FEEDER ORGANIZATION AND PROGRESSION

 

Elementary Level 

     

     I truly believe that the best I would like to make myself more available to players, parents, and coaches for advice or instruction.

     If a coach or parent would like suggestions on what fundamentals to emphasize or how to teach them I would be more than happy to help. If they’re seeking some new or better drills for their practices, I would love to accommodate them. Having coached 5th and 6th grade basketball while I was in high school, I feel I have a firm grasp on what kids that age can and can’t handle. That being said, at the elementary level I do not want to impose anything. I will merely make myself available as a resource. I have conducted annual fall coaching clinics for youth and traveling team coaches. I have created a 10u boys select team that will help prepare players for middle school basketball.

     

     Another way I would like to enhance the elementary program would impact our varsity in an immediate and very direct way. I would like to involve our varsity players with young people in the community through the various youth programs. 

     At least three times during the elementary season I would bring my varsity team to the youth practices and perhaps even to some games. In the practice environment, my players would act as instructors at one of several stations. The stations would feature ball handling, passing, and shooting drills with all of the stations designed to be fun. 

     The benefits of a program such as this are numerous, but here are what I consider to be the top two. The first thing this program does is introduce elementary boys to our team in a fun environment. When they get to meet and eventually become familiar with the varsity players it will lead some of them to attend more varsity games. Ultimately it will increase their interest in basketball and increased enthusiasm from young people clearly benefiting our program. As beneficial as this would be, this program is about more than public relations.

     The other important thing I believe this program would do is expose our varsity players to the young people that we are asking them to be role models for. Surrounding players with young people and putting them in a position where they will be looked up to will aid immensely in the players’ maturation process. Players will be forced to recognize themselves as role models. While working with the kids, I expect our players will often learn as much as they teach. 

 

Elementary School Teaching Points and Progression

(At least one component from each category should be emphasized on a daily basis until every component has been integrated into your daily routine.)

 

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Middle School Level

     

     I am absolutely convinced that this is the place where great programs are built. It is during these crucial years that players develop their habits. Whether they are good habits or bad habits will determine the future fate of the program. 

     Good habits will be instilled through a heavy emphasis on fundamentals, specifically footwork and ball-handling fundamentals. It is in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades that the best defensive players are made. Good defense demands good footwork. Our players will shuffle, pivot, and drop steps better than anyone in our conference before they reach the varsity level. 

     Proper footwork is also essential on offense. Using your feet to set up a screen and getting your feet ready to shoot will be two other areas of emphasis. By ball handling at the middle school level, I mean primarily being able to pass and catch the ball properly and effectively. Post players will learn how to provide a target and receive the ball while perimeter players must learn how to deliver it to them. Dribbling will be addressed and be an area of focus, but it will be more position-specific.

     I consider this program developmental first and competitive second. Every player should be allowed the chance to develop their skills in practice and games. Of course, the best place to improve is practice, so we would like to keep as many kids involved and interested as possible. I can cite several examples of players that were on the 8th grade “C” team that later developed into starters at the varsity level. Not only does it benefit the kids to stay involved at this level, but also it benefits the program because it can be hard to predict with certainty who will develop.

     Because of the tremendous importance of the middle school program, I will meet with my junior high coaches on several occasions prior to the season to detail our drills and fundamentals. Further, I will make it a point to attend 7th and 8th-grade practice for at least a half-hour every week to provide guidance and assistance to the coaches and players. I will do this until the junior high coaches and I are both comfortable and convinced that we are on the same page. We had great success with this at Braswell this year and my middle school staff is teaching our system exactly the way it should be taught.

     My experience with championship programs has convinced me that it is essential to have a uniform offensive and defensive system in place from 7th grade through the varsity level. There is no substitute for a group of varsity kids that are familiar and experienced with an offensive and defensive system and develop a comfort level with it. That is why I will provide our middle school coaches with the following structure.

Note: I provide each coach with a complete drill book that features detailed explanations of drills and plays to assist them through the season. What follows is a brief outline.

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Middle School Teaching Points and Progression

(At least one component from each category should be emphasized on a daily basis until every component has been integrated into your daily routine.)

 

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Typical Middle School Practice Schedule

0 - Passing and catching fundamentals/transition drills

10 - Team shooting drills

20 - Individual defense drills

25 - Team defense/box out drills

40 - Free throws/water break

45 -  Position breakdown/individual offense drills (posts/guards)

55 - Team offensive time 

1:10 - Team Defensive time

1:30 - Team Scrimmage dismissal

 

7th Grade Expectations

Defense: 90% man to man 

Offense: Man (1 Guard)

                Zone (Fist)

                Fastbreak: Primary break lanes

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8th Grade Expectations

Defense: 90% man to man

Offense: Man (Motion)

                Zone (Fist)

                Fastbreak: Primary break lanes

 

9th Grade Program

     An increased emphasis on winning will begin to emerge at these levels. The 9th-grade coaches will be advised to play everyone as much as possible, but the primary focus of these teams will be to develop those players we project as most likely to play on the varsity level. 

     A close second in terms of importance is developing a winning attitude. Just as we work to form good fundamental habits at the middle school level we will work to make winning a habit at this level and those above it. A winning attitude and team confidence is essential as players graduate to the junior varsity and varsity levels. Our 9th grade will be a place where our players develop a winning attitude and make winning a habit.

 

9th Grade Expectations

Defense: At least 75% man to man

Offense: Man (Motion with 2 quick hitters)

               Zone (Fist)

               Fastbreak: Primary and Secondary breaks

 

JV Program

     In a perfect world, this program would consist almost exclusively of juniors. It sounds as though the Rebel program is in a strong position and this is likely the case. Like, the 9th-grade squad, the JV program will work to prepare and develop a core of players likely to contribute at the varsity level in the very near future. At the same time, it will be important for this team to establish a winning attitude. By the time players have reached the JV level, I believe the task of development and the pursuit of winning can be accomplished without one contradicting the other. 

     Another role of this program will be to provide a competitive practice environment for our varsity. The JV players will be asked to act as a scout team at times and scrimmage against our varsity. The extent to which they push our varsity will have a profound impact on the success of our varsity squad.

 

JV Expectations

Defense: Coach’s discretion. We will play whatever defense gives us the best chance to win, likely featuring a lot of full-court pressure.

Offense: Mirror of the varsity’s offense