Any of you coach youth basketball teams? I've coached my son's teams in the past, but they were usually 10 and under. At that age, we just taught a 2-3 zone defense and focused on stopping the ball and positioning for rebounds. My son is now in the 12-13 age group and the kids are much bigger, faster, and more coordinated. Do I keep it simple with a 2-3 zone, or do I try teaching them something else?
Coaching Youth Basketball
- Thread starter mcgrawfsu
- Start date
Coached Upward Basketball for 4 years - 3rd/4th & 5th/6th
Coached Middle School for 3 years - 6th, 7th, 8th
Coached AAU for 3 years - 6th, 7th, 8th
Upward is man-to-man, with the kids wearing colored wristbands by skill level to match up with the other team.
I taught man and zone, but spent way more time on man-to-man. The very first drill of practice was a slide drill. It's best to teach kids good technique early.
I usually only played a 2-3 zone half court, but sometimes a 1-3-1. I taught both, but usually spent most of the time on 2-3. This was primarily for the opposing team taking the ball out under the basket.
I also taught a 2-2-1 and 1-2-2 full court zone, and 1-3-1 half court zone trap.
The young kids really embraced man-to-man. They learned early the easiest baskets come off steals.
Coached Middle School for 3 years - 6th, 7th, 8th
Coached AAU for 3 years - 6th, 7th, 8th
Upward is man-to-man, with the kids wearing colored wristbands by skill level to match up with the other team.
I taught man and zone, but spent way more time on man-to-man. The very first drill of practice was a slide drill. It's best to teach kids good technique early.
I usually only played a 2-3 zone half court, but sometimes a 1-3-1. I taught both, but usually spent most of the time on 2-3. This was primarily for the opposing team taking the ball out under the basket.
I also taught a 2-2-1 and 1-2-2 full court zone, and 1-3-1 half court zone trap.
The young kids really embraced man-to-man. They learned early the easiest baskets come off steals.
Thanks. I coached a JV high school team for a couple years and enjoyed teaching man and 1-3-1. We ran a 1-2-1-1 diamond press. The youth team I have is pretty smart and I think they would pick it up pretty easily. Just didn't know if we'd get our doors blown off at this age playing man or if we'd get into foul trouble.
IMO, younger kids can play defense better than they can dribble and pass. Put some sound man defense pressure on, and kids panic and either pick up their dribble or turn the ball over. You have to teach proper help though. Leonard Hamilton funnels help to the middle. Some coaches funnel help to the sides. Oh, good early technique is to overplay the strong hand of the dribbler.
Coached youth, AAU and all-military basketball...especially at the younger levels the 1-3-1 if ran correctly is a great D since most kids at that level are not to the knowledge point yet (and coaches) that you attack that zone from the corners.
Whatever strategy you choose, make sure that when you're coaching an actual game, you're wearing your best suit. If you don't have a nice suit, buy one. The same goes for pantsuits and female coaches.
Be this guy:
Not this guy:
The league has a strict policy against flip flops and slides. Guess I'll need to go shoe shopping when I'm buying the suit
