Youth Coaches: Zone, Man Press?

In the article linked below, Joe Haefner discusses the ideas of why some youth coaches consider playing a zone defense at young levels so appealing.  Joe also discusses why your youth organization should fight against this concept.

www.breakthroughbasketball.com/defense/age.html

Olivet Youth Basketball

Over the years many athletes have benefited from the selfless support members of our community have given to help Olivet Youth Basketball (OYB).  This support has allowed us to provide an effective program that has benefited both the Men’s and Women’s programs at OHS.  This year we plan to build on our past successes and to implement some new activities that build on what we know about how young children grow and develop.  These new activities will provide more opportunities for students to develop developmentally appropriate skills as well as basketball knowledge.  These skills should allow them to enjoy the sport of basketball for a long time.

           Other schools have chosen a different path for their youth basketball programs and a trend of elitism has emerged.  These schools have chosen to develop youth programs that focus primarily on working with players who mature early.  Within these programs, the most mature 2^nd or 3^rd graders tend to handle the ball and take the most shots because they may be the only ones that have the physical ability to do so.  This type of system does not value the normal developmental stages of children.  In a system like this, coaches tend to hand pick the most mature players and pool them together to participate on “travel” squads.  In effect, the early maturity of some players gives them the benefit of additional repetitions and increased coaching.  These mature players represent only about 10% of all the children participating in OYB.  In this type of system, the majority of young athletes do not get sufficient coaching and encouragement – some don’t participate at all.

           It is my belief that this type of philosophy seriously undermines the integrity of a community’s basketball program.  A program that focuses only on mature players in the very early grades will suffer from decreased participation and underdeveloped and burned-out players.  By the time these young players reach middle and early high school, many aren’t interested in the sport – and neither are their parents.

           The goal of OYB, grades K-3, is to nurture and support all athletes and encourage them to become well-rounded and active. Our program will strive to increase opportunities for all participants, no matter the maturity level or ability.

           This year’s plan is to utilize the expertise of our volunteer coaches and create situations where all athletes will have a greater opportunity for success.  The adjustments for our K through 3^rd  grade include:

§  Continuing to add resources for coaches to be more effective.

§  Continue with co-ed K/1^st grade and keep the 3 on 3 format

§  Add 3 weeks to 2^nd and 3^rd graders.

§  Moving the 2^nd and 3^rd grade form co-ed to gender based.

§  Also allowing 2^nd and 3^rd graders to compete full court in a 4 on 4 environment.

           The above changes will create a transition from the less competitive learning environment of the K/1^st grade part of our program to the more competitive travel league that our 4^th through 6^th graders compete in.

           The goal of our basketball program is to help children become active and well-rounded, both athletically and socially.  We hope a balanced approach to teaching basketball skills as well as recognizing other activities will help us do this.  By making these changes we intend to increase the instruction level and student’s opportunities so they will be able to develop skills appropriately, which will lead to increased enjoyment of the sport of basketball.

           We can always use more input and guidance at the board level for OYB.  If you are interested let us know. Any comments, suggestions or questions are welcome at darttb@olivetschools.org. 

Work to join the Shot Club!

Eagle Pride Basketball

10,000 Made Shot Club

For Boys currently in 7th – 11th Grade

Beginning May 1st, 2012 – Ending November 11th, 2012 The Eagle Pride Basketball Made Shot Club is a chance for you to improve your shooting skills over the summer giving you a goal you can achieve. Making 10,000 quality shots during the course of the summer is all it takes to greatly improve as a shooter and become a member of the club. That is just 100 makes a day for 100 days. You actually have approximately 200 days between May 1st and the start of your basketball season. When you break it down, it shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes a day to make 100 quality shots. Challenge yourself or challenge your friends and get out there and get it done. You can do it!

How it Works

1. Attend a shooting clinic held by the Olivet Boys Basketball coaching staff on Sunday April 29th from 5pm – 6pm.

2. Register to be part of the club. There is a $15 fee to cover awards. Registrations forms are included in this packet.

3. Each day you shoot, choose one of the 3 workouts or create your own.

4. Record how many shots you make on the shooting chart for the workout you do.

5. Every Friday, email your weekly totals (made shots only) to Coach Dartt at coachd33@gmail.com. We will keep an updated list of shooting rankings on a chart in the HS gym.

6. Weekly goal should be a minimum of 500 makes. (In the 26 weeks of the program that would allow you to make 13,000 shots).

7. Throughout the summer and fall we will have open gym times that you can meet with coaches to re-evaluate your shot or help keep you on the right track. We will conclude the program with a post test on November 11th, 2012 at 6pm in the HS gym.

Note: Simulate game speed while shooting. Repetition will build shooting muscle memory. Every workout you will be gaining confidence after seeing hundreds of shots go through the net.

Reward Levels-Total Shots Made

Eagle Level – 10,000 made shots. Recognition at a varsity basketball game and a 10,000 shot club t-shirt.
Spartan Level – 15,000 made shots. Recognition at a varsity basketball game and a 15,000 shot club t-shirt.
Celtic Level – 20,000 made shots. Recognition at a varsity basketball game, 20,000 shot club t-shirt, and a 20,000 shot plaque.