by MHeath22

Created on: March 08, 2010

10 Tips for Coaching Youth Basketball Successfully

I have been in the coaching business for 13 years. I have found the following format a time proven method of not only coaching youth basketball but also youth sports in general.  This is not a "set in stone" method, but I will guarantee that it is a very well rounded approach to teaching the game to kids.  The main objectives are teaching the fundamentals, making it fun and motivating the kids to stay in the sport.

1) If you want kids to enjoy the game of basketball, you must teach them the fundamentals of the game so that they will gain confidence and have fun.  Teach them how to dribble, how to pass and how to shoot the ball properly.  Every single practice should have those fundamentals in it.  If not, you will produce kids that probably won't have much success, won't have much confidence and won't be motivated to stay in this great sport.  There are tons of great drills that are great for fundamentals.   Look them up on the web, find some you like and get to work.

2) You must make practices and games fun when kids are young.  If it isn't fun, then they will not be motivated to come to practice and at some point might quit.  It is important to have some type of fun activity at every practice. It might just be tag. It might be dribble keep-a-way. Whatever it is, have a short (5 minutes) game you have at every practice that the kids can look forward too.  For some kids you won't have to do this, they love it no matter what, but for a lot it will matter.  This is a good way to build a strong team and keep kids interested.

Oh yeah, don't forget some snacks.  Have your parents be responsible for bringing snacks.  Each family should be responsible for one practice.  Kids love it.

3) Have a practice plan. After every practice you will understand your team better.  It is important to always have a plan before you begin.  Write down what you need to work on and the time you want to spend on each activity.  This will keep you organized and on task.  Keep your plans in a folder.  This will allow you to look at what you have done and what you need to work on.  This way you won't repeat things that don't need repeated and you can focus your energy a lot better.

4) Basketball is about running.  The better in shape your kids are, the more fun they will have.  I believe even in youth basketball there has to

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>