Kristian Ferrell
As a parent, it is only natural to want the best for your child and to help them succeed in their interests. If your son has just started playing basketball, you may be looking for ways to help him improve his understanding of the game and develop his fundamental skills. While there is no quick fix to improving at basketball, there are several steps you can take to support your son's basketball journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | 13 |
| Training | YouTube videos for beginners, training camps, trainers |
| Watching basketball | Pro basketball, college ball, high school teams, basketball documentaries |
| Analysing plays | Learn pick and rolls, zone defence, euro steps, the pass and cut, crossovers |
| Practising | Drills, shooting, dribbling, passing, footwork |
| Evaluating | Identify deficiencies and strengths |
| Planning | Combine playing, training, nutrition, and mental approach |
| Scheduling | Avoid high-density competition scheduling, take rest days and extended time off |
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What You'll Learn
- Footwork: Teach jab steps, ball fakes, and passing/shot fakes
- Passing: Teach basic passes, advanced passes, and passing under pressure
- Shooting: Prioritise shooting, practice shooting on the move, and off the pass/dribble
- Dribbling: Teach dribble moves like the inside-out dribble and the hesitation move
- Training: Ensure your son is working hard, is committed, and prioritises his goals
Footwork: Teach jab steps, ball fakes, and passing/shot fakes
Footwork is an important aspect of basketball, and there are several drills you can do with your son to improve his footwork and overall game. Jab steps, ball fakes, and passing/shot fakes are all great ways to improve your son's footwork and keep defenders guessing.
Start with the basics of footwork: teach your son how to pivot and how to use his feet to pivot, face the basket, and square his shoulders. This will give him a solid foundation for the more advanced moves. Next, introduce the jab step: this is a quick, sharp step in one direction, followed by a quick change of direction. This move will help your son create space between himself and his defender, giving him more time to make a pass or take a shot. It's important to emphasize that the jab step should be quick and explosive, and that your son should keep his knees bent and his weight balanced on the balls of his feet to stay light and agile.
You can also teach him ball fakes, which are great for deceiving defenders. A simple ball fake involves your son holding the ball in both hands and making a quick movement as if to pass or shoot, without actually releasing the ball. This can be combined with a jab step to make the fake even more convincing. For example, he could do a jab step to one side, followed by a quick ball fake and then a dribble in the opposite direction.
Passing/shot fakes are also useful for keeping defenders off-balance. Your son can perform a passing fake by making a quick movement with the ball as if to pass to a teammate, but instead of releasing the ball, he pulls it back. This can create an opportunity for a shot or a drive to the basket. Similarly, a shot fake involves making a quick upward movement with the ball as if to shoot, but instead of releasing the ball, he quickly brings it back down. This can be used to draw defenders in, creating space for a pass or drive.
It's important to practice these moves at different speeds and in different directions to improve your son's agility and keep defenders guessing. Combining these footwork moves with dribbling and shooting drills will also help him become more comfortable using them in game-like situations.
Remember, it's important to not put too much pressure on your son and to let him develop at his own pace. While it's great to work on fundamentals and footwork, make sure to also encourage his enjoyment of the game and his overall athletic development.
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Passing: Teach basic passes, advanced passes, and passing under pressure
Passing is an essential skill in basketball, and it is important to teach your son not only the skill but also the mentality that comes with it. Too many players think of passing as something to do when they don't have a shot, rather than an unselfish act that is designed to include other players.
Basic passes
First, your son should learn the fundamental principles of passing before moving on to individual passing techniques. He can start with the chest pass, holding the sides of the ball with both hands and keeping his elbows tight next to his torso. He should then learn the bounce pass, which requires the basketball to hit the floor before arriving at its recipient. This can be practised by placing a marker or a dot on the floor to give him a target to focus on. Another basic pass is the overhead pass, which starts with the basketball held above the passer's head.
Advanced passes
Once your son has mastered the basic passing types, he can move on to more advanced passes such as the behind-the-back pass, over-spins, and wrap-arounds. He can also learn to create space and get open to help his teammates.
Passing under pressure
To teach passing under pressure, your son can practise dynamic game-based passing drills that include decision-making, random types of passes, movement, and passing under pressure. Drills such as Monkey in the Middle and Bull in the Ring are great for this. He can also practise passing through all windows against imaginary, stationary, and "live" defenders.
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Shooting: Prioritise shooting, practice shooting on the move, and off the pass/dribble
Shooting is one of the most important skills in basketball. If you can make baskets, you'll be a valuable asset to your team. Even if your son isn't blessed with tremendous speed, strength or athleticism, great shooting is one of the surest ways he can stand out on the basketball court.
To develop a good shooting technique, it's important to understand the fundamentals of shooting mechanics and form. The angle of the arm on release determines the direction of the shot, and the flick determines the angle of the shot and the amount of backspin. The fingers used to release the ball determine the type of spin. When shooting, your son should push the ball upwards until it reaches their head, then their arm will naturally extend and move forward, with the wrist snapping loosely to release the ball. This is different from a standard throw, where you pull the ball to your body and then push it. The leg/hip drive gives the ball height, and the release gives it forward direction and backspin.
To improve, your son should watch how other players shoot and analyse their technique. He should also practice shooting as often as possible. There are many free resources available on YouTube, as well as paid basketball camps and online coaching resources that provide specialised drills and workouts for shooting. Additionally, he can post a video of his shot to forums such as r/BasketballTips, where members will provide tips and advice for improvement.
It's important to note that while watching professional basketball games can be exciting and a great way to learn about the game, it may not be the best way to learn the fundamentals. Instead, your son should watch college or high school games, or YouTube videos for basic movements and cuts.
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Dribbling: Teach dribble moves like the inside-out dribble and the hesitation move
Dribbling is a crucial skill in basketball, and there are several moves that can help your son improve his control and confidence on the court. The inside-out dribble, also known as a fake crossover, is a great move to teach him. This involves him faking a move in one direction, by dribbling the ball to the outside of his body with one hand, before quickly switching direction and dribbling the ball back to the inside with the other hand. This move will help your son to change direction and advance the ball quickly, keeping it away from defenders.
Another useful dribble move to teach your son is the hesitation move. This involves him dribbling at a defender at speed, then quickly changing pace and direction to throw off the defender's timing and balance. The key to this move is selling the initial speed and direction, before suddenly hesitating and changing course. This will help your son create space and buy time to make a pass or take a shot.
You can also teach your son more advanced dribble moves, such as dribbling between the legs. This move can be used to quickly change directions and can be combined with the inside-out dribble and hesitation move. Practicing these dribble moves will help your son improve his ball handling, footwork, and overall control on the court.
To help your son develop these skills, consider using online resources and videos that provide drills and workouts specifically designed for youth basketball players. You can also record your son's practices and games, and review the footage together to identify areas for improvement and discuss different options he could take in certain situations. Additionally, watching professional and college basketball games, as well as documentaries, can expose your son to different techniques and help him understand the fundamentals of the game.
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Training: Ensure your son is working hard, is committed, and prioritises his goals
Training and hard work are key to your son's basketball development. While natural talent is important, it is not enough on its own, and the wrong approach to training can cause your son to lose any advantage he may have. It is important to ensure that your son is committed to his training and that he prioritises his goals.
Firstly, it is important to recognise that your son's training should be balanced with other aspects of his life. School, community activities, and other responsibilities should not be neglected in favour of basketball. Specialisation in basketball before the age of 14 is discouraged, and daily rest is important for injury prevention, sport development, and overall health. Therefore, your son's training schedule should be structured with this in mind, and rest days should be taken each week.
Secondly, your son's training should be focused on improving his fundamental basketball skills. This includes shooting, dribbling, passing, and footwork. There are many resources available to help your son develop these skills, such as the Jim Huber Beginner Basketball program, which is highly recommended for children aged 5-9 and offers drills and instruction on teaching fundamentals. Additionally, YouTube is a great resource for free training videos for beginners, and your son can also watch college basketball games or solid high school teams in your area to learn from players at a similar skill level.
Finally, it is important to evaluate your son's performance and identify areas for improvement. This can be done by recording his games and reviewing the footage with him, pointing out both his errors and his successes. This will help your son understand the "whys" and "hows" of the game and improve his decision-making on the court. Additionally, consider having your son work with a coach or trainer who can evaluate his strengths and weaknesses and put together a comprehensive plan for improvement. This plan should combine playing, training, nutrition, and mental preparation to ensure your son is approaching the game in a healthy and sustainable way.
Remember, there are no quick fixes or easy solutions to improving at basketball. It takes hard work and perseverance. By ensuring your son is committed to his training and prioritising his goals, you can help set him up for success on and off the court.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to remember that there are no quick fixes to get better at basketball. It requires hard work and perseverance. However, there are a few things you can do to help your son improve his skills. Firstly, ensure he is getting adequate rest. Daily rest is important for injury prevention, sport development, and overall health. Secondly, record him while he plays and watch the footage together. Point out his errors and offer suggestions for improvement, but also highlight his strengths and positive choices. Additionally, you can watch basketball games and documentaries together and analyze plays that can be implemented. Finally, if your son has a coach, ask them for advice on drills and other materials your son can work on at home.
There are several resources available to help your son with basketball fundamentals. The Youth Coaching System with Jim Huber is highly recommended for coaches as it provides a variety of drills and teaches the fundamentals in a comprehensive manner. Additionally, YouTube has many free training videos for beginners, including basic movements and cuts for different positions.
Fundamental skills in basketball include shooting, dribbling, passing, and footwork. Shooting is considered the most important skill in the game, so your son should prioritize practicing shooting on the move, such as shooting off the dribble and the pass. Additionally, he can work on dribble moves like the inside-out dribble (fake crossover) and between-the-legs. For passing, basic passes like the baseball pass and wrap-around pass can be introduced, along with drills to practice passing under pressure. Finally, footwork is crucial, so your son can practice jab steps and ball fakes, including pass fakes and shot fakes.
It's important to instill a good work ethic in your son to ensure he is committed to improving his basketball skills. This involves working hard, having a detailed plan, and prioritizing tasks carefully. Encourage your son to evaluate his strengths and weaknesses and create a plan to work on both. This plan should combine playing, training, and proper nutrition. Additionally, remind him that talent alone is not enough, and consistent hard work is what will set him apart from other players in the long run.
It's important to remember that basketball is just one aspect of your son's life, and balancing it with his other responsibilities is crucial. Specialization in basketball before the age of 14 is generally discouraged, so ensure your son is not overloading himself with basketball-related activities. Help him structure his schedule to include time for school, community activities, and rest, in addition to basketball practice and training. Prioritize rest days each week and extended time off each year to prevent burnout and maintain your son's motivation.
