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- Coaching 1st Grade Basketball
Whenever running a basketball practice, I found it very helpful to have a practice plan that outlined the specific drill and the amount of time spent on each drill. This was a simple outline that I would share with assistant coaches.
I also wrote a detailed account of the drills, tips for organization, and any particular coaching points that should be emphasized. This particular session was designed for boys in grades 1 & 2.
Group Skills
1st grade / 2nd grade on different ends
- Dribble laps with stationary ballhandling drills – right, left, alternating, dribble march (5 minutes)
- Full Court Dribbling (right, left, alternating, figure 8 roll, Dribble March)
- Cone dribbling – straight crossover, zig-zag
- 2 balls (stationary and full court)
- Lay-up progression (no dribble, one dribble, FT line extended)
- Around the world lay-ups
- Spot shooting (1:30 each spot)
- Half-court games
- Numbers game
DETAILED PRACTICE PLAN WEEK #1
1. Dribble laps: Players line up around the sidelines and baseline. If the practice space is 1/2 court use this as one of the locations for the players to line up. Have good separation between players. Players will start dribbling in the same direction using the right hand. The coach will yell out 3 different speeds:
“WALK”: Simply have the players walk while dribbling. This speed allows players to gain confidence. Depending on the skill level, determine how long players dribble while walking. This is best for younger and less skilled players.
“JOG”: This increase in speed will lead to an increase in balls rolling around the gym. This is perfectly fine. There will be fewer and fewer lost balls as the season goes on.
“FULL SPEED” under control: This is where the fun starts. Players will pick up the ball and run as fast as they can. Others will dribble the ball once, pick up the ball run 5 steps, then repeat the process. A coach at this level must remember it is less about teaching skills and more about getting kids out to exert some energy and interact with peers. Hopefully as the season progresses the chaos will be a little less.
“Balls at Your Feet” This is youth coaches best command. The benefit of each player have a ball is so many more repetitions for each player. The drawback is the players will bounce the balls at every chance, especially when a coach is speaking. Sharing this command will make it easier to make coaching points and transition the players to the next drill.
Explain Triple Threat: For each grade level of player, there will be modifications for expectations of triple threat. For 1st grade triple threat position, do very little correcting. It is simply one more introduction of a skill that will be refined each year. Simply introducing the term is big plus for this age group.
Once the explanation is complete, have the players pick up the ball at their feet. The directing coach can yell “TRIPLE THREAT.”
Triple Threat Position: 3 – 4 times blow the whistle (single for players to STOP and YELL “TRIPLE THREAT”).
1. “Triple Threat” (starting position) Ball on “shooting hip.”
2. “Shot Fake” Jab and lift “Ball above eyes” at the same time. FREEZE to check ball position
3. QUICK return to the starting triple threat position.
Once this is complete, the coach can direct the players to go in the OPPOSITE direction. This time the players will dribble with the left hand. Follow the same order of instruction. Lastly, have the players complete the dribble laps using alternating dribbles.
Notes: Triple threat position is a fairly simple idea to introduce, though most players will not be able to execute it during games. Coaches can use the following verbal commands to the players to help them understand the movement of the ball fake. “HIP (starting point), “JAB (step) & LIFT (The basketball above the eyes), (return the ball to the) HIP!”
2. Stationary partner passing, shuffle passes, dribble partner passing
Stationary partner passing: The teams will be lined up in the court area (use cones if necessary). Initial drill we be stationary passing with chest and bounce passes.
Coaching points: Fingertips pointing to target. “TIPS TO TARGET!” and thumbs pointing down. Players may need help with aiming point for the bounce pass, 3/4ths the way to partner. Some coaches use pennies and place them on the floor as the target.
Shuffle passes: Have the players line up on the baseline. One line will start at one block. The other line will start on the other block. On the coaches command, the players shuffle full court and make passes to the partner as they shuffle. This will be a drill where the players start slowly.
Dribble Partner Passing: Players can work with a partner (or more). 1st player dribbles to half court. The player turns around and dribbles to the free throw line. When he reaches the free throw line, the players should come to a jump stop (at the cone) and make a bounce pass to the partner standing on the baseline. The player on the baseline receives the pass, then dribbles to half court and repeats the drill.
3. AROUND THE WORLD Shooting spots (1:30 each)
Shooting spots: This will be weekly event. Coaches should keep track of progress. The goal is improvement, but team competition can be good. Shoot from 3 spots for 1:30. Record the scores. Check progress each week.
Dribble Lay-ups, right wing, center, left wing. Players rotate the baskets (they like this)
4. Dribble Tag (5 minutes) Use a different ball as the tag ball. One player is it. Other players dribble avoiding being tagged. If a player is tag, the “tag ball” is given to him. The person who WAS it has the other ball and player continues. There can be multiple tag balls if appropriate.
Half court games: Discuss how to run these on the 1st day. Numbers game by grade. Have 2 teams vs. 2 teams. Explain to the group.