Lately our team has been struggling not to engage in jump balls. It seems that every possession a jump ball is called. The game play is really ugly. Any tips on how to prevent so many jump balls being called?

Also any tips on boxing out would be really helpful. We do this pretty good in practice but in games it seems like we can't seem to get good position for rebounds and it looks like 6 kids standing there with their hands up hoping the ball will land in their hands.

If you have any tips, videos or drills to help with these two things it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Coach, it is all about ball protection, establishing 4 spots for the ball, (some may say 5). Ball high left, high right, low hip left, low hip right. Teach the players how to pivot through the defender to bring the ball across from left to right or right to left.

There is a drill you can look up on line. 4 on 3 passing.

Best drill I have seen to teach players how to rip the ball through space and utilize their pivot foot to avoid being tied up and get a passing line. Also very good at teaching how to use pass and ball fakes.

You'll hear it from me consistently during this drill when we practice:
Fake high and pass low,
Fake low and pass high.
Fake left and pass right.
Fake right and pass left.

If you hold the ball in front of your belly, it will be tied up.

For rebounding: Establish contact with the man you are guarding, pivot with your hands up, and jump to HIGH POINT the ball. I always emphasize high pointing the ball, because a lot of kids box out ok, but do not jump. Grab the ball at the highest point of your jump.

Second thing with young players: Do NOT run directly under the basket. When you go under the basket, you can have a good basket, but never get a rebound, because the ball never (or rarely ever) drops straight down. Try to get a 2 foot arc from the rim and explain to your players you don't run under the rim. Good rebounding position often starts here.

Just some thoughts.

Brian Sass

Excellent points by Brian.

A good box out drill because it doesn't involve a basket.
https://youtu.be/_hatxgUVqAk

Another good one.
https://youtu.be/rCEshnfG4f0

The tie-ups are common at the younger levels because kids are coached to grab the ball if someone is just standing there. With both boxing out/rebounding and the tie-ups, you're beginning to get into more of the physicality and aggressiveness of basketball. Learning how to protect the ball comes with experience and practice.

Personally, I like teaching triple threat, which again, can be difficult for younger levels, but is an extremely important skill. This video does a good job of explaining the why and how of protecting the ball through triple threat.

https://youtu.be/nngpVHqzJLw