I have a team that will be playing a slightly faster team that pushes the ball very hard. In addition this team will press every chance. Down low my team is stronger, up top 2 of three players are faster and can handle the ball better. What do you suggest for the slower team to increase their chances to become victorious against the faster team.

I'm not sure what age group this is... but if it were me I would control the tempo and NOT get into an UPTEMPO game with them. I would spread this team out and then try to play to your strengths... get the ball inside where you have the advantage. Defensively I would play them a sagging m2m defense to prevent any penetration. Good luck, let us know how this goes and what you decide to do.

That was what I was thinking but wanted to see what you had in mind, These boys are 11 years of age but have played almost year round for a few years. Ball control, control posessions/tempo, play to our strengths. This will be a tall order, youth seem to lose focus in regards to playing a game to their strengths and not getting sucked into a game that they can not win. A well known coach once told me if your team cant run do not play a running game. Play to your strengths! Thanks

I don't know how much practice time you have before this game..... but IF you can get them to believe in what you are selling... " Control the tempo" and " Get the ball inside" you will have a very good chance to get the W. More importantly, win or lose, they will understand what it takes for everyone to work towards a common goal.

I found out a long time ago, whatever you allow your players to do in practice, they will do in games. Make sure that they know EXACTLY what you expect of them. Good luck. And yes, 11 year olds might forget everything you taught them once the ball is tossed up. Heck, I've seen high school kids go from the bench to the floor and asked myself, " Did they hear one word I said? " I also learned NOT to give them too much during time outs or between perionds.... MAYBE one on offense and one on defense.

If you have a bigger and better rebounding team, you could really focus on getting all the rebounds and getting to every ball. Once you beat them up on the offensive boards the other coach will probably be so worried about securing the defensive rebound, they'll forget to run.

This could be a way to play to your strengths and make them adapt to you. Just an idea.

With that said, don't worry too much about strategy. I know everyone wants to win, but the most important thing for 11 year olds is fundamental skill development. That's the best thing for the kids future. Strategy for to win an 11 year old game won't help them develop in the long term.

Let us know how things turn out.