Tampa Tom wrote:
About 11 years ago, I coached youth basketball. I had a team of teenagers who knew the game and we did fairly well...
Last night, I held my first practice for my son's basketball team... and it looks as if it will be a long season. I have a bunch of kids who don't know the rules of the game at the age of 11 - 12... so, some of my practice will be dedicated to running basketball 101...
Then, for some reason, they don't want to run back on defense... they kind of walk down the floor...
Finally, they all believe they are three point shooters, but none can hit from behind the arc...
So, it looks as if we have our work cut out for us....
I've checked out Coaching Basketball for Dummies.. I think that might be my first best step....
I bought that book when I coached my daughters in basketball. I played b-ball all of my life including a short career in high school, but it had a lot of the fundamentals that I took for granted.
As far as them not getting back on defense, wind sprints worked well when I was in high school, but alas, this is rec ball I'm sure, so that sort of discipline won't be tolerated.
Do you actually play with them during practice? If so, make sure you're the first one back on defense and them give them grief about the "old man" beating them downcourt. Might work.