Guide to Making a Training Program for Youth Basketball

Basketball is a game of fundamentals, as most great coaches will tell you. If someone is taught the fundamentals and really drilled with those fundamentals from a young age, they will be a better basketball player and teacher for life. So when creating a training program for youth basketball players, teaching basic fundamentals in all aspects of the game should be the focus. The fundamentals include basic ball handling, shooting and defense, but can extend to all parts of the game.

  1. Stretching and Ball-Handling

    • Before actually playing, stretching and ball-handling drills should begin each session. Players should sit on the gym floor and a coach should take them through stretching drills, making sure their legs and core are loose and ready to play so they don't hurt themselves. This is a good habit to build for all physical activities for the rest of their lives. Then do ball-handling drills, which should take 10 to 15 minutes. Dribble with your right hand. Dribble with your left hand. Dribble back and forth right in front of you. Dribble through your legs. There are countless ball-handling drills you can choose from which can work into this routine. Do this to open every practice.

    Shooting Drills

    • Once ball handling is finished, teach your players the aspects of shooting. It's OK if it's repeated--even great players need to be reminded of the fundamentals of shooting. Set the ball loosely on your palm with your elbow pointed up on your shooting arm. Push straight up. Snap the wrist. Release the ball. The wrist should snap forward like you're putting your hand in a cookie jar. The ball will spin smoothly through the air and land in front of you and bounce back. Do this for five minutes with the entire team so that they can all practice their shot and fundamentals. Once that has been practiced, actually allow the players to shoot. Form two lines, one for shooting, one for rebounding. Shoot layups, then jump shots, then three-pointers. Do each for five minutes. Then have everyone shoot 10 free throws apiece.

    Defense

    • Arguably one of the most important aspects of the game of basketball, great defense is integral to teaching a player to be a good player and a team player. While there are a number of drills to teaching this, one of the best drills consists of lining the entire team around the free throw key. One player is selected to be in the middle and must "follow the ball." The players lined up around the key must pass the ball around the key to the players beside them and the player in the middle must follow it. Whoever follows it for the longest doesn't have to run conditioning drills--they will most likely be exhausted, anyway.