Youth Basketball Coaches,
So, you’re coaching your son’s or daughter’s team this year and you’re looking forward to basketball season. You’re hoping that your players will learn and play to the best of their abilities, parents will enjoy watching the action, and everyone will have fun. To make the most of the coaching opportunity, it makes sense to you that you need to have a plan — both an overall plan and individual plans for each practice. You know that by just running a few drills and scrimmaging the rest of the time, your team won’t be ready.
The plan needs to address:
- What to coach and when? You need to have a plan for what basketball skills should be taught at the first practice and in the early going, and what can wait until later practices.
- Fundamentals. You need to coach strategies, tactics and skills that players can carry with them to future teams — not intricate plays that future teams may not run at all. Solid man-to-man defense, the pick-and-roll, rebounding and give-and-go are skills that teams execute at every level.
- How to keep you players engaged throughout the course of a long season and at every practice. How to balance repetition with variety so that kids stay interested.
- Preparing your team for different situations that come up in the course of a game and season. What should players do when they face a zone press? How to inbounds the ball from the sidelines to create a scoring opportunity?
- How to make the most of the 10 minutes before each practice when you take the court. Here’s your opportunity to get to know your players better, pass on some valuable basketball knowledge, and teach some life lessons that players will carry on with them long after their days on the hardwood.
A plan will enable you to enjoy the season more fully as you won’t be panicking on practice day worrying about an agenda for the evening’s session. Parents of players and other coaches will notice that you move through your practices with confidence. You’re prepared. You’re organized. It shows. And, perhaps most importantly, your players will be the primary beneficiaries. They’ll learn a lot, play their best ball and love basketball!
KEY BENEFITS — 30 Youth Basketball Practice Plans
• A proven winner. The topics covered in these practice plans, and the order in which they’re taught, have led to many a successful season, dozens of tournament trophies and a Minnesota State Championship title.
• A time saver. You’ve heard the expression, “Plan the work, and work the plan.” A big part of your coaching role has been completed for you with this purchase. You won’t have to worry on the ride to the gym about what you’re going to cover with your players at practice as you’ll be organized and prepared.
• A new sense of confidence in your coaching. By having a complete plan in place for every pre-practice meeting and every practice, you’ll be more relaxed and be able to enjoy the process more.
• A more competitive team. With tested strategies that work — including inbound plays, sideline plays and a “Driveway Workout” for off-season development — your team will have the advantage.
• A great experience for your players. Basketball is a fun sport, but even the most dedicated players can get bored or not feel challenged unless the coach keeps them engaged throughout the season. These practice plans will keep your players involved as they improve their games and have a lot of fun in the process.
KEY BENEFITS — The Well-Prepared Coach — Basketball Coach Handout Printables
• Keep your parents and players in the loop. These coaching forms will make it easy for you to share team information.
• Print as many as you like for your team. Use these forms season after season.
• Great design makes a difference. Players and parents will pay more attention to your communications.
• You’ll look polished and well-prepared. With coaching forms like the “Shot Tracker” and “Basketball Homework,” you’ll not only be working to improve your team, but you’ll look good in the process.
• Quick and easy to do. Create valuable coaching forms in minutes.
