Hi - Austria, where I live is like an undeveloped country when it comes to basketball! My buddy Andi and I (and he knows less about coaching bb then I do) coach kids ages 8-10, 11-13 and 14upers. Almost all our players have never played before. So what And and I are looking for are ways to set up effective, easy practices for these kids - and these drills need to be fun for the kids? We want them to learn bb and have fun doing it - we're not planning to build another dream team. We also only have one practice a week, so we don't need alot of drills, just 10-20 good, fun ones that cover passing, team work/ playing together, conditioning, shooting, drilling. What would help are easy and fun drills - in booklet and DVD form (these DVDs should play on european DVD-players). Some of your 60 drills are useful, but most are way over our heads. Can you help us find the right thing?

Thanks - Mike Reeves

Hi Mike,

I'm not sure the exact DVD/Booklet that you're looking for exists. So you might have to reference a few different resources. I'll give you the resources that I know of. Maybe other coaches can chime in with other resources they have found to be good.

In the fun drills ebook that you have, most of the drills in the ballhandling section will work nicely for even complete beginners. Dribble Tag, Sharks & Minnows, Keep it Bouncing, and Dribble King are fun drills that I have used with 6 year olds that have hardly played before.

If that's too hard or still seems too advanced, just start with stationary dribbling. Have players stand facing you, dribble with right hand for 20 seconds. Then switch hands. Here are some good stationary drill ideas for you:
http://www.coachesclipboard.net/VideoClips.html

I would do plenty of lay up drills. Here's an article with an explanation of a lay up drill and other drills for kids that have never played before:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/q ... rills.html

Be sure to do the form shooting drills suggested in that article. They aren't always fun, but it's an important skill to work on. Mix in form shooting in between the other faster paced fun type of drills. Teach your players proper form and they will enjoy learning the skills.
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/f ... nique.html

If you have questions about any specific drills, let me know.

Jeff Haefner