Coaches Manual 1 st and 2 nd Grade Division

Coaches Manual 1 st and 2 nd Grade Division 1

Overall Objective of WBA Grade 1-2 Division: Promote the development of fundamental basketball skills among beginner players in a safe and fun environment. Specifically, we aim for the 1 st year players to: 1) Have fun and enjoy the sport. 2) Dribble from backcourt to front court in a straight line while running at a comfortable speed. 3) Dribble around the key at a comfortable speed while blocking the ball with the non-dribbling hand. 4) Dribble backcourt to front court in a straight line unopposed with the non-dominant hand. 5) Catch and receive chest and bounce pass 10 feet from another player. 6) Demonstrate a general understanding of half-court and man-to-man defense. 7) Demonstrate a general understanding of blocking a shot and rebounding. Specifically, we aim for the 2 nd year players to: 1) Have fun and enjoy the sport 2) Dribble with right and left hands up and down the court as a fast jog pace 3) Switch dribble between right and left hands with defensive pressure 4) Dribble in and out cones switching hands 5) Catch and receive bounce and chest passes during dynamic movement around court 6) Demonstrate good shooting form unopposed 7) Demonstrate good man-to-man defense 8) Demonstrate good shot blocking technique (arms up, position between player and hoop) Coach s responsibility: 1) Create a fun and supportive learning environment for the players. 2) Communicate your season goals and expectations to parents and establish good communication in terms of practice/game times, pictures, etc. Welcome feedback from the parents regarding your team and the WBA more broadly. 3) Come prepared for practices/games. Time goes by very quickly and having a plan allows for more effective use of time with your players and fully engaged kids. 4) Work collaboratively with the referees to establish an optimal learning environment. 5) Bring any concerns to the WBA in a timely manner (e.g., concerns of a parent, difficult parentcoach/player interactions). 6) If a parent becomes very angry at you or any aspect of the WBA, we recommend that you tell the parent that you will be happy to talk with him/her at a later date. Get his/her phone number and call the next day or two. If the situation has resolved, then consider if any information needs to be brought forward to the WBA. If the situation has not resolved, let the parent know he/she may bring a complaint to the age directors and/or referee coordinator who will bring it to the WBA board. 2

Equipment and overall practice/game model: Each team will be given 90 minutes one day/week for a practice/game session. Generally the first 45 minutes will be focused on fundamental techniques and skills and the last 45 minutes will be a game format. A running clock will be kept consisting of 6, 6-minute periods. Score will be displayed on scoreboards for each half but will be reset to zero at each half. Games will not be played in a win/lose format. Referees will be involved with the games as described below. Coaches are not allowed on the floor during the games in which the referees are officiating unless a player is hurt, players need assistance lining up for foul shots, or players need to be matched for man-to-man defense. Coaches should not bring balls or remove WBA balls from the gym. Players should not bring basketballs or remove them from the gym. WBA Rules for 1 st -2 nd grade division (Rules below are in brief: See WBA rules for additional information) 1) Running clock, 6 periods, 6 minutes; clock stops only for ref time outs 2) Technical foul shots will not be implemented for illegal defenses. Players will be instructed when an illegal defense is made and the referees will facilitate proper defense rules with awarding the ball to the offensive player 3) Personal fouls are called; 5 fouls and pulled from the game; 2 foul shots awarded for shooting fouls 4) Foul shots (4 feet in from foul line) 5) Half-court defense (coaches and refs facilitate) 6) Man-to-man defense (must pick up player as they cross half-court; violation: hanging out in key waiting for player to come into the key); 7) No double-teaming (two defensive players cannot guard one offensive player) 8) No traveling 9) No double dribbling 10) Equal play-time as per WBA regulations 11) 8-foot height baskets Other coach pointers: 1) Players should be matched for man-to-man defense at the beginning of each period. Coaches should communicate together to make sure skill matches are optimal. This needs to be done quickly so that games are not delayed. If you have a player who is very timid or very aggressive let the other coach know so he/she can best match player skills. 3

2) Players need to be ready to go out on the floor at the beginning of the period. Ask parents to let you know if their child will not be attending the game session and PLAN your periods of play in advance so you can get the players on the floor quickly. 3) DO NOT talk to the refs during the game. Please direct all your comments/questions about officiating to the age directors and/or the referee coordinator. 4) Make sure your players sit on the bench during the game. 5) Coaches must stay in the coaches box near the bench during the games. 4

WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEK 1 SESSION Introductions 10- Names, T-shirt distribution, team name NA NA min. Warm-up Dribbling/ball handling (might want to split squad w/passing or shooting) (split squad w/ dribbling or shooting) NOTES: Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Perform the following activities from baseline to midcourt and/or sideline (identify lines on court) Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks Defensive slides o On balls of feet, feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, head and hands up, slide feet WITHOUT crossing o Point in direction for players to change directions Fingertip control (don t slap with palm); no higher than hip height; head up; triple-threat position; shield ball with opposite arm; body between ball and defender Chest and bounce passes: hands on side of ball/thumbs toward chest; push arms forward and rotate thumbs down for follow-through; ball to go to teammate s waist Receiving Ball: Come towards ball; catch with hands (not body); triple-threat position FINGER TAPS: Tap ball back and forth using finger tips at chest height (challenge: how many taps can they get in 15/30 seconds) RED LIGHT/GREEN LIGHT Red=stop, yellow=go slow, green=go fast Add other colors for triple-threat position, pivot, alternate hands, or something fun (e.g. dance). Be creative!! CATEPILLAR Form line behind coach. Team follows coach around court while dribbling NUMBERS While players dribble they must shout out the number of fingers coach is holding up Stand in two lines or a circle and pass ball across circle to teammates in random pattern. Might want to work on in-bounding ball using sideline. Get low on slides and maintain proper form Use weak hand Keep head up Alternate hands Maintain pivot foot when passing and receiving WEEK 1 CONTINUED 5

triple-threat position; BEEFS: balance (feet Practice form without and with ball. Practice shot one at a time from the straight to basket and shoulder width apart; block. Use backboard. Try to avoid one long line with kids standing around. knees bent (get strength and power from knees); eyes on target; elbow bent under ball (non-dominant hand balancing ball); followthrough with wrist; swish Shooting (split squad w/dribbling or passing) Man-to-man defense Discuss game play 5-min Game play-30 minutes @ 55 minutes into practice END PRACTICE/GAME Notes: Explain that man-to-man defense means each player guards (covers) one person (the defender is the persons shadow) Demonstrate man-to-man defense and staying between person you are guarding and the basket Demonstrate defensive stance (see warmups) and putting hands up when offensive player stops dribbling Walk players around parts of the court (Point out/quiz on mid-court/side/end baseline; Point out key Discuss half-court line and half-court manto-man defense rule Discuss/demonstrate staying inbounds and keeping ball in play by staying inside baseline and sidelines Discuss/Demonstrate inbound plays from sidelines and after basket is made Scrimmage; Coaches on the floor, teaching game play and rules, coaches should freeze players for teaching moments 5 minutes before end of session to allow next group to enter FOLLOW THE LEADER: matched players man-to-man defense; might want to try red light, green light or some game; do without a ball Quiz on lines Quiz on half-court defense Pair players with matched skill; Aim to run 4 5-minute periods, try to have each player play at least two periods Coach on bench talking with the kids about half-court defense rules and man-to-man guarding; point out what players on the floor are doing well Pull team together quickly; and facilitate leaving the bench area Progress to man-toman follow the leader game with one person dribbling Quiz on offensive and defensive rebounds and where players should be 6

WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEK 2 SESSION Warm-up Dribbling (split squad w/ shooting) Shooting (split squad w/passing) Game Play 5-min Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Perform the following activities from baseline to midcourt and/or sideline (identify lines on court) Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks Defensive slides o On balls of feet, feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, head and hands up, slide feet WITHOUT crossing o Point in direction for players to change directions Fingertip control (don t slap with palm); no higher than hip height; head up; triple-threat position; shield ball with opposite arm; body between ball and defender Chest and bounce passes: hands on side of ball/thumbs toward chest; push arms forward and rotate thumbs down for followthrough; ball to go to teammate s waist Receiving Ball: Come towards ball; catch with hands (not body); triple-threat position triple-threat position; BEEFS: balance (feet straight to basket and shoulder width apart; knees bent (get strength and power from knees); eyes on target; elbow bent under ball (non-dominant hand balancing ball); followthrough with wrist; swish Remind players of man-to-man defense; halfcourt defense, and coast-to-coast rules RED LIGHT/GREEN LIGHT Red=stop, yellow=go slow, green=go fast Add other colors for triple-threat position, pivot, alternate hands, or something fun (e.g. dance). Be creative!! CATEPILLAR Form line behind coach. Team follows coach around court while dribbling NUMBERS While players dribble they must shout out the number of fingers coach is holding up Stand in circle and pass ball across circle to teammates in random pattern. Improvise with hot potato game Practice shot one at a time from the block. Use backboard. Demonstrate defensive stance and sliding, as well as hands up Identify out-of-bounds lines and half-court Get low on slides and maintain proper form Use weak hand Keep head up Maintain pivot foot when passing and receiving 7

WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEK 3 SESSION Warm-up Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Perform the following activities from baseline to midcourt and/or sideline (identify lines on court) Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks Defensive slides o On balls of feet, feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, head and hands up, slide feet WITHOUT crossing o Point in direction for players to change directions 8 Get low on slides and maintain proper form Choose from below pending team needs and/or split squad based on skill needs Dribbling Fingertip control (don t slap with palm); Drills around objects up and down lines Using both hands alternate hands; high/low; around obstacles; Shooting (split squad w/passing) (split squad w/ shooting) Layups Game Play 5-min lateral slides triple-threat position; BEEFS: balance (feet straight to basket and shoulder width apart; knees bent (get strength and power from knees); eyes on target; elbow bent under ball (non-dominant hand balancing ball); followthrough with wrist; swish Chest and bounce passes: hands on side of ball/thumbs toward chest; push arms forward and rotate thumbs down for followthrough; ball to go to teammate s waist Receiving Ball: Come towards ball; catch with hands (not body); triple-threat position Dribble on angle toward hoop Jump off inside foot Outside knees thrusts toward hoop Use outside arm for shooting hand (TIP: Pretend string tied from elbow to knee) Shoot ball off backboard Remind players of man-to-man defense; halfcourt defense, and coast-to-coast rules Practice shot one at a time from the block. Use backboard. Stand in circle and pass ball across circle to teammates in random pattern. Improvise with hot potato game; monkey in the middle LAYUP LINES (one ball) Two lines starting at foul-line extended on either side of key o One line for layups o Other line for rebounders First player in layup line dribbles in for layup First player in rebound line rebounds ball and passes to next player in layup line Players proceed along outer edges of court to opposite lines Demonstrate defensive stance and sliding, as well as hands up Identify out-of-bounds lines and half-court WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION Maintain pivot foot when passing and receiving Maintain triple threat position

1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEK 4 SESSION Warm-up Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks; Defensive slides; Jump stops; Maintain proper triple threats; Lay-up leaps form Choose from below pending team needs and/or split squad based on skill needs Dribbling/defense Shooting (split squad w/passing) (split squad w/ shooting) Man-to-man defense 10- min/split squad Rebounding 10- min (split squad) Game Play 5-min Alternate hands static and around obstacles Drills around objects up and down lines; sideways and backwards Opposite arm in front to block ball Use body to block ball Man-to-man guarding while someone dribbles Jump shot Lay-ups: Dribble on angle toward hoop; Jump off inside foot; Outside knees thrusts toward hoop; Use outside arm for shooting hand (TIP: Pretend string tied from elbow to knee); Shoot ball off backboard All types More dynamic Demonstrate positioning and technique Practice 1 v. 1 drills Get ball off backboard; secure with hands; jump stop LAYUP LINES (one ball) Two lines starting at foul-line extended on either side of key o One line for layups o Other line for rebounders First player in layup line dribbles in for layup First player in rebound line rebounds ball and passes to next player in layup line Players proceed along outer edges of court to opposite lines Monkey in the middle; Hot potato Side to side shuffle and pass/either coach to player or player to player Faster pace but with control; Have player guarding dribbler and moving around the floor; Perform giveand-go with first player in rebound line. Switch lines and work on weak hand. Maintain pivot foot when passing and receiving Maintain triple threat position Protect ball if on Defense Keep ball up and shoot back if on Offense Instruct players of man-to-man defense/note who is guarding who and help players remember who they are matched to. Writing down matches helps! Quiz/Introduce offense/defense terms: Instruct objective of game when on offense/defense Notes: WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 9

Warm-up 1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEK 5 SESSION Practice ~ 40 minutes; Game 45 minutes; DO NOT START GAME TIME LATE Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks; Defensive slides Triple threat jumps; jump stops Choose from below pending team needs and/or split squad based on skill needs Dribbling/defense Alternate hands static and around obstacles More advanced obstacles and directions More complicated/advanced man-to-man dribbling/defense Shooting Jump shot LAYUP LINES (one ball) Lay-ups: Dribble on angle toward hoop; Jump off Two lines starting at foul-line extended on either side of key (split squad inside foot; Outside knees thrusts toward hoop; Use o One line for layups w/passing) outside arm for shooting hand (TIP: Pretend string o Other line for rebounders tied from elbow to knee); Shoot ball off backboard First player in layup line dribbles in for layup First player in rebound line rebounds ball and passes to next player in layup line Players proceed along outer edges of court to opposite lines (split squad w/ shooting) Man-to-man defense 10- min/split squad Rebounding 10- min (split squad) Game Play 5-min All types More dynamic Demonstrate positioning and technique Practice 1 v. 1 drills Get ball off backboard; secure with hands; jump stop Monkey in the middle; Hot potato Side to side shuffle and pass/either coach to player or player to player drills down court ending in a jump shot/lay-up Get low on slides and maintain proper form Faster/slower speeds Perform giveand-go with first player in rebound line. Switch lines and work on weak hand. Protect ball if on Defense Keep ball up and shoot back if on Offense Instruct players of man-to-man defense/note who is guarding who and help players remember who they are matched to. Writing down matches helps! Quiz/introduce offense/defense terms: Instruct objective of game when on offense/defense Notes: WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 10

1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEK 6 SESSION Practice ~ 40 minutes; Game 45 minutes; DO NOT START GAME TIME LATE Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks; Defensive slides Triple threat jumps; jump stops Warm-up Choose from below pending team needs and/or split squad based on skill needs Dribbling/defense Alternate hands static and around obstacles More advanced obstacles and directions More complicated/advanced man-to-man dribbling/defense Shooting Jump shot LAYUP LINES (one ball) Lay-ups: D ribble on angle toward hoop; Jump off Two lines starting at foul-line extended on either side of key (split squad inside foot; Outside knees thrusts toward hoop; Use o One line for layups w/passing) outside arm for shooting hand (TIP: Pretend string o Other line for rebounders tied from elbow to knee); Shoot ball off backboard First player in layup line dribbles in for layup NEW: Foul shooting First player in rebound line rebounds ball and passes to next player in layup line Players proceed along outer edges of court to opposite lines (split squad w/ shooting) Rebounds/Box Out (10 minutes) Mix: 2 v 2 (10 minutes) Game Play 5-min All types More dynamic Work on rebounds off backboard; holding defender off by making contact with your backside Monkey in the middle; Hot potato Side to side shuffle and pass/either coach to player or player to player drills down court ending in a jump shot/lay-up Place ball on ground and have one player keep other player from getting ball by keeping body between ball and opposing player Two offensive players and two defensive players in key. Coach shoots ball and defensive players attempt to box out offensive players Get low on slides and maintain proper form Faster/slower speeds Move lines back and have a rebound line start with ball and pass to person doing lay-up 2 v. 2 matched skill May need to start with just guarding; progress to 2 v. 2 when ready NUMBERS GAME: Split into two teams (use pinnies). Number players 1 through 5 on each team (match skills so best player on each team is #1, 2 nd best is #2, etc.). Each team makes a line on opposite sidelines. Coach calls 1, 2 or 3 numbers to create 1 v 1, 2 v 2, 3 v 3 games. Players are sent back to sidelines on out-of-bounds, made shot, or other convenient stopping point. Instruct players of man-to-man defense/note who is guarding who and help players remember who they are matched to. Writing down matches helps! Instruct players with hands out to guard players; hands up to block shots; box out for rebound 11

WAKEFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 1 ST AND 2 ND GRADE- WEEKS 7-10 SESSION Practice ~ 40 minutes; Game 45 minutes; DO NOT START GAME TIME LATE Coaches choice: Keep focusing on fundamentals, form, and technique Warm kids up and get them engaged right away Sprints, High knees, Butt kicks; Defensive slides Triple threat jumps; jump stops Warm-up Choose from below pending team needs and/or split squad based on skill needs Dribbling/defense Alternate hands static and around obstacles More advanced obstacles and directions More complicated/advanced man-to-man dribbling/defense Shooting Jump shot LAYUP LINES (one ball) Lay-ups: Dribble on angle toward hoop; Jump off Two lines starting at foul-line extended on either side of key (split squad inside foot; Outside knees thrusts toward hoop; Use o One line for layups w/passing) outside arm for shooting hand (TIP: Pretend string o Other line for rebounders tied from elbow to knee); Shoot ball off backboard First player in layup line dribbles in for layup First player in rebound line rebounds ball and passes to next player in layup line Players proceed along outer edges of court to opposite lines (split squad w/ shooting) Rebounds/Box Out (10 minutes) Mix:1 v. 1; 2 v. 2, 3 v. 3. 10 minutes) Game Play 5-min All types More dynamic Work on rebounds off backboard; holding defender off 1 v. 1 or 2 v. 2 with first player to ball the offensive player Monkey in the middle; Hot potato Side to side shuffle and pass/either coach to player or player to player drills down court ending in a jump shot/lay-up Get rebound off back board; jump triple treat; back up for offensive rebound; turn and dribble down court for a defensive rebound May need to start with just guarding; progress to 2 v. 2 when ready Get low on slides and maintain proper form Faster/slower speeds Move lines back and have a rebound line start with ball and pass to person doing lay-up Instruct players of man-to-man defense/note who is guarding who and help players remember who they are matched to. Writing down matches helps! Instruct players with hands out to guard players; hands up to block shots; box out for rebound 12