Amanda Knapp
Scheduling basketball practice for junior high school students can be challenging, but with proper planning and a focus on fundamentals, it can be a rewarding experience for both coaches and players. A typical practice schedule should include a dynamic warm-up, dribbling, passing, shooting, and defence drills. It's important to start with the basics and ensure players have mastered them before moving on to more advanced concepts. Coaches should also encourage player development by focusing on a specific theme each week, such as finishing at the rim or post moves, to help prepare students for competitive high school basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Warm-up | Dynamic warm-up and athletic work for 10-15 minutes |
| Walk around the court and identify different areas | |
| Incorporate movements from other sports | |
| Players partner up and move in different ways while holding hands | |
| Drills | Passing, cutting, filling |
| Dribbling | |
| Shooting | |
| Ball-handling | |
| Man-to-man defense | |
| 2-3 zone defense | |
| Post moves | |
| Jab steps | |
| Finishing at the rim | |
| On-ball defense | |
| Help and recover | |
| Help-side defense | |
| Cool-down | Players share something they did well or enjoyed about the practice |
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What You'll Learn
Warm-up and athletic work
A dynamic warm-up is recommended for basketball players of all ages, as it raises the body's core temperature, prepares the body for the rigours of practice, lowers the risk of injuries, increases strength, and improves athleticism. It is important to include a variety of exercises in the warm-up routine to keep it interesting and effective. Players can start with some static stretches, such as the classic "stretching circle," where they stretch a muscle to its farthest point and hold that position. This can be followed by dynamic stretches like arm circles, leg swings, and low lunges, which can be performed within 30 seconds each.
To make the warm-up more dynamic and basketball-specific, players can perform drills with a basketball in their hands. For example, they can bend their knees and dribble the ball back and forth, swinging it low and quick below the knees for 20 seconds. They can then dribble at knee level for another 20 seconds before finishing with side-to-side dribbles for the final 20 seconds. This helps improve their dribbling skills while also getting their bodies ready for practice.
Additionally, coaches can incorporate movements from other sports into the warm-up routine. For example, players can do swimming arms, a skating action, a long jump, or mimic a cricket or baseball swing. These movements help improve athleticism and get the players' muscles loose and ready for action.
By spending 10 to 15 minutes on dynamic warm-up and athletic work, coaches can help their players prevent injuries, improve performance, and enhance their athletic ability.
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Dribbling and ball-handling
Drills
Stationary dribbling drills are a great way to introduce new skills to beginners and get lots of touches in a short amount of time. They can be used at all levels, but it's important not to rely solely on these drills. More dynamic dribbling drills that involve movement and defenders better simulate game-time situations and can help players improve their dribbling skills in a more realistic context. For example, the Figure 8 Dribble drill, where players dribble the ball in a figure-8 pattern, is a fun and effective way to improve dribbling skills.
Another drill involves players partnering up and facing each other. One partner acts as the leader and performs a crossover dribble at different heights (low, middle, or high), while the other partner mirrors their movements. The leader can try to "lose" their partner by changing the level of the dribble, and as players improve, you can add in additional dribbles before each crossover. This drill helps players improve their dribbling skills, coordination, and agility.
It is important to emphasise certain techniques when practising dribbling, such as dribbling with eyes up to maintain court vision, using finger pads to control the ball, and working on both the left and right hands. Players should also be encouraged to push themselves beyond their comfort zone, as this is where real improvement can be made.
Practice Structure
When structuring practices, it is important to focus on teaching fundamentals, including dribbling and ball-handling, every session. Practices should also be fun and engaging to keep players motivated and looking forward to improving their skills. A typical practice might begin with a dynamic warm-up and athletic work to prevent injuries and improve performance. This can be followed by dribbling and ball-handling drills, with a mix of stationary and movement-based exercises to improve players' skills in a variety of contexts.
As the season progresses, coaches can introduce simple plays and tailor practices to address specific problem areas or weaknesses. It is important to move quickly from one drill to another to keep practices dynamic and engaging.
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Passing and shooting
Passing Drills
Passing drills should focus on developing crisp, accurate passes that lead to strong rebounds and good ball movement. One drill involves players forming two lines on each wing, with one line on each wing holding a ball. The lines with the balls then make skip passes to the lines opposite them, with the players calling out the type of pass they are making (e.g. bounce or chest pass). After a set time, the players switch up the type of pass they are completing.
Another passing drill involves players getting into pairs and standing a short distance apart, facing each other. One player will then be the leader and perform a crossover dribble, with the other player mirroring their movements. The leader will continue to change the level of the dribble, trying to "lose" the other player.
Shooting Drills
Shooting drills should focus on developing accurate and efficient shooting form, as well as practising shots from locations that are likely to occur during a game. One drill involves players standing within a few feet of the basket, with the ball in their dominant hand in front of them. They then lift the ball so their elbow is underneath it and their palm is facing up. To shoot, they extend their knees and arm simultaneously, holding their follow-through until the shot is complete.
Another shooting drill involves players forming two lines above the wings, with one line holding a ball. The first player passes to the other line, who then quickly passes back. The player who started with the ball then takes a reverse lay-up, with the other player getting the rebound. After the lay-up, the players switch roles and go to the back of the opposite lines.
Combining Passing and Shooting
Some drills can combine passing and shooting to develop well-rounded players. One such drill involves dividing the players into teams and playing 5-on-5 full court. Each possession starts with a pass from the top to the wing and a screen away. This helps players develop their passing and shooting skills in a game-like setting.
Practice Structure
It's important to structure practices effectively, with a good balance of warm-ups, drills, and team-building activities. A rough rule of thumb for junior high school teams is to spend half the time on individual skills like passing and shooting, and half the time on team skills and strategies. Practices should also include a dynamic warm-up to prevent injuries and improve athletic ability, as well as a cool-down or fun activity to build team spirit.
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Man-to-man defence
Understanding Roles
It is crucial for players to understand the two roles in man-to-man defence: on-ball and off-ball defenders. On-ball defenders are tasked with guarding the player who has possession of the ball. Their goal is to prevent the opponent from scoring by using active hands and quick footwork without committing fouls. Off-ball defenders, on the other hand, are responsible for guarding players who do not currently have possession of the ball but could receive it at any moment. Understanding these distinct roles is essential for effective team defence.
Defensive Stance and Positioning
Mastering the defensive stance is fundamental to successful man-to-man defence. Players should keep their knees bent, butt down, back straight, and maintain balance on the balls of their feet. This stance helps prevent losing balance when dealing with fast-moving opponents or quick direction changes. Additionally, defenders should focus on positioning themselves to prevent opponents from penetrating the middle of the lane from the top or the wings. Instead, direct opponents towards the sideline or baseline, as it is easier to defend and rotate on a baseline drive.
Preventing Dribble Penetration
Great defenders use their footwork to stay in the right position instead of reaching with their hands. They should continuously adjust their position as the offensive player moves with or without the ball. This technique helps maintain contact and proper positioning relative to the opponent they are guarding. Additionally, active hands in the passing lane and guarding the ball are crucial components of the man-to-man defensive posture.
Drills for Practice
To improve your players' man-to-man defence skills, here are some drills you can incorporate into your practices:
- Dynamic Warm-Up and Athletic Work: Include basketballs in the warm-up drills to get players' muscles loose and improve their athletic ability. For example, have players dribble the ball at different heights and speeds below their knees, at knee level, and then higher from side to side.
- Mirror Drill: Pair up players, with one partner acting as the leader and dribbling at different heights (low, middle, or high). The other partner mirrors the leader's movements, trying not to lose sight of the ball. This improves defenders' ability to stay with their assigned opponents.
- Shooting Drill: Have players partner up and stand near a basket. Players should extend their arm and knees simultaneously to shoot for the basket, focusing on their follow-through. This improves shooting accuracy.
- Defensive Movement: Call out movements and areas of the court for players to move to, such as "High Knees to the baseline!" or "Forward/Backward/Lateral Skip." This improves players' agility and court awareness.
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Positive feedback and reflection
Positive feedback is an essential part of coaching junior high basketball. It is important to encourage players to reflect on their performance and identify areas of improvement, but also to acknowledge their strengths and progress. This can be done through various activities and discussions that promote self-reflection and peer recognition.
One way to encourage positive feedback and reflection is to dedicate a portion of each practice session to player evaluations. Ask players to share something they did well, what they enjoyed about the practice, or something positive about another player's actions. This can be done in small groups, with players taking turns to share their thoughts and experiences. It promotes self-awareness, fosters a culture of appreciation, and helps players feel valued and motivated.
Another approach is to incorporate reflection into the cool-down period. After a practice or game, ask players to think about and share their personal highlights. This could be a successful shot, a well-executed defensive move, or even a moment of resilience. By reflecting on these positive moments, players can boost their confidence and reinforce the importance of teamwork.
Additionally, it is beneficial to create a supportive environment where players can provide constructive feedback to one another. This can be done through partner work or small group discussions. For example, players can be paired up to observe and provide feedback on each other's shooting form, dribbling techniques, or strategic decision-making. This peer-to-peer feedback helps players develop their critical thinking and communication skills while also reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.
Finally, as a coach, it is important to lead by example and provide specific and sincere positive feedback to individual players. This can be done privately or in front of the team, depending on the player's comfort level. Recognize their efforts, improvements, or displays of good sportsmanship. For example, you could say, "I noticed how you encouraged your teammates today, great job!", or "Your dedication to perfecting your shooting form is paying off, well done!". Such feedback will not only boost their self-esteem but also encourage them to continue improving and developing their skills.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to focus on teaching fundamentals like ball-handling, dribbling, passing, and shooting. You can also teach man-to-man defense. Subsequent practices can add simple plays and address problem areas.
Dynamic warm-ups are important to prevent injury and improve performance. This can include dribbling drills and getting players to move around the court with different movements, like skipping and high knees.
One idea is to ask players to share something positive about their own or another player's performance. This can help build camaraderie and encourage players to notice each other's strengths.
