Planning for the Preseason

By Daniel Gering

Contributing writer for The Coaches Closet

Planning for the preseason can be difficult. The growing need, for limited basketball courts, has led many basketball leagues to limit preseason practices. This generally gives coaches only a few practices to get their players ready for the season.

Most coaches, in youth programs, must focus on teaching the basics. Many of their players are playing basketball for the first time, with a few experienced players added to the mix. The first timers have to learn as much as they can to get them up to speed to play their first game. Returning players must use this time to re-hone skills that have already been learned and may have been forgotten.

Special Note:

Be careful. Trying to find a balance in skill development training and limited time on the court is critical. Teaching too much can lead to confusion in later practices and also does not allow all the players a chance to learn the skill set.

Taking too much time to teach a skill can also be detrimental. More advanced players can easily be bored and cause distractions to the team. Also, remember that you only have a limited time with these players, so you need to make the most of the time with them.

Planning needs to be done well before the first practice. This allows the coach to cover as much as possible at each practice. Planning also gives your parents and players confidence that you are a quality coach. This is critical in the early stage of the game. It also reduces dead time, which can lead to “horseplay” and chatting.

Building Programs

Since you have set your season goals, use this time to begin planning for your preseason. Identify what you feel are necessary skills that must be learned to play a basketball game.

A good method of doing this is to use a building program. A building program takes basic skills and builds on each skill leading the team to more advanced skills.

A good example of this is ball handling. A coach first teaches the basic of ball handling by focusing on how to control the ball with the pads of the fingers. This is then followed by a simple standing ball control drill with the right hand, and then shift to left hand. Then the coach teaches how to dribble the ball in a straight line. This again is followed by a drill, such as a race between two lines. After that the coach can teach more advanced skill sets such as dribbling the ball in a zig-zag pattern and dribbling against a defender.

The Teaching Game

When planning, take a few minutes to teach the skill. Make sure to break the skill down into parts and have the players mimic your actions. If you are doing a skill that you have not had much experience with, use one of your more advanced players to demonstrate the skill.

Make sure to make these teaching times short and snappy. Most skills can be broken down in 2 to 3 minutes and demonstrated in 2 to 3 minutes. If you have an Assistant Coach, have him/her actively circulate among the players to make sure that they are doing the skills properly and they understand each skill taught.

Skill Drills

Follow all teaching programs with drills that are appropriate to the skill level. These drills allow the players a chance to use the newly learned skills.

Competition also allows the players to begin simulating game situations. Starting this early will pay off during the first game of the season by getting rid of game jitters.

It’s in the Writing

The final thing you must do is put all these things in writing. We suggest that you put your plans onto 3×5 index cards. These can easily be placed in a pocket during the practice.

Also, it is great to file them away for use in following years. You can also do a mid-season review and see how your players have developed.