Hi everyone

I am really excited to be coaching the 6th and 7th grade girls' team at my local middle school. I used to play as a center back when I was in middle school and high school but it's been quite a LONG time. I remember a lot but I am feeling overwhelmed with the amount of information I have found about coaching.

I guess my first question would be how to prioritize what I'm teaching my girls. I have quite a few who have played club ball and playground ball, and some that haven't ever played an organized game, but have serious potential and drive to learn. Here's my thoughts:

1. Ball handling skills (jump stop, pivots, dribbling and passing)
2. Shot form (this is something I know VERY well, and it stuck with me from middle school)
3. General conditioning (sprints, strength training)

Other than that, I want to teach them 2 offensive and 2 defensive plays, one each for a zone and a man to man.

Am I on the right track? I feel so bogged down trying to remember all the terminology. If I get out and play it's almost like instinct that I remember how to set a screen, or rebound or box someone out, but I'm having trouble conceptualizing it enough to teach it. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hey,

First of all don't try to get to fancy...... teach them how to play m2m defense and a simple motion, maybe pass and cut to the basket. Teach them fundamentals... there are a lot of drills on the left side of this page under BASKETBALL DRILLS.

You are on the right track with ball handling, passing and dribbling.... and shooting. IF you cant pass and catch the ball you cant play. As you start practicing with them you will see which areas that need work. ( which in this case I would think it would be just about everything )

Keep everything simple.... fun should be your #1 goal while teaching them some fundamentals. Try to stay 1 or 2 steps (days) ahead of them as you plan your practices... Think of this as a lesson plan for the week..... thats how your practice plans should flow. Teach the game just like you would teach a new student in your music class.

I wouldn't waste my time just conditioning... do everything with a ball.... that way you can accomplish two things at once and the kids wont dread the conditioning. A well thought out practice plan will take care of that.... one or two hard drills and then one easier one... like shooting.

Good luck

First and most importantly you have to realize this, you are not alone. Left to my own devices my practice would be 32 hours long and I would go twice per day, and that is after over 25 years of coaching. Each year I would have the same feelings and it was only sitting down and planning and making a decision to stick to the plan did it help.

Secondly, you can't teach what you don't know so teach what you do know. Players aren't going to be good at everything and neither are coaches.

Just be yourself, show what you know, don't get overly technical and let the players figure out the rest.

Coaching is about relating to people. Communicate, manage and relate to your players and anything else is a bonus

Great advice from 2 great coaches!!

Keep it simple!!

Have 1 simple play vs zone
1 simple play vs M2M
A pressbreaker
1 or baseline OOB plays
1 sideline OOB play

Focus most of your practice on fundamentals of the game; proper passing skills, proper shooting form, defensive principles, boxing out and rebounding, good ball handling.

Deep Breath....

You'll do fine!!!

Coach A

I've coached girls this age group a few years ago. Just a few tips...

On passing and catching: Players need to snap the ball, quick and straight, no floaters. Receivers MUST step to the pass, or meet the ball.

On offense: Teach your girls that everytime they catch the ball in the front court, they must catch, turn and face hoop and get into a triple threat position (pass, shoot or drive). They must be a threat everytime they catch the ball.

On dribbling; Work on dribbling with their weak hand twice as much as their strong hand.

Shot Fakes MUST look REAL!! So practice the upfake and drive because it really does work!! It also gets you to the foul line more often.

Rebounding and Aggressiveness- girls, by nature, are not aggressive. They shy away from contact. They really do not want to hurt the other player. To rebound, players must be aggressive and must make contact while boxing out. Practice this. Tell them it's OK to play tough.

On shooting: Practice proper shooting form every practice. Start with one-handed form shooting drills 2 feet away from hoop.

Show your enthusiasm for basketball and they will feed off of it!! Make it fun!!

Good Luck!!

Coach A

Great advice given by the previous coaches.

Simple is best, and have your practices and drills written down and timed.

I am not going to go deeper than what has been discussed because you have enough to move forward.

Just make sure your players get maximum reps and touches. Keep 'em involved.

Hi everyone!

Thank you for your amazingly valuable responses. I just finished my last tryouts yesterday and I feel a lot better. I have a good group of girls who follow directions in a snap and most have played some basketball before.

I am coming off a completely winless year last year (not me!) so all I can do is get better!

I'll post my practice schedule tomorrow after our first day and let you all know how it went.