REC COACHING “101” – THE BASICS

This menu page is geared toward novice coaches (those who have never coached before, but would like to give it a try - or coaches that just need a review of the basics).  So even if you have never coached a youth basketball team, but want to give it a try, this website has all the information you need.  We will cover as much information on this page as we can (there’s just so much information to cover and so little space).  As a Recreational coach you will need to understand the different skills and drills that need to be taught to the players (even if you don’t know what you are doing, you need to at least look like you do).  A very important first step is to attempt the drills yourself so that you are comfortable when you start explaining them to the players.  Most recreational players are just getting started, and they are looking for your guidance.  What the coach tells them “sticks” with them.  If coaches do their job well, the parents will appreciate it, and the players will feel that like they have learned something. This website will help any novice coach that is willing to volunteer their time with teaching beginning basketball to the youth of our communities. So whether you are beginning coach, or just a little rusty – don’t worry, we are here to help you succeed.  It is our volunteers that are the most “critical” aspect in providing opportunity for youth sports development.

Once you read the information on this page and decide you need more – Check out the AVCSS Sports Club publication “Recreational Coaching 101 – The Very Basics” (more info at the bottom of the page).  This Booklet and CD-ROM will cover everything you need to be successful.

A Review of some of the Basics

Dribbling: Bouncing the ball with the fingertips (not a slapping motion), and most importantly - players should try to always look up while dribbling the basketball.

Passing: There are different types of passes that players can use: Bounce pass, Chest pass, and the Overhead pass are the most used passes in recreational basketball.

Catching the Ball:  One of the most basic skills that the younger players lack is catching the ball.  Make sure your players keep their eye on the ball, “look the ball” into their hands, and use both hands to firmly catch the ball. Video Clip of a Player Catching the Ball – CLICK HERE!

Shooting: There are different types of shots in basketball:  The Jump Shot, Lay-Up, 3-Point Shot, and the Free Throw.  The 3-point shot is sometimes not used in recreational leagues (especially with the younger teams).

Basic Lay-Up

Defense:  The team without possession of the ball. The main job of the defense is to keep the other team from scoring points.

Offense:  The team with possession of the ball trying to score points (2-points per shot, 1 point for each free throw).

Rebounding: Getting the ball after a shot is taken and missed, there are “offensive” and “defensive” rebounds.

Boxing Out: This is a technique for getting in position against other players to secure a rebound.  Boxing out should take place as the shot is taken to keep the other team from getting the rebound. Video Clip of Players Boxing out – CLICK HERE!

Turn-Overs: The act of a player losing the basketball.  Turn-Overs can be either “Forced” (the player lost the ball due to a defender pressuring the ball) or “Un-Forced” (the player lost the ball on their own – made a bad pass, dribbled off their foot, etc).

Take a look at this court diagram and familiarize yourself with the different areas of the court. The more you know about the court, the more you can teach your players.  In fact, if you are going to coach a younger team, it is very important that you teach them a few court basics – such as the paint area, the elbow, the free throw line, the block, and the baseline.

Handout of a Full Court Diagram with Notes – CLICK HERE!

Basketball Glossary (with Diagrams)

Any novice coach can benefit from our Glossary - it's packed with tons of basketball information from A to Z!  A great reference tool for any coach (feel free to download the file, print it out, etc).  Check it out...

Handout - Full Glossary with Diagrams – CLICK HERE!

Guards – Usually the smaller, faster players, good ball handlers.

Point Guards – The best ball handler on the team, the play maker (the quarterback).

Forwards – Usually players who are bigger, more athletic, and aggressive.

Centers – Usually the tallest player on the team plays in the middle and down low (in the post area).

“Plays” = Keeping the players structured on the court!

Plays are basically a “form/pattern” that you want the players to follow to make sure they are going to go where you want them to go - and when they need to be there.  Without structured plays, there would certainly be chaos on the court.  There are plays for defense, in-bounding the ball, as well as offense.

  Types of Defenses:

There are many types of defenses, but most recreational teams will usually only learn a couple of defensive plays at the most - depending on the age group.

·         Zone Defense: Players guard areas rather than the person with the ball (easy to learn).

·         Man to Man Defense: Players guard other players “1 on 1,” and stay with that player while the other team has the ball (more difficult to learn and teach at the younger ages).

·         Pressing: This is when the team plays full court defense, trying to steal the ball anywhere and everywhere on the court (hard to learn, but the players love to press).  In some recreational leagues the younger teams are not allowed to press.

Types of Offenses:

There are many types of offenses, but most recreational teams will usually only learn a couple of offensive plays at the most - also depending on the age group.

·         Zone Offense:  Typically run against a Zone defense.  Lots of passing, need lots of patience.

·         Motion Offense:  This offense is used against “Man-to-Man” defense (fairly hard to learn).

·         Press Breaking:  Used when the other team is “pressing” full court and are trying to steal the ball anywhere and everywhere on the court.

·         Inbounds Plays:  When the ball goes out of bounds these are plays set up to get the ball in safely and attempt to get an easy basket.

Video Clip of the Basic CrossOver Dribbling Drill – CLICK HERE!

b)      Left Hand – It is very important that younger players start using their left hand to dribble the basketball (their right hand if they are normally left handed).  Note: Do not expect miracles from the younger players when it comes to dribbling with their left hand.  Be patient, but keep stressing to your players to work hard with their left hand dribbling.

c)        Dribble Hard and Low – Coaches should require that all their players dribble “hard and low” at all times.  This will ensure that the players will not develop bad habits with their ball handling.

d)      Stay under Control - Players should never try to dribble faster than they are able to, and always stay under control.  Players will tend to try to race the other players during the dribbling drills, and will lose the ball quite frequently.  Players should dribble as fast as they can while staying under control.  Coaches must enforce this very important rule of dribbling the basketball.

e)       Dribbling Glasses – if you get the chance to introduce this dribbling aide to players, it would be very helpful.  Dribbling glasses force the players to look up while dribbling (the glasses are designed to keep players from being able to look down).

Video Clip of a Player using Dribbling Glasses – CLICK HERE!

Key Teaching Points - Defenses

1. Protect the area under the basket; keep the other team from scoring easily in the “Paint” area.

2. All players should be able to play defense! Players should always stay low and move their feet (always use the proper defensive stance).

Basic Defensive Stance

 

3. Teach the players to be aggressive and to always hustle when playing defense.

4. Players should not stand still on defense, defenders must move every time the ball is passed.

5. Players should not “slap” and/or “reach in” when playing defense (this causes too many fouls).

6. If one player does not “move” or “run” to the ball on the pass, the other team could have an opening for an easy basket.

 

 

Recreational Basketball - A definition and opinion: 

Most recreational basketball leagues are set up to have fun while learning the sport of basketball.  There are usually no standings (records of wins and losses) kept, and usually no championship games at the end of the season (although in some of the larger cities, this may not be the case).  The level of playing ability is usually really low with some exceptions of course.  As a recreational coach you must ensure that your team understands that winning is not as important as learning new skills, and having fun.  Basketball is a game, plain and simple, and it’s up to the coaches to make it a great experience for each player on the team.  As a coach of recreational basketball for over 12 years I have experienced many things that should not have occurred during a rec game. Coaches screaming at players, parents yelling at the referees, coaches arguing with each other, and parents screaming at their kids on the court to “shoot” even though the coach was instructing the players to do something else.  Coaches must remember that teaching basketball skills and good sportsmanship should be the main goal of the program!  The players want to learn, have fun, and play basketball.

 

Again, we could not possibly cover everything there is to know about coaching rec basketball on one section of a webpage, but we tried.  The AVCSS Sports Club publication “Recreational Coaching 101 – The Very Basics” will take you step by step through the process – packed with video clips, forms to use, diagrams, pictures, and much more.  Comes with a Booklet and CD-ROM, Only $9.95 (can’t beat this price for this much information).

 

More information on Rec Coaching 101 – CLICK HERE!

 

    

 

 

 

What’s covered in Recreational Coaching 101?

·         Passing / Catching Basics.

·         Shooting Basics (form, jump shot, lay-up, and the free throw).

·         Defense Basics (stance, step slide, hand movement, fouls).

·         Starting the Team – The first steps.

·         Planning the First Practices / Sample practice plan.

·         Basic Skill Development / Skills and Drills.

·         Running your practices.

·         The 2-1-2, A very popular Zone Defense.

·         A very popular Zone Offense.

·         A very simple Inbounds Play to use.

·         The Game – Game notes and basics, rules, substitution form, and much more…

Get your copy now - CLICK HERE!