Basketball · Level 8: Expert · Sub-level 8.5

Planning a Season

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 23 October 2026 · markdown

The phases of a season, season goals, the pre-season, the weekly plan, preparing for an opponent, peaking for the playoffs, tournaments, the mid-season review, the off-season and the end-of-season review.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1The phases of a seasonTake a test

Each phase has its own purpose.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Systems, roles and fitness are built before games start.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
With no games, players work on their own skills.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Most of the schedule falls between autumn and spring.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
A plan connects goals, practice and games.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Games and the next opponent take most of the time.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Planning comes before the phase starts.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Prepare, compete, finish, rebuild.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
From goals to the weekly plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Playoffs follow the regular season.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 2Season goalsTake a test

Clear goals can be tracked.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Winning the league is an outcome; defending hard every possession is a process.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Actions are in the team's hands; results are not fully.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Ownership drives effort.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Hard but reachable goals motivate.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Short-term targets keep momentum.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
A stretching but reachable goal motivates.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
From actions to results.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Review, agree, break down, track.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
It is specific and can be measured.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 3The pre-seasonTake a test

Once games begin, teaching time shrinks.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Team defence depends on everyone moving together.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Results do not count, lessons do.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Clear roles from the start help the team gel.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Time together away helps a team gel.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Depth beats breadth early on.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Basics first, extras later.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Pick, teach, test, decide.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Foundations first, special situations last.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Pre-season is the time to teach systems.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 4The weekly planTake a test

Recovery comes before hard work.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
The middle of the week leaves room to recover.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Players stay fresh and sharp.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Practice, recovery and preparation fit around games.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Players get a feel for the ball and the plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Rest and preparation fill the gaps between games.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Short weeks call for recovery and walk-throughs.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Recover, build, prepare, sharpen.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
From walking to full-speed play.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
The longest session sits in the middle of the week.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 5Preparing for an opponentTake a test

Preparation starts once the last game is reviewed.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Key clips are remembered; hours are not.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Bench players run the rival's plays so starters can rehearse.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Seeing the plays before speeds up reactions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Three keys beat thirty notes.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Playing your own game well matters most.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Plans target the opponent's main strength.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Study, choose, rehearse, review.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Practice takes longest; walk-throughs are short.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Short clips and a walk-through stick.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 6Peaking for the playoffsTake a test

Tight games reward teams that have rehearsed endings.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Rivals know the basics by then.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Fresh players matter more in the post-season.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Every game counts more.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Sharpness beats extra work late on.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
The best form came too soon.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Rest restores sharpness before the big games.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Teaching gives way to sharpening.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Build, add, rest, sharpen.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
B is at its best in April; A peaked in January.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 7TournamentsTake a test

Players must play well again and again.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Sharing minutes saves energy for the final.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Quick notes replace long film sessions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Recovery fuels the next game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Teams rely on what they already know.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Dwelling on it hurts the next game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Saving legs helps later games.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Plan, play, review, adjust.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Recover, refuel, rest, refocus.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Games 2 and 3 are both on Saturday, with the smallest gap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 8The mid-season reviewTake a test

Halfway is a good time to correct course.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Progress is measured against the goals.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Adjusting the plan can turn a season.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Their view adds to the numbers.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Fix the main problems, keep what works.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Numbers back up or challenge impressions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Diagnosis comes before change.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Gather, compare, consult, decide.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
From small tweaks to big shifts.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Turnovers are far above the target.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 9The off-seasonTake a test

Big gains often happen in the off-season.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Focus brings real progress.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
A break prevents burnout.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Games keep skills sharp.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Contact keeps motivation up.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Targeted work fixes the weakness.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Focus beats spreading thin.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Rest, plan, work, test.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
From solo work to games.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
A few skills with a plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Test 10The end-of-season reviewTake a test

Coach and player look back and ahead.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Lessons learned shape next year.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Feeling valued keeps people coming back.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Goals are the measuring stick.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Successes are worth repeating.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Records show trends over years.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · recall
Build on what worked; fix what did not.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Players, staff, report, plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
From players to the club.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied
Looking back and setting summer goals.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season · applied

Sources

FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, FIBA Mini-Basketball and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIBA rules belong to the Rules category.

FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, planning a season100