Best Youth Hoops

When your players are working out on their own, it
maybe best to have them concentrate on one skill for that day.

If they are struggling with dribbling, work on their
dribbling to the point where they can see themselves
having success.

Success becomes Fun.

Fun builds interest.

Interest develops more practice.

More practice creates a better player.

Go from one drill to another with the intent of developing that
skill, but finish with shooting. 

All youth players love to shoot.  What’s the first thing a player does when
they enter the court.

They shoot.

The easiest answer is to work on making layups, and we
will cover that in another segment.

For those of you who want to practice shooting jump shots,
here’s a simple drill even if you are alone.

As a kid growing up without household siblings, I used to
perform this drill starting at age 9.

No rebounder is needed.

**Start by facing the basket.

**Toss the ball in the air.

**As you toss it, spin it backward so that when it lands,
it bounces to where you want it to go.

**Grab the ball, ensure that your body is square to the basket,
and take a jump shot.

**Immediately run to the basket and grab your rebound
and repeat the drill again, this time tossing it to a
different spot on the court.

Remember: Shoot to make, not just to shoot.

 Summer is the time for fun and relaxation…a chance for players to recharge their batteries and get ready for the upcoming school year and season.

Have you ever noticed during the following season how one player all of a sudden has dramatically improved?

 The reason is they have practiced over the summer.  The players who get better usually improve during the “off season” where they can work on various parts of their game.

 Yes, there is still plenty of time for fun and relaxation because all you need is 20-30 per day to work on various skills.

 A typical question I get is, what does my child need to work on to improve?

 Here are the 5 things they should do to enhance their game.

 1)      Work on ballhandling.  This #1 for youth basketball players because without improvement of this skill, the other parts of the game will probably not get better either. 

 Players need to learn to dribble with their weaker hand.  If there are advanced players, combination moves using the weaker hand is a must.

 Big hint: Make sure you spread your fingers wide when dribbling or performing any ballhandling drill.  You will soon develop greater control of the basketball.

2)  Take lots of shots.  If you are a younger player make sure you can make 80% to 90% of your layups before extending your shooting range.  In youth basketball games, 80% of most shots are made within 5 feet of the basket.

 Once you have mastered layups which is primarily a matter of proper footwork, then you can move out farther.

 You want to practice good form on every shot.  Shoot to make, not just to shoot.

 3) Work on footwork.  Footwork will help you get in position to get a beat your opponent off the dribble, get a better shot, and defend.

 For beginning players, just skipping, hopping and running with changes in direction will increase their footwork.  A great game of tag is awesome way to develop footwork with spontaneous movements.

 4) Get physically fit.  Creative moves and fundamentals won’t help you much if you aren’t physically able to implement them.   Develop strength by doing pushups and situps.

 5) Just play.  Find a friend.  Play various games, ranging from around the world, 21, knockout.  You know we schedule play dates for our kids to hang out, watch television, go to the movies, etc? 

 How about a play date to the local basketball courts at the park?   If you drive around parks most days, the courts are empty.

 We can still have a great fun summer as you workout and improve.

Last week we discussed 3 steps how parents can make their child a

a better player.

The next question is where to begin.

 We start with ballhandling drills.

This includes dribbling, passing, and receiving.   Let’s start with dribbling as the first ballhandling skill.

For younger players, some coaches may start with footwork such basic running, hopping, skipping, and changes in direction.

Before we move forward with the dribbling drills, we do have ballhandling

warmup time where the players perform such drills as: 

• figure eights
• around the world or candy cane
• ball slaps
• fingertip drills
• ball pound

 We will cover each of these in subsequent posts.

 For dribbling, make sure the players use the fingertips to the pads of the fingers, but not the palms.

 This is important because we dribble, catch, and shoot with this part of our hand.

 Next, have them bend their knees as if they are sitting in a chair with feet facing forward.

 Their backs should be straight which allows them to keep their heads up.

 Reminder: Try not to let them bend their backs.

 The players need to bounce the ball off the floor by snapping of their wrists, but make to not “smack” the ball.

 Players should dribble just off the side of their toe with the ball bouncing no higher than their knees.

 Make sure they dribble with each hand, spending more time on the weaker hand.

 If they are older or experienced player have them do the Isiah 7 drill.  Here’s the link to drill: http://www.bestyouthhoops.com/2012/03/02/7-easy-steps-to-becoming-a-top-dribbler/

Parents, you are usually your child’s first coach.

Whether you are rolling a ball to them, showing them how to shoot on your driveway goal, dribble on the sidewalk, you are most likely their first adult coach.

Regardless of the level, we think there are 3 steps to making your child a better basketball player.

They may be simplistic, but very effective.

1) First is Demonstration.

Show them what you want them to do.

This could be something simple as telling them to dribble with the pads of their fingers to their fingertips, shooting with their elbow inward, bending your knees, etc.

Just a quick demonstration, then let them perform.

2) Which leads us to the 2^nd phase: Let them do!

We at Best Youth Hoops have a simple concept of Learning by Doing!

They may have all the knowledge about to perform a particular drill, but until they actually do it, their learning is not complete.

3) Provide Encouragement.

You do this by creating a positive environment where the players are encouraged to perform a particular drill, but also get better with repetition and increasing levels of difficulty.

Players are going to make mistakes.   During drills, I want them to challenge themselves and make errors. 

If they aren’t making any mistakes, they probably aren’t challenging themselves; therefore, very little growth in their basketball development.

If a player is struggling with a drill, go back to number one which is to demonstrate and start the short cycle over again.

Of course, if I wanted to add a 4^th category, if would be Patience.

As we know dribbling is a key component of basketball. Proper dribbling takes practice and patience.

Players should start with stationary drills and move into more movement drills with each of the steps.

A great drill brought to my attention and used by my players as well as students is the “Isiah 7″. It’s simple and easy and can be perfected without much effort.

Best part you don’t need much space. Do this in the driveway, sidewalk, patio, basement, garage, etc.

Below is a video taken by Coach Barry Thompson with Leila Thompson performing the drill.

The 7 steps are:

1) right side dribble
2) left side dribble
3) Side V, right hand
4) Side V, left hand
5) Front V, right hand
6) Front V, left hand
7) Crossover

Make sure the players keep good basketball positioning with their heads up while dribbling.