Before I get started on my speech, let me just point out a few of the things I have done out of my own free will. I didnt have to do these things but wanted to, so that I could help our NTs anyway I could. And btw some of it has taken up a significant amount of my time, im okay with that, but you know I couldve been doing something else (proving my commitment I guess). Okay so here they are:
1. When I started, apart from reading the game manual and 'the guide to BB', I sought advise from the best coaches in Australia. I asked heaps of questions and they taught me a whole lot and helped me understand the game of buzzerbeater. Everything regarding tactics, training, enthusiasm and minutes management I am familiar and extremely comfortable with. There have been many coaches who have shared some knowledge with me but most notibly it has been yodabig, iwen, abigfishy, Matty8 & Whitebeard.
How does this help me with regards to our national teams? Understanding the fundamentals is key to running a successful franchise but also having success as a U21/NT coach. The tactics, training, enthusiasm and minutes management that I mentioned before are all essential components a coach has to understand when in charge of a U21/NT. I have that info in my head plus a lot more!
2. People wanted experience from me. Here is my experience. Firstly I signed up to the offsite forum that is pretty much all about our NTs -
(http://forum.buzzerbeaterstats.com/) Upon arrival there, I closely followed everything that was going on and how the Australian coaches already there were going about there business. I learnt even more things on how a U21 & NT team is run and managed. Once I had a basic understanding of what was going on there I started to voice my own opinion and my ideas. Some if it was not ideal but that just increased my learning of it all. I also started to help with scouting opposition players, no one asked, I just did it, and for almost all of the Asain countries that we play against in our Asain Championships.
3. Come season 20, I wanted to learn more and do more regarding NTs. So I approached yodabig who had just been appointed coach of U21 Bolivia NT. I asked if I could help him out and he made me one of his assistants and the 19yr olds mentor. I over saw the training of a bunch of 19 year olds and helped their coaches with any questions they had about their player. However not waiting for questions, I sent BB-mails to each of the 19yr olds coaches every so often throughout the season to check up on our prospects and make sure they were being looked after. I also took the time to message coaches in their own language as I found that increases the chances of them being more cooperative with you. So I was managing back and forth conversations in languages I did not understand, but it was for the benefit of the U21 side I was helping out. I was involved in tactics discussion for each game and yodabig even let me throw out my opinions for tactics and actually used a couple them. I was quite happy with how that season went as an U21 assistant.
4. Season 21 I thanked yodabig for the opportunity he gave me but feeling more confident, I wanted to help out our own country and be more closely involved with one of the NTs. I approached Whitebeard to ask if he would like any assistance and he gave me the chance to be one of his assistant coaches and PG/SG training supervisor. This involved more players and more time. But again I was fine with it because I was enjoying it. Once again my worth ethic was very high as I sent out BB-mails to each of the coaches who had a guard we had some interest in. Had discussions about players with their owners and helped a fair few out with training plans and getting them to understand about minutes management and how it affects gameshape (and how important that is). I again did regular check ups throughout the season with the coaches about their players. And the feedback was very positive...
The Platypus Federation: http://www.buzzerbeater.com/community/fedoverview.aspx?fedid=19109