I’ve coached for 14 years at various levels, most of the time from kindergarten to 5th grade. If I coach well, then not only will the players be better off as they advance, but their coaches will also not have to spend time on what they should have learned under my tutelage.
Over the years, I’ve learned that fundamentals are most important at younger age levels. In basketball, for example, I need to focus on how to dribble properly, shoot, defend, etc. I also expose players to the language of the game, that is, what different terms mean and when and how they apply (e.g., zone defense).
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I’ve learned that you can’t take anything for granted, even the most familiar things, like what a foul is and when a basket counts 3-points.
Let me give you an example. One teaching strategy I use is called “The Line Game.” I pick out a line on the court and tell players to move down the line once at a time. The athletes have to identify the line correctly.
For example, if I pick the free throw line, they not only have to identify it as such, but they have to answer correctly how many points they get for a free throw. Players also have to tell me when they get only one free throw and when you get two, and what one-and-one means, and when they get to shoot the one-and-one. I repeat The Line Game for all the lines on the court.
The Line Game is a good teaching tool to help kindergartners and grade school players learn about the basketball court and the rules of the game.
We need good youth coaches, especially for children getting their first exposure to a sport. It is not easy, but it is quite fulfilling.
