When Coaching Basketball, one of the very first things that are understood, maintained, and practiced is conditioning. Being in shape and being able to keep up with the overall pace of the game can be the difference between potentially winning or losing. And, this is especially crucial during every season’s potential run for the championship.

Therefore, one of the very first things a coach will do, even before touching a ball, is a week of calisthenics. This can be monotonous for the players during this week of heavily concentrated specialty training. However, although the players may dislike it, it will benefit each and every one of them later on in the season.

Conditioning is something that most players can’t stand to do, but they’ll appreciate it later. Unfortunately injuries are a big part of the game and the first week of practice will help prevent a team from having major injuries. Some of the drills used for getting in shape are suicides all the way down the floor, wind sprints, and running back and forth through obstacles.

Once this week is in the books and the team in shape, most coaches are ready to move to the simple fundamentals of basketball. While this is true, conditioning still be a large part of Coaching Youth Basketball, even though the coach can now focus his attention on other areas of the game.

One of the first things typically addressed is ball handling, which will more than likely start with basic dribbling drills. Some of the drills used in basic dribbling are; dribbling back and forth with one ball, dribbling with two balls at once, and dribbling through legs while walking. In the end, it will help your team protect the ball during each possession.

Players typically have a dislike for a coach after the first two weeks of practice, because it is a lot of hard work. However, at this point in practice the coach will become a teacher, instead of a drill instructor. Most kids will become a sponge and start their progression in the fundamentals of basketball.

Specific plays and shooting techniques will then be introduced and only will be introduced after sufficient ball handling skills are adequate enough to support them. When shooting is involved, free throw shooting will be a large part of this specific aspect. Players are then assigned certain positions and will usually entail utilizing the best players in the more important positions.

Regardless of the style, Coaching Basketball, and any sport for that matter will require patience, understanding, and respect to and from every person on the team including the coach.