I'm trying to get the Director of the recreation basketball league my daughter is in to lower the rim height for (at least) the 3rd grade girls. These kids are playing at 10 ft. rims and many are having trouble even reaching the basket, most of those who can reach the rim can only do so from very short range, and all of them are developing bad shooting form/skills because of the 10 ft. rim.
I saw the "what's wrong with youth basketball" article on your website, which included a bit on matching the age of the child with the height of the rim, and I plan to send that to the director to support my argument. Would you be able to point me to any more "official" guidelines or recommendations for youth basketball that include or address the benefits of lower rims for young players? Any assistance you can provide would be very much appreciated.
youth players shooting at a 10ft rim
1/27/2010 20:04
1/27/2010 20:09
David,
When working with young players, always use a lower rim. ALL experts agree that it’s a huge mistake to use a 10 ft. rim. In most cases, an 8 ft. or 9 ft. rim is the way to go.
The biggest problem with kids today is that they use a full-sized ball, 10 ft. rim, and they have to “chuck it” to get the ball there.
This is where many players establish wrong habits in their shooting form. These habits often linger and hamper players well after they are strong enough and big enough to shoot properly at a ten foot hoop.
You’ll often find players that “chuck” the ball frequently miss to the left and right.
Getting rid of these habits takes a lot of time and effort, much more than is needed to establish correct habits in the first place.
So our advice is simple...
• USE 6 FT. RIMS FOR KIDS THAT ARE 5 TO 7 YEARS OLD.
• USE 8 FT. RIMS FOR 8 AND 9 YEARS OLD.
• USE 9 FT. RIMS FOR 10 AND 11 YEAR OLDS.
• USE REGULATION FOR 12 YEAR OLDS AND UP.
We also suggest that you use smaller basketballs. For kids 8 and under you can use mini-basketballs (7” in diameter). You’ll notice that their shooting form makes an undeniable improvement with the smaller ball. For 9 and 10 year olds, you can use a junior ball (8.75” in diameter), and 11 year olds can use a youth ball until they get to high school.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Other coaches on this forum -- PLEASE let us know if you agree with this concept and why you think it's so important.
When working with young players, always use a lower rim. ALL experts agree that it’s a huge mistake to use a 10 ft. rim. In most cases, an 8 ft. or 9 ft. rim is the way to go.
The biggest problem with kids today is that they use a full-sized ball, 10 ft. rim, and they have to “chuck it” to get the ball there.
This is where many players establish wrong habits in their shooting form. These habits often linger and hamper players well after they are strong enough and big enough to shoot properly at a ten foot hoop.
You’ll often find players that “chuck” the ball frequently miss to the left and right.
Getting rid of these habits takes a lot of time and effort, much more than is needed to establish correct habits in the first place.
So our advice is simple...
• USE 6 FT. RIMS FOR KIDS THAT ARE 5 TO 7 YEARS OLD.
• USE 8 FT. RIMS FOR 8 AND 9 YEARS OLD.
• USE 9 FT. RIMS FOR 10 AND 11 YEAR OLDS.
• USE REGULATION FOR 12 YEAR OLDS AND UP.
We also suggest that you use smaller basketballs. For kids 8 and under you can use mini-basketballs (7” in diameter). You’ll notice that their shooting form makes an undeniable improvement with the smaller ball. For 9 and 10 year olds, you can use a junior ball (8.75” in diameter), and 11 year olds can use a youth ball until they get to high school.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Other coaches on this forum -- PLEASE let us know if you agree with this concept and why you think it's so important.
1/27/2010 20:17
Jeff,
How could anyone disagree with what you have written? :-)
Simply put, lower the baskets and use smaller balls and let the kids have some fun. They like to see the ball go in the basket too... and that doesn't happen to often with regulation balls and basket height! Well said Jeff!
NOW, IF we can just get those younger age group coaches / administrators etc, to do that... ALONG with stopping the pressing and zone defenses.... we might have something here.
How could anyone disagree with what you have written? :-)
Simply put, lower the baskets and use smaller balls and let the kids have some fun. They like to see the ball go in the basket too... and that doesn't happen to often with regulation balls and basket height! Well said Jeff!
NOW, IF we can just get those younger age group coaches / administrators etc, to do that... ALONG with stopping the pressing and zone defenses.... we might have something here.
1/27/2010 21:02
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/qa/q1-verybasicyouthdrills.html
I would encourage you to use this link as well to give to your administrator.
As coaches we are in the business to see players/children succeed. We must teach players the fundamentals of the game correctly and to their strengths according to their age or ability. Players must eventually learn the tools of the game such as proper passes, good spacing, and etc...In order to do so the game must be adjusted accordingly based on their age and ability.
Jeff did a great job with the post. I would be interested in knowing why the administrator believes players will succeed using regulation basketballs and 10 ft. goals.
I would encourage you to use this link as well to give to your administrator.
As coaches we are in the business to see players/children succeed. We must teach players the fundamentals of the game correctly and to their strengths according to their age or ability. Players must eventually learn the tools of the game such as proper passes, good spacing, and etc...In order to do so the game must be adjusted accordingly based on their age and ability.
Jeff did a great job with the post. I would be interested in knowing why the administrator believes players will succeed using regulation basketballs and 10 ft. goals.
1/27/2010 21:09
Good post Neil!
I think the big problem is that youth coaches and administrators do not know how to teach this game.... they need to go to some clinics, meetings with people in the know. (to be taught HOW to run a practice emphasizing fundamentals and having fun)
Somewhere, some group needs to sit down and write a directive on HOW to Teach Youth Basketball.....
Starting with 1st - 2nd graders all the way thru 8th grade. The teaching of ALL fundamentals, what defenses are allowed, when pressing may be implemented etc.
Teaching the kids how to dribble, pass, catch the ball, set screens and read them.... how to read defenses and SHOOTING the ball properly. (to name a few)
I think the big problem is that youth coaches and administrators do not know how to teach this game.... they need to go to some clinics, meetings with people in the know. (to be taught HOW to run a practice emphasizing fundamentals and having fun)
Somewhere, some group needs to sit down and write a directive on HOW to Teach Youth Basketball.....
Starting with 1st - 2nd graders all the way thru 8th grade. The teaching of ALL fundamentals, what defenses are allowed, when pressing may be implemented etc.
Teaching the kids how to dribble, pass, catch the ball, set screens and read them.... how to read defenses and SHOOTING the ball properly. (to name a few)
1/27/2010 23:17
Jeff,
No question about your comments. If you want to teach young athletes to shoot the ball, go with both a smaller ball and a lower rim. If you are just interested in exercise and some strength work, then use a men's basketball and a 10 foot rim, unless you want to use a medicine ball instead. If technique has anything to do with teaching, then make it possible physically as best as possible, for young athletes to get some success while working on the great stroke shooters MUST develop. The toughest part is when they graduate to a bigger ball/and/or a lower rim, but in several practices, the changes will begin to show.
No question about your comments. If you want to teach young athletes to shoot the ball, go with both a smaller ball and a lower rim. If you are just interested in exercise and some strength work, then use a men's basketball and a 10 foot rim, unless you want to use a medicine ball instead. If technique has anything to do with teaching, then make it possible physically as best as possible, for young athletes to get some success while working on the great stroke shooters MUST develop. The toughest part is when they graduate to a bigger ball/and/or a lower rim, but in several practices, the changes will begin to show.
1/28/2010 00:52
Joe and all respected coaches: first of all I cant add anymore to what has already been offered. I am in total agreement with the lowering of the rims for very young players. If I can offer any credence to this topic, its from a perspective in China. First of all, coaches here have no concept of what coaching is all about they have never been taught how to run a practice let alone manage a game. I coach professional basketball here and really don't have to scout any of my opponents (I do) because i know exactly what they will do on both offense and defense. Here the 2-3 zone is the only defense used in my league except by me I am a pure M2M coach and it took me a long time to develop my system in my players. I have been to mainland china on many occasions and have witnessed first hand the poor shooting techniques displayed by young players because here in China, they don't see any reason to lower the rims. I have done many clinics here and have made that suggestion at everyone of them but it falls on deaf ears. Every kid here can dribble the ball between their legs, spin dribble, around the back they can do all sorts of things with the ball,but their shooting technique is awful. They shoot from behind thier heads, they "chuck" it up, they only use their arms and not their legs to get the ball to the basket because they have never been taught , the game in the US is played on 10' rims and that's the way we will play it in China. Passing the ball is another story and another area of failure. At one clinic, i used the son of one of the attendees to demonstrate my point about what happens to the body when a youngster cant get the ball to the basket. The do all sorts of things, contort the body, twist the body, shoot with two hands, I then put a piece of tape on the wall at around 8-9 ft. then i teach proper technique using that because the baskets don't go down here. I'm sorry to be so long winded, however, the US has been playing this game for over 100 years, and from what im reading, still many young coaches and administrators just don't get it!!!!! Coach Mac
1/28/2010 19:58
Totally agree on a lowered rim for young beginners. My first years of coaching my son, 3rd and 4th grade Park & Rec (8 and 9 year olds), the rims were lowered to 8 1/2 feet. Which was perfect!! It allowed enough scoring to keep the kids happy and the parents applauding and it was at the right height to reinforce proper shooting form instead of "chucking".
As for a governing body to enforce/suggest rules for youth basketball....sounds good! Let's take this group on the road to instruct coaches on youth basketball.........Somehow I see a roadtrip to China!! Coach Mac...you got room for us??? JK!!!
You guys are the best!! Making me a better coach one post at a time!!!
Coach A
As for a governing body to enforce/suggest rules for youth basketball....sounds good! Let's take this group on the road to instruct coaches on youth basketball.........Somehow I see a roadtrip to China!! Coach Mac...you got room for us??? JK!!!
You guys are the best!! Making me a better coach one post at a time!!!
Coach A
1/28/2010 20:22
Coach A -
You seem to have your head on straight right now. You have some great ideas and are teaching the game the correct way.
We learn something new about this game every day... some one says something and it rattles my brain and then I think about it and bring something up that we did before or what I know that someone else has done before.
That's what I like about the group.... even the kids make us think.
Coach Mac could send us his Private Jet and we could go on a world tour... :-)
You seem to have your head on straight right now. You have some great ideas and are teaching the game the correct way.
We learn something new about this game every day... some one says something and it rattles my brain and then I think about it and bring something up that we did before or what I know that someone else has done before.
That's what I like about the group.... even the kids make us think.
Coach Mac could send us his Private Jet and we could go on a world tour... :-)
1/29/2010 04:08
Using a develomental approach to teaching shooting technique is common sense when we think about the stages of motor development a HUMAN goes through.
A proper jump shot takes the achievement of foot coordination, balance, deceleration, and accelration. Achievement of these skills is accomplished through thousands of proper repititions.
My favorite saying when teaching shooting is that "the ball will always mirror the body". When kids are forced to exert energy beyond the finesse movemnt of shooting, form will break down.
The has always has, does and will retard development.
Beyond that is the mental effect. I always tell my players that the difference between a good shooter and a great shooter is a great shooter has the form AND unshakeable confidence in their shot.
How can any player be confident in their shot if it's inconsistent?
Sorry for the long response. I'm a big advocate of this as well.
A proper jump shot takes the achievement of foot coordination, balance, deceleration, and accelration. Achievement of these skills is accomplished through thousands of proper repititions.
My favorite saying when teaching shooting is that "the ball will always mirror the body". When kids are forced to exert energy beyond the finesse movemnt of shooting, form will break down.
The has always has, does and will retard development.
Beyond that is the mental effect. I always tell my players that the difference between a good shooter and a great shooter is a great shooter has the form AND unshakeable confidence in their shot.
How can any player be confident in their shot if it's inconsistent?
Sorry for the long response. I'm a big advocate of this as well.
1/29/2010 05:10
Hey guys: I don't have a private jet in fact, here I wont drive a car here there are no rules for the road. As far as coming, are you kidding I have just purchased a new three bedroom house for my wife and me and I would be honored to welcome you all to it. In fact, Im considering running a clinic in mainland this summer, would love to have the help..Coach Mac..
1/29/2010 12:25
I agree with the coaches who have had supportive statements here, regarding rim height and other youth basketball issues.
Show me a basketball coach, parent or program administrator who believes that youngsters under the age of 11 should use a regulation ball or regulation rim height, or who advocates pressing defenses and zone defense at a young age and I'll show you adults out of touch with reality. They do not understand anything about child psychology and are in a program like this for their own selfish motives. These adults are ego-driven, more concerned with winning than with child/player development.
One of the big problems in youth programs is that qualified teachers are rare. Often, youth team coaches try very hard to do the best they can with limited knowledge. They may have little or no playing or teaching experience. Our most skilled coaches, who could possibly be the most effective teachers, come into the picture later on in a player's career. By then, many incorrect habits have been set and coaches don't have the time, personnel or perhaps the desire to back up and re-teach skills.
Too often, youth coaches are not thinking beyond the current season while trying to make winners of the players he/she has now. No thought is given to the players' development for the future. When a coach thinks like this, it is selfish and coming from pure ego. The child is not important - only the coach's vision of success. This kind of thinking hurts the children in the program and continues to give youth sports a black eye.
In my many years of coaching and directing youth sports, I was witness to these kinds of coaches. For this reason, I joined with many other coaches, parents, youth sport administrators and understanding individuals around the world to advocate that youth sports be for the youth - not for the adults.
Kids need to develop basketball skills, have fun and grow in the game, at the same time developing life skills that will serve them throughout their lives. They need role models who model good judgment, good behavior and are responsible adults.
Coach Ronn, www.Top-Basketball-Coaching.com
Show me a basketball coach, parent or program administrator who believes that youngsters under the age of 11 should use a regulation ball or regulation rim height, or who advocates pressing defenses and zone defense at a young age and I'll show you adults out of touch with reality. They do not understand anything about child psychology and are in a program like this for their own selfish motives. These adults are ego-driven, more concerned with winning than with child/player development.
One of the big problems in youth programs is that qualified teachers are rare. Often, youth team coaches try very hard to do the best they can with limited knowledge. They may have little or no playing or teaching experience. Our most skilled coaches, who could possibly be the most effective teachers, come into the picture later on in a player's career. By then, many incorrect habits have been set and coaches don't have the time, personnel or perhaps the desire to back up and re-teach skills.
Too often, youth coaches are not thinking beyond the current season while trying to make winners of the players he/she has now. No thought is given to the players' development for the future. When a coach thinks like this, it is selfish and coming from pure ego. The child is not important - only the coach's vision of success. This kind of thinking hurts the children in the program and continues to give youth sports a black eye.
In my many years of coaching and directing youth sports, I was witness to these kinds of coaches. For this reason, I joined with many other coaches, parents, youth sport administrators and understanding individuals around the world to advocate that youth sports be for the youth - not for the adults.
Kids need to develop basketball skills, have fun and grow in the game, at the same time developing life skills that will serve them throughout their lives. They need role models who model good judgment, good behavior and are responsible adults.
Coach Ronn, www.Top-Basketball-Coaching.com
1/29/2010 12:39
Coaches - I just watched a video from Bob Bigelow (http://www.bobbigelow.com). I don't know anyone that has spent more time studying youth sports, youth basketball, and child development. He's a former NBA player, wrote the book "Just Let the Kids Play", and has done over 2500 talks and clinics regarding youth sports. His job for the last 20 years has been to study youth sports and youth basketball. So he probably knows what he's talking about!
He goes one step further than I did and suggests:
• USE 6 FT. RIMS FOR KIDS THAT ARE 5 TO 7 YEARS OLD.
• USE 8 FT. RIMS FOR 8 AND 9 YEARS OLD.
• USE 9 FT. RIMS FOR 10 AND 11 YEAR OLDS.
• USE REGULATION FOR 12 YEAR OLDS AND UP.
I didn't mention anything about 6 foot rims and my age levels were just a little different before. I adjusted my original post to follow his suggestions. It was really close to what I had before but I think his guidelines are a little better.
He goes one step further than I did and suggests:
• USE 6 FT. RIMS FOR KIDS THAT ARE 5 TO 7 YEARS OLD.
• USE 8 FT. RIMS FOR 8 AND 9 YEARS OLD.
• USE 9 FT. RIMS FOR 10 AND 11 YEAR OLDS.
• USE REGULATION FOR 12 YEAR OLDS AND UP.
I didn't mention anything about 6 foot rims and my age levels were just a little different before. I adjusted my original post to follow his suggestions. It was really close to what I had before but I think his guidelines are a little better.
1/29/2010 14:53
Coach Ronn,
You should travel around the world with that message!
And you are right on when it comes to qualified teachers / coaches of the game. I do believe that a lot of them are doing the best they can... with their limited knowledge it is tough. Isn't it amazing that in order to coach at the high school level we need a college degree or a certified coaching course and yet at the most important level... YOUNG KIDS... all they have to do is breathe.
Many of the coaches that imploy zone defenses do that because they either do not know HOW to teach or are not comfortable doing it. They need the help of the qualified coaches in their area.
I might suggest that they should go to a coaches seminar and a clinic held by the local high schools BEFORE they can coach at they youth level. Those administrators could invite the local high cshool coaches to come in and hold a clinic for them - with some set guidelines as to what defense they can play etc. .... along with some offensive skills to teach... with a natural progression starting with the 1st - 2nd graders on up.
You should travel around the world with that message!
bballonatriangle wrote:Show me a basketball coach, parent or program administrator who believes that youngsters under the age of 11 should use a regulation ball or regulation rim height, or who advocates pressing defenses and zone defense at a young age and I'll show you adults out of touch with reality. They do not understand anything about child psychology and are in a program like this for their own selfish motives. These adults are ego-driven, more concerned with winning than with child/player development.
And you are right on when it comes to qualified teachers / coaches of the game. I do believe that a lot of them are doing the best they can... with their limited knowledge it is tough. Isn't it amazing that in order to coach at the high school level we need a college degree or a certified coaching course and yet at the most important level... YOUNG KIDS... all they have to do is breathe.
Many of the coaches that imploy zone defenses do that because they either do not know HOW to teach or are not comfortable doing it. They need the help of the qualified coaches in their area.
I might suggest that they should go to a coaches seminar and a clinic held by the local high schools BEFORE they can coach at they youth level. Those administrators could invite the local high cshool coaches to come in and hold a clinic for them - with some set guidelines as to what defense they can play etc. .... along with some offensive skills to teach... with a natural progression starting with the 1st - 2nd graders on up.
1/29/2010 15:01
This is something that a X player sent me regarding youth sports / pressing and zones.
Reagrding financial reasons --- "If that is the case they need to grow a pair. As a parent, I will have little respect (or no repect) for a program that implements a bad policy for financial reasons. You don't build the 3rd floor balcony of a building before you dig the basement. You MUST establish your rules and policies FIRST, and for a youth program they MUST be based on what is best for the kids. as well as the program. Once you make those decisions, those core values should not be wavered from. You cannot abandon why you're in this because of profitability, or lack there of. And if you are in this for financial reasons, you are not the kind of program I want to send my kid to.
AND he didn't even address the issues about zones / pressing etc.... but if you look at what he is saying... "building the program from the bottom up" THAT is what needs to be done for this age group... REMEMBERING that the MAIN GOAL should be TO HAVE FUN while teaching them HOW to play the game.
Reagrding financial reasons --- "If that is the case they need to grow a pair. As a parent, I will have little respect (or no repect) for a program that implements a bad policy for financial reasons. You don't build the 3rd floor balcony of a building before you dig the basement. You MUST establish your rules and policies FIRST, and for a youth program they MUST be based on what is best for the kids. as well as the program. Once you make those decisions, those core values should not be wavered from. You cannot abandon why you're in this because of profitability, or lack there of. And if you are in this for financial reasons, you are not the kind of program I want to send my kid to.
AND he didn't even address the issues about zones / pressing etc.... but if you look at what he is saying... "building the program from the bottom up" THAT is what needs to be done for this age group... REMEMBERING that the MAIN GOAL should be TO HAVE FUN while teaching them HOW to play the game.
1/29/2010 17:06
David, Jeff and all,
I agree totally and hope some changes can be made. As I told Jeff, a great resource for this subject is Bob Bigelow (bob-bigelow.com). He's been studying youth sports and coaching for a very long time, basketball first (he played in the NBA for four years). His book, "Just Let the Kids Play" is wonderful. He's a public speaker for this stuff, too, a real dynamo, big booming voice. I met him in Massachusetts a few years ago. Go to his website and then contact him.
-- Tom Nordland
I agree totally and hope some changes can be made. As I told Jeff, a great resource for this subject is Bob Bigelow (bob-bigelow.com). He's been studying youth sports and coaching for a very long time, basketball first (he played in the NBA for four years). His book, "Just Let the Kids Play" is wonderful. He's a public speaker for this stuff, too, a real dynamo, big booming voice. I met him in Massachusetts a few years ago. Go to his website and then contact him.
-- Tom Nordland
1/30/2010 15:54
As I’ve told thousands of these (for the most part) well-meaning adults....
Just find a 22 ft high basket somewhere in your neighborhood and start shooting. This is what it's like for a youngster to shoot at a 10ft basket. By shooting at a 22ft basket you'll find that your shooting “mechanics” will be compromised in a nanosecond.
The #1 rule in youth sports is you "adapt the game to the kids, not the kids to the game".
Youth baseball has had 60 foot base paths and 45 ft pitching distances at 12 and under for 70 years. Youth soccer employs small-sided games on smaller fields, often-times up until 7th grade (for almost 30 years in this country). Ice hockey does "cross-ice" small-sided games. We could go on and on. Youth basketball’s clueless elementary grade level adults think that kids should play on a court with the same dimensions and basket heights as the local high school teams.
Let’s teach trigonometry and calculus to third graders! This is why having played high school basketball and watching our nation’s best 20-30 year olds on ESPN are the two WORST backgrounds to coach youth basketball. PE and Child Development are far more relevant qualifications.
Just find a 22 ft high basket somewhere in your neighborhood and start shooting. This is what it's like for a youngster to shoot at a 10ft basket. By shooting at a 22ft basket you'll find that your shooting “mechanics” will be compromised in a nanosecond.
The #1 rule in youth sports is you "adapt the game to the kids, not the kids to the game".
Youth baseball has had 60 foot base paths and 45 ft pitching distances at 12 and under for 70 years. Youth soccer employs small-sided games on smaller fields, often-times up until 7th grade (for almost 30 years in this country). Ice hockey does "cross-ice" small-sided games. We could go on and on. Youth basketball’s clueless elementary grade level adults think that kids should play on a court with the same dimensions and basket heights as the local high school teams.
Let’s teach trigonometry and calculus to third graders! This is why having played high school basketball and watching our nation’s best 20-30 year olds on ESPN are the two WORST backgrounds to coach youth basketball. PE and Child Development are far more relevant qualifications.
1/30/2010 16:10
Tom and Bob -
GREAT INFORMATION!
Why aren't these people getting the message? I love your idea of the 22 foot basket.... you can bet that those "coaches" wouldn't fare too well teaching shooting techniques.
I know I learned to coach this game the hard way and probably made a lot of mistakes along the way... but I would like to think that I learned how to correct them too.
What we need is a lot of eloquent speakers (I'm not one of those) to get this message across and the importance of it all.
Thanks to both of you for adding your expertise.
GREAT INFORMATION!
Why aren't these people getting the message? I love your idea of the 22 foot basket.... you can bet that those "coaches" wouldn't fare too well teaching shooting techniques.
I know I learned to coach this game the hard way and probably made a lot of mistakes along the way... but I would like to think that I learned how to correct them too.
What we need is a lot of eloquent speakers (I'm not one of those) to get this message across and the importance of it all.
Thanks to both of you for adding your expertise.
1/30/2010 21:56
I have coached for a long time and at all levels, including high school, college and professional. I have coached thousands of players from 8 years old to NBA. One of the things that frustrates me about youth basketball is trying to solve development and physiological issues with basketball logic.
The two most important things for shooting is rhythm and form. How can anyone think that 3rd graders (which to me translates to 8-year olds) can develop either by shooting at a 10 foot rim with a full size ball. You may as well ask them to dunk the ball and that would solve all the issues.
Not possible, you say? Well, how is that any different than trying to shoot the ball?Physiologically, and physically, an 8 year old is not yet equipped to successfully complete the task. Strength levels have not yet been attained nor have the spacial relationships been developed enough to shoot at 10 foot baskets. It is NOT a basketball issue.
I see, above, that Joe has a formula for ages and rim heights. That may be a good formula but I am not sure it is practice, given the limitations of facilities, but it is worth a try.
More importantly, perhaps most importantly, is the staggering statistic that, 86% of kids that play youth sports no longer play those sports after the age of 13. One of the major reasons that well meaning adults put kids in positions of failure, such as forcing 8-year olds to shoot at 10 foot rims. Given the success rate of shooting at this level, it is amazing that kids last that long.
For kids to develop, not only as players but as successful people, at this age, more attention has to be paid to the things that develop positive self image and personal confidence. I am not saying that we should hold their hands all the time and not let them fail. that is just as bad. But, they do need to be protected and have to be given a chance to succeed. You cannot convince me that, after watching an 8-9 shoot a basketball at a 10 foot hoop, a logically thinking person believes that gives a kid a reasonable chance at success.
The two most important things for shooting is rhythm and form. How can anyone think that 3rd graders (which to me translates to 8-year olds) can develop either by shooting at a 10 foot rim with a full size ball. You may as well ask them to dunk the ball and that would solve all the issues.
Not possible, you say? Well, how is that any different than trying to shoot the ball?Physiologically, and physically, an 8 year old is not yet equipped to successfully complete the task. Strength levels have not yet been attained nor have the spacial relationships been developed enough to shoot at 10 foot baskets. It is NOT a basketball issue.
I see, above, that Joe has a formula for ages and rim heights. That may be a good formula but I am not sure it is practice, given the limitations of facilities, but it is worth a try.
More importantly, perhaps most importantly, is the staggering statistic that, 86% of kids that play youth sports no longer play those sports after the age of 13. One of the major reasons that well meaning adults put kids in positions of failure, such as forcing 8-year olds to shoot at 10 foot rims. Given the success rate of shooting at this level, it is amazing that kids last that long.
For kids to develop, not only as players but as successful people, at this age, more attention has to be paid to the things that develop positive self image and personal confidence. I am not saying that we should hold their hands all the time and not let them fail. that is just as bad. But, they do need to be protected and have to be given a chance to succeed. You cannot convince me that, after watching an 8-9 shoot a basketball at a 10 foot hoop, a logically thinking person believes that gives a kid a reasonable chance at success.
1/31/2010 01:45
Brian McCormick suggests this -
Why do we argue about zone vs. man and press vs. no press in these youth leagues, but there is rarely a mention of eliminating 5v5-play and moving to 3v3 for the younger age groups? Baseball starts with t-ball; golf starts with par-3 courses; soccer starts with 5v5; etc. Why not start young children with a different game, one focused on skill development? a 3v3 league
(http://playmakersleague.com)
eliminates pressing, gets each player more touches, provides more space for each player to make moves and eliminates the peak by friday coaching mentality because coaches in a league coach multiple teams, not one team. a coach's job is to guide and assist the players, not to win games. All of the ills that are constantly mentioned can be rectified by going to a 3v3 league as opposed to playing the adult game with 7-year-olds.
Good thoughts for the 7-10 Year olds?
You ARE way ahead of me Don.... I coached 6-8th graders all the way up to Varsity High School boys. Each level has its on needs and problems. While I loved working with the younger kids, I wanted to become a better coach and IF that was going to happen I had to go to College, get a degree and move up to the high school level. I wasn't sorry for any time that I put at each level. I still see some of those guys I coached when they were 11-14 along with the high school guys.
Why do we argue about zone vs. man and press vs. no press in these youth leagues, but there is rarely a mention of eliminating 5v5-play and moving to 3v3 for the younger age groups? Baseball starts with t-ball; golf starts with par-3 courses; soccer starts with 5v5; etc. Why not start young children with a different game, one focused on skill development? a 3v3 league
(http://playmakersleague.com)
eliminates pressing, gets each player more touches, provides more space for each player to make moves and eliminates the peak by friday coaching mentality because coaches in a league coach multiple teams, not one team. a coach's job is to guide and assist the players, not to win games. All of the ills that are constantly mentioned can be rectified by going to a 3v3 league as opposed to playing the adult game with 7-year-olds.
Good thoughts for the 7-10 Year olds?
You ARE way ahead of me Don.... I coached 6-8th graders all the way up to Varsity High School boys. Each level has its on needs and problems. While I loved working with the younger kids, I wanted to become a better coach and IF that was going to happen I had to go to College, get a degree and move up to the high school level. I wasn't sorry for any time that I put at each level. I still see some of those guys I coached when they were 11-14 along with the high school guys.
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