Deciding to go to the Grinnell System was actually an easier decision than some might think. We had played uptempo/pressing style when we had been successful and made trips to state regularly in the ‘90’s and early 2000’s. I liked the aggressive style. And I had always wondered as I watched Grinnell play if it could work in high school and with high school girls.
But while it was pretty easy for me to decide to go to the Grinnell style, what was tough was sticking with it the first year. I had coached half-court mm defense and run half court sets too long. When we lost the first year, I tended to spend the time questioning the system instead of spending time focusing on what we needed to do to get better.
I was fortunate that people around me kept encouraging me. My greatest encouragement to just keep working at it to get better came from my wife who saw the enthusiasm and energy the system had brought to our program and players. And then the players enthusiasm for what we were doing sold me.
I have had numerous conversations via email with other coaches who have run the Grinnell style. I have asked five of them to share some of their initial experiences as they took the “plunge” into Grinnell basketball.
Doug Porter, Olivet Nazarene (IL) (Women)
What made you finally decide to take the plunge?
I almost forced myself into the system as the result of a year-long experiment I put myself and the team through in 2003-04. After learning all about it and talking with Coach Arseneault, the “experiment” was to give traditional basketball one last chance, to see if the supposedly “conventional wisdom” concepts of shot selection, ball-control, sound half-court defense, and a 7 player rotation were really the keys to success. We did all those things in 2003-04, as I made a commitment to coach the half-court game described above to the best of my ability that season.
The result was disastrous—for a variety of reasons—and we ended up with a losing record, including two losses to a big conference rival that we’d almost never lost to in past years. The low point came during our first round conference tourney game against that very same opponent. We came into the game as prepared as I could get us. I spent hours breaking down film and walking us through the scouting report, yet we found ourselves on the short end of a 39-13 score just twelve minutes into the game!
At that point I’d had enough, and decided during a time out to just go for broke. (I actually taught our kids the system during that time out, so it’s not as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be!) Anyway, we started pressing, running, and taking quick shots and lots of threes, cutting the lead to 2 with a minute to go before running out of gas. We lost 85-80, but scored 50 points in the second half, and more importantly we “went down swinging,” which I was proud of, and which took some of the sting out of losing. That was the end of the Grand Conventional Basketball Experiment, and we’ve been a System team ever since.
Do you remember either your reactions or your players reactions during the early practices or games?
Most fans loved what we were doing (at least the ones who spoke up), although I got one email from a student who berated me for not playing my top three senior players more minutes. In reply, I sincerely thanked him for his interest in our team (in past years, nobody bothered to send me any kind of emails!), and I also gently pointed out to this fan that all three of the players he mentioned had increased their scoring averages over the previous season, despite playing 10-12 fewer minutes, and that our team scoring average was up 30 points. I hope he came back to see us again.
Another student-fan was so excited after seeing us play that he told me he’d be back to cheer for us at our next home game, and would bring all his friends. Unfortunately, we went on the road and lost three straight, two by embarrassing margins. I came within a whisker of pulling the plug on the System after that game, but one of the things that kept me from doing so was that fan… I didn’t want him to come and see our next home game only to have us playing walk-it-up basketball! So, I went back to the drawing board to figure out how to correct our problems, and we made it work.
The players were fine. Those three seniors loved the System and provided the support and leadership to allow us to work through the rough early spots. We were 8-8 at Christmas, and finished 21-10, winning our conference.
Did you have issues w/ parents, or players or adm. buying in?
I was able to install the system mostly because the administration really didn’t care much about our program. They were fine with us being average, as long as the kids had a good experience, and I was confident from the beginning that the players would find playing the System a positive experience! In truth, I expected more issues than we had, but that led me to really sell it to the leaders as well as to the team, going all the way back to the previous spring. So maybe our exceptional “buy-in” was a result of that groundwork.
The bottom line was that although I was glad to have the support of the parents and players (and eventually the administration), I’ve never really cared that much whether people agree with me about our strategies. Coaches have to do what they believe in and stick with it, and be willing to take the heat. If they aren’t, they should just go into politics and tell people what they want to hear.
What was your worst first year experience?
Without a doubt it was our 3rd loss in the early season of our first System year, a game where we were down 52-12 at halftime.
The opponent had scouted us well, and broke our press easily. They also took away the three point shot, and we had no answer offensively. That’s when I “went back to the drawing board” and integrated a penetration game into our “passing game” based offense so we could always attack with something. I just didn’t know as much about the system as I thought I did, and there was frankly not much out there for me in the way of resources to learn what I was doing wrong. I had Coach A’s book and video, but my grasp of certain System principles was pretty shallow. Examples: adjusting the press, getting kids to play at extreme tempo, having multiple options in the offense, and just being able to teach the system, and motivate the kids to give great effort. (Coaching the System is like Student Teaching… I don’t think there’s any experience like getting in there and doing it, failing, learning, and trying again.)
That blow-out game turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to us, because it was “sink or swim” time. I’m really glad we decided to stick with it, though, and the main reason we did so was because I figured David Arseneault had proven it could be done, so the problem must be in our execution and my grasp of how to teach and motivate the system, which were things I felt I could grow into if I stuck with it.
What was your best first year experience?
Another easy question! We were playing our last game of the league schedule against our #1 rival for the conference title. We led all the way, but our opponent (who was in first place), hit a shot with a minute to play to take their first lead of the game. We inbounded to our senior guard, who pushed the ball right back at them like she’d been trained to do. She hit her freshmen sister on the wing in transition, who buried a three to take the lead right back for us and seal the win. Sister to sister, nailing a system three for a championship against a great team… that was a wonderful memory!
Other thoughts?
We’ve run the System for seven years now, and I can’t imagine coaching any other way! It was definitely worth the “growing pains.”
Andrew Hoaglin, Jackson Michigan JC (women’s)- 2011 scoring champs 103.6ppg.
What made you finally decide to take the plunge?
I was searching for a way to bring some attention to our program and I was searching for a way to enjoy the coaching experience. I also wanted the players to be in a position where they could just play the game and not be robotic. I really wanted to brand our program and present a radical change to our league, region and hopefully the nation.
Do you remember either your reactions or your players reactions during the early practices or games?
My reaction was at first to "hedge" my bets in terms of aggression. Basically wanted to run the System, but I wanted to limit the amount of risk I took. The players were open to the change, but there were still those moments of doubt when we asked them to do something non-traditional. For example, not following your shots or not protecting the basket on defense versus going all out for the steal or turnover.
Did you have issues w/ parents, or players or adm. buying in?
Of course. My wife sits in the stands, so she could give you great examples, but select parents and players, administration and the media at times had difficulty understanding the concepts and purpose of the system.
What was your worst first year experience? I'd like to say getting beat by 67 in our second game of the year, and I'd like to say being 1-7. For me it was losing in the district/region championship because we were so close to making our stretch goal of getting to the National tournament
What was your best first year experience? There were so many. The lightbulb moment for our players when we lost in double overtime 133-131, when we came back from a 24 point defacit in the semi finals to win by 19 and the various personal and team records that we set. Overall, it was the enjoyment I witnessed when the ladies played the game and the enjoyment I got from giving up total control.
Mike Curta- Blue Island Eisenhower (men’s basketball)
Taking the plunge: I had always felt that I was a fast break and pressing oriented coach, but in reality I was far to controlling to allow our players the freedom necessary to be successful playing that way. Following the 2009-2010 I had a chance to start reading Coach Arsenault's material and view the tapes that he, Paul Westhead, and Doug Porter have made. It got me hooked and I tried to "sponge up" as much information as possible. We played around with it last summer before implementing the system during last season.
Players reactions: Most of our kids didn't believe that I would back off and allow them to play this way. We had a great two weeks of practice prior to our first game and I still think that they were a bit skeptical of how far I would actually take the philosophy. The first game of the season was controlled chaos and we were off to the races from there. I think that most of the kids enjoyed the freedom that it allowed and the opportunity to play defense with reckless abandon. It was hard for me at first to watch us launch so many threes (a state record 72 in only our third game of the season) and I really had to contain my initial reaction to try and control the game as I had in the past.
Issues w/ Parents, Players or Administration: The administration was and has been great. I think that they like the idea of the kids all playing, we won our conference for the first time since 1985, and we were all over the TV and newspapers. I don't think that it hurt that we had some pretty good crowds for some of our games, so making a little extra money never hurts. The players for the most part were good with me, but there were some grumblings about the subbing patterns behind the scenes. We had a bit of a rollercoaster season (14-14) overall, so those kinds of things may have popped up when you lose a couple games. We do have a few parents who fancy themselves experts and disagree with what we are doing, but it has not become an issue that is being divisive. I have gotten the question from everyone from parents, coaches, officials and alumni asking if we are still going to "do the run and gun thing." I think that once we establish this as the permanent identity of our program those questions will subside and we will be less looked at as a gimmick team. To be honest I don't really care about anyone other than our players, coaches and administrators feelings so this has never bothered me.
Worst first year experience: We didn't have anything terrible happen on or off the floor. I expected the growing pains and we had some games where the bottom fell out. Probably the worst part of the season was following our second victory of the season over our biggest in district rival and the king of our conference for the past five years. That win put us in control of our own destiny with two games left in the season. We went on the road and laid an egg against a team that was well prepared and did everything that they could to slow the game down. I let our kids play tentatively and it showed in our loss. We still shared the conference championship, but it was one of the times when opportunity presented itself and we didn't respond as coaches and players.
Best first year experiences: The best feeling of the season was our opening victory on our floor during our Thanksgiving Tournament against the same district rival as mentioned above. We unveiled The System and the people in attendance at the game were going crazy with the frenetic pace of the game. An overtime victory was a great welcome to the season and our new philosophy of play. Our players were into the game like never before and it was exciting to see them react to building a 15 point lead, give it all back, force overtime and then close out the game with two big threes.
Other thoughts: It was an easy sell for me. First and foremost this is the way that I have always wanted the game to be played. I was simply not innovative or courageous enough before last year to go ahead and do it. I also think that our kids like playing in a system where you are asked to play at maximum speed and when doing that you will have the freedom to make aggressive mistakes. It has been great for our school community to have our team have a very distinctive identity. Whether everyone agrees or not, it has turned our program into part of the discussion of Chicago area basketball as opposed to being an afterthought. Finally, and I take no credit for any ideas of those who originated The System, I enjoy having our program be a unique pioneer of this style of play in the Chicago area. I think that we have one of the best areas in the country for high school basketball, and to be "blazing our own trail" in this area is a good feeling.
Gary Smith- Redlands College, California (men’s basketball)
Taking the plunge: in '88-'89 we went part way with LMU style and then '02-'03 all the way w/ Grinnell. Motivating factors: the best way I've discovered to "CONTROL THE WAY THE GAME IS PLAYED". Had always enjoyed being a little outside the box and this was an extension of that philosophy. Also it is exciting and we were struggling in late '90's.
My reactions: First year struggling to remain true to the system and avoid the urge to do counter productive things like "scoring plays" and "getting more stops". Believing that this was the best way to "win" games -- not hedging on what makes the system the system.
Players reactions: At first "wow this will be great we're gonna go fast" and then when they found out how fast and what was necessary to make it happen we did have some naysayers the first year. One decent player left the program after one year with us and another player (senior) and his parents had a very hard time adjusting to the style -- worked out ok in the end for him but was traumatic for a while and involved the AD and President. A 6-8 post player who was recruiting to play a more conventional style of play adjusted very well to the move and was a stellar performer and leader for two years. The night our team scored 172 points the newspaper people were all over him about "how could the team score 172 and you not score at all". He responded by talking about roles and all the screens he set for scorers and all the offensive rebounds he corralled.
Worst first year experience: Athletic Director not understanding the necessity of a large squad. We opened the season on the east coast and our travel party, department policy, severly limited the number we could travel with. Had to leave 3 players we needed to run the system and one coach at home. Created some very hard feelings.
Best first year experiences: The "buzz" and excitement. Also the opening game of our second season (first season in which I sort of knew what we should be doing with the style) against Villanova; we led 50-49 at the half and were even with 10 minutes to go. We lost by 9 or so but the experience was exhilarating -- sellout crowd weeks before the game -- home game for us. The road crowds once the word got out that the "circus was coming to town". The thrill and excitement of practices when the players finally get it and the pace becomes extreme.
Other thoughts: The courage that, in most circumstances, is required by the head coach due to the nonconventional nature of the system. Going into that first season and all the unknowns that lie ahead requires fortitude and steadfastness -- if you are really going to go "all the way" and be a true system team.
Bob Belf- Michigan High School & Junior College Women
What made you finally decide to take the plunge?
I had seen Grinnell play and met Coach A two years before we finally went all in. Before our first year, I had already incorporated most of the system. I had 8 seniors returning and to get them all appropriate time it was logical to put in the final step for us which was the subbing. Plus as we hit practice (we played in the fall in Michigan) I learned that two of my better players, 1 a pg and 1 a combo guard had a summer spat in travel softball and were not speaking. It was again logical to create to units around each player.
Do you remember either your reactions or your players reactions during the early practices or games?
I know when we started in the summer they were excited and very successful. But they still weren't sure that I wanted them to play that Helter Skelter during the season. Our effort seem to be inconsistent once we were in school and I felt many outside sources seemed to conflict with our desire and intensity.
Did you have issues w/ parents, or players or adm. buying in?
My administration and AD were great. They understood what we were trying to accomplish. I did have some doubters among the parents. While I attempted to educate them, they were concerned that the subbing was hindering their kid from attracting a scholarship to play in college. On the contrary we had more college attention due to the system. By the way I had 1 player sign to play NAIA. 1 went to play D2 softball. 1 turned down D1 softball.
What was your worst first year experience?
Actually the worst part of our year was the fact that I did not put the system into play the year before. This team achieved great things all year, but the kids were not ready mentally for some things collectively as seniors. They struggled with accepting the failure of the system, ie missing a steal that gives up a score or a shooter that goes 2 for 10. We also had some outside adversity that affected our performance and the shortcomings of effort were blamed on our style of play. I felt during the
year I was selling the system to our team far too deep into the season.
What was your best first year experience?
The best part of the season was how much we did achieve with our group of players. We had a very challenging schedule and we performed at a high level all season. I had
many players that you know would not even be on the floor in a conventional style, step up to play major roles in victories all season long. My best player eventually took off with
the freedom she had to play.
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