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Friday August 13th , 2010 DAY BEFORE THE DERBY! It was Friday the 13th, but no one knew it. We had lost track of the days long ago. The only thoughts in our minds focused on Saturday night's Derby against Slovakia. With intense focus and tremendous anticipation, our team could finally invest our energy on the challenge we were waiting for. Since I accepted the assistant coaching position with the Czech Republic national team, I was looking forward to this game. For Pavel and the players, playing for their country against Slovakia was like playing against family. They could not wait for this game. All throughout preparation, while our team made progress against other challenges, the first official game was in the back of our minds. Now, after our victory over Estonia Monday night and week of build up, the game we had waited for was almost here.
Signs on doors of City Arena promoting the international rivalry between Czech Republic and Slovakia. We were in enemy territory. Prievidza is a basketball town in Slovakia and there would be a strong home court advantage for the hosts. Our team had performed admirably on the road in Sofia Bulgaria or Panevygs Lithuania during preparation, but those games did not count. How would our newly formed Czech Republic national team play in the most intense and emotional setting possible for them in their first official game together? It was not Friday and no one knew it was the 13th --- to all of us, it was the Day before the Derby.
City Arena with a sign from the past. Pavel stood midcourt in his blue Czech Republic team t-shirt addressing the team in a circle. After a video session and game plan meeting before we left Decin, Pavel reiterated several key points to the game. Focusing on emotional discipline in the derby setting, Pavel explained his viewpoints in Czech language to the team. Next, he reminded the team of the three key Slovakian players --- Anton Gavel and the Rancik brothers. Finally, Pavel covered several details and coaching points which would help the team play well. Minutes later, it was time for conditioning coach Ladja Hojka to go to work. This mornings activities included an agility ladder and agility drills using cones. The team performed the drills with focus and Pavel gave them time for a drink. Moving into the basketball part of morning practice, I called out three teams of four players for four on four on four fullcourt work. Working on ballscreens, post touches and other details of the game, teams of black, blue and white played to twelve points by one. The drill ended on a blue bucket giving them a 12-11-11 win. Next it was time for some zone work, in case we faced any changing defenses. Finally, Pavel instructed the players to partner up for partner shooting. We closed our morning workout with a cool down and then we went back to the bus to head to the Preuge Hotel.
Pavel addressing the team prior to Friday morning practice. Back at the hotel after lunch, Pavel, Honza and I met on the first floor for a coaches meeting. We went over matchups and made the information pages Pavel would use for his pregame talk Saturday night. Pavel talked through the game plan and we discussed several important points about Slovakia's game. We took a short break and met later for a snack and a video session with the team. Honza presented clips from the Slovakia v Austria games from last weekend. Main coaching points Pavel discussed were emphasized on the video and the players were well prepared.
Ales Chan slams home a point during 4 on 4 on 4 full court work. From video we moved back to City Arena for our evening practice. Lighter and without contact, Ladja warmed the team up before Pavel split the team up into two groups. It was time for shooting. The main objective of night before the Derby practice was shooting. Lubos Barton quickly said, 'Mike, I need a rebounder'. Of course, I looked forward to be involved. Anyone who has done a partner shooting drill knows how it goes. A partner shoots ten shots while the other rebounds and then they switch. With three pairs at each basket, we naturally formed a rebound triangle in front of the basket --- one player on each block and another mid-lane. Sometimes guys will be one or two steps off the true triangle position, but this is how it goes. It was team rebounding so we ended up passing the basketballs back to all three players. Lubos got extra shots in because I was all time rebounder. It's a fun job because it can be very active, you can work on different passing and it can be extremely entertaining.
Intensity and focus along the baseline. After several minutes and rotations, at one point, standing next to me, was point guard Tomas Toth. A hardworking, intelligent player, Tomas has struck me as a player who makes good decisions on the floor. I guess you can say, he knows how to use his head. During this rebound drill, with three players shooting with dilligence, it can be sightly dangerous around the rim. Rebounders need to be alert. I was intensely focused to rebound and actively pursuing the ball. Suddenly, a shot came out of no-where, ricocheted off the rim and bounded off the top of Tomas' head. Instantly, I was on it with my jokes 'Tomas, way to use your head!', 'Tomas, you are a heady ball player!', 'Tomas, way to have your head in the game!'. Capitalizing on the moment, I happily drilled him one by one by one.
Fadeaway for two from captain Petr Benda Shooting went on. Shots went up. Some went in. Some hit the rim. Another hit Tomas in the head. After the first round of jokes following the first hit, we all found it funny. Someone said his head must be a 'ball-magnet!'. I had to dig deeper into my basketball jokes for this unique circumstance. 'Tomas way to be a heads up player!'. I noticed he moved a few steps away from the rim and became more cautious. It was a special sitiuation to break up the monotony of countless shots and seemingly endless shooting drills.
BC Prievidza was a basketball power in the early to mid 1990's. The shots continued to go up. Some continued to go in. Others continued to bounce off the rim. And a third hit Tomas in the head. Everyone laughed. In my element, I exclaimed with joy 'Tomas that gives you the Hat Trick!' I was pleased. Maybe you could call it an excellent 'cap' to practice!
Pavel studies the Slovakian matchups As practice ended, Pavel and I began a three point shooting competition at one end of the floor. We were having fun. But a long line of players was constantly in our way. Soon, they asked me to join. It was halfcourt shots for a bet --- the last player remaining who did not make a halfcourt shot would lose the bet and have to perform some 'stunt' the others concocted. I agreed. Pavel and I finished our contest and I joined the line. One by one, halfcourt shots flew. Alternating turns, player after player hoisted halfcourt heaves hoping their shot would go in. One by one, each player hit. Numbers in the bet dwindled. Ultimately, only 21 year old rookie Vojtech Hruban and I remained. 'V' was nervous. He knew what losing the bet entailed. I was confident rimming several shots out but coming closer and closer. Sensing his fear, I kept talking and talking. But like Vojtech, my shots kept missing. Then, it happened. As a near miss of mine rimmed out bouncing toward several players stretching on the sideline, I ran over to collect the rebound and go back for another attempt. But 'V' banked in his halfcourt shot leaving only me left. I had lost. Now, I would really do the talking.
Honza takes the team through a detailed video session of Slovakia Friday afternoon before evening practice. As penalty for losing the bet, I had to go to the reception and ask for the number of the local escort service in Prievidza. Making matters worse, I had to ask in Czech! After the players coached me on what to say, I had the bus ride back to the hotel to prepare. Somehow I knew how an actor or actress feels when trying to remember a line. All I could think about was getting it over-with before they came up with something worse. When the bus pulled up to the Preuge Hotel, I was ready. As I walked into the hotel, some of the guys gathered around the stairwell and took other positions with a hidden view of reception. It was close to 9pm in Prievidza on Friday night and only one woman was working at the desk. Slowly, I approached and fulfilled my duty. I paid my price for the loss.
Michal Sob is intrigued by this Milk Vending machine in Prievidza Slovakia. After dinner, our staff walked downtown for a drink at Albertos. Like military generals on the eve before a powerful action, we sat together enjoying the evening and the calm before the storm. We all knew it was the day before the Derby. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm and international baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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