maosaojao1

I'll address the question with regards to running an offense, however, keep in mind I believe in teaching and emphasizing fundamentals like triple threat, proper shooting form, pivoting, jump stop, boxing out, rebounding, etc.

With the 6-7 yr old team, I'm guessing you'll see the infamous "blob" running around the court. If you can get them passing at that age, you're cooking. I'd reward the passes during games. "If you guys can pass it X number of times, you all get what's in this bag at the end of the game". This means you'll have to teach them what it means to get open, coming to meet the ball, etc. Tough one though, as you don't want them to just pass, they need to shoot on an open shot. "Open shot" can be VERY subjective at that age. I'd build on the passing concept, teaching why they are passing (to find the open person closest to the basket) and what an open shot looks like. I'd even use the "you get what's in the bag" for other fundamentals in a game like X amount of rebounds, loose balls, etc.

On your 8-10 yr olds, I'd over emphasize the spacing big time. If you decide to play 5 out with cuts, the 5 out should be REALLY out. It will open up the middle big time unless you're playing against a zone, even then it still opens things up. You could try having a pass then cut system, if cutter doesn't get the ball they set a pick for someone, that person cuts and so on.

Basketball offense isn't just about passing, but I'm big on ball movement. My son is now playing in a very competitive 6th grade league, the teams that dominate understand clearly what it means to move the ball around. The teams that rely on one or two kids for their offense tend to get shut down, quickly. You'll be doing their future coaches a huge favor if you teach them about ball movement early.

CROB, Thanks for the info that really helped a lot. do you think I will get more done on offense if I just practice with the 5 on the court instead of doing a scrimmage and try to coach like that. My big problem is time I only get 1 hr once a week to practice and it is very strict. I coach on a navy base, so that explains the practice times.

Also on a different note. I have a couple of parents that I know might be getting frustrated cause they probably know more about the game of basketball than I do, I see them on the side trying to coach thier kid, or I see them pacing as if they are frustrated. The way I see it if they dont like what I am doing, tough they should of volunteered at the begining of the season.

One more thing, what is a good rim hieght for both the leagues. They have my 6-7 using a 8 ft rim, which most of them cant even reach when they shoot the ball, my 8-10 are using a 10 ft goal and it is hard for some of them.