Coaching Youth Basketball - Picking Positions For Your Players

When coaching youth basketball, one of the toughest things to do is to pick the right kid for the right position. This is true in any sport; football and soccer, but especially in basketball. Lots of times coaches make the mistake of looking at a kids size as opposed to his mindset and skills and puts them in the wrong positions.

Don’t make that mistake. This is especially true when it comes to the center position. Coaches tend to automatically put the tallest kid on the team in the center position and this is not always the best course of action.

Don’t automatically make the tallest kids on your team your post players. Your team has to gel and to do this the players must be in the right position based on skill and mindset as much as size.

Some teams have realized that they had to move their power forward to point guard, their point guard to shooting guard and so on. The coach just has to take the time to learn each kids skillset and mindset and then put them in the position that best matches up with that.

Below are tips of things to look for when picking positions for your kids:

* Point Guard- Clearly this needs to be the best ball handler and dribbler and passer on the team. They also need to be able to watch plays develop; to see the court. Also, every point guard has to have some leadership qualities.

This position cannot not be vocal. They have to communicate the plays and they have to know the plays. Finally, they need to be quick on their feet and able to run a fast break.

* Shooting Guard-This position is usually filled by your next best ball handler. Also this player needs to be the fastest on the court. Also, because sometimes they become the point guard on the fast break, the shooting guard needs to remember the plays just as much as the point guard.

Finally, the shooting guard kid has to have the ability to knock down the outside jumper and be able to drive it to the goal for a lay-up.

* Small Forward- This is a tough position. This tends to go to the most aggressive player on your team as they have to be able to pull up and make a quick jumper and they have to be able to drive the lane into traffic to make a quick lay-up.

Also the small forward position will be called upon and expected to make aggressive rebounds at both ends of the floor. They also need to be able to catch quick passes from any player on the team.

* Power Forward- This position needs a kid that can shoot a pretty good percentage of shots from within the paint and under the basket and be aggressive on the rebounding. Vertical leap is important in filling this position.

* Center- Remember, this is not always the tallest kid on your team. Of course being tall helps greatly at this position but they must possess other skills as well.

The main thing your center needs to be able to do is box defensive players out and rebound. Sometimes the slowest and weakest player is best for this position when it comes to kids.

Below is a drill that will help to develop fundamental skills for all 5 positions on your team:



For more free articles on coaching youth basketball, visit my blog here:

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Youth Basketball Plays - The Half Moon Screen

Youth basketball plays don’t have to be simple to be effective. Players can learn about zone offense from an early age, giving the team more flexibility in choosing plays during games.

However, to be successful at a zone offense, kids basketball teams must practice the basics, including running effective screens and having multiple options for passing the ball.

The following play relies heavily on successful screens to allow the team to take a jump shot.
You'll get multiple options for completing a pass, depending on where the defense is strongest. With patience, teams using zone offense can outsmart their defenders and get to the basket!

Half-Moon Screen

In this play, players spread out along the three-point line. The player at the top of the key has the ball. The two players on the right screen the two defenders closest to them. The screens here are extremely important, and should be practiced frequently before running this play.

The player with the ball dribbles behind the two players screening their defenders and ends up between them, going as close in to the basket as the defenders allow. We now have three players on the left, inside the paint, and two players on the right, still at the perimeter.

There are now several options for the player with the ball. He could pass to the player on his right, who is closer to the basket and probably open because the defender on him has moved to the player with the ball.

Additionally, top-most player on the right could cut inside and take a pass. This would require a mid-range shot. Finally, the player with the ball could take a jump shot himself. If the player with the ball passes to the player on his right (who was originally running a screen nearest the basket), the rest of the team should be prepared to step in for a rebound.

Next step: visit my free youth basketball coaching blog for more great plays, drills and practice ideas:

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Basketball Coaching - 5 Steps To An Effective Practice

Many coaches find it useful to create a "skeleton practice plan" and review it before you arrive at the gym. This will ensure your activities are well though out, you accomplish the goals of your practice, and you maximize the use of your time and space.

Here are 5 essential tips for planning your practice:

1. Schedule time for a warm up–It is essential that all practices start with a warm up that mimics the actions the athletes will perform during practice. If athletes will be running plays, have them begin by jogging. If they will be doing shooting drills, have them loosen up their arm, shoulder, and back muscles.
2. Schedule time for a cool down - A cool down period is also essential to help athletes come down from the practice, both mentally and physically. The cool down should be done with little or no talking, or with soothing music to help encourage athletes to come back to their normal state of being. A cool down is also essential to prevent sore muscles and promote muscle growth.
   
3. Allow time for rest and drink breaks – It’s easy to forget that athletes need some downtime in a practice in order to be effective for the whole thing. Give athletes some time to rehydrate (every 15 minutes is a good rule) as well as catch their breath.
4. Combine fun and learning – If your team has a favorite activity or game, build that into the practice plan. Mix fun and learning – remember, these athletes are at practice to learn more than just basketball skills. They also need to learn interpersonal skills, which often come from more casual, fun interactions
5. Keep activities short – Young players have a remarkably short attention span, so underestimate when it comes to assigning time for activities. It is always better to have too many activities planned and cut something than be searching for something to do to fill the time. In the actual practice, play it by ear and let yourself change the time based on how the team is reacting.

Fill in the Blanks

Now that you’ve got a practice plan skeleton, continue the exercise by planning practices for a week. Choose specific drills, plays, and strength exercises and plug them into the open slots in your skeleton.

Consider creating additional skeletons in order to mix things up. Athletes will quickly become bored with a basketball program where every practice is basically the same. With just two or three skeletons, you can keep everyone interested and engaged!

For more great tips on planning and executing a killer practice, check out this basketball coaching article.

Basketball Drills - Rebounding Basics

Rebounding is an important element in basketball offense. If the offense misses a shot, then rebounding provides an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball and have another chance to score.

While certain physical attributes are advantageous to rebounders, players who are willing to train to improve technique and have determination and discipline can become successful rebounders and an invaluable asset to their team.

Rebounding Basics

Players need to understand that rebounding is a vital skill for all of them to develop. Reinforce that rebounding leads to three things: ball possession, fast breaks, and winning.

Once they understand how rebounding effects the outcome of the game, they should be motivated to hone their rebounding skills.

Rebounding technique, sometimes called "blocking out," "boxing out," or "checking" an opponent, consists of a few basic maneuvers:

• See the shot.
• Act as though the shot will be missed.
• Find the opponent.
• Block out the opponent.
• Go to the ball.
• Gain possession of the ball.
• Move the ball to an open position.

While these steps may seem simple, executing them properly in a game can be easier said than done. For more free basketball rebound tips, visit my basketball coaching blog here.

Defensive Drills For Youth Basketball

Here's one of my favorite defensive drills for youth basketball practice.

Deny the Flash

This youth basketball drill for defense teaches defenders to deny the flash, or prevent an offensive player from bursting up the court to receive a pass and shoot a basket.

Start with an offensive player with a ball in the right wing. Set up a defensive player in the middle of the lane, and have four offensive players on the weak side, or the side of the court without the ball.

The defensive player should be positioned so that he is pointed toward the ball. At the whistle, the first player on the weak side will flash to the foul line and try to back-cut toward the basket.

The defensive player should immediately attempt to stop the flash, making body contact with him to keep him from driving up the lane.

As the offensive continues to make the flash and shoot a basket, they will cycle through the players waiting on the weak side, utilizing different moves.

The man on defense should use appropriate counter moves. Once the drill is completed, rotate the players so they can experience different positions. And if you'd like to see more free youth basketball drills, please check out this blog:

http://www.online-basketball-drills.com/

There's more than 700 free coaching tips and drills listed, including videos, podcasts, and interviews with top NCAA and NBA coaches.

Youth Basketball Drills For Defense

One of the most important things players should remember when learning defense is to be proactive, not reactive. Being proactive means that they go after the ball and the opponent, instead of waiting for the other team to come to them.

The following youth basketball drills hone essential defense skills that will challenge players both physically and mentally and prepare them for any defense situation. With practice and determination, each player can bring his/her defense game to the next level.

Line Individual Defense Drill

The purpose of this drill is for offensive players to practice dribbling and to try to get around their defender for a basket. For defensive players, it is to prevent the offensive player from getting close enough to the basket to score.

For this drill, the players create four lines on the baseline. The lines should face each other, so that each player has a partner that is opposite from them. Every other player needs a ball.

The players will form alternating defensive and offensive stances. While the offensive player zigzags down the court, practicing their dribbling, the defensive player keeps defensive distance and makes sure they are always between their opponent and the basket. Once the drill is completed, the players switch positions and repeat the routine.

Closeout Basketball Drill

This defensive basketball drill ideally involves two players, one ball, and one basket. The defensive player stands under the basket with the ball. The offensive player stands 15-18 feet away from the basket.

The defensive player cleanly passes the ball to the offensive player and immediately moves to defend. The defensive player closes out while the offensive player tries to make a basket. Things get tricky because the offensive player is limited to only two dribbles. The drill ends when a basket is made or the defensive player gains possession of the ball.

Three-on-three/Four-on-four Half Court

This drill provides an opportunity for players to practice the defensive skills they learned on an individual level in a team situation. Players form teams of three or four and play half court games, applying defensive techniques to different offensive plays.

When engaging in a team scrimmage, coaches should emphasize the need for players to work together as a team. Defenders should always know where their teammates are and if there are any gaps that might allow the other team to score.

Half-court games are a great way to practice before a real competition. As long as coaches keep the atmosphere light and competition doesn’t get too aggressive, players will learn to think on their feet and coordinate as a group.

For more free basketball coaching drills, tips, plays and practice ideas, visit my blog at http://www.online-basketball-drills.com/