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NFT: First time coaching Park and Rec Basketball

BeerFridge : 11/17/2014 9:52 am
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!
Layup lines.  
GiantsUA : 11/17/2014 10:03 am : link
Passing drills, run the floor in two's, bounce passes down, chest passes back. As the season progresses, and if you think the kids are up for it, try the 3 man weave drill.

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.
thanks for the tips  
BeerFridge : 11/17/2014 10:26 am : link
much appreciated.

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.
I am doing this too for girls - 4-6th grade  
PA Giant Fan : 11/17/2014 10:32 am : link
Have a pair of girls, sisters that have some type of behavioral issues. One girl would run with the ball in her hands every time. After the third or fourth time I told her she can't do that and she has to dribble, she goes to the padded wall in the gym and begins hitting her head against the wall talking to herself....Just not sure what to do with that. Her other sister just kind of has a blank stare going on and I don't think she understands anything I say to her.

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.
that was some good advice  
Giants11 : 11/17/2014 11:11 am : link
some things I have noticed as a referee for youth ball the past 12-13 years:
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.
Heh, good point about yelling "box out" all game. That's annoying.  
BeerFridge : 11/17/2014 11:23 am : link
I'm not sure if they allow zone. My son played this level last year and all I saw was man coverage.
What Giants UA  
old man : 11/17/2014 11:39 am : link
said.
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.
yea youth leagues like to do that  
Giants11 : 11/17/2014 11:40 am : link
because it supposedly keeps a mob from surrounding the ball. It's a shame because kids that age become solely focused on the man and don't learn to help out. Like I said really focus on one to one and smaller groups when you are relaying a message. Call kids over a lot and make sure they are listening. A lot of times at that age they zone out into another world. Like I said focus on a few key things and really stress them. Kids can only grasp so much at that age and they surely can't focus nearly as well when they are running around on the court.
I actually coached a rec league team  
Matt M. : 11/17/2014 11:45 am : link
and a travel team (Assistant coach here). Start with basics like conditioning, dribbling drills, passing drills, and layups. At that age, once you get into coaching for games, I think it is important for the players to understand each individual position and how you expect them to be spaced on the floor. To do this, you need to decide how you prefer them positioned. for example, do you like a double low post or a high post for one player? Do you like a lead guard with the SG and SF both on the wing, or do you prefer the SF lower on the floor on offense?

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.
I coached CYO and AAU BB  
batman11 : 11/17/2014 12:42 pm : link
for many years. At that age group, never assume they understand what you are telling them. Make them repeat what you teach them, so you know they understand. Keep it simple. Spend most of your time on basic fundamentals and skill development. If they want to talk while you are talking, make them run. It's hard for them to talk when they are gasping for air! :) Stress effort and team play, not winning games.

Have fun with the parents.

One word of advice  
Bleedin Blue : 11/17/2014 12:54 pm : link
don't go slapping kids on the ass!! Mom's are OK but kids are taboo!!
Start by watching this episode of It's Always Sunny...  
rsjem1979 : 11/17/2014 12:57 pm : link





Great feed back guys, keep it coming!  
BeerFridge : 11/17/2014 1:06 pm : link
Matt M - thanks for that info. I'm not sure if zone is allowed. I'm trying to get a copy of the league rules. All I saw last year when my son was in 4th was man to man.

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.
Coaching Bball.  
JerseyCityJoe : 11/17/2014 1:18 pm : link
Rule #1 everyone plays. Rule #2 the only play you use is the pick and roll. Rule #3 everyone plays a lot.
RE: Coaching Bball.  
BeerFridge : 11/17/2014 1:38 pm : link
In comment 11984300 JerseyCityJoe said:
Quote:
Rule #1 everyone plays. Rule #2 the only play you use is the pick and roll. Rule #3 everyone plays a lot.


Yes, 100%. The coaches seemed to be really good about this. I certainly will be.
Some links  
Dave in Ocean : 11/17/2014 1:47 pm : link
I used to coach youth basketball several years ago. The link provided was helpful to me at the time.
Coach's Clipboard - ( New Window )
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