Skill Development for Young Basketball Players
Philip Calhoun leads as executive vice president of Total Quality Engineering in Farmington Hills, Michigan. An active community member in his personal time, Philip Calhoun coached the youth basketball team Powerstroke to three American Youth Basketball Tour national championships.
When teaching young basketball players, an experienced coach knows to start with the basics. Shooting form is one of the most important, as practice is necessary to achieve the proper technique. Through game-like drills and plenty of practice, preferably with lower targets and smaller balls, children learn the proper hold, rotation, and release mechanisms.
Young basketball players must also learn how to dribble the ball with both hands and perform basic dribbling moves. Learning to dribble in motion is essential, particularly as the player will need to do so while running at full speed. It is likewise important for the child to learn to dribble without looking at the ball, and just like the moving dribble, this skill takes plenty of practice to develop.
Passing is similarly important, as it plays a key role in the development of teamwork. Children need to learn bounce, chest, and overhead passes, while also developing the proper backspin to help make the catch gentler. Coaches can integrate development of these skills with practice in footwork and general athletic skills, such as safe running and jumping technique, to ensure players’ safety and maximize success on the court.
