach at the AIS, working with experienced coaches like Jenny Cheesman and Adrian Hurley. Over time, he attended coaching clinics, participated in study tours, and continuously sought professional development opportunities.
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Utilizing resources such as the AIS National Sports Information Center, Phil emphasized the importance of continuous learning and self-reflection in evolving his coaching style and philosophy.
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Teaching Methodologies and Skill Acquisition
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In his coaching methodology, Brown emphasized the balance between repetition and innovation. He believed that skill acquisition required both consistent practice and the integration of varied, exciting drills to maintain athlete engagement. His approach included individual fundamentals, competitive drills, and incorporating game-like situations to foster decision-making skills in athletes.
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The Role of Failure in Success
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Phil recognized the critical connection between failure and success, especially in developing young athletes. Encouraging players to experiment, take risks, and learn from their failures was integral to his coaching. His supportive environment aimed to motivate athletes to become self-coached and take responsibility for their development.
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Training Intensity and Competitiveness
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Brown stressed the importance of training at game speed and maintaining high intensity. He designed drills to simulate game conditions and foster a sense of urgency in practice. By incorporating competitive elements into training, he ensured that athletes developed the habits needed for peak performance.
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The Difference between a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach
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Having experienced both roles extensively, Phil discussed the distinct responsibilities of head and assistant coaches. While head coaches focus on overall team strategy and leadership, assistant coaches play a crucial role in individual player development and supporting the head coach’s vision. Effective assistant coaches complement the head coach's skills and maintain focus on both offensive and defensive aspects during practice.
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The Technical and Psychological Aspects of Basketball
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Phil Brown described basketball as a highly technical sport, requiring proficiency in numerous skills to succeed. He also underscored the importance of psychological resilience and the role of psychologists in athlete development and coaching staff support.
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Managing Stakeholders and Communication
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Effective communication was a cornerstone of Brown’s approach to managing relationships with various stakeholders, including parents, the Basketball Australia administration, and WNBL clubs. Clear, proactive communication of coaching philosophies and expectations was crucial in fostering understanding and support among all parties involved.
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Evolution in Coaching Techniques
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When asked about lightbulb moments in his coaching career, Phil emphasized the importance of evolution and reflection. He noted that over the years, his approach to planning and executing practice sessions significantly evolved.
Phil stresses the value of progression and logical delivery in team practices, avoiding the pitfalls of trying to cram too much into a short training session. He also highlights the balance between practice flow and necessary teaching blocks, cautioning against lengthy instruction that can disrupt practice momentum.
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Learning from Athletes
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Phil underscores the importance of engaging with athletes through questioning techniques. He believes that understanding athletes’ perspectives on learning and coping with new concepts is crucial. This dialog not only helps coaches to identify gaps in understanding but also fosters a collaborative atmosphere where players feel confident to voice their opinions. Encouraging this kind of open communication develops leadership skills among athletes and ensures a more dynamic and responsive training environment.
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Differences Between Early and Later Coaching Days
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Reflecting on his journey, Phil acknowledges significant shifts in his coaching style from his early days to more seasoned years. Initially detail-oriented and perhaps overly meticulous, he learned to streamline his approach, focusing on clear, concise instructions and fostering autonomy among his players.
Embracing the inherent messiness of junior practices, Phil strives to balance structured guidance with opportunities for players to make decisions and learn through trial and error.
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Effective Practice and Skill Development
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Phil emphasizes the action-oriented nature of sports, advocating for a balance between demonstration and practice. Providing repetitions and simplifying techniques for better grasp is a key part of his methodology. He cautions against the common mistake of moving too quickly from one activity to the next without ensuring athletes have had sufficient practice time to internalize new skills.
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Drawing Inspiration from Other Sports
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Phil shares his experiences of learning from other sports, highlighting the value of observing coaching techniques and practice structures outside basketball. Whether it was watching the AIS soccer team or learning from rowing coaches, these cross-disciplinary observations enriched his coaching repertoire and informed his approach to player development.
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Advice for Aspiring Coaches
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Phil’s advice to budding coaches is profound. He suggests immersive learning through assistant roles and head coaching of junior teams simultaneously, which offers practical, hands-on experience.
Emphasizing the need to develop both team success and individual player skills, he advocates for creating structured, effective systems that facilitate learning and improvement. Understanding the game, fostering good habits, and preparing players for higher levels of competition are pillars of Phil’s coaching philosophy.
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Conclusion
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Phil Brown's extensive career is a testament to his adaptability, deep understanding of player development, and commitment to excellence. His insights into program culture, individual and team dynamics, and the evolution of coaching strategies provide invaluable guidance for anyone involved in coaching.
This fourth interview sheds light on the principles and passion that have driven Phil's successful journey, with anticipation building for the fifth and final conversation in this illuminating series.
Listen to the full fourt conversation here: