Coaches, we know there are always challenges to shaping and leading a team. So we want to do our part to help you be successful in that. Therefore, Coaches' Corner is just for you. Here we will provide you the tools to efficiently run your team. We will cover everything from developing practice plans to how to motivate your players. We'll even throw in a few tips from the Liberty coaches.
SEASON PLANS: WHAT SKILLS TO TEACH AT WHAT AGE LEVEL
Age 6-7
Ball handling concepts
Partner passing
Shooting with basic technique, 5-8 feet from the basket.
Defending an opponent (man-to-man)
Make sure to teach them the concept of floor spacing on the court.
Teach them the triangle principle - ball, me, player. Create a triangle with your arms pointing to the ball and your player, seeing both.
You want to avoid all of the players clustered around the ball.
Teach players the basic rules of the game. Make sure they understand the concepts of traveling & double dribbling.
Play 3-o-3 games in the half court. Players will start to develop their skills against a small number of opponents. Use these 3-o-3 principles:
Pass the ball and cut away
Pass the ball and screen away
Pass the ball and screen on ball
Age 8-9
Triple threat position.
Attacking the basket on a drive. Making a lay-up at full speed.
On-ball and off-ball defensive principles.
Boxing out and rebounding.
Give-and-go play.
Create passing lanes.
Moving without the ball on offense in order to get open.
Play 2-on-2 games in the half court. This will focus the players on playing together, developing their dribbling, passing and give-and-go skills against pressure.
Also try playing 3-on-3 games in the half court. This will help develop the idea of floor spacing and defensive principles.
Age 10-11
Setting and using screens. On-ball and off-ball screens.
The principles of help defense.
Increase shooting distance out to the foul line extended.
Using a jump stop and a power dribble.
Creating passing lanes using V-cuts.
Attacking the basket.
Play "Queen/ King of the Court"
Break the team into three groups of four players each.
Have the team play 4-on-4 in the half court.
After each score the team that scored stays on and the next team comes onto the court. If the defense gets the rebound the offense goes off the court and a new team comes on. The team with the most scores wins.
Age 12-15
Increase shooting distance from the foul line out to the three-point line.
Using a pick-and-roll. Attacking the basket off a screen.
Pick-and roll-defense.
Rebound and outlet. Transition from defense to offense.
Teach a full court press.
Develop specific guard and post player skills.
Run consistent offensive sets.
Teach zone offense and defense principles.
Have your team scrimmage against each other, mixing up the skill level of each team. This will create a balanced scrimmage where players can develop their skills.
Coming Next Time: teaching techniques!
