Palmer Youth Basketball Association Instructional Basketball Program General Guidelines Practice Today / Better Tomorrow The instructional basketball program has been in place to provide a fun, free, introduction to the fundamentals of basketball to the elementary age children of the town of Palmer. It is as much about teaching team work, focusing, and sports work ethic ( practice today / better tomorrow ) as it is about teaching real basketball skills and general rules. The primary goals are to leave the children with: A: fundamental basketball skills (IE: dribbling, passing, shooting and court awareness) B: a basic understanding of the rules of the game of basketball C: a desire to do better through developing and practicing good habits. (Be it basketball or anything they choose to do) Typical sessions: Arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of scheduled time. Post signs stating that the next team is not allowed in the gym until there time. Post copies of expected gym behavior. Lower hoops into place IF you re shooting - return to height that they were originally at when you entered the gym At the start of the session, call all the kids into the center of the gym and ask them to sit. At the beginning of practice (Often repeated) are helpful go over rules and plan for the practice. 1. When the coaches are talking, the players are not. No dribbling or causing distractions. Let them (and the parents) know that if they re out of hand they will be asked to take a time-out and just watch the others have fun. 2. Always do your best when trying new skills ( Practice sloppy play sloppy ) 3. Have fun while learning and trying new things that s why it s called practice. Always start with a description of the skill or rule being taught. If it is a skill, demonstrate first so they see what you want them to do. Show them the proper form and explain how it applies to a game rule. (IE: double dribble / walking etc.) Have a child repeat your directions/rules of the activity. The shorter each line can be, the more touches they will have with the ball. (less time to get distracted ) Following are a suggested progression of skills and / or games to help build on the skills. Also included are a few fundamentals to focus on while teaching. (Just suggestions) Note: If the drill takes a long time allowing for the kids to get rambunctious, get them running (IE: stop, line them up and run suicides or a quick relay )
Any skill or drills can be found on line- YouTube, websites, etc. Dribbling: focus on using one hand and finger tips (bicycle glove, keep the palm clean), control over speed, don t slap the ball. Variations: Left hand, Right hand, Cross over (V-cut), Whistle stop / start forward reverse, dribble through cones Games: Dribble knock out, sharks and minnows, relay races, Red Light / Green Light. Passing: Defense: Shooting: Start stationary and progress into passing on the move. Stress form and ensuring their partner is ready. (Have them call for the ball.) Variations: Bounce pass, Chest Pass, Overhead Pass. Add triple threat positioning, pass with pivot advanced: add weave, two and three line passing (add dribble). Games: Relay w/ pivot down and back, two line run and pass relay. Stress form: Butt down, back straight, head up, hands out and balanced. Move with quick steps step and slide. Advanced: when playing the ball, one hand at ball the other in front of face. When off the ball: on the line, up the line cut off the passing lane. Games: relays, bull in the pen, keep away Basic form: square up when you have time, BEEF: Balance, Elbow, Eyes, Follow through. Stress the shooters pocket, good arc and follow though. (as reaching into a cookie jar on a high shelf or a goose s neck) Variations: foul shooting (move younger kids closer / lower basket), Jump stop and lay-ups. Focus on form: big last steps, string from elbow to knee on shooting hand, easy shot at back board. Games: 60 second shooting First team to 10 Roll through standing line leader takes it for a lay-up, gets rebound lay-up at other end, gets rebound and rolls ball to next leader Rebounding: Stress jumping high with both hands. Come down in triple threat protect the ball. Start against wall, move to basket, add players one shoots, two rebound. Obviously there are many variations and teaching aspects and focus points. These are just a few examples of basic instructions and drills for reference, based on how the Palmer Youth Basketball Association Program has run based on past experience. Always end with some running drills to let the kids leave feeling winded and on a high note. Keep the practice moving- don t spend a lot of time on a drill- limit 5-10 minutes or you will lose their attention. The more fun you have with them (keep them moving) the more engaged they will be- they will be more attentive. Then call them together and review whatever points you have touched on thus far. Then I like to have all hands in for a big 1-2-3 Palmer Basketball cheer before turning them back to their parents.
Above all, have fun with it and always bring a positive attitude, as the kids will feed on it and make it more fun for everyone involved. Finally, remember to return the hoops, gather the basketball, and pick up any extra trash left behind Recommended Outline of Skills for Instructional Objective- To provide the child with the general concept and understanding of the game including the explanation of the general rules to the development of basic skills including dribbling, passing, shooting and man to man defense. General rules- Court layup- foul line, out of bounds, half court, key area, three point line Proper inbounds Positions Dribbling: Controlled dribbling with both hands Keep ball waist high Finger tips Dribbling looking up, keeping chin up, eyes focused in front Passing: Chest pass Bounce pass Thumbs out-extended Strength Proper foot work Shooting: Emphasize practicing shooting under basket or within range Proper form- BEEF- Balance, Elbow, Eyes, Follow through- guide hand. Focus on proper form- praise proper form, not so much making the basket- Try not to have the kids shoot with two hands- stress guide hand Proper execution for layups Defense Man to man defense- Proper Stance- eye contact with ball and man Shuffle feet- do not cross Stay low and always watch the persons stomach
PYBA Instructional Basketball Rules- When we follow the Rules we learn more and have FUN! 1. When you hear the whistle- you freeze and become a statue. Listen! 2. When the coaches are talking, the players are not. No dribbling or causing distractions. 3. Listen very carefully to the directions. 4. Always do your best when trying new skills ( Practice sloppy Play sloppy ). 5. Have fun while learning and trying new things that s why it s called practice. 6. Cheer on and support your teammates. Talk nice to each other. 7. Respect your coaches. 8. Have FUN!!
Recommended Outline of Skills for Grades 3-8 Objective- To provide the child with the general concept and understanding of the game including the explanation of the general rules to the development of basic skills including dribbling, passing, shooting and man to man defense. General rules- Court layup- foul line, out of bounds, half court, key area, three point line Proper inbounds Over and back Foul shooting free throws (Proper alignment, violations) Jump ball Player substitution- report to scorer s table 3-5 second lane violation Pressing 5 second guarding violation Positions Dribbling: Controlled dribbling with both hands Keep ball waist high Finger tips Dribbling looking up, keeping chin up, eyes focused in front Speed dribbling- ball in front Controlled dribbling close to body Cross over ball moves Reverse dribble Change of pace dribbling Passing: Chest pass Bounce pass Thumbs out-extended Strength Proper foot work Baseball pass Overhead pass Give and go Fake pass/alternate Pass Shooting: Emphasize practicing shooting under basket or within range Proper form- BEEF- Balance, Elbow, Eyes, Follow through- guide hand.
Use backboard for close shots Fake and shoot Going to the basket Jump shots off and dribble, off a pass Using inside foot turning into a shoot Focus on proper form- praise proper form, not so much making the basket- Try not to have the kids shoot with two hands- stress guide hand Proper execution for layups Defense Man to man defense- Proper Stance- eye contact with ball and man Shuffle feet- do not cross Stay low and always watch the persons stomach Zone-2/3, 2/1/2 Double teaming Boxing Out Pressing (1/2, and full court) Offense Man to Man- give and go setting and running around pics Getting open, moving without the ball, making cuts, v cuts Driving to the baskets Pick and roll Pass and pick away Fast break- outlet fill the lanes