The No-Cut Basketball Travel “A” Team

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

  • Should I Coach Youth Basketball?

The title of this post might seem like a trailer for a scary Halloween movie or a Mike Lupica book. But it can happen and does happen. The big question is how does it happen and then more importantly how should a coach approach the season.

Some grades will have a low turnout for a variety of reasons, but there is always hope until the 1st tryout that a few more bodies might show up.

The goals of a youth basketball tryouts are:

  1. Evaluate the Talent: The tryout should include drills, half-court, and full-court games that will allow the evaluation committee to see the skills level individual players
  2. Select 1 – 4 “Travel Teams:” This is often the most challenging aspect or a tryout because the differences between skill levels of youth basketball players, particularly at younger ages, is not always clear. Many parents will be sending emails to the coaches and directors once the teams are posted.

In this particular situation, 11 players showed up for the tryout. To put this in perspective the grade above this team had over 70 players tryout and there were 4 travel teams. The grade below also was very competitive and had over 50 players tryout.

What Should a Coach Do?

The best thing for a coach to do is stick with the tryout schedule. The coach surely spent a great deal of time preparing a variety of drills and games to assess the skill level of the players. This would be the team he/she will be coaching so it is an amazing opportunity to really focus on the players. The coach can evaluate basketball skills, but additionally work ethic and the ability to listen.

At this particular tryout it was clear there was one particular player who really had no interest in being there. Asking questions like “When will this be over?” and “Are we done yet?”

The good news was there were no cuts and no nasty emails to respond to. The bad news was there were no cuts and there were several, if not ALL players who did not possess the skills be on a “A” Travel Team.

Here is the 4th Grade Tryout schedule

Stay tuned… our next post will be about How to Coach the Worst Team in the League?

Yearly Youth Basketball Coaching Plan

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

The following is a list of youth basketball ideas for each month. Each region of American will have different schedules, so adjust the ideas based on your season and age group.

October

Review Basketball Library: We have always found it helpful to spend some time reviewing your favorite basketball instruction books. This will get your mind thinking basketball.

Youth Basketball: December

Youth Basketball Year: June

Youth Basketball Year: September

#1 Coaching Youth Basketball Book

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

Coaching Youth Basketball-5th Edition by Don Showalter is the best book we have come across for youth basketball coaches. Here are our top 10 reasons why:

This is the best purchase you can make for $5.99 you cannot go wrong.

  1. Author: Don Showalter is the director of youth and sport development of basketball. He has held this position since 2016. He is the most knowledgable individual about developing basketball skills and players. In addition he was a high school coach for 42 years. 42 years! That is greater than the average age of a youth basketball coach. (Made up stat, but probably true.)
  2. 5th Edition: The book stands the test of time. 5 editions is incredible. Many coaches, parents and players have seen the value in this resource.
  3. USA Basketball: He is surrounded by the best minds in basketball. He shares ideas with some of the greatest players and coaches in the world. His job is basketball.
  4. Age Specific Focus: As a youth coach, the age-specific focus is priceless. Coaches all possess a background in basketball, but not a background in 1st or 8th grade basketball. Each age group is capable of learning different skills. This is invaluable for practice planning.
  5. Rule Modifications for different ages: Once again these recommendations come with the support of USA basketball.
  6. Teaching: The goal of coaching youth is to teach young players basketball. It seems teaching is the driving focus of this book.
  7. Drills, Drills, Drills: The drills in the book are fantastic for rookie and veteran coaches.
  8. Pictures: The pictures do a great job of presenting a visual that might answer questions. There are plenty of pictures that all are very helpful.
  9. Coaching Tips: The tips are very helpful in explaining the drill and how it might apply to the bigger picture.
  10. Checklist and Forms: The least enjoyable, but in many ways the most important aspect of coaching. It is all here prepared for all youth coaches.

Coaching 1st Grade 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”, Here are the results:

There are some good resources to get started.

  1. Pre-Season Email
  2. Top 10 Things to Remember About Coaching 1st Grade Basketball
  3. 1st Grade 1 hour Practice Plan
  4. 1st Grade Basketball: Weekly Shooting Progress Chart
  5. Take a Family Dribble Walk

Kidssports: 22-page Coaches Manual: This is a solid starting point.

YMCA: Prairie Nebraska: 29-page manual: Included in the manual is 10 detailed practice plans.

Online Basketball Drills: 1 page

Breakthrough Basketball: 1 Questions with 29 answers.

Basketball for Coaches: 73 Drills

Inch & Miles: Amazing Children’s Book

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

This is the 1st book in any basketball library should be Inch and Miles: The Journey to Success. It is an amazing book that will help children develop a healthy definition of success that they can use in sports, school, and life.

The story takes two friends Inch and Miles on a journey to learn the blocks of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. The main characters, Inch and Miles, are given a magical whistle by Coach Wooden to help them on their journey to understand the meaning of success.

The colorful characters that Inch and Miles encounter are unique. Each represents one block in the Pyramid of Success.


Inch and Miles: The Journey to Success is a great resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and any person who works closely with children.

Click here to buy on amazon: https://amzn.to/4feh9kt

In a classroom, a teacher could read one section a week or a day. A youth basketball coach could encourage the parents to buy a copy and read to the child.

It is a great book for many reasons.

  1. The Pyramid of Success: It is based on John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success which is a great blue print for life. Every parents, youth coach, and youth athlete can benefit from learning and applying the blocks of the pyramid to life.
  2. Colorful Characters: Each character is colorful and drawn with incredible skill. The message of each character is presented in a rhyming poem. It is fun to read and great to hear.
  3. Excitement: The story has a great plot and leaves the readers waiting

Below are the blogs for each theme:
Inch and Miles: The Magic Whistle: As our heroes begin the quest to find the answer to Mr. Wooden’s question, what is success? Inch and Miles are given a special whistle that will be of great assistance on their journey to understanding success. Below are Mr. Wooden’s final words of advice to our heroes:

The First Row

Cornerstone: Axelrod the Ant: Hard Work: Axelrod the Ant teaches Inch and Miles about one of the cornerstones to the John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Axelrod is the first character Inch and Miles meet. Axelrod shares his story of hard work.

Charlie the Chimp: Friendship

Loyalty

Betty the Bee: Cooperation
Cornerstone: Rhonda the Robin: Enthusiasm

The 2nd Row
Tess the Trout: Self-Control
Rascal the Rabbit: Alertness
Skittles the Squirell: Action
Fred the Frog: Determination

The 3rd Row
Hugh the Horse: Fitness
Silky the Spider: Skill
Louie the Lion: Team Spirit

The 4th Row
Everett the Eagle: Poise
Albert the Alligator: Confidence

The Top of the Pyramid
Personal Best

Create a Basketball Library

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

We will share with you some of out favorite basketball books for all ages.

How to Coach Girls: by Mia Wenjen & Alison Foley A fantastic book for any coach of girls. Click here to view on Amazon https://amzn.to/4flvk7c 4.8 stars Read reviews

Basketball Shooting by Dave Hopla: #1 Book for Teaching Players How to Shoot a Basketball This is the best instructional book on shooting basketball. It is really helpful for coaches. Being able to help players improve shooting with great technique and many drills from form shooting to moving drills. Read the full book review…

Walk-On Warrior is a personal account of John Wilkkon’s experience as a walk-on basketball player at Marquette University. It is a great read for current and former basketball. It available on Amazon. Click here to view on amazon: https://amzn.to/3YlExX9

Fall River Dreams: The Friday Night Lights of High School Basketball: Fall River Dreams is a MUST read for any committed high school basketball player or coach, especially if you live in Massachusetts. Below are some 5 reasons this books is a great resource. Read full book review

Children’s Books

Inch & Miles: Amazing Children’s Book: What a great book to read to young children. The characters are amazing and teach great life lessons from John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.

Coaching Youth Basketball 5th Edition is #1 Coaching Youth Basketball Book: Read a full review of book. This is a GREAT resource for youth coaches of all levels.

Click here to buy on amazon: https://amzn.to/4feh9kt

High School books

Click here to view on amazon: https://amzn.to/46alnp5

Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball From A to Z 

Click here to view on amazon: https://amzn.to/3zYmzA1

Click here to view on amazon: https://amzn.to/3YlExX9

Walk On Warrior by John Willkom

Basketball Bucket List: Great Basketball Experiences

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

Many people create a bucket list of important things they hope to accomplish. Lou Holtz had an impressive list of 107 items. He accomplished so many of them including meeting the Pope, coaching at Notre Dame, and winning a National Championship.

Like any bucket list, items can be revised, added and completed at any time.

  1. Create a Basketball Library: We are old school. We feel books are the best way to process and understand basketball. There are so many great ones out there. Ask your fellow coaches for recommendations.
  2. Attend a Dave Hopla Shooting Lecture or a Dave Hopla Shooting Camp (HoopGroup): (@DaveHopla) Seeing an expert in his / her field is impressive. Coach Hopla often makes over 98% of his shots. in our humble opinion he is the World’s Best Shooting Instructor. It is truly amazing to see shot after shot hit the bottom of the net. His instruction has been perfected after decades of studying the art of shooting. His shooting tips are easy to understand and remember. Players and coaches of all ages and skills levels can benefit IMMENSELY from learning from the best!
  3. Have a Hoop at Home: Every parent and player should have a basket in the driveway, on a garage, or out front. It is an absolute must – NO EXCUSE.
  4. Attend an Overnight Basketball Camp.
  5. Attend a Harlem GlobeTrotters Game: AMAZING family experience. So much fun. Great player – crowd interaction.
  6. Play Recreation or In-Town Basketball
  7. Attend a Summer Recreation Basketball Clinic
  8. Attend a High School Basketball Game.
  9. Attend a College Basketball Game
  10. Attend a ProCamps camp – Amazing experience!
  11. Play Travel Basketball
  12. Play AAU Basketball
  13. CoachUp @CoachUp

Coaching Youth Basketball: ONE, TWO, THREE

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

We spent several years trying to choose a great name for a youth basketball website. We finally decided on the name youthbasketball123. Below are some of the top reasons for our choice:

  1. It was available at Go Daddy and hopefully will be easy for youth basketball players, parents, and coaches to find.
  2. There is no website that seemed to focus on coaching basketball in 1st grade, 2nd grade, or 3rd grade. This website will have resources to help coaches and players in this age group.
  3. The teaching progression of ONE Player drills, TWO player drills, and THREE player drills.

When coaching youth sports it is best to follow the KISS Method of instruction: “KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID.” (There is no better author than me to write about this method.)

Using the KISS method, this website will use a “1, 2, 3” teaching progression to teach the basic fundamentals of basketball. Equally as important as the 1-2-3 teaching progression, is the need to use age-appropriate drills that will be fun and allow the player to achieve some level of success.

With all drills we will try to put the “FUN” in FUNdamentals. Younger players are so young and will have so few basic skills, that coaching can be an overwhelming challenge. This website is designed to simplify youth basketball coaching in a fun and positive way.  Along the way, the players will learn the skills that help them reach the next level in their very young basketball careers. 

1, 2, 3 Teaching Philosophy

For each fundamental skill, we will provide 1, 2, and 3 player drills. 

ONE: 1 = individual skills. Before playing TEAM basketball, a player needs to learn basic individual fundamental skills. These drills introduce a basketball fundamental in a simple way. These drills can be practiced individually with the goal of of improvement in the early years, and mastery with age. 

TWO: Once the individual skills have been mastered individually, a 2nd player may be added. Introducing 2-man basketball will keep it simple (KISS) and should not overwhelm the players. 

THREE: Later in a season, and with age and experience, it will be appropriate to add a 3rd player to a drill or game. Three man basketball is a great teaching tool. Players can use all the individual skills and apply them in a small-sided game. 3 players is great for teaching younger players. Require each player to touch the ball before a shot is taken. Players should try to use all the different cuts.

Thanks for reading!

The Idea of “Youth Basketball 1, 2, 3”

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

The idea for this website came in early December 2012. I was a volunteer coach for 1st and 2nd grade boys. I had played basketball since attending my 1st camp in 2nd grade (1978). I  played high school and college basketball and coached high school basketball for 19 years. A lifetime of playing and coaching basketball COULD NOT prepare me for my 1st youth practice with 1st and 2nd graders…. 

It was an eye-opening introduction to the world of youth sports. 

I entered this 1st practice armed with a whistle, a few balls, some cones and my own personal basketball background. The league provided no curriculum, no age-appropriate drills, and no recommendations for the season.  

As a teacher, I found this lack of guidance by the league a little shocking. But I had many years of coaching a variety of sports at a variety of levels. I felt confident in my practice plan and was prepared to run a practice that kept the players moving and taught the most basic fundamental skills.

After supervising the most basic of ball-handling drills, I realized simply dribbling a ball was a challenge for most players this age. I could not imagine what a full court game would look like. 

The majority of the players were participating in organized basketball for the first time in their lives. After a brief introduction, I started with a few dribbling drills to evaluate the skill level of the players. 10 minutes into the practice, the opposing coach interrupted the drill to ask “Are you ready to scrimmage 5 on 5?” 

“Are you ready to scrimmage 5 on 5?” 

This question caught me completely off guard. Looking back 9 years later, I realized it may have been one of the dumbest questions I have ever been asked in basketball. Since most of my team had never be in on organized basketball team, it would make sense to have MORE practice time instead of less.

The one thing the league did provide was a format for the league. Each session was one hour. (Very appropriate for this age group.) The first thirty minutes was for team practice and the final 30 minutes would be a 5 vs. 5 scrimmage. Since the format was the one set of guidelines provided by the league, I was able to buy myself another 20 minutes of practice time, until the full court scrimmage. 

As expected, the full court session was some of the ugliest, violation filled basketball in history. It was painful to watch as one player dribbled, and more often simply RAN without dribbling, the length of the court to heave a field goal attempt at the basket. 

At that moment, I realized that there was no set curriculum for teaching basketball to this age group. Unlike most of the the other parent / volunteer coaches, I have read dozens of books on coaching basketball, attended clinics with world class lecturers, coached varsity high school basketball, and directed youth camps. 

Despite my basketball coaching experience and knowledge, I was not prepared, in anyway, to coach a team of 5 and 6 year olds. It was going to be a challenging season with very little guidance.

This website is my attempt to provide youth coaches with practical, age-appropriate drills and instruction that will help lay the groundwork for a positive season for the coaches and youngest players in organized basketball. There will be detailed drills, practice plans and skills that are specific to this age. 

Thanks for reading! Good luck this season!