6 replies to this topic

[hollad6636]

Coaches what do you think is the most important aspect in coaching the youth game?

[mrsednawhite]

I believe the most important thing in trainging young people, whether male or female, is to Stress the importance of "Good Sportsmanship."

This helps the girls when they get to senior high level.
Too often, we get the girls, and have to show tough love by "sitting them down." It is important to teach self control when they are "moldable." If no one helps them understand that 'regardless to their athletic ability, it has to be coupled with a good attitude, or the player's athletic ability is deminished because of tech's, or limited play time.'

If they are not taught to bring their attitude under subjection, we have a hard job as a senior coach.

The NCAA has now started to pass the buck down to us, and say, Send me players with the following qualifications:
1. Good moral Character
2. Academically sound
3. Athletic potential
They have stated that we 'on the high school level' need to have a filtering system that requires the students to become well rounded, balanced 'team' players.

In other words, if they are trouble makers, or have bad attitudes, try to restructure them, or they won't be a real asset on the college level

[baldy]

I agree with mrsednawhite that sportsmanship is very important, however for girls at this level and boys. Trust is also very important,for most of the kids at this age this is maybe thier first expeirence at organized sports. If they come in and are being yelled at and made to run laps for every little mistake could scar them from particapating in future sports. You as a coach need to earn their respect and trust.I helped coach 3rd and 4th grade girls basketball last year and have moved up to 5 and 6 grade as the head coach.
I wish you luck in your new coaching positon and one thing that I would like to add is what I used this year "coach them the way that you would want to be coached"

[celticcoach]

I feel that getting your players to play as a team is very important. I get very dissappointed in a couple of my players that care more about their individual stats than if the team wins or loses. As soon as a game is over they go flying over to the scorer's table to see who got the most points like they are competing with each other. I feel if you can get your players to believe in their team and in each other you've accomplished a lot as a coach.

[Tark101]

I feel that the most important aspect would be that the coach makes it a fun and learning experiance for ALL the players.


I feel that coaching the fundamentals is very important.

Dribbling with left and right hand (with their head up)
Learning what a pivot foot is and how to use it.
Learning that passing beats dribbling.
Learning to move their feet on defense. (NO ZONES!)

[celticcoach]

1. fundamentals
2. working as a team
3. 100% effort
4. enthusiasm

[hoops4kids]

The most important aspect of 3rd grade basketball is "having fun." If the kids have fun, they play next year. Your job is not to develop future high school basketball players.

They should learn to dribble with both hands, bounce passes, chest passes, layups and MAN to MAN defense. Man to man defense makes them work and learn the game. Zone defenses cover weaknesses and doesn't develop players court awareness.

A player needs to learn man to man defense. You can teach any kid how to play zone in a matter of weeks.