Questions From Subscribers...

John,

I know what you're saying and keeping things fun while teaching fundamentals in a competitive environment like that can be challenging.

Here's an excellent email we received from one our subscribers that implemented the M2M defense concepts we preach. Maybe this will provide you with some inspiration...

"I started coaching a middle school team 3 years ago (all 6th graders). Like many coaches at this level, I was a parent volunteer and had little experience in coaching basketball. I got involved with the high school coach and got her involved with our program. She told me the players coming to her program cannot play M2M and their zone defense is even worse because they do not have the fundamentals.

I set clear goals (SMART goals) for the team and each girl. I scheduled and planned practices. We finished the year 0-12 only scoring 14 points a game and giving up almost 40. I reinforced with our team and parents that we are giving up the short term gratification of using "zone defense" for a long term foundation that will benefit the girls long after they are finished their middle school careers.

The following year, we went 5-11 and only lost by an average of 8 points (26 ppg on defense). The last year they were in middle school, we won the championship. We went 15-3 with the best defense in the league (16 ppg) and the second best offense in the league (29 ppg). These were the same girls that went 0-12 just two years before.

We did it against mostly "zone" defenses. We didn''t do it with more talent or different players. We did it through hard work and determination and learning how to play defense (footwork, positioning, deny, help and recover, rebounding, transitioning) while everyone else was fixated on winning now. Because our defense became so good, our offense improved dramatically. Our offense had to play and learn how to score against the best defense in the league every practice.

Coaches would ask me after games, "your team is tenacious; how did you get them to play M2M defense like that?" I would tell them," it started two years ago while you guys were beating us up with zone defenses."

I tell you this as a testimonial to working on building a solid foundation. That formula works for everything you will do in sports and, more importantly, in life. There are no short cuts to long term success. "

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Unfortunately, I have volunteered to coach my son's team and I can't go to another league. I totally understand and agree with your comments however I am told all teams in this league use the 1/2 court press (full court press is prohibited). I am certainly going to focus on the fundamentals but I need an effective strategy to deal with the 1/2 court press or I won't be competitive. I want the kids to learn and have fun. We certainly don't have to win all of our games to have fun but losing all of the games certainly won't be fun for these boys.

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John,

To beat a 1/2 court press check out this video and PDF download:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/offense/press-breaker.html

For a press defense at the 5th grade level, that is not something you want to do. In fact, you should consider finding a different league because pressing at this age is flat out wrong. All big time youth, college, and NBA coaches agree that press defenses are a bad thing for youth teams and hinder player development. Without going into all the details, just trust me that employing a press at the 5th grade level does NOT teach situational basketball and is a waste of time for your players. You need to spend time teaching them how to dribble, pass, pivot, footwork, basic man to man defense, and the fundamentals of the game. Don't waste time and teach them bad habits by using a press defense at this age. If you have any questions or want any resources to back up what I'm saying, just let me know.

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I am coaching a 5th grade boys team where the league allows 1/2 court presses only. Do you have any instructional material on 1/2 court presses (both offense and defense)?

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Post moves and drills are here: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/postplay.html

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do u have any team rapid drills to improve post moves

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i need drills badly for a half court setting to improve overall shooting, speed, passing and fittness

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My u12 players have great 1st halfs but seem to fade due to fitness in the 2nd. How can i increase there stamina and over speed? Do u have any drills that use a half court?

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Emphasize passing and explain to them the importance of playing as a team. Talk to the point guard individually and explain to him why he should and needs to get the other players involved. You could use LeBron as an example. He always gets his teammates involved. You could use Kobe as an example. He didn’t score nearly the amount of points he did this year and still got MVP because he made his teammates better. And they made it to the Finals.

If he doesn’t listen, bench him. That’s usually the best motivator for any situation.

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dear coach

i am having trouble havig my main point gurad sharing the ball, is there anything i can do to make him get his team mates involved, and also make him drive down the middle of the court when pressured andstop him from driving across the boundry line

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hi
this advise as jeweler to me i want know basic learning shooting to guide players

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