Absolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Basketball

by Hanlon, Tom

• ISBN13: 9780789733580
• ISBN10: 0789733587
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-07-20
• Publisher: Que Pub

Summary

As a parent, it is a proud day when your child joins his or her first sports team. It is important to you to be involved, which may be leading you to think about coaching. Nervous about the possibility? Don't be! With theAbsolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Basketball, you will quickly and easily learn how to become a successful youth basketball coach. This comprehensive, user-friendly reference guide will help you create a fun and effective learning environment. You have limited practice time and resources, and you need to know how to make the best of them. With this book, you will cover several key concepts that often elude rookie coaches, including: Identifying your role and expectations as a coach. Tailoring instruction to meet the varying physical abilities of different age groups. Creating a safe playing environment. Knowing how to effectively coach during both practices and games. Learning how to communicate and form alliances with parents, league administrators, game officials and players. On top of all this great material, we also provide you with access to a website where you can download practice plans, emergency information cards, injury reports, awards and certificates, and season evaluation forms. Ensure that you and your child's first basketball season are a success withAbsolute Beginner's Guide to Coaching Youth Basketball.

Author Biography

Tom Hanlon has 19 years of professional writing experience - as a journalist, an editor of two coaching magazines, a curriculum writer for a coaching division of a publishing company, and as a book writer and ghost writer for nationally-prominent authors. Tom ghostwrote Teens Can Make It Happen (Simon and Schuster) for Stedman Graham; this book made the New York Times bestseller list in 2000. He has written all or major portions of 39 other books, including seven sport officiating guides, numerous coaches' guides (including baseball; softball; soccer; basketball; and volleyball, among others), and a wide assortment of related sports titles.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	2	(1)
Special Elements	3	(2)
I Coaching Basics	5	(130)
Your Coaching Approach	7	(16)
Your Coaching Philosophy	8	(3)
Physical Development	9	(1)
Mental Development	9	(1)
Emotional Development	10	(1)
Social Development	10	(1)
Some Final Thoughts on Your Coaching Philosophy	10	(1)
10 Attributes of a Good Coach	11	(5)
Take Your Role Seriously	11	(1)
Be Comfortable with Being in Charge	12	(1)
Be Dependable and Stable	12	(1)
Be Patient	13	(1)
Be Flexible	13	(1)
Enjoy Getting to Know Your Players	13	(1)
Desire to Help Kids Learn and Grow	14	(1)
Be an Encourager	15	(1)
Be Willing to Learn	15	(1)
Have a Sense of Humor	16	(1)
10 Keys to Being a Good Coach	16	(3)
Know the Basics of the Sport	17	(1)
Plan for Your Season and Practices	17	(1)
Conduct Effective Practices	17	(1)
Teach Skills and Tactics	17	(1)
Correct Players in a Way That Helps Them Improve	18	(1)
Teach and Model Good Sporting Behavior	18	(1)
Provide for Players' Safety	18	(1)
Communicate Effectively	18	(1)
Coach Effectively During Games	18	(1)
Know What Success Is	18	(1)
Final Thoughts on the Keys to Being a Good Coach	19	(1)
What to Expect As a Coach	19	(1)
What Is Expected of You As a Coach	20	(1)
Equipment and Insurance	21	(1)
Last, But Not Least: Why Kids Play Basketball	21	(2)
Rules of the Game	23	(18)
Basic Youth Basketball Rules	24	(6)
Court, Equipment, and Time	24	(1)
Players	25	(2)
Scoring	27	(1)
Fouls	27	(2)
Violations	29	(1)
How the Game Is Played	30	(1)
Terms	30	(1)
Signals	31	(5)
Keep on Learning	36	(1)
Teaching Rules to Your Players	36	(5)
Situational Plays	37	(1)
Scrimmages	37	(1)
Brief Discussions	37	(1)
Players' Experiences	38	(3)
Communication Keys	41	(22)
10 Keys to Being a Good Communicator	42	(11)
Know Your Message	42	(2)
Make Sure You Are Understood	44	(1)
Deliver Your Message in the Proper Context	45	(1)
Use Appropriate Emotions and Tones	45	(1)
Adopt a Healthy Communication Style	46	(2)
Be Receptive	48	(2)
Provide Helpful Feedback	50	(1)
Be a Good Nonverbal Communicator	50	(1)
Be Consistent	50	(2)
Be Positive	52	(1)
Communicating with Parents	53	(6)
Preseason Meeting or Letter	53	(1)
Preseason Call	54	(1)
During the Season	54	(1)
Be Understanding---and Set Boundaries	55	(1)
Challenging Situations	56	(3)
Communicating with League Administrators	59	(1)
League Information	59	(1)
Coaches' Meetings and Clinics	60	(1)
Questions and Concerns	60	(1)
Communicating with Opponents and Referees	60	(3)
Safety Principles	63	(10)
Communicating the Inherent Risks	64	(1)
Being Prepared	64	(3)
CPR/First Aid Training	65	(1)
Chronic Health Condition Awareness	65	(1)
First Aid Kit	66	(1)
Providing Proper Supervision	67	(1)
Plan Your Practices	67	(1)
Inspect the Court and Equipment	67	(1)
Provide Proper Instruction	67	(1)
Supervise Each Activity	68	(1)
Responding to Minor Injuries	68	(2)
Cuts and Scrapes	68	(1)
Bruises	69	(1)
Sprains and Strains	69	(1)
Responding to Emergency Situations	70	(3)
Heatstroke	71	(1)
Heat Exhaustion	71	(2)
Practice Plans	73	(16)
Planning Your Season	74	(2)
Purpose	74	(1)
Tactics and Skills	74	(1)
Rules	75	(1)
Adjusting Your Season Plan	75	(1)
Sample Season Plan	75	(1)
Planning Practices	76	(4)
The Best Option: Simultaneous Stations	76	(1)
Player Safety	77	(1)
Coaching Instruction and Feedback	78	(1)
Sample Practice Plan	78	(2)
Conducting Your First Practice	80	(1)
12 Keys to Conducting Effective Practices	81	(8)
Be Prepared	82	(1)
Set the Stage	82	(1)
Involve Parents	82	(1)
Be Active	83	(1)
Be Active with a Purpose	83	(1)
Make It Fun	84	(1)
Provide Instruction	85	(1)
Give Feedback	85	(1)
Be Encouraging and Supportive	85	(1)
Promote Teamwork and Camaraderie	85	(1)
Discipline Players As Necessary	86	(1)
Wrap Up the Practice	87	(2)
Player Development	89	(14)
The Process for Teaching Skills and Tactics	90	(8)
Set the Stage	90	(3)
Show and Tell	93	(1)
Practice the Skill	94	(1)
Provide Feedback	95	(3)
Six Keys to Mistake Correction	98	(5)
Be Encouraging	98	(1)
Be Honest	99	(1)
Be Specific	99	(1)
Reinforce Correct Technique	99	(1)
Explain Why the Mistake Happened	100	(1)
Watch for Comprehension	101	(2)
Game Time!	103	(16)
The Practice Before the Game	104	(2)
Game Particulars	104	(1)
Game Focus	105	(1)
Before the Game	106	(2)
Team Warm-up	107	(1)
Starting Lineups	107	(1)
Last-Minute Words	107	(1)
During the Game	108	(7)
Your Approach to the Game	108	(5)
Player Substitutions	113	(1)
Appropriate Behavior	114	(1)
After the Game	115	(4)
Team Meeting	115	(4)
Ingredients of a Successful Season	119	(16)
A Tale of Two Coaches	120	(1)
Evaluating Your Season	121	(14)
Did Your Players Have Fun?	122	(1)
Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?	123	(1)
Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?	124	(1)
Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?	124	(1)
Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?	125	(1)
Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?	126	(1)
Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?	126	(2)
Did Your Players Leave the Games on the Court?	128	(1)
Did You Leave the Games on the Court?	128	(1)
Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?	129	(1)
Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?	130	(1)
Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?	130	(1)
Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?	131	(1)
Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?	132	(3)
II Skills and Tactics	135	(78)
Offensive Skills and Tactics	137	(32)
Triple-threat Stance	138	(1)
Footwork	138	(3)
Pivot	138	(1)
Cut	139	(1)
Jump Stop	139	(1)
Stride Stop	139	(1)
Jab Step	140	(1)
Rocker Step	141	(1)
Dribbling	141	(6)
Control Dribble	142	(1)
Speed Dribble	143	(1)
Crossover Dribble	143	(1)
Spin Dribble	144	(2)
Half-spin Dribble	146	(1)
Passing and Catching	147	(4)
Bounce Pass	147	(1)
Chest Pass	148	(2)
Overhead Pass	150	(1)
Baseball Pass	151	(1)
Catching	151	(1)
Shooting	151	(4)
Outside Shot	152	(1)
Layup	153	(2)
Free Throw	155	(1)
Rebounding	155	(2)
Initial Positioning	156	(1)
Blocking Out	156	(1)
Knowing Where the Ball Is Going	156	(1)
Hustling	157	(1)
Controlling the Ball	157	(1)
Passing Game	157	(2)
Screens	159	(2)
Fast Break	161	(1)
Basic Plays	162	(7)
Pick-and-Roll	162	(1)
Give-and-Go	162	(1)
Inbounds Plays	163	(6)
Defensive Skills and Tactics	169	(18)
Defensive Concepts	170	(6)
Get Back Quick!	170	(1)
Apply Pressure	171	(1)
Cut off Passing Lanes	171	(2)
Deny the Ball Down Low	173	(1)
Don't Commit Unnecessary Fouls	173	(1)
Provide Help	174	(2)
Communicate!	176	(1)
Individual Defensive Skills	176	(5)
Maintain Good Positioning	176	(2)
Use a Slide Step	178	(1)
Get Hands up on Shots	179	(1)
Go for the Steal	179	(2)
Box Out to Rebound	181	(1)
Team Defensive Tactics	181	(6)
Defend Against Screens	181	(2)
Double-team When Appropriate	183	(1)
Use a Full-court Press	184	(1)
Use a Player-to-Player Defense	184	(1)
Use a Zone Defense	185	(2)
Games and Drills	187	(26)
Dribbling Games	188	(3)
Game One	188	(1)
Game Two	188	(1)
Game Three	189	(2)
Passing Games	191	(2)
Game One	191	(1)
Game Two	192	(1)
Shooting Games	193	(2)
Game One	193	(1)
Game Two	193	(2)
Rebounding Games	195	(2)
Game One	195	(1)
Game Two	196	(1)
Various Offensive Skill Games	197	(2)
Game One	197	(1)
Game Two	198	(1)
Game Three	198	(1)
Fast Break Games	199	(2)
Game One	199	(1)
Game Two	200	(1)
Special Plays Games	201	(4)
Game One	201	(2)
Game Two	203	(1)
Game Three	204	(1)
Individual Defensive Skill Games	205	(3)
Game One	205	(1)
Game Two	206	(1)
Game Three	207	(1)
Team Defensive Skill Games	208	(5)
Game One	208	(1)
Game Two	209	(1)
Game Three	210	(3)
III Appendixes	213	(26)
A Sample Letter to Parents	215	(4)
B Medical Emergency Form	219	(4)
C Injury Report	223	(2)
D Season Plan	225	(2)
E Practice Plan	227	(4)
F Season Evaluation Form	231	(8)
1 Did Your Players Have Fun?	232	(1)
2 Did Your Players Learn New Skills and Improve on Previously Learned Skills?	232	(1)
3 Did You Help Your Players Understand the Game and Its Rules?	233	(1)
4. Did You Communicate Appropriately and Effectively?	233	(1)
5. Did You Provide for Your Players' Safety?	234	(1)
6. Did You Plan and Conduct Effective Practices?	234	(1)
7. Did Your Players Give Maximum Effort in Practices and Games?	235	(1)
8. Did Your Players Leave the Games at the Gym?	236	(1)
9. Did You Leave the Games at the Gym?	236	(1)
10. Did You Conduct Yourself Appropriately?	236	(1)
11. Did You Communicate Effectively with Parents and Involve Them in Positive Ways?	237	(1)
12. Did You Coach Appropriately During Games?	237	(1)
13. Did You Win with Class and Lose with Dignity?	238	(1)
14. Did You Make the Experience Positive, Meaningful, and Fun for Your Players?	238	(1)
Index	239

Excerpts

Introduction Introduction It all began so innocently. Just as the youth basketball league administrator asked for a volunteer to coach your son's team, you scratched the top of your head. All the other parents were studying, with sudden keen interest, their thumbnails or shoelaces. No eyes, except yours, were looking forward. The administrator saw her chance. "Excellent! We have a new coach!" To your astonishment, you saw that she was pointing directly at you. Parents, with relieved looks on their faces, turned to look at you. Some smirked. A few chuckled. All were joyful. "Relax," one parent said. "The season doesn't start till next week." "My kid's a shooter. You ought to see him shoot that ball. He's always been top scorer," another parent said as he gave you a good view of the bulldog tattooed on his bicep. "My son plays small forward," another parent added, as if he bought his son the position from the National Basketball Association, which had granted the boy sole rights to play small forward on your team. "I never knew you could coach, Dad," your son said as you walked to your car. "Sure I can coach," you said. "How difficult can it be?" You hoped you at least soundedconvincing. Each winter, all across America, youth basketball leagues swing into action. Every year, thousands upon thousands of new coaches are tabbed to guide the players. The majority of those coaches have little or no experience coaching. If you are one of those coaches, this book is for you. It is intended primarily for coaches of players from 6 to 12 years old, but it is applicable to coaches of older players as well. Use it as your rudder to guide you through your season. Use this book to Understand your role, and know what to expect, as a coach. Know the keys to being a good coach. Realize why kids play sports and consider how this should affect your approach to coaching. Bone up on the basic rules of basketball and learn how to impart those rules to your players. Provide for kids' safety and respond to emergency situations. Learn the general principles of teaching skills and tactics. Teach individual skills and team tactics. Coach effectively during games. Make the sport experience a meaningful and enjoyable one for the kids. Communicate effectively with parents, league administrators, referees, and players. Form positive alliances with parents, involving them in various ways. Plan for your season and your practices. Discover the keys to conducting productive practices. Celebrate victories and learn from defeats. Keep it all in perspective. This guide presents the foundational concepts that effective coaches follow, and it shows you, step-by-step, how to incorporate those concepts, plan your season, and conduct your practices. It provides many forms you will need, including sample and blank season and practice plans, a sample letter to parents, an injury report and emergency information card, and a season evaluation form. It has games and drills you can use to teach your players the skills and tactics they need to know. It details how to execute the fundamental skills and tactics, so you will know what to teach--and it lays out howto teach. It is also replete with practical tips that will help your season be a success. How This Book Is Organized This book is organized in two parts. Part I covers coaching basics, and provides guidance in a number of areas, include your basic approach to coaching, communication keys, safety principles, and practice planning. Part II delves into the specifics of the skills and tactics your players will need to learn, ending with an entire chapter devoted to games and drills you can use to teach those skills and tactics. Following Part II are six appendixes that you should find useful. This material includes a sample letter to parents, a medical emergency form, an injury report, blank season and practice plans you can use for your own planning, and a season evaluation form you can use at the end of your season. Special Elements Throughout the book you will find the following special elements: Caution -Cautions give you a loud "Heads up!" regarding issues or situations you want to avoid. These point out pitfalls, potential safety hazards, and any other items that could pose trouble to you or your team. Note -This is a note element. Notes give you relevant information that doesn't necessarily fit in the text flow. Tip -Tips are given to help you do something more efficiently or to give you the "inside" view on how to accomplish something related to coaching basketball. Warning -Warnings are always safety-related and are used with issues or situations of more serious consequence than those associated with cautions. Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.