Here is a sample structure of a practice schedule for a youth team. Of course, this is just a sample and things would be different every day, but this
is a basic structure of how a practice may look.
Dynamic Warm Up & Athletic Work - 10 to 15 minutes
This is probably the #1 thing missing from most youth practices. It helps prevent injury, improves performance, and improve athletic ability. What good is a
basketball player who is injured or is not athletic enough to utilize the basketball skills developed? The better the player moves, the better
the player performs. Why not spend time on it?
There are a lot of players who have tremendous SKILLS, but lacked the ATHLETIC ability to make it to the next level.
Because it is the game of basketball, I do try to include a basketball in the warm up as much as possible. I am going to present two different dynamic warm ups.
If you are fortunate enough to have enough basketballs for everybody, we have a basketball-related warm up. For those of you who do not have very many basketballs, we include a warm up that does not require a basketball.
Teaching Skills and Using Fun Drills to Improve Skills - 30 to 45 minutes
The #1 reason kids quit sports is because it's not fun anymore. Youth coaches primary focus should be to teach skills and make it an enjoyable experience!
This isn't high school, college, or even PRO basketball, so don't treat your practices like it.
Try the skill-fun drill technique. This means that you teach a skill, then follow up that skill with a fun game or drill to work on the skill. It helps break
up the monotony of practice.
Drills & Games to Practice Offense and Defense - 15 to 25 minutes
End of Game Drill - 10 to 20 minutes
Cool down with Light Stretching - 5 minutes
Sample Practice Schedule
Dynamic Warm Up & Athletic Work - 15 minutes
Warmup #1 - With Basketball:
Stationary Ball Handling:
Around the World - 30 sec
Figure 8 - 30 sec
Behind-the-back dribble - 30 sec
Two Ball Dribble Crossover - 30 sec
Two Ball Front-to-Back Dribble - 30 sec
Full Court Ball handling: (Incorporate Lay Ups if you want)
These practice sample and all the drill I have learned are the best. Beats any other website and it was one of the best decisions to become a member .
Ariel Rabe says:
11/19/2008 at 3:27:56 AM
Thanks a lot. A blessing indeed.
Clara says:
11/19/2008 at 6:07:36 PM
what is carioca, can you explain it to me please. love the site.
Joe Haefner says:
11/20/2008 at 12:07:23 PM
Hi Clara,
The player runs laterally. If going to the left, the player crosses the right foot over the left in front of the body, then behind the body. The torso should remain facing straight ahead.
Mike L says:
1/27/2009 at 10:57:04 PM
No scrimmage? Our girls love to have a 4 or 5-player scrimmage and we always give them 15 to 25 minutes with minimal stoppage or structure. How do other youth coaches see this?
Joe Haefner says:
1/28/2009 at 7:05:12 AM
Hi Mike,
This is just a sample practice. Not something I use everyday. Sometimes, I'll run a scrimmage with minimal stoppage.
However, if you look closer at the sample schedule, the last 35 minutes of the practice is basically a semi-controlled scrimmage to help teach the players. However, you don't want to stop practice for every little mistake to correct. Only the reoccurring mistakes.
Rebecca L says:
3/6/2009 at 10:37:39 AM
I have a question for you (5 & 6th grade girls )coaches. On a traveling team at this age level how competitive do you really need to be.
Joe Haefner says:
3/6/2009 at 10:45:22 AM
Hi Rebecca,
Focus should be on fun, fundamentals, and life lessons. At this age, sometimes, I wish they would turn off the scoreboard. Not for the players, for the coaches.
It will be posted in our newsletter on March 10th.
TL Franklin says:
11/18/2009 at 10:26:56 AM
I'm coaching a 12 and under boys team and our practices are limited to 1 hour. I really love the drills and ideas but, how can I fit all of these into our practices?
