Youth Basketball Coaching Manual

Preseason Meeting:
Set Rules and Expectations
Have a communication plan for practice and games. Develop a phone tree
Share your coaching philosophy
Define parent boundaries
Find parents who are willing to help with stats and snacks
Equipment Needs:
Practice Plan
BallsOne for every person
Whistles- Fox 40 whistles are recommended
Pennies-Two Sets of different colors
Clock
Clipboard for Stats
Athletic Tapefor injuries or to make spots on the floor
Water Bottles/Access to water
Towels
Practice:
Have a plan and be organized
Enforce Rules and Expectations
Foster a great learning environment
Combine fundamentals with fun
Carry over concepts from drill to drill/practice to practice
Use consistent terminology
Try to build on previous practices and lessons. Dont throw the whole playbook at them on day 1.
Incorporate rules education into practice/drills
Have an out of bounds play for baseline and the sideline
Keep the players attention span by keeping things short and on target
Encourage and be positive
Set Game Goals
Game Day:
Set a time for the players to be there. 30 minutes 1 hour before tip?
Stretching routine
Warm-up routine: lay-ups, passing, shooting, and defense
Game Time: Mix-up starting line-ups and rotation for subs
Communicate what position everyone is playing, who they are guarding, what offense and defense
you will be playing
Time-outs: Give 1-2 suggestions/point of emphasis for offense and defense
(KISSKeep It Simple)
Sportsmanship: Emphasize it on the bench and during the game
Make sure the players on the bench stay involved.
Have a parent keep stats on what is important to you: turnovers, rebounds, etc.
Post Game:
Shake hands with the opponent whether you win or lose
Team Meeting: Did you achieve your game goals? Go over Positives and Areas of Improvement

Snacks??? Who brings them? Have a schedule set up.

YMCA Coaches Manual

Skill: Ballhandling
Teaching Points:
Keep Head Up/Avoid Looking at the Ball
Use Your Finger Tips
Work your forearms
Work both hands and directions equally
Go hard enough to make a mistake

Drills:
The purpose of these drills is to improve and develop the sensitivity in your hands to the ball, while also
improving hand quickness and ball control.
1. Ball Slaps
2. Finger tip high to low
3. Circle the ball around your body (both directions)
*Head, Waist, Knees, Ankles,
4. Double Leg-Single Leg (around both, right leg, both legs, left leg)
5. Figure 8 through legs/Add around your back
6. Side to side catch between the legs
7. Front to back catch between the legs
8. Dribble ball around legs
*Feet together, Right leg only, Left leg only
9. Figure 8 dribble through the legs (use a different amount of dribbles,
different heights, different speeds)
10. Spider dribble
Advanced: 2 Ball Dribbling
1. Simultaneoususe different heights
2. Alternatinguse different heights
3. 1 high, 1 low
4. Left hand stationary, right hand around leg
5. Right hand stationary, left hand around leg
6. Figure 8
7. Windshield wipers (hands on the side of the ball moving it side to side/front to back)

Games: Simon Says, Relays

Coaches Manual
Skill: Dribbling
Speed Dribble
Control Dribble
Power dribble-Below your knees
Speed Dribble-Control Dribble-Power Dribble Combinations

Hesitation
Crossover Dribble (use zig/zag)
Pull-back Crossover Dribble

In-out dribble (Advanced) counter to the cross over move

Behind the Back (Advanced)
Spin Dribble (Advanced)
Between Legs (Advanced)
2 Ball Dribbling (Advanced)
Combo Dribbling (Advanced)

Teaching Points:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.

Keep your fingers spread, use finger pads, push & give with soft hands; strong wrist;
Get low! Be quick and strong;
See the whole floor-dribble with your head and eyes up;
Handle the ball with either hand-- improve your weak hand;
Protect the ball-- use your off hand & body to protect the ball (Power Dribble);
Push the ball out in front of you or pull it back and bring the ball up the floor under control (Control);
Change level, directions and speeds

Dribble use: (only 3 purposes for using the dribble)

1.
To drive the ball to the basket (to score)
2.
To improve your passing angle
3.
To break pressure (in half court or full court)

Drills:
Line Dribbling:
Start in Triple Threat position at one baseline
Use Live Ball move to begin each repetition (direct drive or cross over)
Utilize full length of the court
Utilize FT Lines, Mid Court Line, and End Lines as change points
Jump stop at each end line (alternate between front and reverse pivots)
Use 1 Ball (up w/ strong hand & back w/ weak hand, or visa versa)
CHANGE SPEEDS!! You dont have to be fast but you must be able to change speeds.
change move

V the Key:
Start in the circle with two players facing each other at half ct
Take 2-3 dribble to the right
Pull back dribble 2-3 dribbles
Crossover Move
Take 2-3 dribble to the left
Pull back dribble 2-3 dribbles
--add between legs

6-10 Reps/or 30 Sec

Games: Dribble Tag; Pac Man; Sharks and Minnows; Relays

P
change move

Skill: Footwork
Teaching Points:
Triple Threat Position
Play Low
Knees Bent
Back Flat
Shoulders above Knees
Feet shoulder width apart
Toes Forward
Head up
Jump StopFeet land at the same time
1-2 Stop1 foot established before the other
Front PivotLeading with your chest
Reverse PivotLeading with your back side
Direct Drive-Driving w same hand-same foot
Cross-Over Drive-Sweeping ball low across body/stepping across body/driving w opposite hand

Drills:
Line Drills:
Start in Triple Threat position at one baseline (Utilize full length of the court )
Use direct drive or cross over drive to start
Utilize FT Lines, Mid Court Line, and End Lines for your jumpstops
--add pivots
--add shot fakes/1 on 1 moves

Fundamental Lines

Dribble to FT Line
JUMP Stop
Front Pivot/Reverse Pivot
Call out right foot/left foot as pivot

Pass to Next Person in Line

Corner Drill
Dribble R hand to Circle
Jump Stop
Reverse Pivot
Left hand Pass to Next Person in the Next Line
Everyone go and pass on coaches command

Follow Your Pass to end of line

Games: Red Light-Green Light

Skill: Passing
Teaching Points:

Passing

Receiving

Step into every pass

Extend your elbows , thumbs down and through
Snap your pass
Fake a pass to make a pass
Pass away from the defense

Show target hands

Call for the ball
Move behind the ball
Catch the ball in the air

Different Types of Passes

Chest Pass
Right and Left Hand Push Pass
2 hand bounce Pass
1 hand bounce Pass into the post-right and left hand/Use a vertical fake
Overhead Pass
Skip Pass
Baseball Pass

Drills:
Fundamental Passing

Line Passing

2 Ball Passing
1 ball starts with person in middle of semi-circle and
1 Ball start in the circle
The Ball is passed to middle person continuously for
30 sec.

1st

Rotate next person into the middle

*can pass down the row or randomly around circle

4 Corner Passing (Advanced)

A. Start with a Vertical Pass
C.

D.

B.

A.

B. After Pass, Run to Middle of Court

A.

B.

D.

C.

C. When starting drill leftALWAYS LOOK LEFT in

Middle to receive your pass
D. After receiving passpass to person directly across
Drill is continuous/Change to go RIGHT

Games:
Team Tag (advanced)
-Played in half court/No baskets
-Can play with 5-10 Players per team
-Object is to pass the ball between teammates
without dribbling, travelling or dropping the ball
-tag the other team until there is only 1 player remaining

Players need to learn to move without the ball to be able to

tag/trap opponents without travelling

Skill: Shooting
Teaching Points:
technique first, speed/distance later
B.E.E.F = Balance + Eyes on target + Elbow under ball + Follow Through
mental approach confidence + Shot selection
workouts - game shots, game spots, game speed / 3 or more misses = move in

Use the same technique and footwork for all shots

Different Shots
Lay-ups: 1 foot, 2 Feet, 2 Feet+Shot Fake, Reverse(Advanced)
Stepping-in: Heel-Toe
Squaring up: Inside Pivot Foot
Off the Dribble
Free Throw: Master a routine, Confidence

-----------------Shooting Progression Drills:

A. Form Shooting Routine (Perfect Shot)
1. Start 3's away from the basket
2. Start the ball in your shooting hand - do not use your guide hand
3. Make 5 perfect* shots (all net) from 3 spots -use the glass on angle shots
4. From 5-7' away from the basket, place your guide hand on the ball
5. Make 5 shots from 5 spots around the basket
6. Work your way out to 15+ feet. Pick up speed. Shoot Game Shots from Game Spots at Game Speeds.
See how many shots you can make in a row. Record your best String daily! *Know what a perfect shot feels
like and groove it
B. Foot work around the 3 point line:
1. Start in triple threat at one corner
2. Toss ball out to yourself
3. Square on inside foot with a 1-2 stop into shooting position facing the basket
-don't shoot the ball (put it in your shooting pocket)
4. Toss the ball out again and continue around the 3 point line
5. Go back the other direction

Shooting Drills
1. First to 10- Shoot, get your own rebound and pass to next player in line. First team to 10 wins
2. Most in 1 minute- Shoot, get your own rebound and pass to next player in line. Team with the most
makes in 1 minute wins.
3. Beat the Pro (TEAM) - Each team is competing against themselves. Shoot, get your own rebound
and pass to the next player in line. Team is awarded one point for every made shot and the
imaginary pro/team is awarded two points for every miss. Game is to 10.
4. First team to make 3 in a row- self explanatory
5. Rotating Baskets Shooting Drill
Each team starts on the left baseline with 2 balls
Each player shoots and gets their own rebound and passes back to next person in line
The goal is to make 5 from the spot as a team
When a team gets 5, they shout out 5 and the coach yells ROTATE!
Everyone runs to the next spot (LEFT WING) at the next basket (CLOCKWISE)
The winner is the team that wins the most spots. The game continues until the team has hit all 5 spots (or
6 if you add a 3 pointer)
5. Three in a row/ three spots- Shoot get your own rebound and pass to the next player in line. When
your team makes three in a row from spot one, move to spot two, and then on to spot three. The
three spots are elbow, short wing, and short corner.
6. UP 4- Team A vs. Team B. Each team shoots from the elbows and is awarded one point for each
made shot. The teams shout out continuously their number of makes. The team to first take a 4
point lead wins.
7. Lipscomb Swish Drill- Players line up single file at the free throw line. Rebounder A and Rebounder
B are positioned under the rim. Team gets two points for a swish and one point for a make. If the
rebound (make/miss) hits the floor the team goes back to zero.
Players rotate this way: The Shooter becomes Rebounder A, Rebounder A becomes Rebounder B,
and Rebounder B goes to the end of the shooting line.
8. 52- Players line up single file at the free throw line. Player A shoots and is awarded 5 points for a
made shot. Player A gets her own rebound and gets to shoot 1 layup for 2 points before throwing
the ball back to the next player in line. The team with the most points after 1 minute wins.

Shooting Drills
1. Quarters (3, 2, 1)5 spots- corner, wing, top of the key, wing, corner
Each player shoots 3 shots from each spot
A three point shot, a pull up jumper, and a layup is executed at each spot
3 points for a made 3, 2 points for a made pull up jumper, and 1 point for a made layup
A perfect score is 35
2. 25 Shot Drill5- 3 point shots
5- Direct drives for pull up jumper
5- Crossover drive for pull up jumper
5- Shot fake, swing it, direct drive for jumper
5- Shot fake, swing it, crossover for jumper
3. Metro Shooting- (basket)
3-4 players in a line
3 teams per basket
Teams are positioned at elbow, elbow, and middle of the free throw line.
1 basketball per line
Players shoot, get their own rebound, and pass to the next player in line
After making the pass, the player sprints to half court, touches the half court line, and sprints to the
end of the line to the right.
Player passes the ball to the line she just came from.
The goal is to make 62 in 2 minutes per basket
Adjust the number of makes to the age/skill level.
4. 3 point shooting contestWho can make the most 3s in 1 minute
Rebounder A and B are positioned under the basket
The passer is located on the 3 point line
Use 2 basketballs
Rebounders A and B pass to the passer who feeds the shooter
The shooter moves around the 3 point line
Rotation- Rebounder A becomes Rebounder B, Rebounder B becomes the passer, the passer
becomes the shooter, and the shooter goes to the end of the line.
5. 2 Man Hot ShotPlayed just like regular hot shot, but with two players
5 spots on the floor
7 points from the top of the key, 5 points from short wing(elbow), 3 points from the short corner
The 2 players have 1 minute to get as many points as they can
Player A shoots and gets her own rebound
Player A immediately passes to Player B and sprints to an open spot
Player B shoots. Repeat.
No layups are allowed in 2 man hot shot, and there is NO bonus for shooting from each spot.
The 2 players with the most points in 1 minute win.

6. Franklin Shooting3 lines with 3 in a line

1 basketball per line
Lines are at the top of the key and the 2 corners
1 point is awarded for each made shot
Player shoots and gets her own rebound
The player passes the ball to the line she is going to
The goal of the 9 players is to make 80 shots in 5 minutes
Adjust goal (number of makes) to age and skill level
Group with the most makes wins
7. Metro Shooting- (Line)
3-4 players per line
15 feet from the basket
Player A shoots and gets her own rebound
Player A passes to the next shooter in line and sprints to touch half court
After touching half court, player A goes to the end of the line
Player B repeats the process
The goal is 20 made shots in 2 minutes
Adjust the goal to the age and skill level
8. 30 Shot Drill- (Buffs shoot around w/ guards)
3-4 players per team
1 basketball per team
Player shoots, gets their own rebound, and passes to next teammate in line
First team to make 3 shots from 10 spots wins the game
Short spots- corner, elbow, free throw line, elbow, corner
Long spots- (behind the 3) corner, wing, top, wing, corner
9. Drive and kick shooting
3-lines per basket (top of the key and both wings)
2-3 players per line.
1 ball per basket
Player must make an attacking drive and kick to one of their teammates.
Teammate must catch and attack with 2-3 hard dribbles and kick again.
Once you pass it you must re-spot up.
After 2-3 drive and kicks you can shoot a pull up or spot up shot.

Steal the Bacon Lay-up Drill

Object: To score a lay-up before the corresponding # on the opposing team
Rules:
Team A is numbered and standing equal distance apart on one sideline
Team B is numbered and standing equal distance apart on the other sideline

10

Coach calls out a number and the corresponding player race to the center circle, grab a ball and race to
their basket
The first player to makes a lay-up wins a point for their team
10

Variation:
1 ball-play it out 1 on 1, 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 with 1 ball

Skill: Defense
Teaching Points:
Defensive Drills
Back Court Defensive Drills:
1. Zig/Zag Drill: Work on turning your player in the backcourt. Object is to pressure the ball and create a
turnover and/or set up a trap or run and jump.
Keys: Get in a stance, force direction, get your nose over the ball to turn the ball handler, drop step, sprint or
slide to get ahead, nose over the ball to turn the ball handler, etc. Active hands and mouth.
Front Court Defensive Drills:
2. Closeouts: Sprint 1/2 the distance/stutter step the last 1/2. Throw your weight back and arms up. Take
away 3 point shot, pass into post and be prepared for penetration.
3. Add On Ball Defense: Work on proper foot angles. Force player to the baseline. Stay low and work on
sliding. Mirror the ball when dead.
4. Denial: In your defensive stance, keep your head on your shoulder, arm extended and thumb down.
Some part of your body needs to be on the line of the ball. To work on technique: start on the block, slide
out to the wing, back to the block, out to the 3 point line, back to the block, out to the baseline, back to the
block, etc. Create your own imaginary denial game.
5. Add HELP from the DENIAL position. Open and show your numbers. Recover in denial position.
Continuous drill.
6. Incorporate Denial to On Ball defense to Sliding to Jumping to the Ball (on a pass) back into Denial.
7. Add Help Side Defense. Start from a Denial position, slide to the block, open in HELP position, SLIDE across
the lane, slide out in denial position to the other side of the court. This drill should be continuous.
8. Transition Defense: Fill your lane in transition offense calling your lane.

Drills:
5 spot closeouts
3 Deflections-Denial
1 on 1 from Denial or On Ball Position
Shell
Advantage/Disadvantage Drills:
2 on 1
3 on 2

Skill: Rebounding
Teaching Points:
Step, Check, Box out
Wide Stance
Keep Hands Up
Move to the Ball
Go get ball at its Peak
Chin it
Outlet to Outside

Drills: Circle Rebounding

Offensive and Defensive player slide circle

Coach calls shot defense boxes out

Rebound-Outlet

Youth Basketball Resources:

http://www.angelfire.com/nc/ezyduzits12steptools/bball_playbook.html
http://www.coachesclipboard.net/BasketballCoachingPhilosophy.html
www.ihoops.com