Last week, I sent out a request for my newsletter subscribers to send in their best [tag]youth basketball coaching tips[/tag]. Check out Steve’s [tag]basketball[/tag] [tag]coaching[/tag] tip below (very creative!).
From Steve…
My young players, 5th and 6th graders, have a wide range of talent levels plus are still in their early years of learning the game and positions. Some players’ [tag]attitudes[/tag] get to be a real problem with [tag]ball hogging[/tag], not [tag]blocking out[/tag], and taking very poor shots, etc.
What I have found to be a very good correctional tool is:
1) I will find my [tag]substitute[/tag] player on the bench and tell them for who and why.
2) The player I substitute out must sit by me on the bench.
3) Calmly and with specifics I tell them what the POSITION they are playing requires. (GUARDS must protect the ball, keep under bodily control, play with their head up, and lead the offense.)
4) Then I say, “When you are ready to do what the POSITION requires let me know and I will put you back in.”
Sometimes this is only until the next whistle, other times the player’s attitude is defiant and it takes awhile. Either way, once they return to the game, they have a clear understanding of what is required.
Also the substitute player I put in the game understands the instructional role they just played.