Coaching basketball is rewarding, fun, and, truth be told, rather challenging—especially for new coaches. Simultaneously leading players, encouraging them to perform at their best, helping them to improve, and guaranteeing that the team operates smoothly, amongst other things, is a lot to manage.
The good news, however, is that coaches who’re able to stick with it—to keep on serving as the head of their basketball team—will eventually thrive and succeed. The following tips are designed to help new basketball coaches—and/or struggling basketball coaches—develop the skills they need to build the team they want.
Don’t Tell—Show
First and foremost, new and/or struggling basketball coaches must make a point of showing as opposed to telling. It can be tempting to point out all the flaws and errors in a young player’s game, but doing so will frustrate and, more significantly, fail to create a positive impact.
Showing, on the contrary, will help the targeted player and other nearby players. It’s constructive and visual, and in this way, coaches can avoid interrupting the flow and progression of practice with a drawn-out explanation that’s likely to do more harm than good.
Prioritize the Fundamentals
Before sweeping game plans and seldom-seen trick shots can be implemented, players must become familiar with the fundamentals, and it’s a coach’s job to relay this knowledge. As is the case with other sports, but perhaps more so, the fundamentals determine basketball players’ success. Well-thought paths to victory will prove useless if athletes don’t have the tools they need to execute.
Time spent dribbling, shooting, defending, measuring distance, and practicing other fundamentals is hardly wasted; coaches, teams, and players will be better for it.
Have Fun
Last but certainly not least, new basketball coaches or those struggling to enjoy the sport as they once did should relax and have fun. It’s not difficult to fall into a pattern of measuring, planning, and executing practices to a T, but doing so can drain the life and excitement out of the game for both coaches and players. Furthermore, when coaches have fun and hold fun practices, players have better overall experiences, and, in turn, they become more eager to put in the hours to improve.
These tips are sure to help new and/or struggling basketball coaches lead their players to victory, and make some positive memories along the way.
