[JAdams]

We all have had occasions when our partner(s) didn't seem interested in doing a pregame... maybe (s)he had a tough day at work, maybe there are problems on the home front, or whatever. But here's a suggestion that has worked for me.

Ask simple questions of your partner to get the conversation going. Do you want to toss? How do you want to handle last second shots (especially in two man)? What's your philosophy regarding rotation (in three man)? How should we handle a coach and the free throws if we have to call a technical? How do you want to handle the throw-in if the spot is ten feet up the sideline in the frontcourt? How will you respond if I ask for help on a tipped/no tipped pass that goes out of bounds?

Once you get him (or her) talking, you can ease into other topics that constitute a good pregame.