COACH CATCH UP is an ongoing blog series we’ve created to be able to highlight different sports team coaches, and talk one-on-one with them to hear about their story and coaching experience. Here, we sit down with Professional Coach (and Player) Lauren Milligan from Oaklands Wolves Basketball Team.
How was basketball introduced into your life?
Basketball was introduced to me by one of my secondary school teachers. I was long and athletic at the time and played netball. One day she asked me to step in to help them with numbers and I loved it. Went to a few tournaments with my school team where I was seen by coaches and invited along to club sessions. My first Club was down in Southampton involved with Solent.
Are there resources/tools/opportunities/technology that exists today that you wish you had years ago growing up?
Synergy. Synergy is a program in which allows you to break down every team/player stats down to where they are most successful. They have a rating from poor to excellent. It makes the details of scout easy because it's all done for you. I believe watching film can be key to a player's success.
How long have you been coaching basketball and why do you do it?
I have been coaching for around 3 years now. This year being my first-year coaching in a professional league which is still crazy when I say it out loud!! I do it because I have a passion for developing and making younger talent better. Showing them what it takes to perform at the highest level. Seeing players develop and grow is something that excites me and to be able to work a job with a smile on my face is something I have always wanted. Plus, it means I'm around the game I love all day every day.
Do you enjoy coaching or playing more?
I jump between the two. I have a different kind of love for both. I am super competitive so there's no better feeling that being in your uniform and going out on the court and playing your heart out. However, because Coaching is something I can see myself doing long term as a career I focus on it a lot more these days.
What makes coaching rewarding?
The relationships I have built with players and to see them go on to be successful. To see people in the position I was once in, it's very surreal sometimes. To know that for some of my young players basketball is an outlet in life, I feel that that is a reward within itself having an environment in which people are thriving and getting better.
What do you teach your players besides basketball? How do you achieve this?
That they can't get too caught up in the situation. Always remember to play the game and not the occasion. Some young players can get caught up in putting too much pressure on themselves and performance, but I think sometimes it's a reminder that athletes are still human and if they need a break, or they need a rest that is ok. Enjoying playing is ultimately what I never want to take away from them. Everyone is more aware of mental health now and several athletes have gone through stages where the sport can allow them to be in a dark place. I try to allow them to be open and honest about their feelings.
Do you think women’s basketball lacks resources and opportunities in comparison to men’s basketball?
I personally feel at our club we have equal opportunities. However, I do know across the bbl/wbbl that the men's league has way more "pros" which shows funding is more.
What sort of quality of coaching and tools do you provide to your players that puts you above other teams?
I believe because we are an academy that allows young players to play in the WBBL, this separates us. To be the best I think you must compete against the best and see what it takes week in and week out to be at the pro level. We hold our girls to these standards so that when they move onto university, they are ready for the environment and not shocked by it. Because I play myself, my best quality coaching skill right now is demonstrating what I preach, which is no matter what, we always compete hard first.
How do you measure your players’ performance and help them improve?
We watch a lot of film. Sometimes if players aren't aware and can't see the issues, then they won't ever change. We also believe individual skill development is important. Therefore, we have sessions throughout the week where a player can work on a certain aspect of their game.
Is there any piece of advice you learned as a basketball player that you now share with your team as a basketball coach?
Control what you can control. Don't put energy into things outside of that.
While basketball is still a competitive-in-nature sport, how to ensure your team is still having fun while playing/training?
They must learn to enjoy a competitive environment, understanding that going at each other and holding people accountable is what's best for them. Until you earn that trust you can't expect them to respond well. Practice must be harder than a game so that when you step on the court to play, that's when you can put everything you've learnt on show.
What is your biggest pain point as a coach?
When you let previous mistakes distract you from the next play of the game. Bad body language shows me it's about them and not about the team.
What’s a coaching tool you use that you couldn’t live without?
To be honest, I am an ultimate note taker. Everything I've learnt from different coaches/ coaching courses/games I've coached is all written down and embedded into my notebook. My notebook is my holy grail. I also love to study the game on ESPN player. I watch all college basketball games so without that I'd be lost!
What are your 2022 goals as a coach?
Would love to take my WEABL team as far as we can go in the competition, showing that playing them in the WBBL on weekends is helping them massively in their own age group. To feel more confident in my tactical calls, improve my end game situational plays etc. As a young coach I have a lot to learn, so I just want to feel I’m worthy to be in the position I'm in. Remembering it's ok to fail, that's how you learn.
