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!