thank you

We need more articles on basketball Philosophy . .

Thank you again

I,m very exited about the new youth articles and I can't wait to put the imformation to use.
Thank you for all you do.
Mike

This common sense is so often overlooked. This should be mandatory reading, and coaches should have to take an oath.

KG

Very good info. Keep up the good work.

My question is, how can you pull a team together that knows that they aren't that good? I feel that I have lost this team because most of the players don't look me in the eye when I am talking to them and they always say that they understand what I am saying when they really don't. I have tried telling them that it is okay to tell me that I am doing something wrong and that I should change what we are doing because it won't work. The biggest mistake I made was teaching the team advanced basketball skills before the fundimentals. Some of the players don't understand most of the terms that I use when I talk. The season is almost over, but I still want the team to feel as if they can be successful at anything they accomplish. So my real question is, how can I get them back to wanting to play basketball?

Craig,

Maybe someone smarter than me can give you a better answer, but I don't think there's anything you can do to turn things around overnight.

Here are some things you can do to slowly turn things around:

i coach semi pro and they love to learn new stuff even though most of them played through college. Its the way u approch them!!!

I just started coaching last school term 2007. I handled under 14s boys who competed locally. I felt frustrated and very disappointed about the results. I blame entirely this predicament to my inability to motivate the kids to practice. Most of the game period I relied only on 2 or 3 players. Team work was very weak.
Reading your article on coaching philosophy gave me tremendous insights and boost to improve my coaching approach. Thanks a million for all your coaching lessons.

Manolo

The information i have received from this site is tremendiously informative. Thank you very much!


Raymond

i have been coaching for ten years now,and i enjoy the role of being a student of the game.thank you very much,im relearning things that ought to be learned.

i have once decide to give up the work as a coach.cause i am not good in playing basketball,although i like it..however, thanks a lot for the newsletters which give me more courage and confidence to move on..

hi jef...,

first upall id like to thanking you exploring youre experiance.. I'm from sri lanka , a little third world country, near to jiant India.. of cource we were the world champions in cricket in 1996, and the finalist who met the australia in 2007 in the same subject.. So its very difficult to attract new young players to basket ball, since lack of funds, lack of expertise knowladge, gap between the mother federation and the players and so on... But here in sri lanka we have a very good seoson in mercantile bb.. I just manage to won the trympe few weeks back.. Ive refered your free e books and good points you mentioned,, thanx for all jeff... im being coaching bb for last 8 years or so. Think i have my own phulosopy about my teams.., i have listed down all of stuff as u do,, and very much simiar to you.. but jeff, my problem is that, why our country cannot make any significANT thing in bb.. why we cant rather i cant contineu my wining habitt atleast in domestic seoson..? It ll be a greaaaaat help if you could help me to develop my knowledge, my skills, and my teams.... Thanx again Jeff, you already helped me a lot...

thank you i cant whait to give this info to my team we are 4 and 0 we can use this thanks again

thats so helpfull thank you

It is very refreshing to be able to go to a site for good free advise to help our young players. Thank you very much.

Thanx so much esp on the teamwork issue.

Humbly, please allow me to share this information. Last year (2007, from November to December 23 (Saturdays and Sundays only), our Basketball Clinic (N.G.O.) conducted a 3 on 3 Skills Application Basketball Tournament, with 8 teams participating and with the theme "Teamwork," which was printed above the number in the back of the kids' uniforms. In the semifinal games, the expected team to win the championship (W=7 L=0) landed 4th and the winner pushed their winning ways all the way to the top! Somehow, ball movements got them to that top. All participants received certificates for "Potential Player For Organized Basketball." Participants cast their votes for "Best In Fundamentals" and "Most Behaved Player (MBP)." Certificates not trophies were awarded. At least they can keep the certificates and value same for life.

thank u so much .. i was so confusing and u gave me the light ..

hey thanks men; i owe God the game of
basketball but i'l probably credit you
majority of my basketball knowledge;
well its not a propability anymore, i'm quiet
sure of it!

Great information and assitance. Thanks so much to your company for the committment to help build better coaches and players.

yah..i agree with ur viewpoints!
the performance of the team defends on the good leadership of the coach....

First and foremost, the game is for the kids. Every major league player I have heard interviewed has said to keep it fun. Learning to face good times and bad, to grow as a person as well as an athlete, to meet new friends, to meet new and challenging situations, and a lot of other ideas come up in a season. Coaches are sport and life teachers.

Great lesson, Keep it coming. Need more people thinking this way!

Life's journey is to me about developing the right skills to travel successfully to the place/s you want to reach. Having the right morals and attutide will develop you mental to get there. So without a doubt create the philosophy to carry out your actions.

My philosophy is pretty simple. Fundamentals, conditioning and teamwork. The first day of practice it if very important. I must set the tone for the season and tell the kids what I expect of them. That is being on time, working hard on the drills and so on. Each year I learn from the last season and try to get better and better. I also think simplicity is the way to go. I also know that how you walk on the floor as a team makes a difference. I tell the players to run onto the court during a game and run off the court during time outs. Have your hands up on the free throw line. It shows team unity, this way the other team sees it as well as the parents.
My season will start on Dec 1. I have been working on this season three months ago, so I know i will be prepared.

thank you for your support. this is my first time coaching fifth graders and your material has been most helpful. i will continue to use this resource now and in the future and would recommend it to everyone. nicely done!

Jeff,

I am an engineer, not a coach but I would like to get into coaching. I am a basketball nut and I can relate to your comment about the influence coaches have. I remember practically everything my coaches told me when I was in High School and these coments have influenced me for the past 35 years.

That was real informative and I can personally say I do a lot of what was told in the article with my teams and can say we're always successful.

I am a parent and my question is, how should I approach the coach regarding his philosophy? I''m disappointed with how he communicates to the team and parents. We''re all very hesitant about asking him questions to get information we need regarding practices and games. Most parents call each other for information. He also tells us one thing at a meeting, but quite often never follows through with his own rules.
I think your site is very informative and inspirational and I''d love for him to see it, but I don''t know how to let him know about it without offending him or blowing me off.

Hi Rhonda,

That's difficult, because so many people don't respond well to criticism and instantly become defensive.

I would advise to go out of your to compliment him on something he does well. Talk to him for a few minutes. Then, say that you found this website with tons of free coaching information.

You can say whatever else that would like to convince him to check out the articles or the site.

Jeff,

I have a difficult situation arise and I was looking for an objective opinion.
I coach 7-8 girls'''' basketball at a small school and I was wondering if you could shed some light on the following problem.
I agree 100% about teaching fundamentals and running M2M defense. I have some parents that disagree with this philosophy. They think the way to teach basketball is to play as many games as possible. IN order to accomplish this, they have their daughters play on a traveling team all year round and throughout our school season. This traveling team consists of players from neighboring towns and the coache''''s philosphy is to run zone presses and other junk defenses. These parents also take the "best" players off my team and form a different team to play in tournaments on the weekend. The girls that get left out are hurt and jealous and I have to try and fix it. On top of that, this parent/coach then teaches them a different offense and runs a zone press too.
I am trying to build a foundation for these girls to grow and work together for one common goal, but I feel that I am just spinning my tires in the mud.
Our athletic director talked to the parents before the season and asked them to respect our season and not participate on other teams until our season is over. Unfortunately, these parents have gone against the schools advice and continued to play. I am frustrated with coaching and dealing with ignorant parents. HELP!!!

Jodi,

It sounds like the parent you are dealing with is either an ass or ignorant. But it's not uncommon and you're not the only one dealing with this.

Without being in your shoes, it's hard to give specific advice. But I'll throw a few ideas at you. Maybe it will help.

Option 1 - Give the players and parents some rules. The should be written rules. The consequences should be written too. This needs to be clearly provided a head of time. If they break the rules, you follow through with the consequences. If it's important, you could have a rule "No organized leagues or games during the regular season. One violation results in one game suspension. Two violations result in two game suspension. Three violations result dismissal from team."

My philosophy is simple. Set expectations and accountability with players and parents. Clearly communicate those expectations with written materials and verbally. Then hold everyone accountable and follow through.

Option 2 - Give the parent our information and materials. It's funny you mention this because that parent really need to listen to an interview we just did with Don Kelbick. We are developing product to help coaches, parents, and players develop off season basketball workouts. We did one recording just for youth and middle school players. In the recording Don talks about how other counties are pulling away from the US in skills and starting to kick our butts. The big reason is that other countries practice 5 times a week and play once or twice. But in the U.S., for some reason we play 5 times and maybe practice once. That recording would really hit home. Don really knows his stuff and works with youth players all the way to the NBA. I think the parent would start understanding the error in their ways. When you hear it from Don, it makes perfect sense.

We're still working on packaging the audio and everything, but maybe we can provide you with something to help. Just drop me an email and maybe we can come up with materials or a plan to get something for that parent.

Here are other pages the parent should read:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/defense/age.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/youthfundamentals.html

BTW, what age level are you working with?

i read many articles that should include fun in the drill when the players are beginner, but how i can i get those of information, Does anyone have suggestion?

Hi Clement,

You can find more drills on this page: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/basketballdrills.html.

If you are looking for fun drills specifically, we have created a product called '60 Fun Drills & Games' which you can look at here: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/fun-youth-drills.html

My philosophy is simple to look out how to pleyers are feeling before they start by then introduce them to the daily routine

Thank you for this site. These ideas have helped re-enforce my own, and have given me ideas to add to my teams

How do you handle a player who is truly very talented on the 7th grade girls team? This is not just my opinion, the varsity coach has a great interest in this girl. She has already played up a grade and has started on a national AAU championship team..She is also a great kid, just so far advanced.

Jeff,
I am amazed at the compilation of materials you have aggregated for this website- it all speaks to your altruism and ardent affection for the game. At first thought, I was reluctant to post a response, but your research is truly astute and accord. I have a Kinesiology degree and Teaching Certificate from the University of North Texas and many of the concepts and ideas that you suggest correspond with the curriculum we covered in respect to teaching in the classroom. The interview with Don Kelbick was brilliant and many of the website’s materials are sagacious. I had intentions to create a website in the same mold as yours, but discovery of this website made my idea is inane and fatuous. In close, I am embellishing much of this content you have posted and add me to list of people you have assisted surreptitiously. You could have charged a fee for this information but it is all free. Thanks.
God Bless you and may Jesus Christ continue to live in you (if you believe).

Great information!

You can''t have the kids learning advanced drills or plays until all of them know the fundementals like the back of their hand. You can draw up plays that are simple and have your team perfect that play(s) during practice. It only has to be a few plays. One should be an easy bucket to the rim. This gets their confidence up and they feel more relaxed. They dont have the monkey on their back. You can always preach to them to be like Coach Mike Singletary says "Physical with an F" theres no where that says you cant be a physical(teach them the right way without fouling).Comanding the paint that our house and the other team is not invited to our house EVER. If you find them in the paint muscle them out. Be extremly tough on defense.If you are more physical than the other team it sends a message. Look at most winning teams in all levels they usually have a dominate post figure. When your physical you have dominate rebounding, great tough defenders, and you are dominating in the paint on offense. It''s going to be hard to lose.

Hi Jeff,

Question: Everyone talks about teaching the kids the fundamentals. And we all agree. But precisely, what are the fundamentals and when do the fundamentals change into advanced skills? that is; there are so many skills that could be taught to a group of 6th graders, but what should I absolutely, without a doubt, focus on and what should I get to if I have time and what should I just leave for their junior coach? Thanks.

Kelly,

Take a look at this page and let me know if this helps answer your question: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/teach-youth.html

looks good, thanks Joe!

I just started coaching 8-10 year olds. It's my first time coaching anything. We just had a really tough first game last night.

Part of the issue was that I was meeting the kids for the first time, 15 minutes before tip off. No previous practice. That added to the fact that it was a 95 degree day with the sun beaming, made the conditions rough on a few of the kids. The kids all played hard even if the final score didn't show it. But it was hard to tell how much fun the kids were having.


I'll be reading this site quite a bit for tips and pointers.

Thanks for sharing this great information.

Hi Jeff!

I'm a high school basketball coach for the Xavier University [Crusaders] here in the Philippines.

I would like to say that the material you have here really made me realize a lot of things about my philosophy and priorities in life as a coach for our young and very skilled players.

Just wanted to take the time to let you know how i would be looking forward to those newsletters from you in the future.

Thanks, Jeff!

-Coach Chief
Xavier Crusaders: Fight A Good Fight!

Thank you for this great article. As a brand new high school girls basketball coach it was just what I needed to read!

I read this and as becoming a first time Coach for 1st - 3rd graders I felt really overwhelmed .

But Thank You ..

Brian,

Coaching 1st-3rd graders, here are some simple tips:

1. Keep lectures short. No longer than 30 seconds.
2. Create a fun atmosphere. You want to create a passion, so they want to play the game when they are older.
3. Keep activities short. Drills should not be any longer than 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Do lots of ball handling. This is the easiest skill to pick up at this age due to strength.
5. Shoot on lower hoops with smaller balls. Otherwise, don't even worry about it.

For more coaching youth basketball information, visit: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/youthbasketball.html

And don't worry about being overwhelmed at first. You're way ahead of the game just by being on the website reading and learning.

Thanks Make me a good Learner

hey Coach, i really don't agree much on trying to let kids pick up things that are least the hardest to learn, i mean it would take much longer time for a kid to learn basic dribbling skills as to lets say rebounding the basketball... there's really no proven method to rebound a basketball effectively except get your feet squared and go straight up for the ball, my point is; I'd rather focus more and first on things that takes time to master rather than things that could be done instinctively. Dribbling over Rebounding first, don't you think?

Jeff,

A couple of years ago my 3 boys and I came up with 5 goals for activities, be they athletic, family or academic.
1. Have fun
2. Be a good sport
3. Learn something
4. Do your best
5. Have fun

Seeing your 1 & 5 echo mine brought a smile to my face.

I love the info here. Thanks for sharing it.

I am new at coaching youth girls bb, however I try to teach the fundamentals and emphasize fun, since alot of you have experience. How do i deal with another coach/parent criticizing the way i coach. I realize I may not be the best at it, but it is a volunteer program,. My girls win games, have fun and learn things. So what am I doing wrong?

I am new at coaching youth girls bb, however I try to teach the fundamentals and emphasize fun, since alot of you have experience. How do i deal with another coach/parent criticizing the way i coach. I realize I may not be the best at it, but it is a volunteer program,. My girls win games, have fun and learn things. So what am I doing wrong?

Christine - I have no idea why those coaches are criticizing. Maybe it's justified, maybe it's not. Even so, I would hope thet provide you feedback in a constructive way. It's always good to have someone helping you improve and giving you feedback.

For the parents, read this report:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/dealing-with-parents.html

With the coach, sit down with them. Have a discussion and you can both talk about "what's working?" and "what's not working?". Then put together a game plan and talk about any changes you might make. I think communication is key and then things work themselves out.

Then be sure to give the assistant their role and expectations. This person should have their responsibilities defined on paper. Then I think it's good to meet with them every week or two to keep communication open and solve problems together. Here are more ideas for good coaching meetings:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/assistant-bounds.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/qa/q1534.html

Above all don't stress about it. Coaches are always scrutinized (even the good ones). That is just part of the job and how it is. So just remember to enjoy yourself, this is just youth basketball not the NBA. As long as players have fun, learn fundamentals, you teach them life lessons, and you set a good example for them, that the most important thing!!!

I'm coaching 7th and 8th graders. What should i really emphasize on teaching them?

Alex, read the tips at the bottom of this page:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/youthbasketball.html

Also, check out this page:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/teach-youth.html

I am a parent of a 17 yo girl who has played varsity ball since 8th grade. This is her senior year. She has started for the high school team for 2 years and generally played whole game without being subbed out both years. She was the captain last year. She is the only senior this year. Certainly expected to start and be captain this year..There have been 6 games so far. She has not started yet. She has been out as captain once to meet refs. She played 6 min first game with 10 points. 3 min game 2 with 6 points. 1 min next games--last game sat bench whole time. Freshman and sophomores subbing frequently. Only 3 people on bench not getting in--other 2 have never really played. She is devastated. No warning. She asked coach what she had to do. Coach said she can't play defense. She is 5-10. I have a meeting with coach (coach was new last year as head--was assistant 2 years prior)--player is all A student-not aggressive -- steady--always with little emotion in practice or games--this is not new. She is so humiliated that she has turned in her jersey. The look on her face on bench has been so dejected. Coach says she "looks like she just doesn't want to play". Never misses practice--on time etc. She has never quit any sport--plays soccer also and was captain there. Voted most athletic of senior class. What does a parent say when so much pain is caused by such a crushing blow the senior year? Grad class size is 80. Total girls on team is about 15 or less. I feel that this was a motivational tool? to muster enthusiasm? that went very wrong. Any help out there for guidance for a parent's approach to promote healing here?

As I sit here and read this, I ask myself, what am I missing here? There is always two sides to every story, but this girl has played Varsity ball for two years - without being subbed for....and was last years Captain.

So what happened between last year and this year? Something political? Pressure from other parents? Rebuilding process? Even IF it was a rebuilding year you certainly don't bench a two year starter ... to me, even IF her defense was suspect, as a coach we always find a spot for a scorer.

I think meeting with the coach is a great idea - I would also meet with her counselor (before) to see if there is anything else going on that you are not aware of.

You could always go to the AD but that would probably just alienate him more.

I would ask the coach what happened between the last two years to this year? She was at every practice - last years Captain - an A student who doesn't cause any problems around the school. (is she involved with anything else in the school other than sports?)

Ask him EXACTLY what areas your daughter needs to improve upon to get some playing time to prove that she deserves to play. (6 minutes with 10 points - if you do the math and she would have continued on that pace..... wow)

There has to be an underlying factor here someplace - BUT, IF you are going to heal this problem - you are going to have to go in with a positive attitude and not attack him/her ..... that would be the kiss of death.

Be patient with your daughter and be supportive regardless of how this goes.... this has to be a very difficult time in both of your lives. Good luck and I hope that you can find a way to work this out.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words. I respect a coach''s authority --I believe that that authority is God given. I am not comfortable taking this initiative to ask for a meeting with this young coach--the principal ( who was the girls''s coach until 1 year ago when he became principal) arranged this meeting for us at my request and will be there with us Monday. Coaches have played an important role in the lives of my children --as a single parent I have been very grateful for the time and energy they have committed--I hope coaches everywhere understand the significant part they play in shaping the lives of their players. They can cause deep hurt-like in this case--but even situations like this can be redeemed--if the parties are willing. Thanks again for the encouragement.

Hi Jef,

Thanks for this article.. Its help me a lot for trying to be a basketball coach..

Well This works awesome with my team. And my team is work great together and I couldn't be more proud of them!


I coach in a league were we volunteer to be coaches and its in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls division. We have one coach that teaches his team how to play dirty and mean. I talk about my girls walking a way with scratches all over, bruised up thighs cause they are sticking out their Knee when they set a screen.

What can I do to get my team prepared to play against a dirty team like that???

Coach Clevenger,

I'm sorry to hear about the dirty team. I would just tell your kids that they're going to have to prepare for it. Tell them it's going to be a real test to see if they are a true champion and keep their composure.

Thank you! This is really helpful! Everything I have in my head about being a youth coach has been brought to the service and I'm sure it will make the season perfect!
We have had one practice where we went over the very basics, but I emphasized on team work and passing. The kiddos did great at their first game last Saturday!
Again, thank you!
~Misty~

REALLY INTERESTING DRILLS AND AS A COACH MAKES MY WORK MUCH EASIER BIG UP TO THAT

My husband is the coach of our girls age 9 basketball team for the first time this season (they previously played for a coach who is now assisting). This is a rec league. Coach put every girl in a position at the beginning and that is where they have stayed. Many of the girls have asked to play point guard as that position handles the ball a lot and is more fun than just covering another player all the time. My daughter (coach's daughter too) was cried and asked again to play another position. He won't let her. He says it isn't about just a player but about the team. These girls are learning and already they are pegged in a position. Does this seem like the best way to go?

Linda - I can appreciate the "team" concept and that is a good thing. However youth basketball is about developing players and in this case that sounds like a cop out.

So my simple answer is no, that is not a good way to go. I'm sure we have articles and content all over backing that up but here's one recent thread I remember discussing that concept of using different point guards at the youth level:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=734&start=10

Here's a video talking about it:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/van-gundy-youth-basketball.html

Thank you coach for that perspective. I'll pass it on to my husband (coach). I'm sure he will appreciate me "helping". ;-)

I know my daughter and the other girls would appreciate a chance to play other positions.

thank u coach for giving me the thing which was actually missing in my coaching as i was coaching without any particular philosophy or particular way to work due to which my team members get confused most number of the times. Now I can tell them what I emphasize and what they sould do.

I love the idea of announcing the 2 starters (best defender and best rebounder) on the first day of practice. I'm going to use that simple trick this season.

Hey Jeff,
Firstly, I'd like to thank you for the time you've spent on this website. I've learned a lot from it.
I just graduated high school and finished my first season as a coach of a 5-6 grade boys parks and rec team. It went really well and I loved coaching. I was wondering if you have any particular advice for a young, aspiring coach?

Really important to establish a good relationship with your players through your coaching philosophy young. Establish it in your own mind then apply it to the court.

Thnx so much for this. Im 17 and have a group of 5-7 year olds at my school's bball camp and this helps put things into perspective for me. I now know what my responsibility is to these kids. Thnx again :)

Hi

I am now entering my sixth year coaching youth basketball and this site has been the single "best" online resource I have found.

Of all the articles, videos, audio clips, etc... . offered, for me, this article has been the most important and profound.

This seasons as I launch the first ever minor basketball system in a local community I find myself constantly referring to this site, and in particular to this article, for gudiance.

Well done and thank you!

Mark Baker - Director & Head Coach
Conception Bay South Minor Basketball
The Basketball Academy
Mt. Pearl, NL, Canada

Jeff,

I am coaching a HS boys varsity team. It is the first year this particular school has had any kind of sports program and the school is also one for mostly underprivileged kids.

I think it is so important for them to have accountability to their teammates and to themselves in order to grow as a team and to mature as individuals. The way things have started this season it seems like we might not be able to instill this in them.

My problem is that we had 30 kids sign up for tryouts and only 9 showed up. These kids don't seem interested to be on a team and it seems most would rather go get high or have sex with their girlfriends than go to practice.

Some of them are great kids and are very open to being coached, but if I force the majority of these kids too much into running drills or working on conditioning, I know they are going to quit.

I figured maybe I would try and make the next 5 practices open scrimmages for anyone in the school to attend to just come out and have fun--hoping that this would encourage more kids to be interested in the team. The more kids are interested, the more they will value their individual place on the team and the harder I know they would work. The problem is this really didn't even work.

Please do you have any suggestions?

PJ - Your situation is different than most. We (coaches) are usually lucky and we have plenty of kids wanting to play and be on the team. You will need to build and ease into things. You will need to generate interest, excitement, build relationships, and so on. Here is a document with lots of ideas that will help you develop interest and motivate players:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/mental/motivate-players.html

You might have to start with 6 players. Then build each year from there. It won't happen overnight. A big part is developing relationships, showing you care, and showing these kids they can IMPROVE. Kids usually love to see improvement and enjoy that process. Plus most players want to be the next Kobe, so maybe once you build up your credibility, that will help. Eventually you might be able to build a tradition and kids will be begging to be on the team. One step at a time. Hope this helps.

Thanks Jeff, I got a couple of ideas I'm going to start implementing this week.

One other question. You had said that I may have to start with 6 players. Were you inferring that I should not allow the kids who don't have the right attitude, or don't show up to practice that often to play on the team?

My 2nd best player often misses practices, however, I am very hesitant to not allow him to continue to play because after our best player there is a significant drop off in talent, and this being a high school varsity team, I feel winning is a higher priority than if this were just a youth league team.

Thanks again, your advice is greatly appreciated.

PJ - That is one of those tough decisions we have to make as coaches. I think you need to consider cutting players like that if it seems they are hurting the entire team. Ultimately you need to ask, how can I help this collective group of young people the most? If you clearly do more good by cutting a player, then that's what you have to do. Be sure rules and expectations and implications of breaking rules are communicated.

For this player missing practice, you can try cutting down playing time, etc. You as a coach will figure out what is best for them. But sometimes you need players that want to be there so you can build things the way you want.

BTW, cutting a player is generally the last resort, after all other solutions have been exhausted. Not something you do lightly.

I am 27 And realized me playin basketball is not a option andymore , continuos injury to my ankle has paid its toll i love the game and i really reall love to coach and this article is a good morale boaster that i can do it .
Thanks

good imformation,thanks

I have coached for 13 years and I feel everything you can learn to teach your players something different,plus you can use that will help your program become better use it. This is some really get information and please do not be afraid young coaches to pick up something from others coaches. Every coach has gotten something from another coach.

PJ -

You DO have a tough situation here ... God Bless you for taking that on. As for the running/'conditioning part.... do all your conditioning in drills that are competitive, all kids love to compete... they will have FUN and they will probably stick with it. END every practice doing something that is FUN. For us it was "situations" - IF you do this they will want to come back.
Cutting kids is a last resort and as Jeff said, you can cut back on some playing time. It will take you a couple of years to sell your program and then you will have kids that WANT to play and will be willing to learn.

Coach Jackson -

You are right, we can learn something from every coach / program out there. Some of my best ideas came from other people... I would just tweak them to fit my personnel.

How do I reach a player that has great on the court presence and IQ when playing in games & or practice but, his off the court communicating skills, ambitious energy and excitement is not that great, he has not reached his full leadership potential? He has great influence over some of the other players and is not utilizing his influences to help build on the philosophy of the program. I don't want to lose the player but I would rather figure out how to reach him to buying into the overall philosophy of the program.

Coach,

Maybe he is one of those kids that leads by example? You say he works hard in games and practices?

There are a lot of kids who are not comfortable in talking about how to do things.... Give him some small task that will take some leadership and see how he does it.

Something as simple as playing a short game in practice - pick two captains, him being one of them and let them choose the players.

If you would give us some specific examples it might be easier to answer this.

Coming to coaching after years and years of playing bball, I thank God for the wonderful game.

My approach to coaching: Fundamentals at every practice. Repetition is key while making the drills always fun and fresh. Positivity and trust as well as teamwork are also my key to teaching kids what passion for the game means. Skills grow with encouragement. Conditioning is a huge part of basketball, but make it competetive. Keep it up coaches, don't loose passion and think about why you wanted to coach in the first place if you ever get discouraged.

Thank you so much for this website. As a first time coach this season, it's already helped tremendously.

God bless.