John Calipari DVD-sets

John Calipari is the second name you’ll have to mention when talking about the DDM. The Kentucky coach popularized the offense to an extent where some people call it “The Memphis Offense” after his previous employer.

Calipari has several DVD-sets out, to the extent where it becomes pretty clear that he’s cashing in big-time on his position as Memphis/Kentucky coach. In fact some drills are on several DVDs, which some might see as a bit of a rip-off. That doesn’t mean that they’re not very good video’s though!

Calipari’s Dribble Drive 3-Pack and All Access Kentucky Basketball Practice with John Calipari are both great for coaches who already know the offense, but I wouldn’t recommend either for coaches who are just starting out.

The Dribble Drive 3-Pack

The 3-Pack covers Calipari’s version of the Dribble Drive, and it has some very good details. The problem is that it doesn’t explain the basics very well, especially on the X’s and O’s disc. Calipari’s version of the Dribble Drive is slightly different than Walberg’s, and it seems like the producers expect coaches to know the basics before watching this video, as it doesn’t cover these. However, a lot of time is spent on expanding the Dribble Drive with the things Calipari has added, including how to use the post.

The drills DVD’s of the set are useful too. Some of the drills are the classic Walberg drills, but often with a twist that changes them for the better. There are also several new drills on there, some of which are great (like the Perfection Running Drills), some of which are ordinary. One thing you have to realize is that Calipari has several assistant and maybe 10 managers on the floor when coaching, which enables him to run some drills lots of coaches can’t run.

If you already know the offense, you’ll pick up five or six things from the 3-Pack which really makes huge a difference to your program, but if you’re new to it you’re likely to end up a little confused.

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Kentucky All Access

All Access Kentucky Basketball Practice with John Calipari is a great 3 DVD set. It tracks two of the first Kentucky practices of the 2009/10 season when Calipari first started out there. It’s great because the players are new to the system, and make the same mistakes that yours and my players make when they’re learning (although at a level slightly closer to the rim).

Calipari constantly have to remind the players about how they want to play, and he’s really teaching his players here. I picked up some really good things from these DVDs, including some X’s and O’s I really have to think about, as they’re very different from Walberg. In the end I’m inclined to go with Calipari’s changes, as they make running the offense easier for the players.

Also included are several Q&A sessions with both Calipari and his assistants and some great ballhandling drills with Rod Strickland.

The All Access Set comes highly recommended, and if I was you I’d definitely get that before the 3-Pack, being on a budget.

The DVDs I haven’t bothered with are, among others, The John Calipari 6-Pack, which is the 3-Pack with discs on defense, inspiring players and “How to become and All Star” added. I also haven’t seen his Skill Development 4-Pack, which actually looks rather good, though I’m not convinced it adds lots of new stuff.