How to Coach Youth Basketball

Basketball has become one of the most popular sports in the United States and beyond. Almost anyone can play basketball after learning a few basic skills. As the coach of a youth basketball team, you need to help your young players learn, practice and refine the basics.

Instructions

Plan Youth Basketball Practices

1. Coordinate times for youth basketball practice. As the coach, you should plan practices for up to 90 minutes but not longer.

2. Think about what skills you want to develop or need further development during a given practice.

3. Center your practice around the needed skills. For example, if you want to coach better dribbling, focus on several dribbling drills and go over the proper way to dribble a basketball.

4. Write out each portion of your practice an how much time you will spend on each portion. For example, 7 minutes on stretches and warm-ups, 5 minutes running sprints and 5 minutes reviewing proper dribbling techniques.

Run a Youth Basketball Practice

1. Start on time. Don't let players get in the habit of arriving late for practice.

2. Follow the plan you made for the practice. The plan should include stretching and warm-ups, drills, work on plays, scrimmage time and cool-down stretching.

3. End the practice on time. Parents don't appreciate being kept waiting, and you need their support for your team.

Coach a Youth Basketball Game

1. Arrive to the game early with the team and go through some warm-up exercises and drills.

2. Encourage the team to play hard and have fun.

3. Watch the game closely to look for ways your team can play better on offense and defense.

4. Call out plays to your team on each possession.

5. Celebrate the game with your players and point out the positive aspects of the game, even if your team lost.

6. Write down team weaknesses and plan practices to turn those weaknesses into strengths.

Tips & Warnings

• Younger players should have shorter practice time that focuses on the basics.

• As the season progresses, more time can be spent on developing specific plays for games.

• Don't teach everything you know in one practice session. Focus on one or two skills that need improvement for each practice, as too much information will cause a lack of improvement.

• Don't overwork the players. Practicing too hard and long can have detrimental effects to team performance.