So, I got asked/roped into coaching my son's 4th and 5th grade basketball team. We showed up for skills evaluations and our town has enough kids for 8 teams but only had 4 head coaches. Woo hoo! I'm a coach!
My resume for this gig? 3 years of park and rec basketball 30 years ago, 30+ years of being a Knick fan and several dominant fantasy basketball seasons. That's it. Don't really know what the heck I am doing.
Any tips? I need to know some basic drills to run at practice and anything else anyone can think of. Anyone have any sources of info online?
I figure first practice we'll do film study of the Triangle and then end with a youtube compilation of Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason. The no layup rule is in effect!
3 on 2 works well, works on recognition and passing.
3 guys bring the ball down, 2 defenders, who ever takes the shot runs down to the other and becomes the sole defender, the 2 players who were on defense bring the ball down and become O. The two players who did not shoot, stay and become the 2 defenders, and so on.
Work on basic skills. KISS principle, 3 plays tops.
I do think that practicing 3 on 2 makes some sense. too many kids out there at a time it's chaos and none of them end up learning anything.
My main goal right now is recruiting an assistant coach who's son plays travel. He's a PG so, at least we wouldn't get our pockets picked every possession.
We had enough for two teams but one coach felt he should get all the sixth graders and a couple of the better fifth graders so he can try and win a championship. First time we have ever done that. Ironically I got this 5th grader they didnt know who plays street ball and is awesome but her talents may be wasted now and I hope she doesnt get frustrated because her team mates are so bad.
1. work on boxing out for rebounds in practice and remind them by showing them in the huddle but don't waist your breath yelling "box-out" all game when the other team is grabbing rebounds. They can't focus on what you are saying
2. many people love to teach screening at that age because they feel it is basic, but realize that they are probably too young to grasp the concept of letting the defender run into them. They will run after the defender like a football blocker.
3. teach them basic defense. one eye on the ball, one eye on the man. Zone is good at that age. My daughter is in 5th grade and her league only allows man to man and the girls don't learn how to play team defense and help out Zone is easy to grasp as they just have to stay in their area.
4.Basically at that age organized offensive plays are going to be really rough for the kids to grasp, so passing drills are great and just stress keeping the ball moving. When it freezes at that age it's chaos. Try and teach them the concept of moving without the ball.
All of this can be tough for them to grasp but keep it simple and stress a few key things over and over. Pulling the kids aside 1-1 really helps. See if you can recruit some parents to help at practices. They don't have the time to coach, but if they are bringing the kids to practice any way get them to help break the kids into smaller groups to practice defense and moving back and forth on offense.
9-10 y.o. basic dribbling, passing drills helps evaluate early on what you have to work with, then work on.
Scorers can't score if the ball doesn't move up the floor.
Most teams will either play man or a simple 2-3 standard zone. We often ran a 1-3-1, sometimes with a trap. This D led to so many offensive opportunities. First, most teams are prepared for it. Second, it really contests the wings. third, if you have an athletic player to play up top in this formation the pressure it provides on the opposition's PG is huge. It really led to a lot of fast breaks.
Have fun with the parents.
As for the double low post/high post question, I wonder if I'll even have time to put something like that in place. I get one practice a week and then a game on Saturday. Half these kids can barely dribble one handed standing still. :)
And bleeding blue, there will be no ass-slapping. I'll stick to fistbumps and high fives.
Yes, 100%. The coaches seemed to be really good about this. I certainly will be.
Coach's Clipboard - ( New Window )