Coach Information

Getting the Most From Your Team Practices

There is no magic formula for piecing together the perfect practice all you need to know is what your players are capable of.  For example, what if your team is not very athletic yet can still be a very good team that’s fundamentally sound….focus on that, don’t waste your time doing things that aren’t part of your game. Here are some tips for your practices:

1. BE PREPARED.  If you want to develop an effective practice, you need to plan ahead.  That means drafting some ideas and writing them down on paper before you arrive at the gym.  Make sure your 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 groups are determined before practice begins. Being prepared has an impact greater than just organization, it shows commitment and your dedication to the program and your team.  It helps set the tone for practice and let’s everyone know you take it seriously, as they should do the same. 
2. DEVELOP A DAILY THEME.  Like a favorite song or sports flick gets you fired up for a game, brainstorm a way you can motivate your team for practices.  Some teams may start practice by reading a motivational quote and give players a chance to comment on it and something that can be referenced throughout that practice.  
3. KNOW YOUR TEAM. Don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole.  Each player has his/her individual strengths. You may have guards that are better off the dribble and some “post players” that might be more effective on the perimeter.  If that’s the case, don’t force your players to sway from those, abandoning an otherwise valuable asset to your team. If you have a four-man that can shoot but struggles with his/her back to the basket, work to address this weakness but take advantage of the strengths.  Put that player in pick-and-pop situations. 
4. MOVE QUICKLY BETWEEN DRILLS.  I advise teams to spend five to seven minutes on most drills and no more than 10-12 minutes on others.  This keeps the pace of practice flowing and helps maintain the team’s focus. It also ensures you get the most out of your short time with the team by addressing a variety of skill sets. 

4 Tips For Bonding With Your Players

The “Secret to Success” goes beyond game film and intense practices. It takes a true family atmosphere.  You can call it cliché, and it’s difficult to argue that, but it’s also impossible to ignore the results from programs throughout  the nation that say they’ve achieved success on the court because of their efforts off of it.  

It’s imperative at the college level, but even more so in youth sports, where children are more impressionable and reliant upon that kind of support system.   Here are some ideas to help develop the kind of relationship that benefits your entire team.

1. TAKE TIME TO GET AWAY FROM THE GAME.  It’s crucial that coaches and players associate with one another outside the realm of basketball.  Bonding with your players, and them bonding with each other, translates to the basketball court because they build a trust and friendship that makes them want to succeed. By getting to know you as a coach and a person, it makes them want to be successful for YOU.
2. EXPRESS INTEREST IN THEIR LIVES.  The minor details go a long way, especially in the eyes of a child.  If you make the extra effort to mentally store tidbits of information about their friends/family it shows you are listening.  They want you to take an interest in their lives and if you show you care, they will know you are trying to help them succeed which develops a stronger trust. 
3. GIVE THE PLAYERS ‘OWNERSHIP’. Make sure the kids understand they don’t play for “your team,” they play for “our team.” You’re the coach, so you’re the decision maker who ultimately makes the call but giving your players some say can do wonders for their self-esteem. That doesn’t mean letting the kids determine plays or practice regimens, that’s your territory and they need to respect that.  Maybe let them vote of where to have the post-game meal. 
4. BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR NEEDS. Kids in any sport are going to make mistakes because they are still learning the game.  It’s how the coach and player handle those issues that determine whether they rebound or start to lose interest. Respect from your players is one of the biggest assets you have as a coach.  The minute you start to scold players publicly for their mistakes, the house of cards begin to tumble. It’s perfectly OK to communicate errors, but do so privately and offer solutions for how they can improve.  They want you to be a teacher, and after all, isn’t that what coaching is all about? 

All coaches should keep the environment positive and fun. Youth sports is about learning, growing, and enjoying, and coaches should have these priorities in mind above winning. Youth basketball is the building block for competitive basketball at the high school and college level. Youth basketball is also a place where young athletes build essential skills for life, including teamwork, patience, self-confidence, and leadership.

Youth basketball should focus on several things, including winning. Athletes should be encouraged to perform their best at all times, but they should also learn that winning is not the only goal. They should also know that performing well, learning new things, and making friends is just as important.

In the end, coaching basketball should be just as much fun for you as it is for your players. Being a part of young athletes’ lives is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever have, so take your position seriously and be the best coach you can be!

Know the Basics

Any coach working with kids needs to know the basics of the sport. Coaches should study up on basketball terms, skills, and drills to establish authority and build trust and respect on the team. If a coach is uncomfortable with his or her knowledge of the sport, simple online tutorials and coaching guides are an excellent way to build sport proficiency.

Keep It Fun

A coach’s goal is obviously to win competitions, but it should also be about having fun and growing, especially when coaching kids basketball. Coaches should make it a point to turn drills into playtime. A simple example of this would be to work on dribbling skills by playing “follow the leader.” Each player has a basketball and follows the coach as he winds his way around the practice area. The coach can encourage athletes to keep dribbling at a consistent speed and with control, while still having fun.

Keep it Positive

Young athletes need reassurance and help building social skills, self-confidence, and physical sport skills. Coaches need to keep the mood positive during practice and competition, focusing on encouragement rather than criticism. Athletes do need to know what they are doing wrong in order to grow and improve, but suggestions should be presented in a positive, supportive way.

Create a Routine

Getting kids’ attention is a difficult part of coaching kids basketball. To help everyone snap into “practice mode” when they walk into a practice, make a routine and stick to it. If players know that as soon as they arrive at practice they will jog one lap to warm up, they will be prepared to stretch and continue practice after that lap.

Self-Evaluate

All coaches make mistakes, but only those smart enough to evaluate themselves see them. A youth coach needs to step back and find out what is working and what is not. This will help the coach make necessary changes to retain current athletes, recruit more athletes, and build a positive, successful team.

Develop a Basketball Coaching Philosophy

All coaches should have a coaching philosophy, and basketball coaching is no different. A philosophy should cover what the coach thinks is most important in the sport and what they hope to teach athletes during their time together. A philosophy should help drive practices and competitions and define the role the coach wants to play.

Set Goals Early

Basketball coaches need to have goals in order to know if they are properly managing their team. At the beginning of the season, the coach should sit down with athletes and discuss what they hope to achieve during the season. The coach can have a different list from the athletes, as the coach’s list will probably contain things like “build self-confidence,” “teach 3 new skills,” etc. When a coach has everyone’s buy-in on the goals, it will be much easier to enforce policies that help the team achieve those goals.

Working with Parents

Coaching youth basketball means interacting with parents, which can be a difficult experience if the coach is not prepared. At the beginning of the season, coaches should sit down with parents and discuss everyone’s expectations for the year. Coaches should lay out their philosophy for coaching and what they hope to achieve during the year. Parents should voice their own goals, concerns, questions, and opinions about the program. By inviting everyone together to an open, honest discussion, coaches and parents can eliminate confusion, bitterness, and unhelpful attitudes.

Wearing Different Hats

Youth basketball coaching means doing more than teaching basketball technique. It also means being a mentor, a leader, a counselor, and sometimes a discipliner. Coaches must be comfortable assuming different roles with a youth team because athletes are going to look to them for many different kinds of needs. As youth, basketball players are going to look to the coach for answers to many things unrelated to basketball. They may need counseling about a situation at home or encouragement for their self-esteem. Coaches should expect to wear hats as varied as a referee to a doctor to a friend.

Using Assistant Youth Basketball Coaches

Some youth basketball coaches request or are assigned assistant or volunteer coaches. These people can be a lifesaver if utilized correctly. Smart coaches look at assistants not as a threatening force to take their job but as a helpful resource for a busy job. Coaches should sit down with their assistants to determine what the assistant is interested in doing and how proficient they are at certain tasks. Assistants should be utilized to their fullest by taking advantage of their strengths to build the program.

Learning and Growing

Youth basketball is not intended to produce the all-stars of tomorrow. It is intended to provide young people a release for their energy in a positive, encouraging way. Youth basketball should be focused on teaching new skills, developing sport technique, and building good habits that can be translated into everyday life. Youth basketball should also be focused on growing as an athlete and an individual. Athletes should be encouraged to express themselves and try new things in a safe environment. They should learn necessary social skills, such as taking turns, encouraging others, compromising, and resolving disputes. Youth basketball encourages athletes to be strong and healthy, an image that coaches and parents should reinforce. Athletes should be taught to eat right, exercise their muscles, and stay fit and healthy. Youth basketball is a great addition to a healthy life and can encourage otherwise reluctant children to be active and have fun

Positive Parenting

Youth basketball is also a learning experience for parents. Parents should watch their own behavior to ensure that they are sending the right message to their children and other players on the team. Parents must reinforce what the coach says during practice. An athlete who hears different things from the coach and from the parent is in a difficult and confusing place. Since they trust both adults, it is hard to make a decision about who is right. Parents should work with coaches to send the same message to the child at all times.