Basket Height Question

Your site is fantastic! It has been extremely valuable to me throughout my coaching career so far. Your shooting e-book which I purchased is top notch. Again this season, my squad was the best shooting teem in the Province and the best shooting team during out out of province travel tournament. My question is this. This season I have started a minor system in a local town. We have a U12 Division. Normally, I like to have an 8\' basket for the U11 (gr. 5) and a 9\' for the U12 (gr. 6). This corresponds with our Provincial Club U11 and U12 championships. For this program I have to group the U11 and U12 squads together. I need to decide if I train them on the 8\' basket or the 9' basket or a variation. What are your thoughts on this. If they all train on the 8\' basket I know they will all have a better shot immediately, in the short run and in the long run. However, it will affect their performance when the U12's have to switch to a 9\' basket for the Provincial Championships and then the following season in grade 7 (U13) they will have to use a 10\' basket for the Provincial Championships. Your help will be very very appreciated.

Tough call.... only you know what is really important. What are your goals for them? What is important? How they do next year or in the playoffs.... or when they move up to the 10 foot basket? Just some thoughts.

That is a tough one. I think you probably know your players and might know the answer better than us. I think it also depends on how much you shoot in practice.

When I do shooting drills, I like to force them to earn their distance. Maybe that will help you keep them from getting to far away from the higher 9ft rim. For example, I start close to the basket. If they make two in a row, they take one step back. If they miss two in a row they take a step forward. This keeps them in their shooting range.

Another variation is to put tape on the floor (every 2-4 feet from the basket). Have them shoot 10 shots at tape 1. If they make at least 6, they move to tape 2 and take 10 shots. If they are ready, they get to move back. You can even give a bonus option if they make 5. Give them one "pressure" shot that allows them to move back. Kids like the drill.

What ever height you use, just make sure they aren't "chucking the ball" and using bad form.