PLAYBALL BASKETBALL
TRAINING SESSION GUIDE
Running a training session requires a little bit of planning and clear guidelines/rules for the players to follow. With
discipline from the get go, most potential behaviour problems will just disappear.
Important that you keep four factors in mind:
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players get bored doing the same thing for too long.
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drills need to maximize participation (more active kids the better)
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competitive drills make them more fun.
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the players NEED to bring basketballs. ALL of them.
When teaching skills (i.e. shooting) explaining the technique you want and then getting them practicing. Make
sure they get the technique/mechanics correct. Then practice the skill. Remember: Perfect practice makes
perfect.
Take Shooting - instead of just 1 line with 8 kids in it... maybe 4 groups of two kids. Maybe they could start at the
3pt line, dribble in, do a jump stop and then shoot? This would cover more skills, be more game like and allow
you time to pick kids out here and there and give them feedback. Then it could become a race (first pair to 3
baskets).
You can make races out of dribbling, defensive shuffles, keepings off games.. pretty much anything... But before
you get them doing anything flat out make sure you teach them how to execute the skill correctly. Finishing your
training session with a 'hands in' or quick team huddle is a nice way to round them up and keep the TEAM
concept fresh.
THINGS YOU SHOULD AVOID DOING:
Avoid benching players for long periods of time. Unless it is a discipline issue... At this level, court time
should be balanced fairly even between players.
Being Alone with a Player (or even TEAM): This is NOT a good idea. It can put you in a very difficult situation
so avoid it. Infact, you shouldnt be left alone with a TEAM either. I suggest that you request that at least 1 parent
stays at the training session each week. Your team manager can help you with that.
Sitting down with your team during training: you only train ONCE a week. that hour with your team on court is
VERY important... and team chats you might need to have are probably best done before or after training.
PLAYBALL BASKETBALL PO. BOX 2107 HAMPTON EAST, VIC 3188 E: [email protected] PH: 9585 6123
PLAYBALL BASKETBALL
A BASIC TRAINING SESSION PLAN GUIDE/HELP:
Warm up: 5 mins
- run (fwd/backwards/grape vine)
- could include 1 of the below focuses or team based games
Each training needs to include some of the following. But bare minimum 3 focuses (perhaps multiple drills for
each). The more competitive and participation focused your session is, the more engaged the kids will be.
Keeping your content varied will also help with this. You can teach the same skill or concept 100 ways... so when
things really need work, to make it appear fresh to the players.. Mix up your delivery. Drills really don't need to go
for more than 5 minutes and remembering to give kids drink breaks (keep them short) is also important.
FOCUS 1: Lay Ups / Shooting
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3 lines lay up races (first to 5 to make competitive)
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3 lines dribble to jump shot (first to 5)
FOCUS 2: Dribbling
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right hand, left hand speed dribble up and backs
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cross overs, hesitation dribbles, on side dribble, thru legs/behind back
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2 ball dribbling (alternating and 'sames')
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'Terminator'- dribbling game. Kids all have a ball. Objective is to keep your ball safe and try to knock
somebody else's ball away.
FOCUS 3: Passing
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pass races (first to 10). chest/bounce/push passes
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pass keepings off No dribbling. Make competitive.
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2 ball passing. (both players have a ball and pass simultaneously. one doing a bounce pass, the other a
chest pass).
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Piggy in the middle: (small space, passers can't move. Teach 'fake a pass to make a pass). Defender MUST
guard the ball... and no lob passes.
FOCUS 4: Defense / Rebounding
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Zig zag shuffling (working technique)
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1 on 1 alley drill. (defender working on staying in front/footwork)
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Close Out Drill (can be introduced in piggy in the middle)
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Shuffle races (maybe even a relay?)
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Cutting off the Dribbler who attempts the lay-up.
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Shell Drill: concepts of split line help..
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Boxing out.
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'Animal' Rebounding drill. 1 on 1 on 1 for the rebound and then to score.
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Machine Gun Rebounding
FOCUS 5: Team Concepts
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Tally Ball or Pass Tag
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2-on-1 / 3-on-2 (half or full court) (creating adv/disadvantage situations)
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2-on-2 / 3-on-3 / 4-on-4
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Pass and cut concepts (basic motion)
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Shell Drill (basics of)
PLAYBALL BASKETBALL PO. BOX 2107 HAMPTON EAST, VIC 3188 E: [email protected] PH: 9585 6123