Recommended Reading

Below are some of the books that have had an impact on me as a coach. Many of them contain timeless principles of learning, coaching, teaching, and skill acquisition that we try to employ through Playmakers.

Origins of the Game

The 4 texts below shine a light on Dr. James Naismith’s original vision for the game of basketball. I believe Fundamentals of Basketball in particular is a timeless text that outlines much of what we would consider today as basketball intelligence, and insights as to what makes a successful player and team.

I particularly enjoy his section on Passing, although the whole text is gold and worth revisiting from time to time.

These free downloads are available courtesy of Springfield College Digital Collections.

The Fundamentals of Basketball

by Dr. James Naismith

Dr. James Naismith’s Original 13 Rules of Basketball (1892)

January 15, 1892 issue of The Triangle

Rules for Basket Ball (1892)

by Dr. James Naismith

The Origins of Basket Ball (1932)

by Dr. James Naismith