If you are lucky enough to have an assistant coach as part of your team then the most important thing is that you emphasize the second part of their job title (coach) as much as the first part (assistant). The advantage of having an extra set of eyes is invaluable not just to your development and capacity as a coach but also your players! As a duo, work out whose role is what and agree on a plan as to how both coaches will actively help the players.
Suggestions for how best to use multiple coaches
Divide and Conquer
Its obvious but if you split the group in half you get a much better coach to player ratio and an increase in contact time and relationship building between individuals. If you are worried about players not hearing both voices, then switch over half way through or perhaps in your meeting above you had allocated specific skill based focuses for each coach.
With the ball and without
Again very simple, but one coach could work on the offence and one on defence. The beauty of basketball is that for the players this switches in seconds but with a dedicated coach at a session/game/drill then the message can be focused and clear for both sides of the ball. This will provide clarity for the players but most importantly for the coach. Each coach can have increased focus and also work off each other. In practice you can replicate a game scenario for the players where the opposition adjust without the other teams knowledge and then the players on both sides can be challenged to consider what the changes that were made were and how to combat them.
One for all and All for one
As one coach delivers the session and concentrates on the overall aims, the other can be more individually focused, working with players on Individual player plans or personal development goals.
The individual coach also has the chance to observe the players in greater detail, keeping note of how certain players do in specific situations for example. If coaches empower their players to lead training the extra set of eyes can also allow a bigger safety net to keep the session on the tracks.
Having the two coaches positioned at different points on the court can also give often two different perspectives. Its positive for coaches to make sure they are either in agreement on how they are seeing things or if it is different that can lead to more powerful feedback to the players.
Empower and Support
Think of your assistant as another player to plan for and support. Make sure they feel involved, trusted and confident enough to have a positive impact on the session and environment. As a coach you can be a mentor both technically and personally. Having mutual trust and faith in the person is a huge part of having a successful relationship.
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