How to Coach Basketball for Beginners
Whereas many average spectators of the game of basketball only focus on the offensive and defensive schemes unfolding on the court, these plays and the practices behind them, were likely developed by a determined team of coaches and assistants.
Basketball is a game that requires high levels of practice to master and that practice begins from the moment you first pick up a basketball.
However, when you’re just starting out, you will want to ensure that you are following a qualified coach and someone who has copious amounts of in-game experience. So, whether you’re a new player or a coach, we want to discuss the basics on how to coach basketball for beginners.
While this guide is, ultimately, developed for beginners and youth to the game, it can be supplemented to the professional leagues.
Understanding what it takes to coach basketball for beginners and for youth can easily translate over to more sophisticated leagues, where the basics and fundamentals of the game are already well understood and engrained within the players.
Looking for more in-depth information? Check-out our review of the best books for coaching a winning basketball team.
Be Organized and Disciplined
Perhaps above all else, in order to properly coach a beginners or youth basketball league, the coach must be both organized and disciplined. As there is only a limited amount of time available for any given practice, coaches must be organized and disciplined and ensure that the time available to them is fully utilized.
As a coach, it is paramount that you arrive early, well before the other coaches and the players. Doing so well allow you to properly setup and be ready to begin the practice once the official time starts. In addition, arriving early and organizing your practice session, will ensure that the youth players remain engaged and motivated throughout.
In addition, we highly recommend investing in a coaching board, as it will allow you to more effectively showcase the coming offensive and defensive schemes you wish to run.
Utilize All Resources Available to You
Whether you’re a seasoned coach or are just beginning your coaching career, learning how to coach basketball for beginners is infinitely simpler when you utilize all resources which are available to you. This not only includes online resources, such-as this website, but also written books by great coaches of the game.
In addition to reading all available resources, you should take advantage of the resources available to you within the area you live or the league you play. If possible, bring along assistant coaches to help you run more efficient basketball practices and teach individual drills to beginner players.
Implement Confidence as a Default
Basketball, and many sports for that matter, require a certain level of amnesia. This means that a basketball player, whether a beginner or a seasoned veteran, should not reminisce about a recently missed shot, a poor pass, or a missed free throw.
Rather, when it comes to coaching basketball for beginners, the coach should aim to instill confidence in their players in their abilities. Try to instill this confidence by motivating your players to play well and to not doubt their own abilities, particularly those abilities learnt within a practice session.
Don’t Forget the Fundamentals
All too often, coaches at all stages of the game opt to practice scenarios and situations that are unlikely to occur in the regular game. While there is always a possibility of a particular scenario occurring, as a coach for basketball beginners, you should focus on the fundamentals above all else.
This means encouraging your basketball players on improving their dribbling, passing, defense, and two-point shooting abilities. The game can be won through a simple understanding of the fundamentals and as a basketball coach teaching beginner, the job is on you to instill the fundamentals to your team.
Practice Basketball Probabilities
Similar to the above, when it comes to coaching basketball for beginners, proper technique trumps flash and show. This means, that ultimately, two-points is two-points and there are a plethora of ways to garner those points. However, sometimes the simplest and easiest way to gain two points is the overlooked jump shot.
Encourage and train your players to win the game by increasing their probability of winning. This means that your players should practice for the open shot, defend for the turnover, and rebound for both the offensive and defensive rebound.
While practicing, teach your players how to react to certain situations and scenarios, where the probability of a scenario is likely to happen. A simple way to visualize this is with the three-point shot.
When it comes to the three-point shot, and its long distance from the rim, it is highly likely, though not guaranteed, to have a long rebound. This means, your players on the court should anticipate a long rebound after a three-point shot and should position themselves accordingly.
Playing off of the probabilities of the game will help your team increase their probabilities of winning the game. Whether it’s practicing for long rebounds after a long shot, passing around the perimeter to break the defense, or simply practicing the basic free throw, doing so will help your team in the long run.
Teach Your Players How to Play
Too often, particularly when it comes to coaching basketball for beginners, coaches look to teach specialized basketball plays over teaching their players how to play the game. This is wrong and can be detrimental to a player’s overall development.
Rather, as a coach, you should teach players, particularly beginners, how to play the game. This means beginning with the fundamentals and basics and increasing their overall basketball IQ. Teach your players how to properly shoot a basketball, the fundamentals of passing the ball, and the different forms of defense.
Once you’ve taught your players, allow them the time to practice on their own and in a game-type setting. allow the plays to fully develop before interceding and interrupting and let your players learn by doing. Not only will they have more fun this way but they will likely learn by doing.
Have Fun!
Basketball, at the end of the day, is a game that is meant to encourage healthy living, friendly competition, and exercise. As a basketball coach, coaching beginners, you should always encourage your players to have fun and enjoy the game. Always push for 100% effort but never admonish or discourage a player from playing their heart out.