Hoops

Which age group to coach?

Under 23 Women

Thanks, guys. I was originally thinking u12s and maybe u12 girls - boys can be such smartarses and most of the girls I've coached/managed in my daughter's team seemed more coachable.

My motivation would be on the players development (and let the wins come from that. But then, as you point out, u12s is really teaching the basics, like layups. Maybe at u14s, they've learnt how to do layups so I can focus on things like court awareness, teamwork, basketball IQ? My motivation for this is seeing kids at u16/u18 level who can do layups and know the techniques of shooting but don't do things like ball fakes or jab steps to get open when you see others doing it so fluidly (and being better players because of it!)

Years ago, we did the Hersey Blanchard 'test' - from memory, I was high on 'telling' but low on 'selling' So, you could be onto something, Jack, esp with my feeling that I'd prefer a younger age group. It's not that I'm dictatorial (probably the opposite!) but I know from work, I was much better at tasks where I could say "you need to do this and this because of this" rather than "HEY GUYS WOULDN'T IT BE REALLY GREAT IF WE DID THIS?"!

But having said all that, I suppose I need to negotiate the politics of the Association and the parents! I haven't got a clue who the younger kids are in my association because my youngest child is top age 18s.

Hmmm.

cheers

sorry, should have read:

Then of course, you haven't asked yourself whether it's boys, or girls you can relate to better!

It very much depends on your personality. Bit like saying "should I be a kindy, primary, high school, or uni teacher?"

If you have patience, like forming strong relationships, and like developing others skills, a younger group may be better. In a younger group you are "telling" them what to do, developing raw skills, instilling behaviours and transferring knowledge.

If you are more of a "seller", refining skills, engaging the group to let them make the decision, building their knowledge base and guiding them, then mid-age groups for you.

If your expectations are high and expect your players to have all the skills and you are just there to manage them, relationships are not critical, and you don't think you need to teach them raw skills, or encourage them to stay in the sport, then an older, more mature group for you.

Check out Hersey and Blanchard "Situational Leadership" or other leadership styles. Match your leadership style/personality with your group and you will be fine.

Then of course, you haven't asked whether it's boys, or girls!

U12's is very demanding as it is the 1st time most of the players have been coached and have to play in a team structure, not "street ball." But at the same time it is very rewarding as the improvement in individual skills and team skills is huge over the season. If you are good at teaching the basics, a very rewarding age group.

You also get to watch the players progress thru the age groups, and get a "lift' as you see how good they are becoming and that you played a huge part in developing their skills.

http://linky.com.au/br714

21 seconds in... I mean, if that's a legal move then basketball becomes a fundamentally different game. There's definitely 4 steps there after the dribble is picked up, possibly 5.

I know it's not original to whinge about travelling in the NBA, but things like this are part of the fact that the current league's appeal seems to be mostly lost on the general public, in my opinion. Everything is geared towards pure athleticism, instead of encouraging the skills-and-finesse game which made 80s-90s NBA so good to watch.

Thoughts? Am I just being a grumpy old man? Not trying to bash LBJ here - it's not his fault that they don't call it.