VOLUSIA FLAGLER FAMILY YMCA

YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE

COACHES GUIDELINES

Qualities of a YMCA Basketball Coach

  • Positive Personality: Children will respond to people who are friendly, upbeat, encouraging and have a sense of humor.
  • Ability to demonstrate: A perfect picture paints a thousand words – so demonstrate as much as you possibly can.
  • Ability to bring the practices to life: Use your enthusiasm and the players’ imagination to increase the excitement of what you teach.
  • Use vocabulary that children understand: Analogies often help in relating the words that you use to the world the child lives in.
  • Do not try to teach too many things at once: Through trial and error, that actual game teaches children skills, often without them realizing it, so keep the number of teaching points you want to get across to a minimum.
  • Role Model: The way you dress, how well groomed you are, how early (or late) you arrive at practice/games all sends signals to parents and players.
  • Discipline: Children will appreciate it if you show that you are really concerned in what they do and who they are but it is just as important that you also tell them when their behavior is unacceptable.
  • Knowledge and organization: Coaches that are fully prepared and understand their subject material will gain the players respect.
  • You have a major advantage – you are the coach. Do not underestimate your effect as a role model on the players.
  • Always give directions using positive statements – avoid al all costs words such as “shut up”, “that was terrible” “that’s the worst I’ve ever seen” etc.
  • Constantly reinforce positive behavior. Your aim by the end of the practice / game is to give positive feedback to each individual on your team at least once.
  • Keep explanations and instructions brief and to the point.
  • Vary the tone of your voice.
  • Listen to players and respect individual differences.
  • Avoid talking down to players.
  • Let players know what will be happening next.
  • Establish rules on the first day and stick by them.

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, INTEGRITY, LEADERSHIP, SPORTSMANSHIP

Mention to parents and players at your first practice that you hope by the end of the season not only will they be better at dribbling, passing and playing positions – but will also better understand the meaning of the values of the YMCA.

Reinforce the values at appropriate times each day. If a player is talking when they should be listening – explain that they should respect the person talking. If they forget their practice equipment – explain this is not being responsible.

  • Show RESPECT to the game, your coach, and the officials. Never question the referee and always listen to your coach.
  • Show RESPOSIBILITY to your teammates, family and yourself. You are always accountable for your own actions on and off the field.
  • Show INTEGRITY by being honest and reliable. Always be on time and work hard in every practice and game.
  • Show LEADERSHIP by putting your team first in all decisions. Your example in games and practices will inspire others to follow.
  • Show SPORTSNANSHIP by following the rules and playing fairly. Acknowledge good plays, accept bad calls and always thank your opponents.

General Guidelines for CoachesTips for a Successful Practice

  1. Arrive early each day1.Keep all explanations brief & to the point
  2. Prepare your practice/game plans2.Keep your players paying attention
  3. Dress appropriately3.Introduce coaching points 1 at a time
  4. Wear appropriate foot gear4.Provide good demonstrations
  5. Players are properly dressed: cleats/belts5.Vary the tone of your voice
  6. Learn the names of your players and families6.Provide constructive feedback
  7. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, etc.7.If a practice is not working, make adjustments
  8. Spend time talking with parents8.Do not allow players to get bored
  9. Be extremely careful of how you present yourself,9.Teach progressions, finish with a game

parents are watching10.Constantly reinforce positive behavior

SKILL PROGRESSIONS FOR EACH AGE GROUP

Division 1 / Division 2 / Division 3 / Division 5/6
3 – 5 Year Olds
Have Fun
INTRODUCE
Offense
Ready Position
a.Offensive Foot Work
b. Court Spacing
Dribble/ Head Up
a. Right Hand
b. Left Hand
Passing/Catching the ball
a. Catching Position
b. BouncePass
Shooting
a. Set Shot
b. Achieve ARC on Ball
c. Shooting Stance
e. Bank Shot / Backboard
f. Layups
Offensive Rebounding
a. Stance
b. Rebounding Ball – Side outlet
Free Throw
a. Re-set ball
Offensive Tactics
a. Player Positions
b. Create Passing Lanes
c. Maintain Court Balance
Offensive Goal
a. Make strong side layup
Defense
a.Defensive Stance
b. Defensive footwork
c. Eyes always on ball
d. Stay with man close enough to touch
Defensive Rebounding
a. Player positioning
Defense
a. Cannot play zone defense without complete understanding of man-to-man principles / 6 – 7 Year Olds
Have Fun, Learn Basics
INTRODUCE/TEACH
Offense
Ready Position / 3 point stance
a. Floor spacing
b.Offensive Foot Work
c. Cuts
1.V-Cut
2.L-Cut
Dribble / Eyes up
a. Right Hand
b. Left Hand
c. Switch Right / Left Hand
Passing/Catching the ball
a. Catching Position
b. BouncePass
c. ChestPass
d. Dribble – PivotPass
Shooting
a. Achieve ARC on Ball
b. Shooting Stance
c. Position Shooting/Non shooting hand
d. Bank Shot / Backboard
e. Jump Shot
f. Lay ups
1. Right Side
2. Left Side
Offensive Rebounding
a. Stance
b. Rebounding Ball / Side of Basket
c. Rebounding Shots / Front of basket
Free Throw
a. Re-set ball
Offensive Tactics
a. Player Positions
b. Create Passing Lanes
c. Maintain Court Balance
d. Jump Balls
1. Player position
e. Keep middle open
f. Moving to vacant spot
Offensive Goal
a. Make strong side/hand layups with proper form
Defense
a.Defensive Stance
b. Defensive footwork
c. Guarding the ball
Defensive Rebounding
a. Player positioning
b. Inside position
c. OutletPass
Defense
a. Man to Man Defense
1. Playing on the ball
2. Playing off the ball / 8 – 10 Year Olds
Have Fun & Learn Technique
INTRODUCE/TEACH/REVIEW
Offense
Ready Position
a. Floor Spacing
b.Offensive Foot Work
c. Cuts
1. Cut
2. L-Cut
3. Backdoor Cut
Dribble
a. Right Hand
b. Left Hand
c. Switch Right / Left Hand
Passing/Catching the ball
a. Catching Position
b. BouncePass
c. ChestPass
d. Dribble – PivotPass
e. OverheadPass
Shooting
a. Achieve ARC on Ball
b. Shooting Stance
c. Position Shooting/Non shooting hand
d. Bank Shot / Backboard
e. Jump Shot
f. Layups / either hand
1. Right Side
2. Left Side
h. Free Throws
i. Shooting off dribble
Offensive Rebounding
a. Stance
b. Rebounding Ball / Side of Basket
c. Rebounding Shots / Front of basket
d. Rebounding shots – Free Throw
Free Throw
a.Offensive team positions
b. Defensive team positions
Offensive Tactics
a. Player Positions
b. Create Passing Lanes
c. Maintain Court Balance
d. Jump Balls
1. Player position
e. Keep middle open
f. Moving to vacant spot
g. Setting Screens
Offensive Goal
a. Make layups with left and right hand
b. Make shots from 15 feet away
Defense
a.Defensive Stance
b. Defensive footwork
c. Guarding the ball
Stealing
a.Off of the pass
b. Knocking the ball away
Defensive Rebounding
a. Player positioning
b. Inside position
c. OutletPass
d. Box out
Defense
a. Man to Man Defense
1. Playing on the ball
2. Playing off the ball
C. Denial position
Playing the Post
a. High Post
b. Middle Post
c. Low Post
Defending Against Screens
a. Over the top
b. Slide behind
c. Switch / 11-17 Year Olds
Have Fun, Improve Technique, Learn Basic tactics
INTRODUCE/TEACH/REVIEW
Offense
Ready Position
a. Floor Spacing
b.Offensive Foot Work
c. Cuts
1. Cut
2. L-Cut
3. Backdoor Cut
Dribble
a. Right Hand
b. Left Hand
c. Switch Right / Left Hand
Passing/Catching the ball
a. Catching Position
b. BouncePass
c. ChestPass
d. Dribble – PivotPass
e. OverheadPass
Shooting
a. Set Shot
b. Achieve ARC on Ball
c. Shooting Stance
d. Position Shooting/Non shooting hand
e. Bank Shot / Backboard
f. Jump Shot
g. Lay ups
1. Right Side
2. Left Side
h. Free Throws
i. Shooting off dribble
Offensive Rebounding
a. Stance
b. Rebounding Ball / Side of Basket
c. Rebounding Shots / Front of basket
d. Rebounding shots – Free Throw
Free Throw
a.Offensive team positions
b. Defensive team positions
Offensive Tactics
a. Player Positions
b. Create Passing Lanes
c. Maintain Court Balance
d. Jump Balls
1. Player position
e. Keep middle open
f. Moving to vacant spot
g. Setting Screens
Offensive Goal
a. Make layups with left and right hand
b. Make shots from 15 feet away
Defense
a.Defensive Stance
b. Defensive footwork
c. Guarding the ball
Stealing
a.Off of the pass
b. Knocking the ball away
Defensive Rebounding
a. Player positioning
b. Inside position
c. OutletPass
d. Box out
Defense
a. Zone Defense
b. Man to Man Defense
1. Playing on the ball
2. Playing off the ball
C. Denial position
Playing the Post
a. High Post
b. Middle Post
c. Low Post
Defending Against Screens
a. Over the top
b. Slide behind
c. Switch

BASKETBALL DRILLS, SKILLS AND STRATEGIC PLANING: