Getting middle school players to be unselfish

I have a team of 6th graders I have been coaching for three years. We have two players who are more skilled than most of the others. These two boys are sometimes selfish on offense. They will take bad shots and not pass the ball (we run a motion offense). I have tried the four passes before a shot concept but that doesn't always work.

Any suggestions?

Rick,

My suggestion would be the old seat on the bench until they get it. I don't mind my better players handling the ball and taking more shots that the weaker players. But when they start taking bad shots and not passing it to open teammates, then they get to sit beside me for awhile.

Doug

An old seat on the bench is a method that always seems to work as long as they know why they are sitting on the bench. However, at the youth level, that can be more difficult to do. I'm not saying not to do it, but you have to be cautious. You don't want to take away their passion for the game.

You could also emphasize good passing during practices and games. For awhile, don't congratulate them on a made shot, only when they make a good pass. Maybe, you start keeping a stat called "good passes" during the games.

There were some similar tips offered at this forum page as well: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=98

Joe,

I absolutely agree that they need to know why they are sitting down. And I certainly wouldn't sit them for an extended period of time--just enough to get their attention.

I like the good pass stat idea!

Very well said, Doug. Thanks for the contributions!

You might try this in practice.... run a short scrimmage game. IF you have 5 players... play to 6 and EVERONE has to score before someone can shoot the game winner. (and you can always pick the kid you want to shoot it - maybe not the best player?)
We did this in summer camps and you would be amazed how hard they work to get certain kids a good shot. This promotes team work and leadership skills.
In games if they are out of control... yes, sit them down and explain to them why they came out. Tell them that when they are under control they can go back in.... you will see how fast they will conform to your philosophy.... or they come out again until they do get it.
No one ever wanted to sit next to me unless they were going in to a game.

Ken

Thanks all. these are great suggestions.

Keep them coming.

rickc, here is my solution: when we play 5:5 on practice, i don:t allow my "selfish" player dribble, only penetrating without dribble...he can earn dribble by assisting, and rebounding...if he assist to a teammate, he can dribble for 2 possesions, if he rebound 2 times, he can dribble for two possesions...by not giving him dribble, he can learn more cuting, and moving without the ball..
p.s. sorry for bad english

During practice you can stress ball movement by telling the players they have to pass so many times before they shoot. You can also stress ball reversal. The ball will have to move.

We do the x amount of passes before shooting drill. It has value but is somewhat contrived and I'm not sure will fully solve your problem. The kids will do it but your gunners might game their way around it or won't get the lesson when you shift back to a real game or scrimmage.

Benching them is an option but you should be careful with it. They may become less selfish as result but they will be resentful. The key is for them to develop the understanding that being less selfish will help the team (and ultimately themselves) become more successful. Easier said than done. Gunners often happen to be natural leaders at this age and many times the best players already. Play to that by talking about how as leaders they are looked up at by the other boys and that their actions set the tone for the team. This will slowly start them thinking a little more about the team and less about themselves. At that point you should find it easier to get them focused on team play.

As for drills, we do 3 v2, 4 v 3 and 5 v 4, pass only scrimmages with 1 player playing automatic offense. I like this better than the x pass, y designated shooter. Your gunners will still get their shots but the very nature of the drill ensures active participation and more shot distribution for everyone. This really gets the kids moving around, spacing and cutting and having their heads up -- side benefits that will accrue to everyone. I then will add dribbling but with limits borrowing from Don Kelbrick's suggestion that once in the offensive side of the court a player may only dribble for 3 seconds before passing or shooting. This gets you closer to a real game without allowing the NBA-like isolation situation where one players has the ball for almost the enite offensive possession -- sa patten your typical gunner naturally falls into if anot taught otherwise

One thing I learned in my first year as the head boys varsity coach ( high school ) is that they will do in games whatever you allow them to do in PRACTICE.

Make them practice the way you want them to play... HARD and SMART. If you want 3 ball reversals in practice.... make sure it gets done..... believe me in games it will make a lot of difference. And yes, can you loosen up a bit in games.... OF COURSE. The idea is to get them the best shot possible and sometimes you get your best shooter open in 1 or 2, the situation of the game dictates what you allow also.

Play that scrimmage game I described before... game to 6, everyone has to score before anyone can make the final basket... do it with a dribble and without dribbling. Force them to be TEAM players. AND the leaders will step up here too.... they will make sure they get the lesser shooter a good shot because they want to win. I did this in my camps and you would have smiled to see 5-8th graders working together and getting other kids shots.

IF you have control of your team and they believe in your philosophy..... you will get what you want out of them.

Here is an article that might help these players and your team.

You Are a Warrior When…

You don’t care if you are the one who sets the screen or the one who hits the winning three, because fulfilling your role, whatever that role is, is most important

You have a desire to excel for the benefit of those relying on you.

You have an unquenchable need to exceed your past limitations.

You play without the option of defeat.

You play and know, without a doubt, that you competed like a champion.

You understand your commitment to your teammates.

You understand that basketball is a team sport.

You finish playing and only your body leaves the floor your heart and soul are captured within the game.

You will exchange your blood, sweat, and tears for the benefit of the team.

You understand the irrelevance of individual awards.

You would rather encourage a teammate to success than benefit personally from his mistakes.

Your respect for the game outweighs your personal ego.

You make mistakes and use them to improve instead of using them as excuses.

Your ability to make your teammates better increases each time you play.

You do the little things right when nobody is watching.

You serve your teammates with unselfish motives.

You understand your role and strive to perform it better.

You have done all you can and still feel you haven’t done enough.

You play with pain without creating a scene.

You give more than what is asked and take less than what is deserved.

Your effort is constant and your play is consistent regardless of the situation.

You think you can, and you do.

Just like any skill you're trying to teach a player, you want to catch them doing it right and get EXCITED! Make a BIG deal when those two players pass the ball. I also like the idea of tracking passes/assists and pointing that out after a game. Coach Sar's Warrior list is awesome, handing that out as required reading and reviewing it every practice is something I plan on doing.