I believe there are two broad categories of coaches/teachers in high school basketball. In one category, are those that begin their season the first day of practice and end a few days after the end of the season. The other category includes those willing to go beyond their contractural obligations. Regardless of the size of your program, you need to have a handle on the pulse. I was part of a smaller program so I could run camps for all grade levels during the summer. I recruited the elementary coaches and I also was able to influence who would be coaching our junior high programs. Sounds like a control freak! Right, well if you have a plan, who is best suited to administer that plan?
The following is an outline of what we did in our program. It is not meant to be a template but hopefully if you are examining your own program there will be something in the outline that you may find beneficial.
•Started with a K-3rd grade fundamental program.
1. We had what I called a "Saturday Morning Fever" program.
2. We used coaches and older players as teachers.
3. We met for 6-8 Saturdays.
4. Our schedule was 9-9:45 for Kindergarten, 9:45-10:30 for first grade,
10:30-11:45 for 2nd and 3rd graders.
5. We used a gym where we could lower the baskets and we used reduced
size basketballs.
6. No competitive 5 on 5 games were played against other schools.
I see NO reason to play competitive games before they have been
taught skills or learn how the game should be played. Plus, I see NO
reason for K-3rd graders to be yelled at by adults.
•4-6th grade program with competitive games
1. Practice twice a week and played in a league.
2. SELECTION OF COACHES AT THESE GRADE LEVELS IS CRITICAL! Be careful
with using parents as coaches at this level. Make sure you find the right
parents.
3. Try to have a coaches meeting with them, and encourage them (the
grade coaches) to have parent meetings at their grade level.
Good time to discuss playing time, distribute practice schedules and
game schedules.
4. Visit practice(s) if possible.
5. If you can, hold a coaching clinic for them and give them age
appropriate drills.
•7th & 8th grade teams.
1. should be very similar in terms of team offense and defensive approach
as the program levels above them.
2. Hold a coaches meeting with the coaches at these levels.
3. Hold parent meeting and address practice schedules, game schedules
and playing time.
•9th/C team development to prep for next level.
1. Should have similar offensive and defensive systems to JV and Varsity.
C team includes freshmen and any sophomores we believe would
benefit from playing at this level.
2. JV team development to prepare for the varsity level. Identical offensive
and defensive systems to varsity.
Everyone's situation is unique. What worked for us may not work for you. First, do you have a plan? Second, if you
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