Youth Basketball and The Playing Time Issue
When it comes to coaching at the youth and middle school level, should you aspire for equal playing time?
Yes! But also no...
After being around youth basketball for nearly 20 years, I know that the following tips can be the difference between a fun, enjoyable season and constant headaches.
So here is what we're going to cover...
- Your First Priority With Playing Time
- Biological Age and This Playing Time Mistake Could Eliminate the Next Shaq, Giannis, or Jokic
- Recommendations for Playing Time Based on Age Level
- When Playing Time Won't Be Equal
- Why You Should Track and Script Playing Time!
- Why You Must Communicate This to Parents Before Season Starts!
Your First Priority With Playing Time
First off, everybody needs to play. That's how you learn to play the game.
And most important, what fun is it if you don't play?
You have to ignite that passion for the game!
Which leads to the next point...
Biological Age and This Playing Time Mistake Could Eliminate the Next Shaq, Giannis, or Jokic
Second, kids mature and develop at different rates. You cannot predict where a youth or middle school player will be in the future. Even high school and college players change dramatically over a few years!
In fact, at 13 years old, boys often have a six year age difference in biological age.
That means, a 13 year old boy may be as physically mature as an average 10 year old boy. Another 13 year old boy may be as physically mature as an average 16 year old boy.
Michael Jordan was 5'10 as a 15 year old and grew to 6'6. At 18 years old, Scottie Pippen was 6'1. By 20 years old, Pippen shot up to 6'7.
Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the best centers ever, didn't play basketball until he was 15 years old. Steve Nash didn't start playing until he was 12 or 13 years old.
Steph Curry and Damian Lillard were not offered scholarships by any of the blue bloods of college basketball. And they turned into some of the best players in the entire world!
And I could tell you dozens of personal stories of kids who weren't very good at 12, 13, 14, or 15 years old, but transformed into very good basketball players. Some even turned into professionals.
On top of that, tall players tend to develop coordination and athleticism later in age.
What if you didn't play the next Shaq, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Nikola Jokic because "they weren't good enough" and they quit?
Recommendations for Playing Time Based on Age Level
I believe that every player should get fairly equal playing time over the course of a season!
For players 10 years old and under, you should get as close as possible to equal playing time each game.
For 11 to 13 year olds, you should aim for fairly equal playing time over the course of a season. You should aim for at least 1/3 of each game.
When Playing Time Won't Be Equal
1 - Disciplinary Reasons
If a player isn't giving good effort, displaying a good attitude, being a good teammate, and being coachable, then I will break the "equal playing time rule".
In my experience, I've rarely had to do this beyond the first couple of games/tournaments in the season.
These expectations are the very first thing I cover at the very first practice.
You will have to remind your players of the rules occasionally, but they usually quickly adapt. If it becomes a recurring problem, you can sit them for a few minutes to an entire half.
But always sit down with them, address the issues, and give them a chance to correct it beforehand.
Sometimes, it's a communication problem and they don't understand something fully. They may not understand their body language or facial expressions. You might even have to record them, so they can see it themselves.
And sometimes, you don't understand them.
For players 10 years old and younger, you have to be careful. And the disciplinary action should be less severe. You might just sit them for one or two minutes if necessary.
2 - To Optimize Improvement / Success
This is very common for most youth coaching situations.
Your skill levels vary... sometimes greatly.
Your competition game to game varies... sometimes greatly.
And to optimize development, you need to attempt to challenge each player appropriately. That way, they can have some success and some failure. Too much either way can crush confidence or inhibit development.
(Note: You can probably start to make this adjustment around 11 or 12 years old.)
So against a very talented team, you might play your better players 2/3 of the game and your other players 1/3 of the game.
Against a less talented team, you might play your better players 1/3 of the game and your other players 2/3 of the game.
3 - You Will Make Mistakes!
You are a human. You will make mistakes on rotations and subbing players.
As a result, some players will play less or more than they should in some games.
Additionally, you might take players out...
- Because one player was dominating and it was starting to hinder the development of others on your team.
- To get a big tournament win, you might try to give your team a chance to win and match players up a certain way.
- To maintain confidence on a team or personal level.
- Because the athlete asked to come out.
Why You Should Track and Script Playing Time!
I would also advise to have somebody track playing time. You track playing time game to game and even average playing time over the season.
This will help you self correct and make sure you're not accidentally neglecting any one child.
I would also advise to have scripted playing time schedules before the games. This is especially helpful if you're new to the game.
Even with coaching experience, I still script playing time. This helps me focus on coaching and teaching players.
You can still deviate from it with foul trouble and other situations, but at least it gives you a place to start.
Why You Must Communicate This to Parents Before Season Starts!
You absolutely must communicate your philosophy on playing time, offense, defense, communication, and expected behavior by players and parents!
And you absolutely must do this before the first practice.
Trust me, I don't want you to experience the same headaches that I have in the past.
I would verbally tell them and I would send written emails/letters.
This is a must! So many coaches have had miserable seasons because they didn't set expectations properly.
Anyways, I hope this sets you up for a great season and it helps you maximize the development of your players.
If you want a little help with developing your youth coaching philosophies, check out The Youth Coaching System with Jim Huber.
It contains 64 Practice Plans, Offense, Defense, Skill Development, Coaching Philosophy, and More!
What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Facebook (76k Likes)
YouTube (85k Subscribers)
Twitter (26k Followers)
Q&A Forum
Podcasts