Youth Basketball: 1st 2nd Grade Practice

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2nd grade basketball is a great experience. The players are excited and have so much to learn. Youthbasketball123 is here to share our experiences with youth basketball. If you like what you see, check back, we will be updating our resources often.

2nd grade basketball should be all about FUN and fundamentals. Keep it positive and understand the age of the players and your only goal should be to make it so much fun that all the players come back for the next session.

Week #1 2nd Grade Basketball (Brief outline)

The 1st week is always a little hectic. There is a big push from the league to have a set curriculum of skills for each grade. Having each player in the grade work on the same skills, under the supervision of the coaches, is something that should be beneficial.  

48 players, 4 teams, 2 full courts

0:00 – 10:00        Meet team, T-shirts, group explanation (attendance): This might be the most important part of the practice. It would be very helpful to have name tags to have the players wear on the front and back of the shirts. Knowing the players name makes each player feel good. This is a scary time for many players and for some this might the the 1st time playing an organized sports. Be positive. Let the players know that you just want them to listen, work hard and be a good teammate. Hopefully there is an assistant coach or two who can be helping you out.

10:00 – 20:00        Dribble laps & stationary ball drills (One coach can lead the instruction) Having each player have a ball is a great way to start the session. Dribbling is the most basic and easiest skill to teach players. You may find that you will want to spend more than 10 minutes on these drills. The players can succeed and dribbling is the best skill to master at this age.

20:00 – 30:00        stationary partner passing, shuffle passes, dribble partner passing These drills can be a little more challenging, but with proper coaching and supervision, there can be a lot of progressl

30:00 – 40:00        AROUND THE WORLD Shooting spots (1:30 each) One of the BEST drills for this age group.

40:00 – 45:00        Dribble Tag

45:00 – 60:00     half court games (divide players by grade)

Numbers game.

Coaching 2nd Grade Basketball

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Google Search “Coaching 2nd Grade Basketball”

There are some good resources to get started.

  1. Youth Basketball: USA Basketball Guidelines for 2nd Grade
  2. How to Teach Shooting a Basketball
  3. Pre-Season Email
  4. Youth Basketball: 1st 2nd Grade Practice
  5. Youth Basketball: 2nd Grade Basketball Week #2
  6. Youth Basketball: 2nd Grade Basketball Week #3

Youth Basketball: The Numbers Game Is A Great Alternative to Full-Court Games

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Any coach or parent who has watched 5 vs. 5 for grades 1 – 4 can tell you how chaotic it can be. The numbers game ay be a better alternative to full-court games that still makes it fun for the players and will help with skill development.

Numbers Game

With 12 players on a team, the numbers game might be a fun and useful way to incorporate games with grades 1 through 4. I have used it at clinics and with a youth program. The players really enjoy it. It spreads out the court and allows for better games. 

Objective: to give the players a chance to play full court against similar skilled players. 

Method: 

  1. Players are assigned numbers. Players can be lined up by height. This is the easiest method.  (Players also can be assigned based on talent, but at this age there is not much of a difference.The numbers also can be random and still achieve the same results.)
  2. Teams line up on a sideline. Teams are assigned a direction to go. It is critical to have adults on the sideline to help facilitate the drill and answer any questions.
  3. The Head Coach calls out 2-5 numbers, players come out and play for a minute or two. 
  4. With younger players give one side the ball to start. With older kids, the ball can be rolled out and the players can compete for possession of the ball.  
  5. After play is stopped repeat the process. 

Once the players are lined up on the sideline, the coach will yell out TWO numbers to start. This will make sure that the players have a chance to run up and down and get their hands on the ball. 4 possessions will be the maximum for this age group. The coach will blow the whistle to stop play and the players will return to the sideline.

Once the players have returned, a new set of numbers will be called out and the process will be repeated until all the players have had a turn. The coach should type out the order before the session.

1st grouping 2 v. 2

1, 2

3, 4

5, 6

7, 8

9, 10

11, 12

Coaches should evaluate the play of 2 v. 2. If you feel it is fun and the players are benefiting, simply continue playing 2 v. 2 with different combinations of players. I have found it adds excitement for the players when an additional player is added.

2nd 3 v. 3

1, 2, 3

4, 5, 6

7, 8, 9,

10, 11, 12

9, 10

11, 12

Again, evaluate the success of the 3 v. 3. The older the players are the more likely more players will make the experience better for the players and their development.

3rd 4 v. 4

1, 2, 3, 4

5, 6, 7, 8

9, 10, 11, 12

Personally, I feel 4 v. 4 is the highest number of players on a court at young ages, because in 5 v. 5, one player usually gets the ball, dribbles the length of the court and shoots a crazy shot. That means 9 players are standing watching. At least with 4 v. 4 only 7 will be watching.

Hopefully some coaches find this a useful option to uses with a team or league.

The one problem that needs to be figured out is if one team has 10 and the other has 12. I think the best way is to simply have players on the team assume 2 numbers or the coach can alternate who gets the extra shift. 

Teaching Basketball Layups: No Dribble Layups & 1 Dribble Layups

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The following drills are designed to help players develop the correct footwork for taking layups and should be introduced once the previous two drills, no step, imaginary lay-ups & No step lay-ups have been mastered. It might be wise for a coach to review these drills and have the players complete some repetitions before introducing these drills.

2 feet together, one step, no dribble lay-up: This drill adds a step, but no dribble. Hopefully, the majority of the players have successfully completed the previous drills. It is important to allow for success and not rush players to the next drill until they have mastered the previous drill.  It is ok to spend several practices mastering a new skill.

The starting point for this drill should be nearly identical to the previous one, maybe a few inches back. The player starts with both feet together. The player steps with the plant foot and drives the shooting knee and shooting elbow to the rim. The player shoots the ball. Remind the players to keep the elbow and knee on a string.

Coaching Point: Driviing the knee to the basket is a very important coaching point that not all players can master quickly. Identify a player who drives his knee the best and have this player demonstrate for the others. 

Simple Steps: 

  1. Start with both feet together.
  2. Take one step with the plant foot.
  3. At the same team me, raise shooting elbow (like raising your hand in class) and drive the shooting knee to the rim: “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING.”
  4. Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square.

One Dribble Lay-up: This drills add the difficulty of using a dribble. The player uses the same starting point and the same footwork as the previous drill. The player executes a strong hand dribble, at the same time the player steps with the plant foot. The player will pick up the dribble and proceed to shoot the lay-up, using the correct footwork. This is a great time to teach the concept of taking the ball from “hip to rim.”

Simple Steps:

  1. Both feet together
  2. Dribble and step with plant foot
  3. Raise shooting elbow and shooting knee: “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING”
  4. Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square

Teaching Basketball Lay-ups: Elbow and Knee on a String

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Teaching Lay-ups

Once a player has learned how to dribble a basketball, the next natural progression is to attempt to score. This is challenging for most youth (and high school) players. A player who can “score the basketball” will be a valuable member of any team. 

As a coach, I know there are so many valuable aspects of basketball other than scoring, but scoring is the most recognized and for a player, the most enjoyable. Players who can score have confidence, get more shots, and will likely practice more than a player who has difficulty scoring. 

Young players LOVE to see the ball go through the basket. 1st grade players are typically ages 6 & 7. It is HIGHLY recommended that for this age you follow the USA Basketball Guidelines. The most important recommendations are:

  • Basketball Size 5 (27.5”)
  • Basketball height 8 feet
  • Practice length 30 – 60 minutes (once per week)
  • Games 20 – 28 minutes long (once per week)

As players develop and grow older (3rd grade) it is important to really teach age-appropriate fundamentals really well and in basic terms. Dave Hopla, the greatest shooting coach in the world, uses so many word associations when teaching how to shoot a ball correctly. The word associations remind players of the fundamentals. Anytime you can keep the instruction simple, and easy to remind and remember it is always good.

“ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING” is very useful to help players understand the correct footwork when taking layups. A coach can have fun with explaining this by sharing that we should imagine there is a great puppeteer controlling a player. When a player takes a correct layup, the puppeteer will make sure that the elbow and knee lift at the same exact time.

When a player takes a right-handed lay-up, the right elbow and right knee should raise at the same time. When taking a left handed lay-up, the left elbow and left knee should be raised at the same time. It is essential that correct footwork be stressed when teaching lay-ups.

Basketball Lay-ups: Fundamental Teaching Progression

When teaching lay-ups, it is important for developing players to learn the correct footwork. The following teaching progression is a great way to teach developing players the correct way to shoot lay-ups.

These two drills are the most basic and should be introduced at the age you feel your child or team can properly execute the fundamental. Players should master one skill before moving on to the next. Be sure to praise correct footwork, even if the shot is missed. Making the shot will come with time and practice. Players need to develop the correct footwork first, and worry about making the shots later. Hopefully many of the players will learn the correct footwork and at the same time make the shot! 

Before explaining the drills, introduce some vocabulary and word associations to the team.

“Plant foot” This is the non=shooting foot. It will be the foot the player will jump off. In the early drills this foot should remain on the ground – NO JUMP. A coach can gently stand of the foot of a player who has trouble not jumping.

“Drive Knee” For the purpose of reinforcement, I like the term drive knee to emphasize the need for a player to REALLY explode the knee to the basket. Some players will simply LIFT the knee instead of driving it when first learning. That is ok. The drive will come at different points for different players. Even if a player cannot execute the fundamental, it is great they they know and can explain what they SHOULD do.

“Hip to Rim” The players should have the ball on the shooting hip and raise the ball to the backboard. Players should never swing the ball across the body, although younger players may have a tendency to do this.

“Raise Your Hand” When shooting the layup, the player should raise the hand like they would in a classroom. It is a bad habit to take an underhanded layup. Stress that the player raises the shooting hand as high as possible.

Two Most Basic Layup Drills

1. No step, imaginary lay-ups: Using the correct footwork is so important when teaching players how to properly take a lay-up. Before complicating the skill by adding a basketball and dribbles, have the players take an “imaginary” lay-up, shooting an imaginary ball. This is a drill for players first learning how to shoot a lay-up. The best thing about this drill is that no one will miss.

The player starts with his plant foot forward (left foot for right-handed players and right foot for left-handed players) and the shooting foot with the DRIVE KNEE slightly behind.

The

On the coaches command, players should lift the shooting elbow and DRIVE KNEE at the same time. Once players have taken (and MADE) several imaginary shots, it is time to add the basketball.

2. No step lay-ups: Now the scary part begins… adding a basketball. Set up two cones at the spot where the player will take the layup. The cones will be very close to the basket and should be in the idea position to shoot the ball at the top corner of the square.

Like the imaginary lay-up, a player starts with his plant foot forward (left foot for right-handed players and right foot for left-handed players) and the shooting foot slightly behind. The player will lift the shooting elbow and drive knee at the same time. The player will shoot the ball aiming for the top corner of the square. After shooting the ball, the player goes to the end of the line.

Coaches should praise:

  • really driving the knee to the basketball
  • raising the shooting arm as high as possible
  • using the backboard and hitting as close to the top corner of the square as possible.

Simple Steps: 

  1. Plant foot slightly forward.
  2. KEEPING THE PLANT FOOT IN PLACE, drive the shooting knee to the basket and raise the shooting elbow at the same time: “ELBOW AND KNEE ON A STRING.”
  3. Shoot the lay-up, aiming for top corner of the square.

Coaching Point: Have TWO lines. One for righties and one for lefties. Never make lefties learn from the right sight. It is too hard and it is not fair. If you have more than one coach, have groups at each basket to maximize repetitions.

Be sure to make sure the players are provided with the proper angle to make the shot.

Be the BEST Basketball Buddy

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This is possibly the best job in the entire world! It is a position ideal for a parent, grandparent of sibling. It can be the most rewarding and enjoyable job you ever have, but there will be no financial compensation, and may even cost you several thousand dollars.

What is a basketball buddy? A basketball buddy is the person who does everything possible to make basketball fun for a child RIGHT NOW. If you do your job well, your role might continue to high school and for a rare few into college.

But remember:

  • Most youth basketball players never play in a high school program.
  • If they do play in a high school program, they might not ever play a varsity minute.
  • If they play varsity they will probably be a role player and never start.
  • College basketball (I, II, III) is for the BEST high school players.

  1. Have a Baby’s 1st Basketball in the Crib: You never can start too early.
  2. Buy a Little Tykes Hoop: A great way to develop hand-eye coordination while having fun.
  3. Read Basketball Books Together: Develop a passion for reading. It is a great habit to read each night with your buddy. Certainly read non-basketball books too.
  4. Be a Basketball Friend: Be a friend. Make basketball fun. DO NOT BE CRITICAL. It is your child’s journey help the player enjoy each step.
  5. Be a Timer: There are many FUN drills that work on developing fundamental basketball skills. Timing the player and letting them know how many seconds are left is a great help. Your help will probably motivate the player to work harder than if he / she is working alone. Start by working on individual layup drills.
  6. Be a Workout Partner:
  7. Be a Passer:
  8. Have Fun: Be a “buddy.” Know and age-appropriate drills and games and encourage age-appropriate skills.
  9. Be A Worthy Opponent: Play one-on-one.
  10. Be a Chauffeur

AAU Individual Preseason

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August 17th – September 13th (28 days)

The time between the team final tryout and the 1st practice is a critical time for an AAU basketball player. It is the time to sharpen individual skills. Many AAU teams focus a majority of practice time on team fundamentals, press defenses, press breaks, and set plays. This small window if used correctly can prepare a player to make a great 1st impression at the start of the AAU season.

During this time a player should focus on individual workouts. Really put in the time to improve individual fundamental skills. The fall season is quick and you want to be ready to contribute and shine at the 1st tryout. Try to make a great 1st impression. The best way to do this is to just keep working.

It is also important to remember that the high school season will be right around the corner once AAU finishes, and the ultimate goal of any high school player should be to have a great high school season.

High School Basketball: Just Keep Working

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If you want to be a good basketball player, you have to be exceptional in your work ethic. You have to “Just Keep Working” no matter what.

Summer (June – August)

  1. If it is the last day of school… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  2. If you are attending a Summer Basketball Camp… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  3. If you are playing summer league… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  4. If you did not get selected to play summer league… JUST KEEP WORKING!

July

Fall (September – November)

October

  1. It is October, the last full month of the high school basketball off-season… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  2. It is Homecoming… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  3. It is Columbus Day… JUST KEEP WORKING!

September

  1. If it the 1st day of school… JUST KEEP WORKING!

General

  1. If your parents do not support you… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  2. If you are talking to college coaches… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  3. If you are not talking to college coaches…. JUST KEEP WORKING!
  4. If you are not reclassifying… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  5. If you are reclassifying… JUST KEEP WORKING!

Winter (December – March)

  1. Freshman Year: If you make the freshman, JV, or varsity team… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  2. Sophomore Year: If you make the JV, or varsity team… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  3. Junior Year: If you make the JV, or varsity team… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  4. Senior Year: If you make the JV, or varsity team… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  5. If you made a game winning free throw?… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  6. If you made a game winning shot?… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  7. If you missed a game winning free throw?… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  8. If you missed a game winning shot?… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  9. If your parents support you… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  10. If start or are the last player on the bench… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  11. If you get a DNP CD (did not play – coaches’ decision)… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  12. If you earn a starting position… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  13. If you lose a starting position… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  14. If you are on a league championship team… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  15. If you are on the worst team in the league… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  16. If you do not make the state tournament… JUST KEEP WORKING!
  17. If you win a state championship… JUST KEEP WORKING!

Spring (March – June)

  1. If you make the top AAU team, bottom AAU team, or get cut from an AAU team… JUST KEEP WORKING!

AAU Basketball Team Selection: The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

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There are many great benefits to AAU basketball, but there also are many challenges, setbacks, and frustrations. One of the most mentally challenging parts of AAU for many players and parents is selecting the right program that will fit the needs of a child and provide an opportunity for a child to grow as a player and person. Then there is the selection of the teams.

AAU programs have many factors when selecting players for a team. They also have additional factors when placing the players selected for an AAU program on the appropriate level team. What are the deciding factors on placing a player on the top level team or the bottom level team, and all the team in between? The answer is not much.

AAU is a business, so the program directors need to fill all the spots. Not every player selected will accept the spot. They may have tried out for multiple programs and find another team is a better fit. They may come to tryouts just for the opportunity to plan. These players may have no interest whatsoever in playing AAU. And others may feel snubbed the the level team they are placed on. Parents need to remember the difference between the 8th player on the top team and the 3rd player on the 2nd team is very little.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

The days between the final tryout and the announcement of teams can feel like an eternity. With social media and the digital world we live in, players will find out quickly once a few players receive and invitation. Depending on the number of teams, the top players will be contacted first and will be given a 24 – 48 hour window to respond.

Some players will choose to accept the offer to be on a team, and others will reject the offer. When a player rejects a position, the next player on the depth chart will be contacted. Once the top team has all the roster spots filled, the next team will be contacted and the process will be repeated until all teams and spots are filled.

Top Players: Nearly all competitive AAU programs seek to attract the best players in a grade. In some cases, with some programs, these players are guaranteed a spot and do not have to tryout. Most programs have a player attend at least one tryout. The coaches will select the best players to fill a roster which is typically 10 – 12 players.

These players have very little stress.

Lower Level Players: Many programs will have multiple teams, and it is clear to the coaching staff that some players will definitely be a good fit for an elite, regional, or local level. There is no question where the player will fit in.

Bubble Players: This is probably the most stressful position to be in. The question with this player is will he / she be placed on the top level team and be one of the last players on the depth chart, or will he / she be on a lower level team and have a more prominent role as a starter. As any parent, or youth coach knows if you switch the top 3 players from the lower team with the bottom 3 players on the upper team, there is probably no difference whatsoever in the season, but for those 6 players, the experiences will be different.

This might be the most frustrating position to be in, because although the coaches know this player will be an important part of the program, the player is the last to hear what team he /she is on. This will lead to days of anxiety and questioning. When the email is finally received it a complete relief. The only question is will you accept your placement?

Final Picks / Waiting List: These players are like the B list to a wedding. If others decline the invitation, the coaches will go to the B list and ask players until the rosters are filled. These spots are a great chance for a player to improve, but parents and players should understand the big picture of this player’s skill level.

All teams will handle the announcement of the teams differently, but players should know within a week.