MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 9, 1998

RESERVE – East St. John head girls basketball coach Troy Giordano has alsocoached boys basketball at St. Paul High School in Covington and freshmanboys basketball at East St. John. Now he can add another job description tohis resume – author.

Giordano recently wrote “Basketball for Coaches, A Complete Guide,” designed to help new coaches develop their own systems. The 72-pagebook covers everything about the game from zone offenses to free throw drills and is written so that it can be used at all levels.

Giordano has been one of the most successful coaches in the River Parishes over the last couple of years, leading the Lady Cats to a 53-10 record and two straight district titles. Two years ago, he led the LadyCats to their first ever playoff victory and an appearance in the regional playoffs.

Last year, the Lady Cats won a school record 29 games that included a 28- game winning streak and again advanced to the regionals. Two of hisplayers, Keeshawn Carter and Tamika Williams, have signed Division I-A scholarships. Combined with his year as the coach of the East St. Johnboys freshman team, Giordano’s teams have gone 73-13.

Giordano has been around basketball for years, sitting courtside at New Orleans Jazz games and playing the sport at Belle Chasse High School.

Over the years, Giordano has attended basketball camps around the country, from the Nike Clinic in Orlando to Bobby Knight’s Clinic. He hasmet over 20 Division I-A coaches, including Knight, Kentucky’s Tubby Smith and Duke’s Mike Kryzewski, all of whom have won national championships. He said a lot of the information in the book came fromwhat he learned from former Mississippi State coach Richard Williams.

“I am a big clinic person,” Giordano said. “I am always looking to getbetter and gaining more knowledge.”The knowledge Giordano learned from those coaches and others was gathered in binders around his house. But it was not until a friend whorecently graduated from college asked for his help that he decided to put all that information together. With the help of his wife who did all thecomputer graphics, Giordano wrote the book this summer.

Giordano opens the book discussing offense, giving his philosophy on that part of the game. He starts with zone and man offenses before going intoset plays and spread and delay game plays. The section concludes withpress and fast breaks.

Giordano then moves into inbound plays, starting from under the goal to side court inbounds before going into setting up last second plays for both full court and half court situations.

Defense is then covered, based on the philosophy of applying constant pressure to the offense through the use of various zone defenses and trapping. Giordano notes that he shys away from covering man-to-mandefenses be-cause it is hard to teach and very time consuming, especially for lower levels. Giordano covers half court defenses and traps beforegoing into half and full court presses.

Practice and practice drills follow with Giordano keeping them easy to be used at any level. He also includes a practice plan for new coaches tofollow. Drills include full court drills and half court as well as reboundingand free throw.

“Everybody was asking about drills so it is the biggest part of the book,” Giordano said.

Giordano concludes with including his favorite quotes of interest to coaches and players and in general.

Giordano said that although the book is geared at junior high coaches and those just coming out of college, it can be used at any level.

“Even experienced coaches can take something out of it,” Giordano said.

“There is something for everybody.”Giordano said the response to the book has been very positive and is already about to go through its third printing.

Giordano is selling the book for $12, $15 if he has to mail it (priority mail). Those interested in purchasing a book can send a check or moneyorder to Giordano at P.O. Box 906, Covington, LA 70434 or by calling him at(504) 898-0792.

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