OUTLINE FOR 2nd - 3rd GRADE YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM
Goals
1. Help the kids have fun
2. Teach them to play the game
3. Emphasize teamwork
4. Teach basic fundamentals
5. General
Fun
1. Watch to see which drills and games they like.
2. It is too early to do anything that they won’t enjoy
3. Relay races develop running, dribbling, passing and team spirit.
4. Shooting games (first team to ten from a spot) develops team spirit.
5. Keep away develops passing and catching.
6. Play basketball games or variations.
7. Let the group try to accomplish a goal that makes the coach do some push-ups. This brings the group together.
Learning the game
1. Teach the rules and object of basketball.
2. Rules to call close:
a. traveling
b. double dribble
c. any contact against the ball handler
* some kids will be afraid of contact
3. Coaches pick the teams.
Team work
1. Talk about the value of team work.
2. Demonstrate how one player can’t beat five.
3. Demonstrate how a pass can travel faster than a dribble
4. De-emphasize scoring and praise passing.
5. Play basketball without dribbling
* This is great for teaching the value of passing, looking ahead, and moving without the ball.
* Rich Hall taught me a variation called "lane game". The object is to set the ball down on the floor in the lane under your basket. It must enter from a pass. We usually play this with no dribbling. Works good with second graders.
Fundamentals
1. Passing and catching
a. chest
b. bounce
c. overhead
2. Dribbling
a. in place
b. straight line under control
c. straight line speed
d. right and left hand
e. weaving
f. quick start and stop
3. Shooting
a. power production
b. one hand for accuracy
* If you have volunteers, set up some one-on-one attention for players in need.
c. Lay ups
4. Defense
a. positioning
b. responsibility
* You don’t want the defense to dominate the offense at this age.
General
1. Make sure everyone is having fun. Some will not want to be there. Give them a little extra attention.
2. Discipline by removal. No warnings. Let the student sit and watch for an appropriate amount of time.
3. A good way to start a session is:
a. free shoot until you are ready to start
b. a few laps to loosen them up and get them in the start mode
c. sit them down at center court for any announcements or talks that you find necessary.
4. Learn all of their names as soon as possible.
5. Bring them together for some sort of closing.
