THANK YOU BASKETBALL: Create a Basketball Gratitude List

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

December / December High School Basketball

  1. December 1st: I am grateful for High School Basketball Season Eve. One of the most exciting nights for high school basketball coaches, players, and fans.
  2. December 2nd: I am grateful for the 1st day of tryouts for high school basketball. It is a chance for players and coaches to show how hard they have worked in the off-season.
  3. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 9th Grade basketball.
  4. I am grateful for all the coaching staffs that spends hours deciding on selecting teams. It is not easy. AND it is a thankless job.
  5. I am grateful for all the coaching staffs that decide to keep one or two extra kids on the roster. It is easier to make the cuts, but you are giving players an experience they will never forget…. being part of a high school basketball program.
  6. I am grateful for the 1st high school basketball scrimmage. It gives a chance to compete for the 1st time against an opponent. It give the coaches the best chance to evaluate the players as the 1st game quickly approaches.
  7. December 7th Larry Bird’s Birthday (1956) I am grateful for Larry Bird. Top 33 Larry Bird Quotes
  8. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 6th Grade basketball.
  9. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 7th Grade basketball.
  10. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 8th Grade basketball.
  11. I am grateful for an exciting JV basketball before a varsity tip-off. JV players have the opportunity to play in front of a good crowd.
  12. I am grateful for a freshman basketball player to play in his 1st high school game.
  13. I am grateful for all the coaches who are coaching their 1st sub-varsity game.
  14. I am grateful for all the coaches who are coaching their 1st varsity game
  15. I am grateful for all the coaches who are coaching their 1st sub-varsity game.
  16. I am grateful for all the players who are playing in their 1st their 1st varsity game.
  17. I am grateful for all the coaches who are coaching their 1st sub-varsity game.
  18. I am grateful for all the educators who come to watch the student-athletes compete in high school basketball. It means the world to the players.
  19. I am grateful to be able to attend the final high school game before Christmas. The hometown fans are wearing fantastic Christmas outfits.
  20. I am grateful for all the people who collect tickets. You are a big part of the high school basketball experiences.
  21. December 21st: I am grateful for James Naismith, the creator of basketball. What a fantastic game. There is no greater game in the world. He is the ONLY reasons you are reading this post. James Naismith is the best ever!
  22. I am grateful for all the high school coaches who organize an alumni game to develop a sense of community in the program.
  23. I am grateful for all the high school alumni who come back to player with current high school players. It is a great chance for players to develop relationships with older and younger players. Older players learn.

June

  1. I am grateful for the opportunity to watch Dave Hopla give an amazing lecture on how to shoot the basketball. Dave Hopla is the BEST SHOOTING COACH IN THE WORLD! Start by buying and reading the #1 Book for Teaching Players How to Shoot a Basketball!
  2. June 16th I am grateful for Basketball Jokes for Father’s Day.
  3. June 17th I am grateful to be a Boston Celtics fan!

July

  1. I am grateful for Summer Basketball Camps!
  2. I am grateful for basketball jokes for the 4th of July!
  3. I am grateful to be an American!

November

  1. I am grateful to our guest blog authors. These individuals have shared their knowledge, experiences, and love of basketball! We hope to continue to bring more quality guest blogs each month. Click to see our entire list of guest blogs.
  2. I am grateful for the many inspirational basketball quotes. We need inspiration every day. We have compiled a list of quotes we feel can motivate players, coaching, and parents to reach the next level!
  3. I am grateful for all the amazing basketball books! Reading is a lifelong skill. It can calm the mind, inspire you to think, and can motivate. We love to read great basketball books!
  4. I am grateful for all the awesome basketball movies.
  5. I am grateful for all the youth basketball organizations that provide children the opportunity to play basketball.
  6. I am grateful for high school athletics directors. These individuals work tirelessly to support student-athletes and coaches. They respond to parent complaints about cuts, playing time, and roles on a team. They probably work more hours than any other administrator in a school system. Be sure at some point during the season, you let them know you REALLY appreciate all their hard work. Blog: 5 Questions for An Aspiring Athletic Director
  7. I am grateful to all the basketball officials who make it possible to play this great game.
  8. I am grateful to all the high school basketball associations in America. These organizations support high school coaches, present clinics, guest speakers and so much more.
  9. I am grateful to all the high school basketball coaches in America. These individuals work hard to teach players how to compete, improve, and be a better person. Parents may not agree with philosophies, playing time, or other issues, but the coaches work hard to create a positive learning environment for the players..
  10. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a basketball buddy.
  11. November 11th is Veterans Day. I am grateful to be an American today! I am so thankful for all the current military and veterans of our country
  12. I am grateful of the opportunity to have been able to attend my 1st basketball camp.
  13. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach kindergarten basketball.
  14. I am grateful for the final week of the high school basketball season. Players and coaches are preparing. A few have been preparing all off-season. Some are cramming. It doesn’t matter which category you fall under, you are getting ready. Have a great final week of the off-season.
  15. I am grateful for walk-on basketball players. These individuals are great role models. Guest Blog College Basketball: Walk-On Warrior (2022)
  16. Basketball Jokes for Thanksgiving: I am grateful for all the multi-sport athletes and coaches who compete in Thanksgiving football games. These individuals will be a a big part of the upcoming basketball season.
  17. I am grateful for the opportunity to watch Dave Hopla give an amazing lecture on how to shoot the basketball. Dave Hopla is the BEST SHOOTING COACH IN THE WORLD! Start by buying and reading the #1 Book for Teaching Players How to Shoot a Basketball!
  18. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 1st Grade basketball.
  19. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 2nd Grade basketball.
  20. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 3rd Grade basketball.
  21. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 4th Grade basketball.
  22. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach 5th Grade basketball.
  23. I am grateful for all the youth basketball volunteers that organize and coordinate Thanksgiving Weekend basketball tournaments.
  24. I am grateful for all the youth basketball volunteers that organize and coordinate Thanksgiving Weekend basketball tournaments.
  25. I am grateful for the 1st youth basketball practice.
  26. I am grateful for the 1st youth basketball game.
  27. November 28th Thanksgiving: I am grateful for Basketball Jokes for Thanksgiving. We love Thanksgiving, basketball, and jokes.
  28. November 29th Black Friday: I am grateful for Christmas Basketball Gifts. There is nothing better than receiving a new basketball or a jersey of your favorite player. Click here for Christmas ideas for the basketball player in your life.
  29. I am grateful or an open gym on Thanksgiving Weekend.

Basketball Jokes for Thanksgiving

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Google Search “Basketball Jokes for Thanksgiving“

  1. Knock knock?…Who is there?…Boo… Boo Who?… Don’t cry! We have the best basketball jokes for Thanksgiving.
  2. If the pilgrims came on the Mayflower, then what does the Division I college basketball player come on?… The scholar ships. (Thanksgiving Jokes & Pilgrim Jokes)
  3. What do a Thanksgiving turkey and a college basketball pep band have in common?… the drumsticks.
  4. Knock, knock… Who’s there?… Gladys… Gladys who?…. Gladys the page dedicated to basketball jokes for Thanksgiving. Aren’t you? (Thanksgiving Knock Knock Jokes)
  5. If the Pilgrims were alive today AND played basketball, what would they be most famous for?… Their AGE! (Grandparents Jokes)
  6. What’s the best dance to do at a Thanksgiving basketball game?… The turkey trot! (Turkey Jokes)
  7. What band is great to listen to before a Thanksgiving family basketball game?… The Cranberries! (Music Jokes)
  8. What kind of music did the Pilgrims listen to before playing a basketball game?… Plymouth Rock! (Music Jokes & Pilgrim Jokes)
  9. Which English pop singer is would be a good choice to sing the national anthem around Thanksgiving?… Pumpkin Spice. (Pumpkin Jokes)
  10. What is the #1 defensive play for Thanksgiving?… The “stuff!”
  11. What’s the key to a great Thanksgiving basketball game?… The turKEY (Turkey Jokes)
  12. What sound does a limping turkey make after a sprained ankle at a basketball game?…“Wobble, wobble!” (Turkey Jokes)
  13. My family told me to stop telling Thanksgiving basketball jokes … … but I told them I couldn’t quit “cold turkey.”
  14. What is a Pilgrim’s favorite basketball move?… The “stuff!”
  15. What smells the best at a Thanksgiving basketball game?… Your nose. (Biology Jokes)
  16. What do you wear to a Thanksgiving basketball game?… A Har – VEST. (Fall Jokes)
  17. I wasn’t going to play basketball on Thanksgiving, but my family this November, but my mom promised to make me Eggs Benedict. So I’m going home for the hollandaise. (Egg Jokes & Thanksgiving Jokes)
  18. What is a turkey’s favorite basketball move?… The “stuff!”
  19. If the Pilgrims came on the Mayflower then what does the basketball player come on?… The scholar ships. (Teacher Jokes & Pilgrim Jokes)
  20. Why can’t you take a turkey to a basketball game?… Because they use such FOWL language. (Turkey Jokes)
  21. What happened when the turkey got into a fight at the basketball game?… He got the stuffing knocked out of him! (Turkey Jokes & Boxing Jokes)
  22. If Pilgrims traveled on the Mayflower, what do college students travel on?… Scholar ships. (College Jokes & Pilgrim Jokes)
  23. If Pilgrims traveled on the Mayflower, what do middle school students travel on?… Scholar ships.

Top 5 Ball Handling Drills for Kindergarten Basketball

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Where do If you start when you are coaching 1st grade basketball. Most people would do a google search “Coaching 1st Grade Basketball.” That would be a good start, but sometimes google does not have the best match. We are hoping to be identified as a top resources for kindergarten basketball coaches.

The goals of teaching kindergarten basketball are simple.

  1. HAVE FUN: Plain and simple make the kindergarten basketball as fun as possibly. As a coach, you probably have a child this age. Make sure everyone is having fun.
  2. KEEP IT SIMPLE and age-appropriate: This is a chaotic, organized play date. You are not Coach K. Keep it simple and use drills that are easy to understand.
  3. INVOLVE PARENTS: This is an age where children need to feel comfortable. Include the parents in the session, even if only as a cheerleader. This also will be useful if a child has to go to the bathroom or starts crying. (These things WILL HAPPEN at kindergarten basketball.
  4. Top 10 Reasons to Teach Dribbling 1st: At this age you cannot go wrong with having players do ball-handling drills ALL THE TIME. It is the most important skill.

Stationary ball drills are great for developing hand eye coordination, especially at the younger grade levels. With each player having a ball it allows for maximum repetitions. 

There are countless stationary ball drills that could be used and it’s best to start with basic drills that all players can complete successfully, At the vert 1st kindergarten session, start with these drills.

  1. Toss and catch: This is a very simple drill, but it will be a challenge for most players at this age. The player tosses the ball in the air and catches it. Coaches should instruct the player to catch the ball with the eyes and hands. It is ideal for developing and eye coordination. To add a little excitement to the drill have the players clap and then catch the ball. This adds a level of difficulty for many of the players. A player who can clap and catch the ball will feel a sense of accomplishment. 
  2. Two claps. Once the players have mastered the toss and catch, add the team “TWO CLAPS” drill. A coach will yell “TWO CLAPS.” ALL the players will toss the ball in the air, clap their hands twice, and then catch the ball. Whenever a player does something very good, a coach can simply yell “TWO CLAPS.” The entire team will throw the ball in the air, clap their hands two times together, and catch the ball. The goal is for every player to be able to complete the drill without dropping the ball. If you can accomplish this by the end of the season, you will be up for coach of the year.
  3. Toss, bounce, and catch: This is just a different variation of the previous drills. The player will toss the ball in the air, let the ball bounce and try to catch the ball before it bounces above the waist. This also can be challenging for many players. However with practice and focus a player will be able to succeed. For more advanced players encourage them to catch the ball as low as possible.
  4. Circle rolls.: This drill players will stand with their feet together and roll the ball in a circle around both legs using the fingertips and fingertip pads. This is a very simple drill. Encourage players once they get the hang of it to increase the speed. After completing it in one direction, players should stop and roll the ball in the other direction.
  5. Figure 8 rolls: This is a little bit more challenging of a basketball drill, but one that many players can complete. Players should spread their legs wide and they are simply going to roll the ball in and out of the legs in a figure 8 pattern. Once players are comfortable executing this drill encourage them to go a little bit faster. After completing the drill on one direction, attempt it going in the other direction.

Hopefully this is a good way for kindergarten coaches to develop hand-eye coordination.

Top 5 Halloween Horrors for High School Basketball Players

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Halloween Horrors for High School Basketball Players

Halloween can be a very scary time. Spooky ghosts, creepy critters, and the upcoming high school basketball season. For some players the 1st day of the season is quickly approaching. It can be a very scary time.

  1. State Health Violations: Most state basketball associations are concerned with the whole student-athlete. As part of this concern they institute alcohol tobacco and health policies that discourage athletes from using harmful substances. If a basketball player is caught using one of these substances, the player can be suspended for part of the season or in some cases, the entire year. So beware. Make great choices.
  2. I Am Ineligible: Are you stupid fool? Take care of your classes. No matter where you go to school in America, you have a fantastic opportunity to learn. Make sure you do everything you need to do to be eligible for the basketball season. Attend extra help sessions. Shut off your phone when doing homework. Hire a tutor. Do everything you can to make sure that you are eligible to play basketball. It takes a lot of work (doing nothing) to fail classes. Do all you can to be the best student possible
  3. I Have Not Put in Enough Hours: This is a scary reality for many, many basketball players. They have not worked hard enough and there are just days left until the first day of tryouts. In some states the season is already underway. Players will be lacing up the sneakers and getting ready for the upcoming season. For a player who has not worked as hard as he / she should have, there is TODAY! Grab you lunch pail and hard hat and get to work today. Complete an individual workout. Get to practice early. Do all you can TODAY, so you are a better player TOMORROW!
  4. Realize Your Role is Not What You Hoped: This happens to most players at some point in your career. DNP – CD (Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision). Your coach does not feel you can contribute on the court to your team’s success. (See #3)
  5. I Am Out of Shape: The only excuse for not being in shape on the 1st day of the season is laziness. Conditioning has to be a major major priority if you want to be a good basketball player. . The easiest way to earn a spot on a team is to be in great shape. And the easiest way to get cut from a team is to be out of shape. That is scary thought that you might be a fan in the stands watching your former teammates play basketball.

BOO! Are you scared enough to work TODAY!

Good Luck!

Top Basketball Quotes

365 Basketball Quotes

  1. “All the successful teams I’ve ever seen have three characteristics: They play unselfish, they play together, and they play hard.“ Larry Brown
  2. “Winning teams at the NBA level, the college level, and the high school level all play team basketball. Championship teams have five players on the same page at all times.“ Hubie Brown
  3. “You have a choice to make when you’re not playing. Either you’re invested and a great teammate, or your not” Brad Stevens
  4. “Everyone is born with a certain potential. You may never achieve your full potential, but how close you come depends on how much you want to pay the price.“ Red Auerbach
  5. “Everything negative — pressure, challenges — are all an opportunity for me to rise.“ Kobe Bryant
  6. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.“ Michael Jordan
  7. “I don’t know if I practiced more than anybody, but I sure practiced enough. I still wonder if somebody – somewhere – was practicing more than me.” Larry Bird (Larry Bird Quotes)
  8. “Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.“ Magic Johnson
  9. “I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.“ Michael Jordan
  10. “I’ve got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.” Larry Bird “The Hick from French Lick” (Larry Bird Quotes)
  11. “Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.” Bill Russell (Top 6 Bill Russell Quotes)
  12. “The key is not the ‘will to win’… everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” Bob Knight (Bob Knight Quotes)
  13. “Preparation will be my separation.” Kevin Eastman
  14. “If you are afraid of failure you don’t deserve to be successful!“ Charles Barkley “The Round Mound of Rebound”
  15. “I’m still waiting for perfection. In the meantime, I’ll settle for persistence.” Bo Ryan
  16. “Shooting percentage is just as much about decision making as it is about technique” Jeff Van Gundy Post: How to Be a Great Basketball Shooter
  17. “Young men need more models, not critics.” John Wooden (John Wooden Quotes)
  18. “Teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one.” Mike Krzyzewski
  19. “If all I’m remembered for is being a good basketball player, then I’ve done a bad job with the rest of my life.” Isiah Thomas
  20. “What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player” John Wooden (John Wooden Quotes)
  21. “Winners are not people who do not fail, but people who never quit.“ Anonymous
  22. “When a gifted team dedicates itself to unselfish trust and combines instinct with boldness and effort–it is ready to climb.“ Pat Riley
  23. “We believe in people executing their role and caring about the team more than anything individually.” Gregg Popovich
  24. “A key basketball skill is imagery. The best players “see” situations before they happen so they can be prepared.” Dr. Jack Ramsay
  25. “The one thing I learned about myself going back and watching tapes of all the losses that we’ve had is that I’m physically capable of doing this and dominating the game, but the mental part was not there. I don’t know if it comes with age, but I had to learn to be mentally tough.” Lisa Leslie
  26. “Be led by your dreams not by your problems.” Roy Williams
  27. “You don’t play against opponents, you play against the game of basketball.” Bobby Knight (Bob Knight Quotes)
  28. “Sometimes a player’s greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the Slide1team.” Scottie Pippen
  29. “If you’re not talking, you’re not playing defense.” Doc Rivers
  30. “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” Ann Landers
  31. “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.“ Tim “The Big Fundamental” Duncan
  32. “My goal is to win the next game one possession at a time. That’s it. I don’t have any other goals.” Brad Stevens
  33. “I have a plan of action, but the game is a game of adjustments.” Mike Krzyzewski
  34. “There is a direct correlation between the number of ball reversals and defensive breakdowns.” Kevin Eastman
  35. “If it turns out that my best wasn’t good enough, at least I wont look back and say that I was afraid to try.” Michael Jordan
  36. “Some say you have to use your five best players, but I found out you win with the five that fit together best as a team.” Red Auerbach
  37. “Bottom line, you’re either a risk taker, or your not, and if you don’t take risks, you’ll never win big.” Geno Auriemma “
  38. If you’re going to have to beg them to play, it’s not going to work.” Chuck Daly
  39. “I think, team first. It allows me to succeed, it allows my team to succeed.“ Lebron James
  40. “Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.” Michael Jordan
  41. “When I walked into the gym, I fell in love with the game. I didn’t fall in love with it just because it was me playing. I fell in love with it because I’ve got guys like this – like these guys every single day that push me to be the best that I can be.” Kevin Durant
  42. “I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you.” Kobe Bryant
  43. “There is a lot of pressure put on me, but I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself. I feel if I play my game, it will take care of itself.” Lebron James
  44. “In developing teams, I don’t believe in rules. I believe in standards. Rules don’t promote teamwork, standards do” Mike Krzyzewski
  45. “Admit to and make yourself accountable for mistakes. How can you improve if you’re never wrong?” Pat Summitt
  46. “Bad shooters are always open” Pete Carril
  47. “Not only is there more to life than basketball, there’s a lot more to basketball than basketball.” Phil Jackson
  48. “You can’t always be the most talented or gifted person in the room, but you can be the most competitive.“ Pat Summit
  49. “The greatness of Michael Jordan is his competitive drive. The weakness of Michael Jordan is his competitive drive.” Phil Jackson
  50. “I can’t stand a ballplayer who plays in fear. Any fellow who has a good shot has got to take it and keep taking it. So he misses – so what?” Red Auerbach
  51. “Those to whom defense is not important will have the best seat in the game” Rick Majerus
  53. “I know that I’m never as good or bad as any single performance. I’ve never believed my critics or my worshippers, and I’ve always been able to leave the game at the arena.” Charles Barkley

Basketball Jokes for Veterans Day

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Google Search “Basketball Jokes for Veterans Day”

  1. Knock knock?…Who is there?…Boo… Boo Who?… Don’t cry! We have the best basketball jokes for Veterans Day.
  2. November 11th: Veterans Day Jokes: Why was David Robinson arrested on Veterans Day?… He shot the basketball.
  3. What do you call a really high ranking snack at the Army – Navy Basketball game?… A popcorn colonel. (Memorial Day Jokes & Popcorn Jokes)
  4. How is a bag of popcorn at a basketball game like an army?… It has lots of kernels. (Memorial Day Jokes & Veterans Day Jokes & Popcorn Jokes)
  5. Why was the Army basketball team get arrested?… They shot the basketball.
  6. Why was the Navy basketball team get arrested?… They shot the basketball.
  7. Why was the Marine basketball team get arrested?… They shot the basketball.
  8. Why was the Air Force basketball team get arrested?… They shot the basketball.
  9. Why was the Coast Guard basketball team get arrested?… They shot the basketball.
  10. Why did the Army basketball have a ghost on their team?… To add a little team spirit. 
  11. Why did the Navy basketball have a ghost on their team?… To add a little team spirit. 
  12. Why did the Marine basketball have a ghost on their team?… To add a little team spirit. 
  13. Why did the Air Force basketball have a ghost on their team?… To add a little team spirit. 
  14. Why did the Coast Guard basketball have a ghost on their team?… To add a little team spirit. 

Coaching Youth Basketball: Create Individual Award Certificates

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

If you are coaching a kids’ sports team, you might be thinking about how to make the season successful and that be defined in many ways both through statistics and through emotional connection. I wanted to offer Free Awards Certificates as an easy way to end the season on a high note because I think there is one great way to define a successful season and that is to have every child on the team wanting to return!

Wise Owl Factory created free editable award certificates that can be used to award every member of a sports team.

free award certificates for sports teams

Here’s how to customize the award certificates with your player’s name, your team name, and the date.

Here is the PDF of different awards to give out to every member of your team: EDITABLE-for-girls-sports-teams-PDF-free.

These 35 award certificates are for:

    • Most Positive Player
    • Best Free Kick
    • Best Assist
    • Best Goal
    • Best Penalty Kick
    • Best Throw In
    • Best Save
    • Best Passer
    • Best Attitude
    • Hardest Working
    • Most Dedicated
    • Best Award for Defending
    • Best Cheerleader
    • Most Responsible
    • Most Inclusive
    • Most Motivating
    • Fashionista
    • Never Gives Up
    • Coolest Cleats
    • Fastest Runner and Highest Jumper
    • Most Passionate
    • Most Improved
    • Most Knowledgeable About the Sport
    • Last One Off the Field
    • Always Willing to Help Out
    • Most Supportive
    • Most Focused
    • Performance Under Pressure
    • Risk Taker
    • Not Afraid to Try
    • Fun Award
    • Clutch Award
    • Award for _____________

Mia Wenjen Pragmatic Mom

Mia Wenjen is the co-author of How to Coach Girls and The Elusive Full Ride Scholarship: An Insider’s Guide. She blogs on parenting, education, and children’s books at PragmaticMom.com and is the co-creator and President of Multicultural Children’s Book Day, a nonprofit that gives away free diverse children’s books. With 70% of all kids quitting organized sports by age 13 AND girls quitting at 6x the rate of boys, she considers it a win that both her college-aged daughters participate in organized sports.

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My picture books announcements:

 
 
Connect with me:
Blog: PragmaticMom, Instagram: PragmaticMom, Twitter: PragmaticMom, Pinterest: PragmaticMom, FaceBook: PragmaticMom, LinkedIn: Mia Wenjen, YouTube: Mia Wenjen, TikTok: MulticulturalChildrensBD

1st Grade Basketball: Weekly Shooting Progress Chart

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

The goal of teaching 1st grade basketball is to help players improve. A weekly progress chart is a great way for a coach to evaluate the team’s progress. Often at this age, a team will only meet once a week so to have the same routine is easy for the coach and probably best for the players in this age group.

Each week the teams will compete in “AROUND THE WORLD.” Each team will start at one basket and complete one of the drills. The teams will shoot for 1:30. Coaches should record the scores and hopefully see some very good improvement.

There can be competition between the teams to see the high score, but we discourage this at this age level. Tell the team that you want to break the record of last week. Create a team from Ohio that beat your total by TWO! Try to beat THAT team, not the players shooting at the other basketball. With all the hard work throughout the season, we beat the fake Ohio team by the end of the season.

The ultimate goal should be for all the teams to improve the number of made baskets. After completing the drills, have the teams sprint to the next baskets. (This is more fun than shooting for some of the players.)

Shooting Progress Chart

Week12345678910
Left Block 
Right Block 
Right baseline
Center
Left baseline 
TOTAL

How It Works
  1. Divide the team into even groups with at least one adult at a basket.
  2. Set up two cones at each basket. Place the cones wide enough for the players to shoot comfortably. All players should shoot from directly between the cones.
  3. The coach will rebound and pass it to the next player in line.
  4. The coach at each basket will count the made shots.

  5 spots 90 seconds  7:50 plus time for scores Shot

  1. Right block bank shot: This is the million dollar shot for this grade. The goal is the ALL the players to make the majority of the shots from this spot.
  2. Right wing shot:
  3. Straight on shot:
  4. Left wing shot:
  5. Left Block shot: This is the million dollar shot for this grade. The goal is the ALL the players to make the majority of the shots from this spot.

Additional Spots: I found these spots to be too much. The players seemed to lose focus with 7 spots.

  1. Right baseline shot
  2. Left corner shot optional

When the around the world shooting is complete, it is a great time to move to

Basketball Jokes for Halloween

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Basketball Jokes for Halloween

  1. Knock knock?…Who is there?…Boo… Boo Who?… Don’t cry! We have the best basketball jokes for Halloween.
  2. I am a big Star Wars fan and LA Laker fan… I dressed up as Kobe Wan Kenobi for Halloween. (Star Wars Jokes & Obi Wan Kenobi Jokes)
  3. Why are ghost great at playing basketball defense?… They are great at getting through screens.
  4. What would you get if you crossed a basketball and the Invisible Man?… Skills like no one has ever seen. 
  5. Playing basketball with vampires is tough… No Blood! No Foul!
  6. Why did the Harlem Globetrotters have a ghost on their team?… To add a little team spirit. 
  7. Why was Dracula get a technical foul?…He was a pain in the neck! (Top Baseball Jokes: Page #1 Google Search)
  8. Did you hear about the Ghost basketball team?… They can’t shoot or defend, but the have a lot of spirit.
  9. What do you get when you cross a basketball player with a monster?… a double header! 
  10. Why was Dracula on the 15-day disabled list?…He was a pain in the neck! (Top Baseball Jokes: Page #1 Google Search)
  11. Knock knock… Who’s there?… Canoe… Canoe who?… Canoe play basketball on Halloween? (Canoe Jokes)
  12. Why was Dracula ejected from the basketball game?… He was a pain in the neck! (Top Baseball Jokes: Page #1 Google Search)
  13. Why was the mummy sent into the basketball game as the 6th man?… Because the coach knew, once he sent the mummy in the game would be all wrapped up. 
  14. Knock knock… Who’s there?… Canoe… Canoe who?… Canoe dress up as a basketball player for Halloween? (Canoe Jokes)
  15. Orange you pumped for Halloween Basketball Jokes? (Crayon Jokes)
  16. What do you call a pumpkin that can slam dunk a basketball?… Michael Gourdan (Pumpkin Jokes)
  17. What do you call an athletic pumpkin?… A jock o’ lantern.
  18. Did you hear about the pumpkin who played basketball?… He was a point gourd. (Pumpkin Jokes)
  19. Why was Cinderella such a bad basketball player?… Her coach was a pumpkin. (Top Holiday Jokes & Top Halloween Jokes)
  20. Why didn’t the skeleton want to go to the basketball game?… Because he had no body to go with.
  21. What is the #1 Halloween costume for a Star Wars fan who loves basketball?… Kobe Wan Kenobi.
  22. Did you hear about the Ghost basketball team?… They can’t shoot, but the have a lot of spirit. (Top Basketball Jokes)
  23. What kind of mail does a top vampire basketball player receive?… Fang mail!
  24. How do point gourds to get so strong?… By pumpkin iron.
  25. Knock knock… Who’s there?… Canoe… Canoe who?… Canoe dress up as a basketball for Halloween? (Canoe Jokes)
  26. Knock knock… Who’s there?… Canoe… Canoe who?… Canoe dress up as a basketball coach for Halloween? (Canoe Jokes)
  27. Knock knock… Who’s there?… Canoe… Canoe who?… Canoe dress up as a basketball fan for Halloween? (Canoe Jokes)

Top 7 Reasons to Join a State Basketball Coaches Association  

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Top 7 Reasons to Join a State Coaches Association  

The following are a few of the many reasons why coaches both young and experienced should join their state’s coaches association.  

#1 – Networking: One of the best ways of connecting with other coaches. Provides a great  opportunity to meet other coaches that are passion about the sport.  

#2 – Mentorship: Provides opportunities for young coaches to work with and study veteran  coaches. It also gives veteran coaches opportunities to mentor younger coaches.  

#3 – Awards & Recognition Programs: Coaches association typically provide awards for  coaches (Coach-of-Year, Longevity Awards, Career Success, etc.) and players (Player-of-Year,  Academic Awards, Scholarship, etc.).  

#4 – Professional Development: Most coaches association provide their members opportunities to attend clinic, webinars, virtual clinic, etc. at discounted prices. These opportunities are priceless and give more opportunities to development a network of coaching col leagues.

#5 – Information on Sport Related Issues & Trends: Most coaches association have direct  communication with the governing bodies of their sport. (Ex: state associations, NFHS,  NCAA, NABC, WBCA, etc.) Many times associations provide the most updated and accurate  information coming from these organizations.  

#6 – Leadership Opportunities: Most coaching association provide opportunities for coaches  to get involved in leadership position. These positions can be anything for officers positions  (president, treasurer, secretary, executive board, etc.) to directors of association events (ex:  all-star game director, showcase director, banquet director, etc.)  

#7 – Resume Builder: Being a member of a professional organization is a great way to send  a message to future employers that you are serious about your profession.  

Tom Barrick (@Coach_Barrick) is a 33 year head coach from Ohio. He is the past president and the first executive director of  the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association (OHSBCA) as well as past president of the National  High School Basketball Coaches Association (NHSBCA). He was inducted into the OHSBCA Hall of Fame  in 2015 & the NHSBCA Court of Honor in 2018. 

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