Coaching

They say defense wins championships, but an explosive offense that exploits the opposition's weaknesses helps. Great offenses are vigorously coached with well-designed game plans that are executed...

In team sports, the key to victory goes beyond just putting the best players on the field. Soccer is a thinking person's game because it is low-scoring and involves tactics beyond just beating the...

Teaching kids how to play football seems like a huge task. With so many different plays on offense and the challenge of playing aggressive defense appears so complicated, it's hard to know where...

Many consider Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player in history. While some of what he did---soaring above the hoop, making last-second winning shots---are beyond most players'...

Preparation and practice are the keys to success for any successful youth football team. After running and holding practices with your team and running drill after drill for several weeks it is...

Like any endeavor, teaching basketball to the inexperienced is challenging, especially if they are young. There are fundamentals that players of any level should know and practice. Some drills are...

In youth basketball, a good trap on defense can force a turnover. Get the basketball back using the coaching tips in this free video lesson on youth basketball from an experienced coach.

In youth basketball, a good defense will prevent easy baskets for the post player on offense. Deny a youth basketball post player the chance to get the ball using the coaching tips in this free...

In youth basketball, a good defensive player should maintain a low stance and be ready to move in any direction. Become a better basketball player on defense using the coaching tips in this free...

In youth basketball, a good defense is a crucial part of winning championships. Coach a team to become better defensive players using the coaching tips in this free video lesson on youth...

In youth basketball, good defensive players should analyze the skills of the players on offense. Strategize to make a team better on defense using the coaching tips in this free video lesson on...

In youth basketball, a good player on defense should maintain a good defensive stance at all times. Demonstrate how basketball players can become better defensive players using the coaching tips...

In youth basketball, a good player on defense should try to block passing lanes. Play better pass defense in basketball using the coaching tips in this free video lesson on youth basketball from...

In youth basketball, a good player on defense should try to help out teammates on the weak side of the court. Know what to do on defense in basketball by following the coaching tips in this free...

Rebounding is arguably the most important aspect of a successful basketball team. Good rebounding teams have a combination of good techniques along with a strong desire for the ball. In this...

Every team should be prepared for full-court pressure defense. When not prepared, the game can get out of control and your team will find itself in a hole. There are several press break sets that...

Defense wins basketball games. If you want to push the tempo of the game and force your opponent to make mistakes, denial defense can be very effective. The goal of denial defense is to not allow...

In basketball, a box and 1-style defense is a zone defense used in place of the normal man-to-man style to give the defensive team an edge. This style of play has mostly been seen in college,...

The 3-2 zone basketball defense is played when the opposing team's guards are its dominant offensive force. Playing this defense makes it harder for the opposition to drive the ball to the basket....

While most youth programs primarily utilize man-to-man defenses, a team can really get tripped up if they are not ready for the occasional zone defense. Every team should have a basic plan on...

I had been running a motion offense against a zone defense for about 10 years(now retired). This approach has been successful for me over the years. This offense works best with patient passing...

Zone defenses can be tough to beat in youth basketball. The strategies in this article will help you knock your opponent out of their zone and back into man to man defense in no time.

Defending in soccer is 50 percent of the game of soccer, but quite often it is neglected as a theme in soccer coaching. The principles of defending dictate that a good defense consists of...

The bunker defense is considered to be an ugly but effective method of reducing the scoring chances of the opposition. It is a tactic usually employed by poorer teams against strong opposition, or...

The sweeper/stopper method of defending is a popular defensive system in youth soccer in America. Although zonal defending has become the more popular system worldwide, there are still some merits...

Probably the most popular formation in soccer is the 4-4-2 formation. This is an almost universal formation, being used at all levels and in all soccer-playing countries. It offers a good balance...

Practice is crucial to building a successful football team. As coach, it is up to you to develop an efficient practice. Here are some basic tips on what a normal practice consists of.

There are some great soccer players at all levels that end up only being able to play striker because they can't defend. Good defense can separate the good teams from the best ones and can create...

Playing varsity basketball in high school is not quite an impossible task. Some people are "locks" to make it, while others are on the bubble. Since I've had some experience as the...

Many people are familiar with the diamond defense because it is often preferred on younger soccer teams, but once you get into the high school, college and professional levels, teams will start to...

Tips for getting rebound against a zone. Learn how to get rebound position against zone defense in this free youth basketball lesson from an experienced coach.

Get into position for a rebound. Learn how to get rebound position against man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball lesson from an experienced coach.

Be ready at the defensive end. Learn how to spring back on defense in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Talk to the other players on your team. Learn how to talk to your teammates in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Keep track of the ball all over the court. Learn how to keep track of your man and the ball in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Get the steal for basket at the other end. Learn how to trap on the wing and the short corner in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Offensive foul and you get the ball back. Learn how to take a charge when other player is out of control in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Get in position for a rebound. Learn how to box out and read the rebound in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Tips for coaching man defense. Learn how to recover to your man when the ball is thrown from help side in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Don't let your opponent get the advantage. Learn how to close out your man and play defense on them in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Shut down the post players. Learn how to double down on the post in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Don't let the dribbler past you. Learn how to adjust man-to-man defense when your man has the ball in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Intercept the pass. Learn how to adjust man-to-man defense when the pass is one player away in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Keep the pressure on the star players. Learn how to adjust to the ball from the help side in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Anticipate where passes will go. Learn how to play on the help side when the ball is opposite in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Keep the pressure on! Learn the main purpose of man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Play tight defense. Learn how to pressure guards in a man-to-man defense in this free youth basketball coaching lesson.

Stop the breakaway baskets! Learn how to get back on defense and stop a fast break as a shooting guard in youth basketball in this free basketball lesson video from an experienced coach.

Prevent a score and get the ball back. Learn how to box out and read shot to get rebound in a zone defense in this free youth basketball lesson from an experienced head coach.

Get back to other end of court after missed shot. Learn how to sprint back on defense to set up zone in a zone defense in this free youth basketball lesson from an experienced head coach.