Youth Basketball Coach

As a youth basketball coach, you have one of the most important and exciting jobs in the world!

You'll be teaching habits that will stick with these kids for the rest of their lives. And whether you like it or not, you'll be setting an example and teaching kid's lessons about life (good and bad). Kids are impressionable. They pick up on things. You have an obligation and responsibility to teach them the right things - in both basketball and life. When you think about it, teachers would do anything to get the enthusiasm that you get from your players. Kids actually like and want to play basketball. Your players look up to you. They listen to you. And you have an amazing opportunity to make a POSITIVE impact on their lives! You have a very important and rewarding job!

The legendary coach John Wooden says, "A leader's most powerful ally is his or her own example." 

As a coach, it's easy to lose sight of what is truly important. It's not about the X's and O's. It's not about winning. It's not even about putting the ball in the basket or teaching fundamentals. 

The most important thing is to teach players about life. Teach them how to be happy and successful. Teach them how to be a good friend and teammate. Teach them how to live with integrity and confidence. 

All coaches have a tremendous impact and influence on their players (whether they know it or not). Some of these players will remember what you do and what you tell them for the REST OF THEIR LIVES. I will never forget my playing experiences and things that my coach told me. 

You have an amazing opportunity to have a positive influence on the lives of your players. You have an opportunity to improve their lives and their future. 

The Ultimate Compliment for a Coach 

John Wooden is arguably the best coach and most influential man in the history of basketball. He won 10 college national championships, yet he is said to be no different now than before he won a single game. Personal integrity is Coach Wooden's highest goal! 

Bill Walton said, "To play for John Wooden was the greatest thrill of my life. In four years, Wooden taught us everything we'd ever need to know. Not about basketball, about life." 

To me, that's the true indication of a great coach and the ultimate compliment. This is what all coaches should strive for and what all coaches would hope players say about them. 

F-A-S-T

Drill Purpose:

This fun drill is great for developing player skills such as speed dribbling and catching. You also develop some dodging skills.

Instructions

Each person is given a basketball and is in a small circle in the middle of the court. The coach is to stand in the middle. With a soft skin ball in your hands, call the name of a player and throw the ball into the air. The player will then leave their basketball and runs to get the soft skin ball. Every other player then dribbles as fast as they can away from the person in the middle. When the player catches the ball and yells "stop", everyone must stop immediately and set their balls down beside them. The player in the middle with the "soft" ball may take three steps toward the nearest student and attempt to throw the ball at them. If the target is hit with the ball, that person must give their basketball to the player that got them out and go to the center of the court. If the person throwing the ball misses or the ball is caught by the target, the original person stays in the middle. Everyone then returns to the middle and the ball is thrown in the air and a new name is called.

Teaching Tips

Remind players that they must push the ball out in front of their bodies to speed dribble effectively. 

Variations:

• The number of steps taken to get close to the target may be changed depending on the size of the gym.
  
• The circle in the middle can be close to the person throwing the ball or it can be moved away form the middle, depending on the gym size.