FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 18 2006 | PAGE 11

FIBA EUROPE

by Aluisio (Lula)Ferreira

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

Aluisio (Lula) Ferreira is the head coach ofthe Brazilian Men's and Youth Nationalteams. He won a gold and a silver medalwith the Junior teams at the SouthAmerican Championships, two silvermedals at the FIBA Pan-American Gameswith the Men's team, and one silver medalat the FIBA South AmericanChampionships.

DEFINITION OF TARGETS AND AIMS The Brazilian Basketball Confederationdefined participation in the BeijingOlympics in 2008 as a great target for themen's team. With many teams fighting forthe podium in the major international com-petitions, the objective we proposeddemanded detailed strategic planning ifwe are to be successful. Considering thisis a new generation in Brazilian basket-ball, some strategic measures are absolu-tely necessary. First of all, it is important todefine exactly the paths which can leadBrazil to a spot in the Olympics, establi-shing targets for each of the stages.These targets include:

2005 FIBA Americas ChampionshipWorld Championship Qual. Tournament Dominican RepublicThe aim in this competition was to takethe group of players-which can play in theOlympic Qualifying tournament in 2007-and have them grow as a team and gaininternational experience. The other targetwas winning the gold medal in order togive confidence to the group, which hasan average of 22 years old. As a third aim,we wanted to qualify the Brazilian teamfor the FIBA World Championship in 2006.We reached this aim.

2006 FIBA World Championship-Japan The target is to reach the podium, since thewinning a medal will enhance the players'confidence and consolidate the group as awinning team. Another aim is to take thebest players, especially those who play inthe NBA and Europe, while at the same

STRATEGIC PLANNINGFOR THE BRAZILIANMEN'S NATIONALTEAM

time keeping up the work we initiated forthe FIBA America's Cup in 2005.

2007 FIBA Pan-American Games-BrazilThe aim is to win gold for the third con-secutive time and lets this serve as apreparation base for the FIBA America'sCup 2007, which qualifies the team forthe Olympics. Since the competition willbe held in Brazil, it can reinforce the win-ning image for players and the Brazilianpublic. Another target is to keep theteam, which was selected from the FIBA

America's Cup 2005, making the neces-sary adjustments regarding the technicalpart (players selection), tactics (gamephilosophy), and strategy (how to use theavailable resources).

2007 FIBA Americas Championship Olympic Qualifying Tournament This is, without any doubt, the most impor-tant competition in order to reach the finaltarget, which is a spot in the BeijingOlympics in 2008. We foresee more than50 international games, from 2005 to the

FIBA EUROPECOACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

PAGE 12 | 18 2006 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE

Olympic Qualifying tournament in 2007.Our second goal is to finish in the FIBAAmericas Championship in at least fifthplace, which would secure Brazil a spotin the World Olympic QualifyingTournament, which will be played in 2008and will indicate the three last countries,which will be represented in theBasketball Tournament of the Olympics.

WORKING PROCEDURESThe Brazilian technical staff is formedby a multidisciplinary team, as shown inthe diagram of page 13:

To assure the work is well done, plan-ning meetings take place with all thetechnical staff to ensure that all mem-bers have the same work philosophyand understand all the tasks that mustbe performed. The technical staff must: Select players. Follow the performances of the

candidates. Select technical practices for the

games. Select tactical moves for defense

and offense. Collect videos of games involving

possible opponents. Define the game philosophy. Organize the training plan. Organize the planning of prepara-

tion matches. Edit tapes of the Brazilian team and

their opponents. Systematically evaluate the plan-

ning development. Constantly exchange information

amongst staff members. Participate of all reunions with

other Brazilian coaches andBrazilian Basketball FederationDirectors.

STRATEGIC PLANNINGThis is the most important and delicatesector of the project because it defineshow all the available resources will beused.Winning the gold medal at the FIBAOlympic Qualifying Tournament is apriority for Brazilian basketball.Achieving that goal will depend on: Selecting the best players. Having a specific training period to

prepare the team. Playing 8 to 10 friendly matches to

make the final adjustments. Playing the games in Brazil to gain

and maintain public recognition andsupport.

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 18 2006 | PAGE 13

Correcting mistakes made at the 2003Olympic Qualifying Tournament in PuertoRico (rushing shots and poor three-pointshooting percentage).

Making team matters a top priority. Maintaining national spirit, the pride of

playing for Brazil. Forging player talents to the needs of the

group.

All these points were exhaustively debated bythe technical staff in meetings prior to the trai-ning period, and it became very clear that itwas up to the players selected for the team thatwould ultimately help us achieve our goals.

GAME PHILOSOPHYThe technical staff defined that the Brazilianstyle of play should respect our main wea-

THE BRAZILIAN TECHNICAL STAFF

pons, which are our player's speed andcreativity. However, in order to win, thereshould be tactical discipline and respectto some important rules. Therefore, theteam should play with creativity andresponsibility. Developing this way ofplaying brings what all teams look for:consistency, which transmits to positiveresults. The following targets were defined as theones we wanted to achieve: Game volume(number of shots attempted) around 175points with the following distribution: 20three-point shots, converting from 35% to40%; 45 field goals, converting from 55% to60%; and 25 free-throws, converting over80%. With the team achieving between50% and 55%, the final score will bearound 90 points.

On defense, our goal is to limit the oppo-nents to 80 points per game. Emphasis hasto be on defensive rebounding, keepingthe opponent from a second shot at thebasket. In order to ensure a positive performance,turnovers have to be limited. Our goal is 12turnovers per game.These goals must serve as a reference pointfor the technical staff to direct its work. Theplayers must execute their actions on thecourt, receiving all kinds of instruction andinformation from the technical staff in orderto achieve our ultimate goal.

CONCLUSIONConsidering that the initial target-win-ning the FIBA America's Cup-was achie-ved, this stage was very important for theformation of the team that will representBrazil in the fight for a place in the nextOlympic Games. The numbers achievedin the games were very close to our idealtargets. This tells us that our planning isheading in the right direction and that aswe move towards qualification for theOlympics, we will review and adjust ourstrategy as needed.