Here are some tips to help you coach young athletes better!
Be Organized
Limited practice time is the curse of all coaches at all levels. This is especially the case with youth teams. As a consequence, you must make the most of your time with your team, which necessitates organization. Prior to practicing, set some time to plan out a practice regimen. Make a comprehensive itinerary of your schedule. If you haven’t achieved your goals, feel free to stray a little, but stay to the main outline.
Arrive early – the period before practice is ideal for interacting with your players. Begin your practice with something enjoyable that will start your heart racing. Move from one activity to the next, especially with smaller children, to keep their brains occupied. Most essential, before you begin, be sure you have a clear understanding of what you’re doing. Players are frequently rotated during practice drills: Have a system – we used to go from offensive to defense, then back to offense. That is, a single player or a squad will play offensive first, then defense, and finally rest. However, keep them moving and minimize the “rest” phase. Keep in mind that you only have so much practice time. Don’t rush, but make the most of your time.
Get an Assistant Coach, or Be One
If you have or are an assistant coach, divide the coaching tasks throughout practice so that the two coaches are not observing the very same thing. One coach should be in control of the attack, while the other should be in charge of the defense. Change up the speakers so that the players are hearing from a variety of people. If you have an adequate practice area, you might have one coach concentrate on one group on scoring while the other focuses on ball handling and passing and then switch groups.
If you’re an assistant coach, don’t watch the game while it’s going on. It’s your duty to keep an eye on whether athletes are boxing out or hitting the offensive board, figure out who’s fatigued, and see who’s rushing back on defense – or not. You can’t do it if you’re constantly looking at the ball.
Coach – Don’t Referee
Every minute you spend fighting with the referees is time you’re not coaching. You’re also instructing your young players that they may accuse others of their misfortunes. Referees in young basketball frequently do it as a way to keep attached to the game; let them enjoy it.
Learning the names of the referees is a simple approach to have excellent relationships with them. Calling an official “Ref” is the most ineffective way of interacting with him. And calling them by their first names helps you remember that “John” or “Mike” is a real person, not simply a referee. Observe Pop on the sidelines; he spends 90% of his time conversing with officials, as he is familiar with them.
Have Fun
Teach your young players that basketball is enjoyable by setting a good example. To put it differently, don’t be one of those instructors that take away all the pleasure from the game. It will be impossible for your young players to have fun if you are completely serious when teaching. In contrast, if you enjoy yourself while teaching, your players will as well. It’s something you enjoy doing as a coach.
Allow everyone to play, and allow everyone to start a game every now and again. Above all, remember that this is only a game at least until it turns into a much more serious business, which can wait.
