What is really killing youth basketball development…
Everyone says AAU is killing the development of basketball players across the country. The games, the travel and recruiting. While some of that definitely has a part of it—here is the real reason.
Instant gratification is killing youth basketball development.
Contrary to what seems to be popular belief by 96.3% of all 3rd – 8th grade coaches winning your Saturday tournament is not the most important thing. I always tell coaches and parents this, “Your kids aren’t going to remember winning the 1 day tournament in 6th grade. They’re going to remember playing for a conference championship in front of thousands of fans wearing your school colors. By emphasizing winning you are setting them up for failure.” It’s not winning that matters — it’s competing and as cliché’ as it sounds — trying your best. The coach’s job is to get kids out of their comfort zone, to push past levels of fear in order for them to understand what their best is.
A couple things really stand out when I think of this
Trapping zone defenses.
I see this all the time and it drives me crazy. 4th grade team traps at half court or picks up full court in the ever so popular diamond press where the first pass is trapped in the corner. When you first look at it you probably think that the team who can’t pass or handle the ball is the one with the problems. In hindsight isn’t it the team that never learns how to play man-to-man principles or help side defense? The team and players that learn to gamble on every defensive possessions?
At this age there is such a disparity in the physical maturation of players. This makes it difficult for many of them to throw the length, accuracy and speed of a pass to beat a trapping zone or press. At this level there is hardly anything they can do about it — making a 4th grade team lift weights isn’t going to help them throw crisp 20 foot passes.
Sets and continuity offenses
Sets are like trying to win the lottery each game. Player development is an investment and I’m sorry to say this, but it is going to be hard work. You are going to have to get up early, sweat, stay after practice and be in the weight room—yes coaches I am talking to you. Because the bottom line is that there are no absolutes in basketball. What do your players revert to in times or pressure or when a set fails? Their fundamentals. This is not true only in basketball, but in life. In times of pressure you revert to who you truly are as a person. Pressure basketball doesn’t only reveal your character it reveals your fundamentals. Ironically your character is the fundamentals of who you are. Teach your players to play the game not run 17 different plays.
Once players get to high school I don’t have a problem with their coaches running sets or some sort of continuity. There is a boy’s coach here in Milwaukee, Mark Adams, at Brookfield Central that has run the flex for years. I HATE the flex, but you know what? I enjoy watching his teams play because he teaches them how to play out of it. What are your reads, options and cuts. He teaches all of it.
These “concepts” for lack of a better word teach players that winning is the only thing that matters. When players are brought up to play the right way they understand that if you master the fundamentals you will set yourself up for the best possible chance to win in almost any situation.
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Mike Lee
Follow me on twitter @mikeleehoops for updates, motivational thoughts and basketball teaching points
Mike, this article is exactly what I have been saying to anyone who will listen! My question is, why aren’t these youth basketball coaches focused on developing the kids’ skills and teaching them how to play? I have found that they lack expertise and gym time. Coaching youth basketball is no joke man. You have to be versed in player development and study the coaching craft to be really effective.
I see too many parent coached youth basketball teams that underperform because the kids aren’t being developed. And if I see one more 5th – 8th grade team full of athletes playing zone defense I’m going to take a hostage. What are they doing? At that level kids should be manned up, communicating and learning the 4 C’s: Compete, Contain, Contest and Communicate.
To be honest, I don’t think kids should even be playing full games until the 7th grade. Grades 3 – 6 should be spent giving them a strong fundamental base, some athletic development and plenty of 1-on-1, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3 games to help them learn basketball and how to use the skills they are developing.
I agree Jason. Small sided games would be best for younger players. They get way more reps, in a smaller area making it easier to translate to a larger court and more players. Spread the word!
Great points Mike and Jason. I have been a youth coach and require my kids to play man-to-man as that teach the fundamentals of defense that can then be applied to a zone later on in high school.
My philosophy is simple – Coach to develop instead of coach to win. If you do your job developing the players, then winning will take care of itself. It’s important to show integrity and stick do your guns during the games and not give in to the pressure of winning – especially at the young grades. Just because you have the best player and you could set a screen for him every time doesn’t mean you do that. Yes, you can win the game but is the rest of the team developing? What will the team be like in the future? When because of your weakest link, not despite of it.
Keep preaching the word and fighting the good fight!
I completely agree Tom – If you focus on development the wins will take care of itself. Its way more of an investment in your players and also improving yourself as a coach, which is why most people don’t do it!
Hi Mike I’m a 7th grader going into 8th grade and I am thinking about going out for an aau team. I am very dedicated and I figured playing more ingame basketball could help me become a better scorer for next season. So should I go out for the aau team or just hit the gym and train instead..Thanks
James
I agree with everyone on this post. I’m a female and has an 2nd graded who’s approx 4’10. who need to develop the skill. He enjoys playing but when I see these self made coaches trying to live there childhood lives in these little boys I get upset. We need more real coaches out here for these youthe.
I agree Rita. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We need more teachers in the game!