Basketball requires both individual skill and team coordination to be successful. For those unfamiliar with the Read and React (R & R) Basketball system is a coaching philosophy emphasizing decision-making and reaction based on the ballhandler's actions. Instead of mechanical rote plays or systems, the R & R system provides opportunities for decision-making and creativity within an organized framework. This structured framework allows players to develop their skills and creativity while playing within a team.

Our basketball program uses the R & R system every year, adding new layers as the players progress. This approach allows players to build on their knowledge from previous years, making it easier for them to learn and adapt to new challenges. It also enables younger players to play on older teams since they are already familiar with the system. This scaffolding of understanding allows them to master previous layers, and when a team is ready, a new layer is added.

We do not have to reinvent the wheel, and the players do not have to adjust to a new system every year, even if their coach changes. This also enables any younger player to play on an older team because they use the same system. Especially during flu season, when half the team gets sick at once, being able to call up players to fill in instead of forfeiting is a considerable benefit. The younger players may not know everything the older players do, but they will have the foundation, which, at worst, means that the player is not in the way and, at best, adds value to the offense.

So, how were the results this year for our basketball teams? First of all, despite the very different skill levels of the teams, every team made it to the playoffs this year. This is also not a scenario where everyone is in the playoffs, either. Two won their respective championships. The sixth-grade boys league was exceptionally competitive because it featured Chicago Schools, both public and private. The sixth-grade boys had an undefeated season, while the seventh-grade boys also won their league's championship. These teams had a lot of talent, but their success was also due to their ability to work together, communicate effectively, and make quick decisions based on the R&R system.

Our fourth-grade boys, on the other hand, did not win their championship this year. They were a highly skilled team, but it was their first year using the R & R system. While we could have used set plays to increase their chances of winning, we chose to invest in their long-term development as basketball players by using the R & R system. While not yielding immediate results, this patient approach is a strategic investment in their future success. Winning in the short term would hamper their development as they continue to play. The sixth and seventh-grade boys' teams are excellent examples of this patient approach because neither had won championships before, but they were close last year. What pushed them over the edge? I can't deny that some of our players grew, some got faster, and some obviously did the work in the offseason. All these things matter for the success of the team. However, I also believe that because both these teams got another year to hone and refine their teamplay with the R&R system and didn't have to learn a whole new system, they grew exponentially instead of two steps forward and one step back.

While the R&R system is not perfect, it has consistently proven effective. It requires patience and time to develop, but the results speak for themselves. Our players develop into competent basketball players who understand team basketball, and if they have talent, they can win championships. The R & R system is an investment in the future of our players and our program, and we firmly believe it is the best way to develop well-rounded basketball players who can excel individually and as a team. As long as you are willing to give it time to mature, you will be rewarded with competent basketball players who understand team basketball, and if you are lucky and have talent, too, they win championships.