Alcheringa Basketball Coaches Resource
Coaches’ Code of Conduct
Remember that young people participate for pleasure, and winning is only part of the fun.
Never ridicule or yell at a young player for making a mistake or not coming first.
Be reasonable in your demands on players’ time, energy and enthusiasm.
Operate within the rules and spirit of your sport and teach your players to do the same.
Ensure that the time players spend with you is a positive experience.
All young people are deserving of equal attention and opportunities.
Avoid overplaying the talented players; the’ just average’ need and deserve equal time.
Ensure that equipment and facilities meet safety standards and are appropriate to the age and ability of all players.
Display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials,
administrators, the media, parents and spectators. Encourage players to do the same.
Show concern and caution towards sick and injured players.
Any physical contact with a young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for the player’s skill
development.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or
religion.
As the coach you have a responsibility to your players, parents, Alcheringa Club and IBA to ensure your team has
organised training sessions, continual communication with parents.
All club communication/ requests or cancellation must go through the Alcheringa Club Junior Development Officer.
All coaches must have a current WWC authority or exemption in order to coach with the Alcheringa Basketball Club.
Coaches must attend the Coaches Information day held prior to each season.
The Alcheringa Basketball Club has compiled a coaching manual which includes offences and defences, along with basic
fundamentals. We have also attached numerous drills to assist coaches in achieving the club and players required
expectations.
Coach, Parent and Players Code of Conduct
Play by the rules.
Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or
after the competition.
Control your temper.
Verbal abuse of officials, sledging other players or deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or
permitted behaviours in any sport.
Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team.
Your team’s performance will benefit and so will you.
Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
Cooperate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition.
Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit t, not just to please your parents and coaches.
Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
TRAINING SESSIONS
“Failure to plan is to plan to fail”
Practice planning is an important aspect of successful coaching. Careful and detailed planning can ensure the coach makes the most
out of limited practice available to most junior teams.
Different coaches will approach the task of planning practice in different ways. There is no right or wrong way and things such as
format and presentation are not important as long as the coach can read and understand it.
Some coaches will produce their practice plan on the home computer, while for other coaches; it is a few
scribbled notes on a piece of paper. Whatever your preference, planning each session and just as importantly, keeping a record of
these plans, will make for more efficient and successful use of time on the practice floor.
Why plan practice? –
• Ensure the limited practice time is being used efficiently
• Ensure all aspects of the game have been covered in practice
• Keep practice dynamic and enjoyable for the players
• Avoid “running out of ideas”
• Project the image of being organised and in control
• Establish a development path for the season
• Assist with prioritising – what to teach, when?
• Maintain a record of what fundamentals and team concepts have been covered.
Aspects of Practice Planning
• Warm-up – incorporate balls in warm-ups
• Ball handling & dexterity – should be incorporated in all sessions
• Shooting – you can never get enough shots up
• Offensive principles of play
• Defensive fundamentals
• Team offence
• Team defence
• Situations/scenarios
• Correction
Hints for Efficient Use of Practice Time
Plan practice
Short sharp drills – not labour on one skill or concept
Move quickly from drill to drill
Plan practice so the session has “flow”
Remember how many players are required to run certain drills
Incorporate stations to ensure efficient use of time
Avoid running over scheduled time
Start on time, every time
Avoid practicing too long – know the limits of your group
Encourage respect for the practice facility and equipment
“PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT, ONLY PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT PLAY”
GET THE BALL 1) LOOK AROUND (Don’t bounce first LOOK)
2) PROTECT/PASS (Protect the ball Pivot)
3) Dribble/Shoot (Don’t Dribble unless you go somewhere eyes up shoot in your range if open)
TEACHING SHOOTING
Shooting the ball is one of the most incorrectly taught skills in basketball yet it is and always will be the most important. To my mind
developing a good shooter generally requires two things:
1) A simple action with few moving parts that is easily repeatable.
2) Repeating that action until it is habitual.
The reason we want a simple action with few moving parts is that more parts mean more variables in the shooting action. This
translates simply into the more parts to your shot = the more things that can go wrong from one shot to the next. A good shooter shoots
the ball exactly the same way every time.
In this edition I want to look at three key points:
1) Shooting from set point
2) Using an all out shooting action
3) Let it fly
1) Shooting from Set Point
Set point is the position from which we start the shot.
The main points are:
• Feet shoulder width apart
• Shooting hand under ball
• Ball should be below shoulder with eyes looking over ball
• Shooting elbow should be over knee and toe
2) Using All Out Shooting Action
From set point we should now shoot in one fluid motion.
Arms and legs extend fully - all out - and hold the follow through - finish point - until the ball hits the ground.
• Shoot the shot on the way up.
• Use the “Up-Force” generated from straightening and pushing up with legs.
• Do not try to snap wrist over on follow through, it should flop over naturally if arm is fully extended.
• Fingers should be spread and relaxed with thumb out not in.
3) Let It Fly!
Teach your players to shoot the ball up and in the hoop, not at the hoop. Most young players “under shoot” the ball, make sure they LET IT FLY!!
• Shoot the shot on the way up.
• Legs give you arc and are the main power source for the shot.
• Shoot the ball with great arc so it falls down into the hoop
TEACHING DRIBBLING
To legally commence moving while in possession of the ball, the ball must have left the players hands before the pivot foot leaves the
ground.
When teaching dribbling, it can also be beneficial to educate players on why the dribble is used and when and when not to dribble.
Often young players will dribble the ball upon receiving the catch without moving anywhere or achieving anything.
This is often referred to as the “P Dribble” -- Pointless Dribble -The main reasons for dribbling are:
To advance the ball up the court or towards the basket.
To get into a better position to pass, by changing the angle between you and a team-mate or to “shorten the pass” by dribbling closer to
you
teammate.
Regardless of the type of dribble, several key points are standard:
Keeps your vision looking forward.
Players must always face their basket and be able to see all of their team mates and opposition
Keep the ball low (around waist height)
The higher you dribble the harder it is to control and the more time it is in the air the more time the defender has to steal it
Push the ball with you finger tips, don’t slap with your palm.
Control is found in the fingertips. If fingers are spread the hand covers a grater surface of the ball allowing for more control.
Speed Dribble
Control ball with fingers
Keep ball in front but side of body
Eyes looking down court
Keep ball below waist height
Control Dribble
Turn so body is between ball and defender
Keep ball around knee height
Eyes looking down court
Knees bent
Changing Direction with Cross-Over Dribble
Body movement same as side step
Push ball across body to other hand
Keep ball low
Control ball with fingers
Teaching Body Movement & Control
When coaching young children coaches need to keep in mind that before children are able to master basketball skills they must be
taught basic movement patterns and body control. Deficiencies in basic body control and all the variations of movement can impede
basketball development.
Landings (from jumps)
(survival skills, Braking of a movement, Landing on different parts of the body, i.e. hands, shoulder rolls)
Spring (like leap frog)
off feet, off hands, rebounding:- needs body tension
Static’s (Balance)
A state of equilibrium; Static and Dynamic balance Static’s can be support or balance positions. Has to be felt to be learnt
Locomotion (Running)
Allows us to get from one place to another Moving through space on hands, hands and feet or large body surfaces (swimming)
Rotation (rolls)
Turning around a internal axis. Promotes body management and coordination Develops vestibular system of balance.
Swing (Hiting golf, hockey, tennis)
Turning around a external axis. Ie bar or tree. Helps develop spatial awareness. Swing has the same mechanical principals as
rotation.
Manipulative skills (passing, catching, holding)
Sending and receiving objects. Allows objects to be manipulated Essential for hand – eye; feet - eye; and body – eye coordination.
Implications for Basketball
Children develop motor skills in a sequential manner. Ie they need the building blocks to proceed to higher level skills.
Most of these movement patterns can be learnt by setting up specific games and letting the children play.
Basketball Specific
Basketball Stance
Feet Shoulder width apart, boxer’s stance
Back straight, head up and in middle of stance
Knees bent (sit in the imaginary chair)
Hands in “ready position”
Starting
Front foot first
Big first step
Teaching Body Movement & Control
Stopping
Upon gaining possession of the ball either by receiving a pass or by picking up a dribble the player must establish a pivot foot. The first
to touch the ground after gaining possession is the pivot foot, a quick stop enables the player to use either foot as his pivot foot.
Quick/Jump Stop
Jump as low to the ground as possible
Both feet land simultaneously
Knees bent to absorb stop
Nose behind toes
Feet shoulder width apart
Stopping with Stride Stop
First foot to land is pivot foot
Second foot is stopping foot
Second foot restores body balance
Pivoting
Pivot foot remains on the floor
Stepping foot may move in any direction
Pivot on balls of feet
Stay in basketball stance
Change of Direction with Side Step
Push of rear foot the direction required
Transfer body weight forward
Knees bent
Squash the bug
Basketball Ball-Handling Fundamentals and Drills
Learning to become a good ball-handler, and developing a feel for the ball for vitally important in becoming an excellent allaround player.
Hold The Ball Correctly
The most difficult skills, including shooting, passing, catching, dribbling, and rebounding, involve holding the ball. Work on these
skills every day. Here is how to practice holding the ball:



Hold the ball with your fingertips. The palms of your hands should not touch the ball.
Make sure your fingers are far apart.
Hold the ball as much as possible at home
Try these drills at the start of each session. Perform each one about 30 to 60 seconds and then move to the next one. With all of these
drills, try to keep your eyes forward, without looking at the ball at the start of each training session
Finger Grabs: Hold the ball with the fingertips, squeezing it while rotating it back and forth from hand to hand. The ball should not
touch the palms of the hands.
Slaps: Pound or slap the ball hard from hand to hand.
Tipping: Tip the ball back and forth from one hand to the next, starting with your hands straight up over your head. Then gradually
move the ball down, while continuing to tip it back and forth. Go down to your chest, then your waist, knees, and ankles, and then back
up again. Keep your elbows straight.
Circles: Put your feet together and make circles around both legs. Then circle around the back. And then circle around the head.
Then combine them and move the ball in circles around your head, then down your body, down around your knees, and then around
your ankles ("candy cane"). then come back up again. Be sure to use your fingertips, not the palms.
Around Each Leg and Figure 8: Put one leg forward and move the ball in a circular motion around the leg. Then do the other
leg. Finally, spread your legs out wide with the ball in front of you. Move the ball around through your legs in a figure-of-eight motion.
Keep your eyes forward and don't let the ball hit the floor. After 30 seconds, reverse the direction.
Drops:Put the ball between your feet and grab it with both hands. Start with the left hand behind your left leg and your right hand in
front of your right leg. Drop the ball and let it bounce once. Quickly, move your left hand in front of your left leg and your right hand
behind your right leg, and catch the ball as it bounces up. Drop it again and switch your hands back to the original position (left behind,
right in front) and catch it. Repeat this motion continuously. For a more difficult variation, try catching the ball before it actually hits the
floor!
Toss Up and Catch Behind: Here's a fun drill the players like. Toss the ball up over your head. Reverse pivot and catch the ball behind
your back.
Club Defence
It has been determined that the Alcheringa Basketball Club Junior teams will all play a 221 press defence and man to man as follows
.Coaches should only use zone defence when a game blows out in the oppositions favour only !!
Have two players set at both ends of the free throw line. Two other defenders should be positioned just inside the half-court line, and
the fifth player plays "prevent".
The in-bounds pass is not contested or guarded. Do not allow a pass in the middle of the floor. The defenders X1 and X2 should allow
the pass to a receiver near the corner. They should wait until the ball-handler commits and starts dribbling. Once the dribble is started,
they should attack and trap him/her near the sideline (Diagram B). The other two defenders then position themselves in the passing
lanes to other would-be receivers and look for the interception. The X5 defender should only come up if he/she has a clear-cut
interception.
If the ball gets part way up the sideline, the mid-court defender (X3 or X4) should stop the penetration along the sideline, and trap the
ball-handler along with the guard from that side (X1 or X2). Now the opposite guard and mid-court defenders play the passing lanes
(see Diagram C).
Allow a backward, retreating pass, as the 10-second rule is in your favour. If the ball moves to the opposite side, the traps and zones
are set on that side the same as described above, only with the opposite defenders positioned as above. The defenders should never
let the ball get ahead of them on the court. If that happens, they must sprint down-court quickly to recover. Once the press is broken, or
the offense crosses mid-court, all defenders not on the ball should sprint back to the paint to protect basket (unless there is an easy
trap in the sideline, mid-court line corner). The on-ball defender should stay on the ball and stop dribble penetration.
SPLIT LINE line that runs down the centre of the court players are either on the ball, one pass away (deny position)or two passes
away or on the split line if ball on opposite side of court.
Split line
There are variations and adjustments to this basic zone, depending on how the offense uses their point guard... i.e. whether he/she
tries to receive the in-bounds pass, or make the in-bounds pass and then receive the ball right back.
Defences
2-2-1 Zone Press Adjustments
Here are a couple of variations on the 2-2-1 zone press you may wish to try.
2-Up Zone Press
The "2-up" zone press is used against teams who have their best ball-handler make the inbounds pass, and then step in-bounds and receive the pass right back. We want to keep the ball
out of the hands of the best ball-handler, and have someone bring it up who is not comfortable in
that role, thereby increasing the chance of a turnover.
See Diagram A. In this case, the X2 defender will deny the pass back to the in-bounder, and will
play him/her man-to-man, in full denial. The other four defenders essentially play a zone.
X3 will prevent the sideline pass, and X4 prevents the middle pass.
The weak side of the court is open and X5 might be able to anticipate a long cross-court pass
there, or a long down-court pass. Long passes are often thrown out-of-bounds, or are
intercepted. But again remember, all zone presses have an element of risk, and are a gamble.
2-2-1 "Deny" Defence
With this full-court press, we try to deny the in-bounds pass and get the 5-second call. This can be
used against a team that tries to make the in-bounds pass to their best ball-handler. See Diagram
B.
In this defence, don't guard the passer. Instead, place your X5 back in "prevent", to protect
against the long pass and lay-up. The other four defenders match up with the other four offensive
players and play full denial, trying to prevent the in-bounds pass. Until the ball is passed inbounds, you have a 5 on 4 situations, with five defenders and only four offensive receivers.
The offense may try to screen to get a man open. Be ready for the quick switch, or fight through.
The offense may try to run their O4 and O5 toward the passer for a quick pass. Defenders X3 and
X4 must stay between them and the passer to deny this pass. Often defenders X3 and X4 are
worried about getting beat by the long pass over their heads, but defender X5 should be back to
cover the long pass. This is the advantage of not guarding the passer, but rather having X5
protect against the long pass.
As the ball proceeds down the court move into man to man in 3 point area.. if a player is beaten they should sprint back to protect the
score zone (key) and re pick up their player
Man-to-Man Defence - Defensive Stance and Focus
Your weight should be on the balls of your feet (not your heels), and your feet should be about shoulder width apart. Keep your knees
bent and your back straight. Keep your head up, eyes forward, arms out with your palms up and elbows bent a little. Watch the
offensive player’s belly-button, especially if he/she is quick and hard to stay with. The offensive player can fake you with a head fake,
eye fake, arm or shoulder fake, or a jab-step, but the belly-button will always go only in the direction that he/she is going .
SPLIT LINE line that runs down the centre of the court players are either on the ball, one pass away (deny position)or two passes away
or on the split line if ball on opposite side of court.
Man-to-Man Defence - Defensive Slides
When guarding your opponent, slide your feet sideways, using quick, short steps, and don't get your feet crossed. Don't hop. If you get
beat in the open floor, don't just yell for help... turn and sprint after your opponent. Once you get in front of your man again, get back
into your defensive stance.
Man-to-Man Defence - Close-out on the ball
Defenders must learn to "close-out" on the player with the ball. Once the offensive player receives the pass, the defender should rush
toward the ball-handler in a low stance. The last several steps should be quick, choppy steps to stop your momentum (so the defender
doesn't dribble around you). Your baseline line foot should be back in order to force the ball-handler toward the baseline. As you
approach the ball-handler, snap your shoulders and head back to help slow yourself down .
Man-to-Man Defence - On the Ball Defence
Over-guard toward the offensive player's strong side. If your man is right-handed, over-guard that side and make him/her go left. If your
opponent is on the right wing, drop your left foot back a little toward the baseline and overplay a little toward the offensive player’s right
side, as this will give you time to react to a move to his/her right. Try to force offensive player to the baseline. Once at the baseline, set
the trap, and do not allow any further penetration along the baseline.
Keeps the palm of your lead hand facing up. Try to get at the ball from below, not by slapping
down it, which results in a foul. Your other hand should be in the passing lane. Slide with your
opponent, and try to get him/her to stop the dribble, and then close in and apply pressure.
Don't "reach-in". This causes you to lose your balance and defensive stance, and you
become easy for the offensive player to get around. Reaching in also results in fouls and free
throws for the opponent. Don't get into the bad habit of reaching-in and taking a swipe at the
ball as the offensive player dribbles around you. Instead move your feet, hustle, stay with
your man, and prevent him/her from getting to the basket by maintaining good on-ball
defensive stance. If you get beat, sprint after the offensive player and beat him/her to a spot
where you can once again resume your defensive stance.
Man-to-Man Defence - Denial
Clog the passing lane and prevent the player you are guarding from getting the ball, that is,
"deny" him/her the ball. When guarding an offensive player who is one pass away from the
ball, you should be in denial. Denying your man the ball, keeps him/her from scoring. Play the
passing lane and stay between the player you're guarding and the ball. Place your foot and
hand nearest the ball slightly forward, and turn the palm of your hand toward the ball, so that
you can reject any incoming passes. Be in a position to see both your player and the ball. If
the ball-handler stops the dribble, you have a "dead ball situation" and everyone should in
close on their man, in "full-denial".
OFFENCE
Basketball Figure 8 Motion Offence
This offence has been selected as the club offence to be utilised by coaches. It is effective against both zone and man to man, as it
teaches children the basic component of passing and moving breaking free and is adaptable as children progress to include screens
and blocks. It is easily learned and a very good offense to use in practice. You can use it to teach your players proper footwork in
defending cutters toward the basket. Put defensive players in the following diagrams and you have a fantastic drill for teaching
defensive play. As players develop other offences can be introduced.
The first five diagrams illustrate one cycle of play without a shot being taken. In the sixth diagram, you will see how simple it is to turn
the Figure 8 into the 1st and 2nd Cutter Offence.
In this diagram, player 1 has the ball. Player 3 frees himself for a pass, or could take his defender back door. Player 1 passes and
executes a give and go. In case 3 shoots, 1’s first duty is to rebound. If neither, he clears to the side.
Here, rotation and play continues. Player 3 becomes the passer and cutter. As before, his first duty is a rebounder should 3 shoot the
ball. (Keep in mind those old time players took a lot of shots from downtown. It didn’t count 3, either.)
The next three diagrams simply illustrate player movements to the completion of the cycle. In the old days, we simply ran the offense
toward the opposite side of the court.
V cut to the ball , always look to score either drive shoot fake shoot if covered pass and cut to opposite side of the key move and
replace. Ensure kids catch the ball square up and be a threat to score. This can also work with 4 out and one in the in side player
moves around the outside of the key facing the ball with a view to catch and score or screen
Offence
How to coach and teach a basketball offence against the pressing defence
Some teams will play presses against us below is a play to assist teams in getting the ball into the offence end as quickly as possible
without a turnover.
Today, we see more and more types of pressing defences, including full-court, three-quarter-court, and half-court. These can be either
man-to-man, zone, or a combination thereof.
As a coach, you must prepare your team to attack such defences. If you don't, your team is in trouble. The following diagrams explain a
definite set of principles to help you combat the press. Most pressing defences want to put you into the position where a player can be
double-teamed, or forced into throwing a long pass. This is usually along a sideline; however, you can be double-teamed anywhere on
the court.
Do not throw the long pass unless your player has gotten ahead of his defender enough for a clear pass. A pass across halfcourt is dangerous. As a matter of fact, any pass should be short and snappy, and away from the sideline. There are two main
objectives of any press-breaker:
1.
Bring the ball across the 8 second line and get into your half-court offence.
2.
Score against the press.
This is not a pattern against all pressing defences. This is simply a pattern that has been used successfully in the past and can be
varied to suit the particular situation.
How Pattern Begins
Players quickly align themselves in the manner
shown on the left. The ball must be put in play
as quickly as possible after the opponent's
score.
·
Player 1 is out-of-bounds with the ball
nominate a player of this, to enable a quick
inbound pass and eliminate two players
trying to throw it in.
·
Player 2 is to the left of circle, half-way
between the centre of the free-throw circle
and sideline
·
Player 3 is behind 2, in-line with the ball.
·
Player 4 is to the right of the free-throw
circle.
·
Player 5 is in-line with the ball, about 10 feet
behind 4.
·
Players 3 and 5 should be the best ball
handlers.
·
Player 2 and 4 should be the bigger players.
Press Breaker in Action
·
·
On a signal, (slapping the ball), player 2 rear
screens for 3 who drives toward 1.
Player 3 receives the ball from 1
·
Meanwhile, 2 sprints down the floor,
stopping suddenly when reaching the other
free-throw line extended and quickly retraces
his steps, looking for a pass.
·
When 3 receives the ball, he may pass back
to 1 who cuts as illustrated, or spin and drive
down the middle.
·
Players 4 and 5 move fast to the far end in
order to clear the backcourt. Player 5 may
linger near the centerline in case 1 or 3 may
have trouble and need help.
Pattern in Action - Option 2
·
·
If 3 isn't open, 4 rear screens for 5. This
must be timed so that 3 and 5 do not come to
the ball at the same time.
If open, player 5 receives the ball from 1.
·
Player 4 drives to the far end of the court, as
2 did in the previous diagram.
·
Player 5 may pass to 1 or fake a pass, then
turn in the opposite and dribble drive down
the middle.
·
Player 2 moves fast down the court, while 3
stays near the centre line should help be
needed.
Getting the ball into play from the side line in the offence end
Sideline Play, "Box-1"
This sideline out-of-bounds play uses a basic box formation (diagram A). The play starts with post players O4 and O5
setting down-screens for O2 and O3. O2 and O3 cut off the screens to the 3-point area. The in-bounds pass goes to O3,
while O2 serves as a safety and also stays back on defence.
After O3 receives the ball, O5 back-screens for O1 (diagram B). O1 cuts hard off O5's screen (on the baseline side) and
goes to the hoop. O3 makes the pass back to O1 for the lay-up (diagram C). A second option would be the pass to O5,
who seals and rolls off the back-screen to the hoop. If the pass is well-defended, O3 passes instead out to the point to
O2, and O1 goes through and fills the opposite wing, and you are in your half-court 3-out, 2-in offensive set.
A similar set up should be utilised when the ball is taken from the end of the court but the screen using the above
diagram would reverse and players 3 and 2 screen 5 and 4 player 1 is on the end court. The pass would go to player 5 or
4 depending on which side of the backboard the ball is being thrown in.
A simple rule for players on a side line throw in is to clear away from the ball giving them room to run toward the ball if
unsuccessful clear out and approach the ball again. Too many players stand close to the side line passer which drags
your opponent to the ball congesting the throw in. use these terms clear out attack the ball and clear again.
There are numerous drills on the internet and on our club website keep them relevant to your groups level short and
varied to address required skills. OUR CLUB FOCUS is on DEFENCE once it is mastered the offence will come.