ABSTRACT
The recent adoption of FIBA rules in Canadian basketball, which reduces the number of game interventions a coach can make, has caused a significant shift in coaching philosophy and in methods of daily instruction. Athletes who can make appropriate decisions in an open and fluid environment, become more valuable and offer the opportunity to develop a more successful team. As coaches we must take a leadership role in empowering athletes to be decision-makers on the floor rather than robots following instructions from the bench. It is essential to create a practice environment where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities; discovery and discussion then ensues, forming a vital part of the overall learning process.
