My Coaching Experience at

Depiro Sports Club

Name: Luke Attard

Date: 2022-2024
ID Card Number: 31806L
Mobile number: 79060120
Email: [email protected]
Class Group: 3A
Tutor: Dr Jurgen Gatt

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Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................3-4

Journal Reports..........................................................................................5-24

Essay........................................................................................................25-28

Scientific Essay.........................................................................................29-33

Bibliography.............................................................................................34-37

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Introduction and
Outline

3
Introduction and Outline

I decided to volunteer at the Depiro Sports Club and help assist coaches during
basketball practise sessions for boys and girls in the under 12 sections as part of my SOK
project. My aim is to teach them the fundamental skills of basketball and important
sport values like discipline, teamwork, and respect. My project is linked to
responsible citizenship. Coaching involves commitment, discipline, and patience.
Additionally, a coach must ensure that each player of the team is well prepared for a
game. Many principles of responsible citizenship can be learned through sports, like
perseverance and responsibility. Another factor in my decision to why I chose to focus
my project on coaching this sport since I wanted to pass on my knowledge and skills of
the game to these young players, since I have been playing basketball for the past 10
and a half years.

For ten training sessions, I had the chance to assist the coach, assisting the coach in any
manner that you can. Each training session lasts two hours long. It was also my
responsibility to assist the young players learn and recognise the principles that one
needs to uphold to be a responsible citizen. By coaching and communicating with the
team, I intend to improve my social skills and self-confidence. This undoubtedly helps
me in the years to come to become a better player and perhaps a coach in the future. In
this project, I'll primarily use the internet to conduct my research since I think it has
become a very strong tool that also works well as a research source.

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Reflective Journals

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Journal 1 – Session 1
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Tuesday, 21st February 2023
Duration – 2 hours

Description:

Today, it was my first time coaching the under 12 boys. I planned the session beforehand
together with coaches Miguel and Laura (head coaches of the under 12 categories at the
club) as shown in Figure 1.1. I started the session by taking the attendance to familiarize
myself with the players’ names. Following, we started the session with a warm-up game
to get the players focused and excited for the rest of the session, as well as activating their
muscles. Afterwards, stations were set up as shown in the plan and I was responsible for
explaining each station to the players as shown in Figure 1.2. The stations focused on
fundamental skills such as passing and dribbling. The session continued with a simple
transition drill (3-man weave) explained by the coaches. I noticed that a few of the
younger players were struggling to understand, hence, I told them to carefully observe
the older players during the drill. The session ended with a 4 versus 4 game, followed by
dynamic stretching, as shown in Figure 1.3.

Analysis:

My goal for this session was to emphasize the skill of observation. The definition of
observation is the action of closely monitoring something or someone. It is a fundamental
skill for learning. Being observant is a natural human instinct that helps us learn and
improve. It helps us become more competitive in our environment and simultaneously
become more emphatic towards others.

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Reflection:

This skill was observed today when the younger players had trouble understanding the ‘3-
man weave’ drill. I told them to observe the older players so they could also understand
the exercise and join in with the rest. As a coach, I observed the 4 versus 4 game carefully
to assess where the team needs improvement so we can work on them in the upcoming
sessions. In society, improving your observation skills allows you to listen and understand
other people’s perspective and make better decisions. It will also enhance your social skills
as it helps your ability to interact with others and respond in the appropriate manner.

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 Figure 1.1 – A photo of the session
plan prepared by the head coaches
and I before the session with all the
drills included.

Figure 1.2 – Explaining one of the exercises

from the stations to the players. This
exercise is important because it will force
the player look at the tennis ball while
dribbling which means that in a game they
would look up at the basket or their
teammates while dribbling the ball rather
than looking at the ground.

Figure 1.3 – Tossing the ball to start the 4

versus 4 game. I then told the other players
to observe the game and discuss between
what the team can improve on. This will
also help them improve on communication
and self-analysis.

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Journal 2 – Session 2
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Tuesday, 7th March 2023
Duration – 2 hours

Description:

Today was my second session with the under 12 boys. In this session coach Miguel and I
focused on the finishing aspect of basketball. The session started with a lay-up drill, figure
of eight, where the players dribble the ball around the court in a figure of eight motion
and finish with a layup when they arrive in front of the basket. Then we split the players
into 4 groups and assigned each group to a mini basket to the correct steps of a layup. The
session continued with a layup competition where we split the players into 2 teams, the
first team to score 20 layups wins the game. The losers would have to do a punishment
chosen by the players from the opposing team as shown in figure 2.2. During the last 30
minutes, I divided the boys into 3 teams, 4 players in each team. They played 4 versus for
the rest of the session.

Analysis:

A value that relates to todays’ session is responsibility. This is the fact of having to deal
with something or someone. A responsibility might be a task you are expected to do. For
example, brushing your teeth is a responsibility, but it is up to you to brush your teeth
every day. A responsibility might be a way you are expected to act.

Reflection:

As an assistant coach, I was responsible for organizing, planning, and explaining the drills
to the players. Typical responsibilities of a coach include teaching fundamental skills and

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techniques, monitoring and enhancing performance by providing encouragement and
feedback, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. It is also important for the players to
be responsible. For example, when a coach is explaining a drill, they expect you to listen
and not be a distraction to others or yourself. It is their responsibility to listen carefully in
a respectful manner. Some responsibilities shown in today’s session were when the
players had to choose a punishment for the losing team and putting equipment back in
the equipment room at the end of the session as shown in figure 2.3.

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 Figure 2.1 – A diagram representing how a
proper layup is done. The illustration was
also shown to the players, this gave them
a clear idea what was expected from them
during the exercises.

Figure 2.2 – The losing team doing the

punishment for losing the layup
competition. The punishment was
chosen by the winning team which was
20 pushups per player. I decided to join
them for some fun.

Figure 2.3 – The players placing the equipment

back in the equipment room and leaving it tidy
as it was before the session. This is a big
responsibility throughout the club because
different people use the equipment room
therefore it is our responsibility to leave the
room tidy.

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Journal 3 – Session 3,4
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Thursday, 16th March 2023
Duration – 4 hours

Description:

Today I was told to help during 2 sessions. The first session was with the under 12 boys
and the second was with the under 12 girls. Both sessions were planned out together
between the 2 coaches and I therefore the same exercise was delivered in both sessions.
We began the session with some simple dynamic stretching, but the players were too
excited and talkative, so I was told to separate some of the players from staying next to
each other. The session followed with dribbling drills like the “Bulldog Drill”, which
involves one of the players standing in the middle of the court while the other player
had 10 seconds to get from one baseline to the other while maintaining their dribble. If a
player loses control of the ball or has the ball stolen from them by the bulldog, he or she
will join the bulldogs’ team. At the end of the session, I was told to split the players up
into teams as shown in figure 3.1, and they played 4vs4 during the last 20 minutes, as
shown in figure 3.2.

Analysis:

Obedience is a form of social influence that involves performing an action under the
orders of an authority figure. It differs from compliance (which involves changing your
behaviour at the request of another person).

Reflection:

The value of obedience was lacking today especially during the stretching as they were
being very talkative. To practice this value better, we introduce punishments like doing a
lap around the gym or being split from your teammates. Without complying to rules and

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 laws, there would only be chaos and confusion. Citizens must obey rules to avoid the
punishment which in return keeps society running smoothly.

Figure 3.1 – This is me dividing the

players into 3 teams. This is important as
I had to make sure that the teams were
balanced to make sure everyone has fun.

Figure 3.2 – The players playing 4vs4. It was

very competitive and even the players that
hadn’t played yet were really into the
game.

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Journal 4 – Session 5
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Thursday, 23rd March 2023
Duration – 2 hours

Description:

Today’s session started with passing and ball handling drills. Then followed by a simple
attacking strategy that would be easy for the under 12 boys to understand as the
following Saturday was tournament day. The simple attacking movement Coach Miguel
and I decided to follow was the “5 out” strategy. The 5 out strategy is a simple play that
uses 3 rules; pass, cut and replace. I explained it to the boys on the board for them to
refer to it if they ever got confused, as shown in figure 4.1. Both the coach and I were
overseeing their performance and correcting individual mistakes. We ended the session
with a simple shooting game called killer, where if a player scores before the player in-
front of him, the player in front will get knocked out.

Analysis:

Discipline and self-discipline were clearly emphasized today. Discipline is the practice of
training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour.

Reflection:

Discipline was displayed by the coach and I when we explained the rules of the play and
corrected their mistakes. Discipline is the fundamental aspect on which sports have
been created. Every player must adhere to the rules of the game, which is why referees
exist. Whoever doesn’t follow these rules will be penalized for violating the rules, like
losing possession of the ball or obtaining a foul. Organizational discipline is the practice
of self-restraint and learning to follow the best course of action which may not be

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according to one’s desire. In society, discipline in business is a type of training which
individuals are subject to regulations designed to mold behaviours.

Figure 4.1 – This is me explaining the “5 out” play to the boys.

They were very focused as they wanted to perform well in
their upcoming tournament.

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Journal 5 – Session 6,7
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Wednesday, 5th April 2023
Duration – 4 hours

Description:

Today was my first time doing a strength and conditioning session with the club. I was
assigned to do 2 sessions, one with the under 12 boys and the other with the under 12
girls. Coach Miguel, Coach Laura and I planned out the sessions together and decided to
deliver the same session for both teams. We started the session by telling the players to
do some laps around the football pitch. The session was followed by dynamic stretching,
as shown in figure 5.1. After we set up some strength and conditioning stations where I
was told to show and explain how the stations were meant to be done, as shown in
figure 5.2. Some of the weaker players were struggling to do some of the exercises but I
helped them realize that they just needed to push themselves. We ended the session
with a small football match as they worked hard throughout and deserved to have some
fun.

Analysis:

My goal for this session was for the players to realise the importance of self-confidence
in the game of basketball. In general, confidence is defined as ‘having belief and a
positive regard for yourself and your ability to succeed’. It is not a fixed characteristic,
but an ability that can be improved over time. Self-confidence is a very important value,
being confident means knowing yourself and what your strengths are. When you know
that you have value, you instantly become a stronger person.

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 Reflection:

Throughout the session, the players showed self-confidence when they succeeded in
doing the exercises. However as mentioned some of them did not believe in themselves
which is why I told them to push themselves to their limit and then they succeeded.
They also encouraged one another when their teammates were doing the exercises.

Figure 5.1 – The girls doing the dynamic

stretching and getting ready for an
intense strength and conditioning
session.

Figure 5.2 – This is me

explaining one of the stations
that Coach Laura had told the
players to do.

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Journal 6 – Session 8
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Tuesday, 11th April 2023
Duration – 2 hours

Description:

Today Coach Miguel and I decided to focus primarily on passing and some shooting. We
started the session with some jogging instead of the usual warm-up. We continued with
a passing drill, as shown in figure 6.1. The session followed by a shooting drill where we
explained correctly to the players the proper shooting technique, as shown in figure 6.2.
During the last 10 mins we gave the players a pen and paper and asked them to write
ways how one can show respect towards someone, as shown in figure 6.3.

Analysis:

Respect is a feeling of deep admiration for someone, or something elicited by their

abilities, qualities, or achievements. Receiving respect from others is important because
it helps us to feel safe and to express ourselves. Another reason why being respected by
important people in our lives growing up is very important is because it teaches us how
to be respectful toward others. The sports environment is a great place to grow and
establish respect.

Reflection:

Respect was shown among the players today when they were happy for their team-
mates when someone did a very good pass or scored a lay-up. They were always positive
and celebrated the accomplishments of others. As a coach, I felt respected by the girls
when they showed the desire to improve their passing skills. They listened carefully
when I pointed out their mistakes and accepted and utilized the advice and criticism.

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The last activity was important to enhance recognition of the components necessary to
maintain respectful interactions. In society, citizens must value each other’s opinions
and show respect towards higher authority to avoid unnecessary arguing and create a
sense of security.

Figure 6.1 – A diagram made

by me with instructions of
the drill. This is a good
passing drill that also works
on communication, timing
and layups.

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Figure 6.2 – This is me explaining
the proper basketball shooting
technique to the players. This is
important because if done
correctly, it will help you increase
your percentage of scoring shots
from further out.

Figure 6.3 – One of the boys writing down

ways to show respect to each other. They all
had their own interesting and unique ideas.

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Journal 7 – Session 9
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Thursday, 20th April 2023
Duration – 2 hours

Description:

Today’s session was quite different. I was assigned to help coach Miguel with the under
12 boys. Since they had no upcoming tournaments, we decided to plan a fun session. I
assembled an obstacle course and divided the players into two teams of 5 players each.
Each team was blind folded (except the last person the line) while holding to a rope.
They had to navigate the course together (they were allowed to communicate). In the
second activity, called ‘Tangled knot’, I divided the players into two groups again. Each
group formed a circle facing each other. The players reached across and grabbed
another player’s forearm. Then, each player reached across the circle again and grabbed
onto a different player’s arm (a ‘tangled knot’ was formed). The group tried to untangle
itself without breaking any of the hand holds. The last part of the session involved me
giving a little speech about the important value, trust.

Analysis:

My goal for this session was for the players to realize the importance of trust in the
game of basketball. Trust is both and emotional and logical act. Emotionally, it is where
you expose your vulnerabilities to people, but believing they will not take advantage of
your openness. Logically, it is where you have assessed the probabilities of gain and loss,
calculating expected utility based on hard performance data, and concluded that the
person in question will behave in a predictable manner. In practice, trust is a bit of both.
I trust you because I have experienced your trustworthiness and because I have faith in
human nature.

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Reflection:

In sports, one factor that contributes to team success is trust. Athletes need to trust one
another to work together as a team and trust each other’s abilities during competition.
In team sports the success of the team is a function of the player’s being able to perform
collectively. Often players have different roles and responsibilities and therefore every
player needs to ‘trust’ that everyone else will do what they need to do when they need
to do it. Trust is a very important value in a democratic society; if the level of trust is low
in a relationship or organization, people limit their involvement and what they are
willing to do or share. In contrast, when the trust level is high, people reward it by giving
more.

Figure 7.1 – The boys at the end of a very

fun session in a huddle up about to shout
“DEPIRO” together to show that they are a
team. Trust will also bring the team closer
together.

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Journal 8 – Session 10
Location – Depiro Sports Club, Basketball Gym, Imtarfa, Malta
Date – Thursday, 5th May 2023
Duration – 2 hours

Description:

Today was my final session with the boys. Coach Miguel and I decided to assess the
players’ shooting ability. We created multiple shooting games like bank, Olympic
shooting, and killer. These shooting games made the session very fun, we also included a
mannequin defender which the players had to shoot over, as shown in figure 8.1. We
also kept their scores on the board, as shown in figure 8.2, and gave the winning team a
prize.

Analysis:

Cooperation is when people work together to achieve results or to achieve a common

goal. Cooperation allows participants to exchange valuable information that helps both
sides improve their knowledge bases and work in a time- and resource-efficient manner.

Reflection:

The players were very cooperative today, especially when they were doing the shooting
games as they worked together to win. They were also very cooperative when I was
explaining the shooting games. During the first couple of sessions, the players weren’t as
cooperative, maybe because I was an unfamiliar face. Cooperation between people is
necessary so that they can meet each other's needs. For example, at work, colleagues
must work together to complete tasks. The citizens must co-operate with their
government and vice versa. Citizens obey the rules and can give opinions during
meetings while the government listens to their different ideas and tries to find a
compromise.

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 Figure 8.1 – One of the players shooting
over the mannequin defender. This will
make the player to shoot the ball higher
which is effective in basketball as a high arc
will help you score.

Figure 8.2 – These are the scores of

the shooting games that were done
in the session. Team Lakers won!

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Long Essay

25
Essay

26
Scientific Essay

27
Scientific Essay

28
Bibliography

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Bibliography

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Journal 3:

Meyers, A. (2022, November 8). Fun Basketball Drills That Improve Court Skills. Stack.
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Mcleod, S. (2023, June 16). Obedience to Authority in Psychology. Simply Psychology.

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Journal 4:

Fern, A. (2013, June 14). Why Discipline Is Essential To Your Character. Elite Daily.
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Mac, C. (2023, February 4). 5-Out Motion Offense - Complete Coaching Guide. Basketball
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Journal 5:

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How to be respectful and respected. (2023, August 18). Kids Helpline.

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Journal 7:

Staff, H., & Staff, H. (2022, December 2). 25 Trust-Building Activities to Try in The
Workplace (With Tips) - HRDQ. HRDQ. https://hrdqstore.com/blogs/hrdq-
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Journal 8:

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