Developing Youth Basketball Players
FCYBL is committed to improving the skills of our participants in a safe environment. We launched the Development Working Group this season to identify best practices used to improve player skills. The 5th Grade Girls Division II pilot now underway is collecting data on how these best practices might help.
To date, we’ve identified youth basketball organizations with positive messages and guidance including the Positive Coaching Alliance, and USA Basketball. I’d like to share guidance from the “Basketball for Coaches” website by Coach Mac (Trevor McLean). Titled “How to Win Every Youth Basketball Game“. Coach Mac describes 8 terrible tactics that will win you games but fail to develop our players. Well written – fast read – and sound advice. Please give it your consideration for all of our teams 5th through 8th Grade.
Let’s recap the 8 most common ‘terrible tactics’ youth basketball coaches make:
- They play their 5 best players as much as possible.
- Run a tight 2-3 zone.
- Run a full-court press.
- Don’t allow players to play multiple sports.
- They intimidate young referees.
- Only allow their best players to control the basketball and shoot.
- Force big players to only play in the post.
- Only run set plays on offense.
