Help please?

[CGG]

My 15 year old son has just started playing basketball with his father's team. This is the first time he has ever played basketball competitively, and he's debuted in Mens A Grade. Fortunately not the toughest comp in Australia - but still a big ask. Where would you suggest he start in skills development? He's 5'11" and a stick by the way.

learn to dribble :wink:
learn to shoot :wink:

[CGG]

Gee - I hadn't thought of those! Thanks for the insight Head Coach. :? (Where's the sarcasm emoticon?). No seriously - other than never be seen without a basketball is there anything that I can encourage him with?

[Wallitron]

If he's quick enough, I'd start with his defensive footwork. Most of the players I would assume are older, and probably not as fit. Having a young bloke going full court to hassle the crap out of the opposition ball handler can really wear them down.

Teach him to slide, and constantly turn them, hoping they pick up the ball. Once it's out of their hands have him deny them the ball. Emphasise the value of not having their point guard start their offense, or at worst, making them work and burning some valuable seconds off the shot clock.

The first offensive skills anyone should learn is a right and left handed layup, with the correct footwork. Then, I think a good shooting action starts at the free throw line.

[Trappist Monk]

CGG, obviously don't expect too much of him. He'll be lost out there for at least several games so he needs to do things that don't require individual brilliance but assist him into the team structure.
Nothing saps a new player's confidence more than being stranded in the middle of the court while play goes back and forth around them as they mentally try to attune to the pace.

So, give him 3 things to do for the first games, eg, play safety on offence, defend at the point, go wide to receive the defensive outlet. This will get him contributing with less likelihood of his team mates ragging on him for stuffing things up.

As the weeks progress, he'll be able to do more as his confidence and exposure build. It would be good if the team can put a training session together for his benefit - show him the plays, defensive structure and correct some of his (no doubt) And 1 fundamentals :lol:

[CGG]

Nothing saps a new player's confidence more than being stranded in the middle of the court while play goes back and forth around them as they mentally try to attune to the pace.


Got that covered. :lol: Hence why I'm asking for help from those of you who know.

So, give him 3 things to do for the first games, eg, play safety on offence, defend at the point, go wide to receive the defensive outlet. This will get him contributing with less likelihood of his team mates ragging on him for stuffing things up.

So you're saying that sticking him in as Centre (no - I'm not kidding) and letting him be constantly posterized may not be the best method for teaching him the game? To their credit the other guys have been reasonably supportive whenever he's done the right thing - but those moments are hard to come by when you're getting squashed between two aggressive opponents. On the comical side - one of them found out that you shouldn't pick on an ex-front row forward's son when said father is on the court and experienced in basketball subtleties.

It would be good if the team can put a training session together for his benefit - show him the plays, defensive structure and correct some of his (no doubt) And 1 fundamentals :lol:

This would however require training. We'll have to see if we can squeeze some time in at the uni gym in the next couple of weeks. Thank you seriously for the tips guys - keep 'em coming.

[Coachpete]

I would suggest you find a highly reputable Level 2 coach with excellent experience and credentials and arrange to have a private coaching session once a week for a very reasonable fee (pm me for my number :lol: )

[CGG]

So you're willing to travel to Armidale once a week?

[Coachpete]

So you're willing to travel to Armidale once a week?


No.............you'd have to bring him to me :P

What do ya think it is???? :lol:

[CGG]

Bush week of course!

[Ups]

I agree with Wallitron, start with his Defensive Footwork cause lots of ball handlers hate someone harassing up the court!

[Cee_em_bee]

1. Don't over dribble, always look for a team mate who has good position.
2. When you don't have the ball, run in a zig zag pattern, keep the defenders guessing
3. When someone coming towards him on defence not to move his feet.
4. Man to Man defence, Always stay in front of your man, don't gamble to often
5. Play your arse off

[MAIN_MAN]

learn from watching And 1 MIX TAPES . :D :wink:

[Franklin]

My 15 year old son has just started playing basketball with his father's team. This is the first time he has ever played basketball competitively, and he's debuted in Mens A Grade. Fortunately not the toughest comp in Australia - but still a big ask. Where would you suggest he start in skills development? He's 5'11" and a stick by the way.

Why not C-grade with some of his mates and maybe a couple of older players (you have mates who want to play but don't want to play A grade?) and you coach them?

Even though you say it's not the toughest A grade comp, you'll still have reasonably fit people playing so your son won't likely have such a huge edge fitness wise despite his youth. We took on a couple of young kids in our team which is only c-grade and while they are not unfit, they are not as fit as most of the younger players (20-year olds) in the comp. And as you also point out, there are people such as ex front rowers who know the subtleties, so they don't waste energy running around for no result.

Regardless of what comp he's in, teach him about positional play: ie: where should he be and what should he be doing. That should help reduce the "lost" feeling.

And just little things. Like don't just say "you have to cut". Tell him what cutting means, why he has to do it and what to look out for to know when to cut.

And if you're playing a zone D, and, say, he's a guard (or forward, for that matter) a little nudge in the right direction of his player!