PRACTICE 8

GOAL: To introduce next levels of offense and defense and begin reviewing previous game and how to make adjustments during a game.

First 10 Minutes

Talk to the players and encourage them to work hard and have fun. Concentrate on better technique today and tell the players what will be done during this practice.  Plus go over some new rule each practice, whether it is what a line on the court means or a certain foul, etc.  Also, since you might have played your first game, review the previous games.

Next 5 Minutes (Stretching)

Stretch legs for two minutes and stretch arms for two minutes. Stretching prepares the muscles to prevent injury. The last minute should be used to jog around the field once.

Some stretches:
  • Sit, with legs extended out flat on the ground in a V position. Lean forward, reach for the toes and pull back on the toes. Hold for a 10 count (have the girls count down from 10). Repeat. This works the hamstrings, calves and lower back.
  • Sit, with legs extended out flat on the ground in a V position. Reach and touch the right hand to the outside of the left foot. Mimic the other side. Hold for a 10 count on each side. This stretches the outside of the upper back.
  • Stand straight, bend a leg behind the body, grab the ankle and pull the heel toward the backside. Hold for a 10 count. Mimic with the other leg. This stretches the quad muscles.
  • Stand straight and extend the right arm behind the body. Grab the right wrist with the left hand and pull back and over toward the left side. Hold for a 10 count. Mimic with the other arm. This will stretch the front of the shoulder.

Next 10 Minutes (5 Spot Shooting)

Fun drill that gets the players shooting on the move, following their shots, dribbling to the next spot, setting themselves and taking another jump shot.  Can do this for number of made shots.  Pick the spots that are age appropriate to your team or players.

Coaching Points
  • Walk through the drill first and make sure the players get the footwork correct.
  • Be sure the players use an elusive dribble before shooting.

Next 20 Minutes (Defense Series)

Post Defense drill

Begin to teach how to defend the player in the low post.  Try to be ¾ of your body around the post player.  Keep arm extended in passing lane.  If ball goes to baseline, front the post and keep both hands up.  Reiterating teaching how to defend a player with the ball as well and introduce double teaming the post from the passer on the perimeter.  Sit in his stance, one hand up, one hand on the ball, and within one arm's length of the ball.  As the player moves,  defender slides their feet and tries to stay half a step ahead of them and tires to turn them back to the other direction.

Next 3 Minutes (Water Break)

Give the players time to break for water. It is extremely important for the players to remain hydrated at all times. But have them hustle back to the court.

Cone Defense Drill (20 Minutes)

This is a good drill to teach how to guard the ball one and two passes away.  Put cones in different area of the court and explain what one pass away from the person with the ball means.  Show them how to deny that person the ball and play the passing lane.  Then show them what two passes away means and how they need to have their back to the basket, in a flat triangle so they can see both their man and the ball plus be in a position to help protect the lane if someone drives in.  Walk through each spot so they can visualize each position.

2 Passes away defense drill

Begin to teach how to defend a player without the ball and more than 2 passes away.  Remember to show them how to keep track of the ball and their man and position themselves between their player and the basket.  Their job is to provide help for their teammate's on the ball side.

Rebounding in the zone defense

Use man-to-man principles.  Cover the ball in your area.  Make sure you protect the basket and guard the person who is closest to the basket in your area.  Try not to let a dribbler to split any seam.   Teach that all players must rebound.  Search out the closest player in your area and talk about weak side rebounding in a zone. 

Coaching Points
  • Players have a tendency to guard their man too closely, so important to show how to help teammates.
  • Every time the ball moves, you move.
  • Remind the players if a shot is taken from one side, usually the miss will be rebounded on the other side or weak side.

Next 3 Minutes (Water Break)

Give the players time to break for water. It is extremely important for the players to remain hydrated at all times. But have them hustle back to the court.

Zone Offense (20 minutes)

At this level, most leagues will start out by making you play zone defense.  Here we discuss the basics and then show you some drills to teach the basics of attacking a zone. 

Attacking a zone.  Matching up opposite the front of the zone.  (1 guard and 2 guard fronts) Keep the ball moving with passes, fakes, etc.  Use the dribble to attach the seams of the zone.  Pass to the posts, and then look inside and opposite. 

Coaching Points
  • Keep the ball moving either by passing, dribbling or using fakes.
  • Keep dribble alive until you have someone to pass to.

End of Practice

Introduce end of the game plays.  Begin to show them plays that can be used in the last 10, 5 and 2 seconds of a game or quarter.  Start from half court inbounding. Then, while the players are drinking water, huddle them together for a talk. Take this time to recognize the work that was done well, but also discuss what needs improvement. Always finish the talk in an upbeat, positive way. Tell the players the next practice time and follow up with an email to their parents.

  • Remember to place hands together and yell, '1, 2, 3 (with the team name)!'