Coach Dad 🏀

I post about coaching junior basketball (5-15yo).

I write a newsletter for junior coaches called "Basketball Is Meant To Be Fun".

DMs open.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

Stop coaching basketball like it's a dance recital.

In @BBallImmersion's recent podcast, he broke down why focusing on "macro" skills is WAY more important for young players.

A must read 🧵 for coaching juniors:

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@bballbreakdown AFL had a couple of gruesome leg injuries which were the catalyst. Maybe this will be the same

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@eco_hoops @kidsneedplayorg Nice post Adrian. Definitely a better approach out there than 'tough love'

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

Interesting discussion.

Agree that a quiet coach is confident, but a loud coach can also be seizing the chance for teachable moments and reminders pending age/experience

[Matt Cameron @MCameron008]

re: a youth coach’s influence:

imo, a youth coach that doesn’t say much during a match is generally confident that their training sessions have prepared the players

a coach that shouts and joysticks is less confident in how their players are prepared, and that is…

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

Shooting with absolute clarity - I know I'm going to shoot when I catch - is what practice shooting often is.

But the hesitation/confusion that is caused by "should I shoot this?" can affect a player's shot so dramatically (especially in youth) that it needs to be incorporated into the practice of shooting as much as possible

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@BBallImmersion Was great to listen to someone using a conceptual offence at a high level. Enjoyable listen and I'm looking forward to breaking this episode down.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

The ultimate "KPI" for a junior coach:

Do your players like coming to training?

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@DagsBasketball Big fan of this approach, well articulated.

Will share this video in my newsletter.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@Coaching_U @OhioStateHoops @JakeDiebler Interesting choice of name. Can it really be a "perfect" closeout drill if the defender knows the player/coach with the ball is never going to try and drive?

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@transformbball @CoachLJefferson @Coach_Twigg95 Look forward to watching this one!

[Chris Oliver @BBallImmersion]

@HoopsCoachDad 😎😍synopsis of these topics 🙏

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

Something that doesn't get talked about a whole lot for a coach.

Document as much as you can.

It might not seem much when you start out, but don't underestimate the value of a growing library of games, drills, ideas and concepts.

You'll never know what you wish you wrote down.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@BballCoachMac Some of your players might go on to play basketball professionally, but ALL of your players will go on to play life.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@CoachJonBeck This should be at the forefront of every junior coach's mind. Praise what you want to see, don't criticise what you don't.

Will share in my newsletter. Cheers.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@BBallImmersion I love the mixing on this one. Great for retention but also enjoyment.

Will share in my newsletter.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

The best junior coaches I've worked with are amazingly empathetic with their players, yet have a thick skin when dealing with everyone else.

The sooner you get ok with people having their own opinions of what you do, the better you'll be.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

It's a cliche, but it's true.

If you stand for everything, you stand for nothing.

It's especially true when working with juniors.

Choose your principles of play, be ultra clear and reinforce them constantly.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@DagsBasketball "I wanted to get better, I didn't know how".

Be a lot of 12yos like this! Love the approach.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

@brianmccormick I like this one. Understand the context around 1 pair at a time, but obviously would work well with multiple stations as suggested by @CoachFrick.

Will share it in my newsletter.

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

This is just one concept from Chris' excellent podcast: The Art of Coaching: Chris Oliver's Decade of Game-Based Coaching and Player-Centric Methods

Watch it on Youtube below:

https://t.co/ZDxrKYxyF6

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

Imagine two players.

One has flawless form but no game sense.

The other understands spacing and decision-making but their technique is still developing.

Who's going to be more successful in a game?

[Coach Dad 🏀 @HoopsCoachDad]

Here's a challenge:

Next practice, focus on ONE macro skill, like spacing.

Design drills around it.
Ask questions.
Observe how players react.

You might be surprised by how quickly they pick things up.