Ayrton Oneill
Coaching 6-year-olds can be a daunting task, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. The primary focus should be on making the experience enjoyable for the kids, so they are excited to continue playing basketball. Practices should be well-structured and focus on skill development, with plenty of fun games and drills to keep the kids engaged. Small-sided games with fewer players on each team are ideal for this age group, as they allow players to develop their skills and have fun. It is also important to incorporate a dynamic warm-up into the practice to prevent injury and improve performance. Additionally, coaches should encourage and provide feedback to their players, rather than spending too much time on the next drill or team strategy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Focus | Teaching skills and making it an enjoyable experience |
| Warm-up | Get muscles loose and body temperature up |
| Practice structure | Create a practice plan in advance |
| Teamwork | Build trust |
| Game-play | Small-sided games with fewer participants on each team |
| Drills | Incorporate rules to work on different skills, e.g. "no dribble" rule |
| Scrimmages | Include in every practice plan |
| Time | 60-minute practices |
| Equipment | One basketball per player, cones |
| Assistant coaches | 3:1 adult to child ratio is ideal |
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What You'll Learn
Warm-up and athletic work
- Wall ball: Players practice aiming at an X taped on the wall. This helps with hand-eye coordination and is a simple, fun activity for young children.
- Dribbling drills: Players can work on their dribbling skills by dribbling a basketball back and forth between their legs, starting low and quick below the knees, then at knee level, and finally swinging the ball from side to side at a higher level. This helps improve ball control and agility.
- Passing drills: Players can pair up and practice overhead passes to each other, ensuring they make eye contact before passing and use a jump stop before passing. This promotes teamwork and communication.
- Shooting drills: Players can work on their shooting form and technique. They should stand close to the basket and practice shooting with their dominant hand, focusing on their follow-through. This helps improve accuracy and coordination.
- Small-sided games: These are games with fewer players on each team (1v1, 2v1, etc.). They help players develop their skills and have more fun. For example, a game of tag where players must dribble a basketball helps them work on ball handling, speed, and agility.
- Scrimmages: Scrimmages allow players to practice their skills in a game-like setting. You can incorporate rules to work on specific skills, such as a "no dribble" rule to encourage players to read the play and make cuts.
- Footwork drills: Players can work on their footwork and agility by doing exercises like the Grape Vine (stepping side-on and alternating steps with the front and rear legs) and high jumps with quiet landings (jumping and landing as softly as possible).
Remember to keep the drills fun and engaging for the 6-year-olds, and adapt them as needed to ensure they are safe and enjoyable for this age group.
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Passing and catching
One basic drill to teach passing and catching is to have the players get into pairs, with one ball between them, facing each other about two feet apart. The first passer starts the drill by passing to their partner and then taking two short steps back. The receiver catches the ball and passes it back. After each pass, the first player retreats two steps, while the receiver stays still. This teaches the players to provide a target with their hands extended to make the grab, and also to make eye contact with their teammate before passing.
Another drill is to have groups of three, with one ball between them. The passers face each other about 10 to 20 feet apart, and the third player is the defender, standing in the middle. The passers work together to pass the ball to each other, with the defender trying to deflect or steal the pass. This drill teaches players to keep their eyes up and react with each progression, as well as to pivot and move without the ball.
A fun variation on the traditional game of tag can also be played, where the passers are "it" and must try to tag the other players by passing the ball to them. This helps players to pivot and move without the ball.
It is important to remember that youth coaching should focus on teaching skills and making the experience enjoyable. This means that coaches should try to include a mix of drills and games to keep the players engaged and having fun while they learn.
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Shooting technique
For 6-year-olds, the primary goal of basketball practice should be to introduce the sport in a fun setting so that they develop an interest in the game and want to continue playing in the future. The focus should be on making the practice sessions enjoyable and engaging for the kids, with an emphasis on developing their fundamental skills.
Shooting is a crucial aspect of basketball, and teaching young players the proper technique will help them develop a strong foundation. Here's a detailed guide on how to instruct 6-year-olds on shooting:
Basic Stance and Grip: Start by teaching the players the correct stance and grip for shooting. Ask them to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and back straight. Demonstrate how to hold the basketball with their dominant hand, placing it in front of them with their elbow underneath the ball and their palm facing upward.
One-Handed Shot: For young players, start with a one-handed shot. Have them extend their arm and knee simultaneously to shoot for the basket. Encourage them to follow through with their arm extended and their elbow high, flipping their wrist to give the ball a good arc and rotation.
Practice at Different Distances: Set up cones or spots at various distances from the basket. On your signal, have the players take turns running out to these spots, taking a shot, and then retrieving their rebound. Adjust the distances to make it more accessible for younger players, moving the spots closer to the basket, within the 15-foot range, and even closer to the hoop for the youngest players.
Partner Work: Pair up the players and have them stand a few feet away from each other, facing their partners. One player will be the shooter, and the other will be the rebounder. The shooter should practice their shooting form, focusing on their technique, while the rebounder collects the ball after each shot. They can then switch roles.
Wall Ball: For very young players who may not yet have the strength to reach the basket, try the wall ball drill. Have them stand a few feet away from a wall and practice throwing the ball at an X taped on the wall. This helps them develop their arm strength and aiming skills.
High-Five Drill: This drill helps reinforce proper shooting technique. Have the players stand in a line facing the basket. They should take a shot, and if they make it, they get to high-five you or their teammates. If they miss, they retrieve their rebound and return to the back of the line.
Remember to keep the drills lighthearted and enjoyable for the kids. Provide positive reinforcement and celebrate their accomplishments, no matter how small.
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Small-sided games
You can also use chalk to draw lines on the court and have players dribble along these lines, switching hands to increase the challenge. This will help them develop their dribbling skills and improve their speed and focus.
It is important to have a practice plan and to focus on skill development rather than just set plays. Small-sided games are a great way to do this and to keep practices fun and engaging for 6-year-olds.
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Scrimmages
Another variation is to have teams play different defensive styles consecutively. For instance, a team might play half-court man-to-man defense, then switch to a 1-3-1 zone, and finally, finish with a 2-2-1 press. This strategy improves the players' ability to recognize different defensive setups and adjust their offense accordingly.
To further develop their skills, players should focus on improving a specific aspect of their game during scrimmages. For instance, they could work on their passing, court vision, or defensive techniques.
Additionally, coaches can use scrimmages to evaluate their players' competitiveness, leadership, and determination. They can do this by mismatching a skilled player with less skilled teammates and observing how the player reacts to the challenge.
To create a sense of urgency and excitement, coaches can also implement consequences for the losing team, such as ending practice immediately after a loss. This will motivate players to give their best and teach them about capturing and maintaining momentum.
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Frequently asked questions
At this age, it is important for kids to have fun and develop a love for the game. A classic playground game is tag, which can be adapted to incorporate dribbling, ball handling, speed, agility, control and spatial awareness. Another fun drill is to have the kids practice aiming at an X taped on a wall. You can also have them play small-sided games (fewer participants on each team than normal) and incorporate rules to work on different skills, such as a "no dribble" rule to encourage them to read the play and make cuts to get open.
It can be daunting to coach this age group, as they may be difficult to control and will have trouble with fine motor skills and coordination. Try to have at least one or two assistant coaches, parents, or other helpers present during practice to help manage the kids. An adult-to-child ratio of 3:1 is ideal. It is also important to focus on making the experience fun and engaging, rather than treating it like a high school or professional basketball practice.
It is a good idea to create a practice plan in advance to make the session more efficient. For a 60-minute practice, you can include a warm-up, some skills training, and a fun game or drill to reinforce what they have learned. You can also have them play small-sided games, such as 1v1 or 2v1, to get more game-play experience.
