Team Thunder Game Reviews

Ok. I thought I would keep a weekly narative of my team this season since we just played our first game today. Here is the rundown:

3rd and 4th grade boys (8-10 years old).
10 players -- 6 3rd graders and 4 4th graders.
Pretty even talent level -- no superstars, but a couple of key players and most have the basic fundamental knowledege.
1 really tall kid and 1 really fast kid (but short).
5 one hour practices before today's game.

At 8:00 am this morning (Saturday) we tip. The good:
1) 4 of my 10 scored. 10 points total.
2) Very good defense -- especially help in the paint.
3) 2 players (who never played before) finally adjusted and switched on the ball screen.
4) A lot of good hustle for loose balls -- even from some players you didn't expect it from.

The needs improvement:
1) Coach made the team's first mistake -- called the wrong play (it doesn't exist yet).
2) Point guards where forcing passes -- need to be more patient.
3) Need to adjust sooner -- both coach and players.
4) Need to switch some player's positions.

All in all it was a very good game. We were up the whole game until the last 30 seconds. Kid put up a prayer which went in with 15 seconds left. Called time out. Give the ball to my best scorer and he couldn't get a shot off. In my stupidity, I figure he'll get fouled and go to the line and make at least one if not both shots. Duh, they haven't called but one foul all day. We lose 11-10.

OK, Game 2 ended up in a loss 18-14. But the TEAM played great.

This was one of those games when the opposing team has a dominant player and you just don't have a defensive answer. Strategy is simple -- give him the ball and let him score.

6 or 7 players took at least 1 shot. 3 scored.
9 of 10 players touched the ball in some form -- pass, dribble, rebound, loose ball.
Came back from a 6 point deficit.
Everyone played good hard defense.
We did not throw the ball away as much as last week -- which was a huge improvement.

And now a word about the opposing coach. I always put my radar up when a guy comes up and acts like your "best friend" and gives you "tips" about the upcomming game. So he's nice enough and we are talking about the game and how he is going to sub. I let him know that the ref is a tough one -- he calls everything. His first comment is "who do we complain to?" I tell him to let his team know, it won't be like last week and they have to play more careful. He watches the ref's calls in the prior game and starts comenting.

First incident, they run a high ball screen and my defense switches and the screened defender eventually gets thru the screen. Stop the play cold, so he starts complaining that we are "double teaming." My comment -- "it's called a switch."

Then, about half way thru the third quarter one of my boys gets into foul trouble so I sub him out. I keep him out until the last 2 min. of the game. I call time out, and sub him back in. The whole time I am telling the ref and the coach that I am making a substitution -- x for y. He looks at me and exlaims "what are you doing!" My reply, putting in the kid I took out with 4 fouls so he gets his "playing time." "He's guarding X." Guy turns to the crowd and says "he's playing to win!" Apparently he thought it was "bush league." Now this if from the guy who is playing is best player extra minutes. Runs a 1 man "offense." Drops his point defender below the free throw line(ie; zone). And apparently hasn't taught his team the simple things like how inbound the ball after a basket and how not to travel. Thankfully, I was on to him from some incidents in another league. Nobody is more about winning than he is.

At the end of the day, I am really proud of my boys. They are out there giving it their all. Playing like a team. Everyone is doing something. Even my smallest kid -- he gets those loose balls. They are really picking up the game well. Rest of the season should be a lot of fun.

Coach,

I see where you have given these REVIEWS considerable thought.... and it is a good way to evaluate the things you are doing well and the things that you can work on in practice.

Keep up the good work with these kids.

Ken

Tough one today. Another loss 16-8. Against a team we should have beat.

Scored 1 point in the first half. 11-1. Kids came out flat and tenative. Couldn't buy a shot. Nothing went in. NOTHING. Thankfully, they put it together in the second half.

On the positive: 5 kids put up shots. 5 scored (2 where fouled and sunk one shot each).

Needs improvement: too many defensive positioning mistakes (frustrating after we went over it in practice). Kids not cutting with explosiveness -- kind of lolly gaging. Rebounding was poor.

A lot of work to do in practice this week. Better luck next week.

Well another tough one. Lossed 20-12.

6 of my 10 players scored. 2 first timers today. So that was pretty sweet.
They set some good screens and made some great cuts.
Smallest kid on my team, a real "goofball", but continues to FIGHT for those loose balls and win.
We actually got off 4 passes in a row before a shot.

Problems were:

Couldn't catch the ball. Way too many dropped passes which led to turn overs.
One of my main ballhandlers would not go all the way to the hoop. He keeps pulling up and taking a 15 foot shot, when he as a clear path to the hoop. Would have scored 6 more points.
Point guards are waiting too long to start the offense -- they need to push the ball quicker.


Bottom line: They just flat out had a better player who dominated everything. Could shoot from inside. Could shoot from the outside. Probably put up 14 of their points. We couldn't defend him the whole game due to substitution requirements. Coach did comment afterwords that we where there best competition so far.

Now a rant about our league: It is entirely one dimensional. Point guard (usually the best player) brings the ball up. Ball screen and drive to the hoop. Kids have a difficult time switching and helping. Leads to a lot of layups for those that have a dominant player. Even better if you have a second really good player, which they had today.

Big Game today, against my son's best friends team. We played really well, but lost 14-10.

We won three of the 4 quarters.
Only had 9 kids today. 4 took shots. 3 scored.
Defensively, but for a few possessions, we did really good with help. Shut down several scoring opportunities for the other team. They usually score 20 pts.
Had a lot of passing and moving the ball around. I think everyone touched the ball today.

Two issues today:

First, we tend to "fall asleep" at some point in the game. Don't defend our man, don't help, get lazy on rebounding and that is when we loose control of the game.

Second, I keep messing the kids up on substitutions. I had to sub a lot today because we where down a man. I keep giving them the wrong offensive positions. I had one kid at the end of the game who played 5 all year. Put him in and wanted him to play 4, but I kept telling him to play 5. Which he was doing. Everytime I wanted to say "play 4" it came out "play 5." I think I am loosing my mind. :)

We are so close. We have been in every game. We are playing as a true team, where everyone is participating. Most teams in my league give to their 1 or 2 dominant players and everyone else watches. We don't have dominant players, so we must work as a team. Schedule gets easier now.

Another loss 12-9, against a team we should have beat.

It is really getting frustrating at this point. First quarter ends with us down 8-0. All layups. Balance of the game we win 9-4. 4 kids scored. 6 took shots. We hustled and got most of the loose balls.

But, bottom line -- We suck. I have 3 players who have played "organized" basketball. The rest couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. 3 just flat out can't play -- they simply have no clue what to do, no matter how many times you tell them. One plays defense with his hands in his pockets.

Now here is the real problem. One of my better players is absolutely killing us. Taking stupid shots -- not even shooting the ball, just throwing it up kind of towards the basket. Falling asleep on defense. Not remembering the play calls -- looked to the wrong side on one play. I'd "bench" him, but then we would get absolutely slaughtered. He is my best ball handler -- which leads him to too much dribbling until he takes a wild shot. Unfortunately, I think he is hurting more than he is helping. I'll probably take the ball out of his hands.

I am at a loss at this point. I know some of the kids are getting frustrated. I know I am frustrated. 4 more weeks.

From bad to worse. Lost 20-1. Yes. That's right 1.

At least 6 kids took shots. One should have. Only one free throw by my son.

We just stunk today. Offensively, we turned the ball over on several occasions. Made bad cuts, when we cut at all. To much standing still. Took stupid shots. No rebounding.

I do have to say thou, the other team seemed to play a lot more of a "zone" concept (zones are illegal). Their players stayed put as one of ours cut to screen. Thus, they were right there to intercept the pass. Now that I think about it, I needed to adjust and didn't -- if the defense isn't going to move, then just cut.

Some kids are really working hard and making improvments. The others just don't have what it takes at this point. It is really hard to play with only 3 players really trying and hustling out there. Can't "bench" anyone -- so no discipline. They are just killing me. I have two players that can't even keep their shoes tied.

Here is a perfect example from my most athletic player -- I switch him to PG and he brings the ball up. His defender isn't paying attention, and the lane is wide open (picture Moses parting the Red Sea). What does he do? He stops at the top of the key and lets the defense get into him.

Not sure what I am going to do at this point. We certainly need to figure out a way to score more than 1 point.

Don't mean to respond to a game review thread, but a couple of thoughts. You've got a team with 60% 3rd graders playing in a 3rd/4th grade league. All in all, you've had some pretty close games considering that fact.

Maybe try some inexpensive incentives? Everyone gets something from the candy machine if the team can....1) Get X amount of hustles the first half and X amount the second half or 2) So many rebounds or a combination of two things you'd like to work on in the game.

Food for thought. Keep up the good work!

CoachRob mentions some great ideas.

Don't forget the great Michigan State study done on why kids play youth sports.

1. To have fun
2. To improve their skills
3. To learn new skills
4. To be with their friends
5. To make new friends
6. To succeed or win
7. To become physically fit

You'll notice winning is way down the list. Sometimes, us coaches take the losses a little too hard. I know I did the first few years that I coached youth sports. I also wanted to prove that I could coach and when we were losing games, I didn't want anybody thinking I was a bad coach. Luckily, I've had some great mentors to teach me what youth sports is all about and I didn't fall too hard.

To be honest, I can't even faintly remember my win-loss record in elementary or middle school when I played. However, I do remember my records when I played high school ball.

The kids want to win, but I don't think it's something we dwell on or worry about as a coach at the youth level. There are going to be bad games. There are going to be great games.

Easier said that done, but don't get frustrated with it. I think the kids can sense that and it makes the sport less enjoyable for them.

The bad games. The great games. It's just part of the process.

Enjoy it!

Thanks guys. Responses are not a problem.

Actually, I am pretty sure I am doing a pretty good job of coaching these kids. I certainly am getting the most out of them that they have at this point in their short careers. But, when you have a couple of kids who can't even keep their shoes tied, how far can you go.

However, I know they are all disappointed. Keeping them positive will be a challenge the next few weeks. I am generally not a big "stats" guy at this age, but I'll probably track rebounds and loose balls going forward. They all get a snack after the game. I am also thinking about "awards." So far I have: Leadership, best defender, most improved defense, most improved, "lunch bucket" (hardest worker), most hustle. I need four more for the kids who don't have a lot to "reward" yet. I don't think most frustrated or most potential will go over very well. :) Something to keep them positive.

FINALLY!!!! Thunder wins. An ugly one -- 5-0.

Had only 9 (out of 10) today. 5 took shots. 2 made them and 1 boy made a free throw.

Obviously, we need to work A LOT this week on shooting. Way too many easy misses. Also the boys are stopping their cuts way short and waiting for the ball allowing the defense to get to them. We are also "squeezing" down our set -- getting to close together.

My "3rd" point guard, really played well today. Been working with him for several weeks a little at a time. Today he got his chance to shine and he did -- with Gradma and Grampa there. I love it when a plan comes together.

Defensively, we dominated the rebounds. My "big" had 10-12. My "scrappers" got a ton of loose balls. Even one of my small begining players FINALLY began to switch and help on defense. Made a huge difference. I think we are the only team to pitch a shutout.

Turns out one of the kids on the other team was on my team last year. He was their main player -- and little has changed. Undisciplined. Taking the ball, doing what he wants and taking wild shots. All we had to do was out hustle them. Drove me nuts last year -- the most frustrating thing ever. Worked in my favor today.

Unfortunately, I had to sit my own undisciplined player for a while today. Showed up way late (several minuites into the game) and wasn't hustling or paying a lot of attention on defense. I just calmly told him that he needed to hustle and pay attention and I would play him when he was ready. We'll see next week.

On to next week. Thanks.

Another Victory! 16-15.

It was a great game by two evenly match teams -- we had the same record going in. 5 kids took shots. 4 scored, with a couple getting a free throw. Had a new kid finally take a shot and scored -- nice backdoor cut into the lane, catch, turn and shoot.

Things really started to come together. My developing point guard played another great game. Makes you wish you had the practice time to work with him so as to get him ready earlier. I also switched my son back to where he should play -- small forward. He was playing point guard because I didn't have anyone else. Switched him with a short, athletic kid, who when he learns to control his speed and shoot will be dangerous -- the only kid ever to tell me he didn't really want to play point guard.

Well, my boy scored 11 points. The best part is we where able to show the other kids exactly what we wanted them to do all season -- drive to the basket. Cut off the screen, catch the ball on the wing, square up, tripple threat, and drive = layup. No dribbling into the corner or from side to side as they typically do.

We built a "big" 8 point lead at half time. We tell the boys not to get lazy and that the other team is going to come back if we don't continue to hustle and work hard. And with 30 seconds left in the game, the other team is up by 1. Time out. I tell the boys we need to play tough defenses and what to do next time on offense. We get the ball on a turnover, come down the court, execut the screen and cut and my boy hits a 12 footer to go up by 1. 14 seconds left. Time for tough defense. Don't let them get inside. We stop them. An excellent game played by both sides.

Next week should be really fun. I have some kids who will miss, and the balance will get a lot of playing time. I'll even be able to put my 5 best on the floor at the same time.

Now a comment on the m2m defense rules at this level. Admittedly, we play a 5 out offense to open up the middle -- kids at this age have a natural tendency to close it down. The other team, really spread his kids out -- essentially one in each corner, just in bounds. Then they would either drive or one kid would cut into the middle, which was wide open, and take the shot. My concern was that the Ref we had really "enforced" the m2m rule -- he made sure that the kids knew who they where guarding and that the actually guarded the kids. Not a bad thing imo. However, it made it difficult to work in help defense. During the last minute of the game, my boy was defending the wing, but he really sagged off so he could deny the penetration. It worked, but I was afraid he was going to get called because he was 5-6 feet from his man.

Final game ended with a loss, 12-4.

We just couldn't buy a shot today. We had several missed layups and second chance rebounds that really cost us the game. Otherwise we should have won. 6 players took shots, 1 scored.

Only 7 kids today, so first qtr. I am able to play my 5 best all at once. They did pretty good -- won the quarter 4-0. Kids where pumped up -- had several shots sail over the backboard. Best part was my "problem child" got the message and took the ball to the hoop and scored our 4 points. As he was resting, I told him what a great job he did and how that is what we wanted to see all year. Well everything when to ____ after that. I think the kids got frustrated that their shots where not going in.

The last three quarters, it appeared that the kids had no idea how to play basketball anymore. To the point that they couldn't even line up correctly in our 5 out set. The past several weeks I had been trying to get the wings to start high and open up the lane for cutting. There is a nice line on our court -- stand one step off the line. Where do they stand -- all the way down to the elbow. Then a few where setting up on the wrong sides. Then they stopped screening and cutting. They stopped looking to pass to the open man and started dribbling all over the place. My "problem child" reverted back to his old form -- dribble into the corner and just throw the ball up towards the hoop. It was a mess. I have never been so frustrated. My poor son was so frustrated -- he knew what everyone should be doing and saw nobody doing it.

Well it is finally over. There was a lot of good. Most kids improved their skills. But there was also a lot of frustration -- we could have been so much better. As the Cubs say -- wait until next year. Thanks.