Coaching Youth Basketball: Teaching Progression Skills For 1-on-1, Part 2

Last month's article about teaching progressions skills for 1-on-1 play concentrated on the offensive skills necessary to be able to move and to be able to dribble the ball well, under control.

This month, in Part 2 of this series, I take the teaching-coach to the defensive side of the equation.
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Teaching one-on-one skills to young basketball players requires time and patience. If the ball is introduced too soon, too much focus will be on the ball. The child must master balance and body control and be able to move well without the ball. When the ball is introduced, a lot of time must be spent on learning how to dribble and particularly, how to dribble under control. If defense is introduced to play on the dribbler too early, the dribbler will probably not be able to control the ball. Defense, without even understanding the rudiments of stance, sliding, position on the ball, etc., will almost always prevail.

My article in February, 2008, Teaching Progression Skills For 1-on-1, Part 1
http://www.top-basketball-coaching.com/1-on-1-part1, spoke to the teaching of offensive basics for balance, control, ball handling and dribbling. If the youngsters are ready, now the defensive side of the 1-on-1 equation can be introduced.

Just as with offensive skills, the defensive skills must be taught from the most basic—meaning stance, balance and movement—before introducing a dribbler into the mix. A player must understand the role of the defender as being one of containment first, learning to play between the ball and the basket, without thinking about stopping the dribbler or taking away the ball.

For the rest of this article, please go to: http://www.top-basketball-coaching.com/1-on-1part2

Until next month, Yours in Sport & Spirit

Coach Ronn