When I left my last coaching job, I heard from a number of players. Their messages meant a great deal to me.

As I looked through them, one thing made me feel especially good. I received just as many messages from players who barely played as I did from the players who played a lot.

Society attaches a lot of value to points and playing time. Those who don’t play or score much often feel underappreciated.

I believe it is our responsibility as coaches to make sure every player feels valued. That means we need to put MORE time into the players at the end of the bench.

Our starters likely feel valued based on their role on the team. It’s the players who toil daily but don’t see the on-court payoff who need our encouragement.

When we make all players feel valued, we have moved beyond transactional coaching and become transformational coaches. And that’s about the best thing someone can say about you!

Below is a simple, repeatable plan to engage starters and bench players equally, so your entire roster buys in—and improves. You’ll learn:

• How to build culture through your language

• How to create a meaningful role for every player on your team

• How to quickly and clearly explain roles to parents 

• How to design drills to ensure maximum engagement

• How to use a competitive cauldron to create motivation and efficacy

• How inclusive film can build culture

• How to use 1v1 meetings to make sure everyone feels valued

• How to make the bench an advocate for your culture

• How postgame should reinforce your culture

Every Player Matters: 9 Ways to Build a Youth Hoops Culture That Sticks

1) Language That Assigns Value (Specific)

Swap generic praise for targeted, role-centered feedback. Focus on things within your player’s control - effort, shot selection, communication, rather than solely focusing on outcomes (points, etc.).

• Example 1: “Ava, your rim runs create shot quality for everyone—keep winning your lane.”

• Example 2: “Mia, two perfect ‘chill-then-fill’ rotations in the last game. That opened up a gap for your teammate.”

• Key Idea: “Name the habit, not the hero.” → “Great sprint to help, Jay,” instead of “Jay’s the best.” By focusing on the behavior, you make your praise specific and actionable.

Practice habit

• End every drill with three 5-second shoutouts: effort, execution, encouragement. Rotate who gives them.

2) Roles Board: Everyone Has a Job That Matters

Post a simple board that the team can see.

• Assign Game Roles: Ball pressure, glue rebounder, floor spacer, inbounder, early talk, matchups tracker. By assigning a role to every player, it builds accountability and buy-in.

• Delegate Practice Roles (rotate weekly): Warm-up captain, huddle starter, equipment captain, plus/minus tracker, scout-team leader.

Why it works

• Roles make value visible for bench players.

• Rotating roles & tying them to culture reminds starters they lead through service, not status.

3) The “Two-Path” Minutes Plan (Explained to Families)

Be crystal clear about how minutes work. This might vary from team to team, so make sure parents understand what your playing time decisions are based on (equal playing time, winning, practice performance, etc.). Below is an example that blends merit-based playing time with a desire to get all players opportunities:

• Path A: Game Role Minutes

  Based on matchup needs and today-readiness (defense, spacing, decision-making). Changes game to game.

• Path B: Earned Growth Minutes

  Predetermined pockets (“end of 1st, early 2nd”) that reward weekly growth standards (effort grade, turnovers forced, practice attendance). These are opportunities for players to earn opportunities through effort & improvement.

How to share

• At the parent meeting: “Everyone plays. Game Role Minutes flex with need. Earned Growth Minutes are guaranteed if you hit the weekly standards.”

4) Drill Design That Bakes in Equal Engagement

Rule: Avoid the 3 L’s (laps, lines, & lectures). No lines longer than three people. No drill longer than 5 minutes. Resist using running as a punishment.

• Mix teams

  Don’t always play starters vs. bench players. Mix teams. That helps build unity across the team. You may also be surprised by the different combinations of players that function effectively. Finally, it makes your practices more competitive.

• Score what you want to see.

  This is a strategy that allows every player to succeed, because it’s based on effort and engagement, not solely skill. That empowers your less skilled and experienced players. You could give bonus points for taking a charge. You could also take points away when the defense doesn’t communicate.

5) The Competitive Cauldron (Simple Version)

Track a few practice outcomes and publish the leaderboard on a weekly basis. Using a competitive cauldron keeps players motivated. On many teams, players don’t believe they can “move up” the playing time ladder. A competitive cauldron creates an objective way for players to earn more opportunities.

• Metrics (keep it simple):

  Loose balls won
  Defensive talk (verified)
  Contested shots
  Assist-to-turnover ratio in small-sided games

Why it helps

• It converts effort into evidence. Bench players see where they’re winning. Starters feel pushed to maintain their spot. It builds competitiveness into everything you do.

6) Film That Features the Whole Roster

Stop making film sessions a star reel. Teach habits. Here are some examples:

• Clip 1: A bench player’s great “extra pass” that leads to an open three.

• Clip 2: A starter diving on the floor to secure an extra possession.

• Clip 3: Bench group executes “scoreback” after a made basket.

Most film sessions only show starters or the kids who play the most. Look for opportunities to recognize the players who don’t play as much. A little bit goes a long way!

7) One-on-Ones That Actually Move Minutes

Short, predictable check-ins build trust. Too many coaches have individual meetings at the beginning of the season and then again after the season. Don’t neglect the most critical part - the in-season!

• Frequency: 5 minutes, every other week, everyone on the roster. Use a checklist to make sure you don’t miss anyone.

Meeting Itinerary:

• Affirmation Statement: “Here’s one thing I trust in you.”

• Habit To Earn More Opportunities: “Here’s one habit that unlocks more minutes.”

• Habit Tracking: “Here’s how we’ll measure it this week.” (e.g., “2 talk ‘tags’ per possession” or “win three rim runs on film”)

• Player Question Opportunity: “What’s 1 question you have for me about your role or the team?” Phrasing it that way makes the player ask a question. Often, this leads to a more in-depth conversation.

Make sure not to give more than one habit for the next couple of weeks.  “If you chase two rabbits, you will catch neither.”

8) Game Day Touches for Bench Players

Make the bench a weapon. An enthusiastic and energetic bench is a game-day advantage & a sign of a strong culture.

• Bench assignments: matchups notes, hand signals, shot quality calls (“good shot / next shot”), huddle starters. Remember, provide clarity & assign value.

• Gratitude for effort: When players sub out, the bench stands to acknowledge their effort. Every player makes a physical touch and provides a word of encouragement.

• Huddle rule: Bench players give the first two positives during each timeout. This helps keep them engaged from the sideline.

9) Postgame Wrap That Builds the Bottom of the Roster

• Stay process-oriented: It’s easy after a game to focus only on the W or L. You can play well & lose (or vice versa). Make sure to recognize cultural standards, no matter the outcome.

• Use physical momentos that players like: For years, I used a “WWE” style belt to give to the Player Of The Game. That player was chosen not based on stats, but on making a positive impact.

  

  I also give out magnets the day after a game. This allows me to recognize more players. They are a fun thing for players to collect in their lockers throughout the season.

  

Minutes, Meaning, and Morale: Coaching the Entire Team

Kids don’t need equal shots; they need equal investment. When your language, roles, reps, and measurements tell the same story—you matter here—starters stay humble, bench players get hungry, and your team gets stronger, on & off the court.

For more ways to ensure your youth season goes great for you & your players, check out:

Want to Make Youth Practices More
Fun and WIN MORE GAMES

Coach Huber's Youth Coaching System gives you all the tried and true practice plans, drills, skills and concepts you'll ever need. Inside you'll get:

• 64 Interactive Practice Plans for all levels of youth basketball

• Exactly What to Teach - Offense, Zone Offense, Defense, Press Breakers, Out of Bounds

• Age-Apropriate Skill Development - for ages 9-14

• Drill Progressions From Beginner to Advanced

• Step-By-Step Instructions

SEE THE YOUTH COACHING SYSTEM

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First

Leave a Comment Name : Email (not published) : One times two is equal to?  (Prevents Spam) Answer :  Load New Question Comments : Leave this Blank :