HERSHEY YOUTH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
COACHES HANDBOOK 

 

This purpose of the program is provide an opportunity for our kids to have fun while learning the basketball fundamentals which are often overlooked at this age and when the kids are grooming their games in unsupervised playground sessions.  While there is a time and place for “street” ball, this program will stress the fundamentals of the game, which will be taught to the kids during instructional sessions (sometimes referred to as “practices”) and real-time, live, game situations.   

The goals of this program (in no particular order) are: 

  1. to increase each player’s knowledge of the rules of the game
  2. to develop the concept of team play
  3. to develop individual (fundamental) skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense

In simple terms, the bottom line is that this program will stress basketball knowledge and skill development, as well as the development of kids who are good competitors and good sports.  
Therefore, game situations are only a means to this end.  There is no brass ring at the end of the
season. There are no formal standings. Win/loss records will not be kept by the league other than to monitor the parity of the teams. To be sure, winning is not the goal of this league.  With this important principle in mind, the players, parents, other fans, and coaches are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a manner consistent with the purpose and goals of the league, as outlined above, and in a mature, responsible and sportsmanlike manner.   

As always, participant safety and injury prevention will remain a top priority of the HYBA program; therefore, it is essential that all participants and others follow all coaches’ and officials’ instruction and direction, and conduct themselves in safe, controlled, responsible manner.  Failure to do so may
result in expulsion from the program, without a refund.
 

Do’s 
  1. Spend  100 % of your practice time teaching fundamental skills
  2. Play man to man defense
  3. Teach kids how to play basketball not how to run basketball plays
  4. Follow the curriculum outlined by the Hershey Basketball program for the HYBA

 

Don’ts

 

  1. Play zone defense – ZONE DEFENSE IS NOT PERMITTED


 HYBA Basketballs and Spirit Shirts Policy

Important Notice:  Coaches should understand so please read carefully:


Basketballs- with your paid H.Y.B.A. registration each child will receive an H.Y.B.A. basketball.  The basketball becomes each child’s property and responsibility. We strongly suggest that parent’s label each ball with your child’s name. Balls can, but are not required to be brought to practices and games.


H.Y.B.A. will not be responsible for replacing lost or stolen basketballs.


Spirit T-Shirts- with your paid H.Y.B.A. registration each child will receive a Hershey “Spirit” t-shirt. This t-shirt will allow each child free admittance to Hershey Junior Varsity and Varsity Boys and Girls HOME basketball games. This t-shirt is in addition to game shirts. Strict adherence to the following guidelines will apply.

1) T-Shirts will not be replaced if lost or stolen.
2) Free admittance to HOME Boys and Girls varsity games only.
3) T-Shirts must be worn and shown to officials for entry into games.
4) Admittance will be granted to H.Y.B.A. paid participants enrolled in the program wearing the H.Y.B.A. t-shirt.
5) Free admittance DOES NOT include parents, friends and/or siblings. NO EXCEPTIONS!
6) The free admittance program can be terminated at any time without notice.
 

HYBA Model Practices 

In this packet you will find model practices for each age group of the HYBA.  Girl’s Varsity Coach Will Wenninger and Boy’s Varsity Coach Tim Bean developed these practices. Each practice follows the HYBA curriculum.  

We want to stress a few things each time that practice is held.
 

  1. Have an attention to detail – correct mistakes
  2. Assume Nothing – review each day
  3. Do not just “do the drills” – Teach
  4. The most important part of their experience is that we teach fundamental basketball skills. Teach the kids to play basketball and not how to run basketball plays.

“Sound Bites” 

Triple Threat – Dribble, Pass, Shoot                                               Grades 1 to 6 

Breakdown – Defensive Stance                                           Grades 3 to 6

            Drill: Slide as a group – left to right,

            Right to left, front to back, eyes up

            Follow the ball!           

            Defense has hands behind back and moves

            feet position to turn dribble down court           

Re-enforce often, on whistle stops 

We play defense with our feet!                                           Grades 1 to 6

            Establish “don’t use your arms”

            Don’t hug the offensive player 

            Position – slide – Beat your man to the spot

            Defense often runs along side the offensive player dribbling the ball 

            Drill:  Defenders run ahead accelerate

            Get to a spot in front of offensive player and turn shoulders into the play

We never cross our feet…we slide                                               Grades 1 to 6

            Defensive slide drills 

Man to Man – No Zone                                                         Grades 1 to 6

Shot-Box-Ball                                                                        Grades 3 to 6

            Box out drill

            Challenge the shot

Box, make contact – hands up

Get ball

Hands                                                                                     Grades 3 to 6

            Stress “hands up” for rebounds and foul shots

            Keeps from holding foul, and in position for ball

Dead Ball                                                                               Grades 3 to 6

            Stop – Hold Ball – Triple Threat Position 

Deny!                                                                                      Grades 3 to 6

            Thumbs down, palms towards ball

 Pass – Step – Snap (thumbs down)                                   Grades 1 to 6

            Chest pass

            Bounce pass

            Fake

            Man in middle

Dribble                                                                                   Grades 1 to 6

            Below knee

            Eyes up

            Dribble series

Outlet                                                                                     Grades 3 to 6

            Rebound – find outlet

            Rebounder does not dribble into front court 

BEEF                                                                                      Grades 1 to 6

            Balance

            Eyes

            Elbow

            Follow-through 

Cut Throat                                                                             Grades 3 to 6

            3 on 3 drill – coach on offense

            Offense – two dribbles

            Score stay – miss off

1st and 2nd Grade

OBJECTIVE:

Teach basic balls skills and provide an enjoyable basketball experience for 1st and 2nd graders

DRILLS TO USE:

Whistle dribbling, dribble relays, dribble tag, cone dribbling, obstacle course, count lay-ups, form shooting, and sharks and minnows.

BASKET HEIGHT  

8 Feet 6 inches  

BALL SIZE  

Junior

GAMES:  

Spend a small amount of time each day playing a short game. During the game coaches should serve as outlets to pass to. This will get he ball moving to other sides of the floor and allow for more players to touch the ball.

 THE MAJOR GOAL OF THE 1ST AND 2ND GRADE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE KIDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN BASIC BASKETBALL SKILLS IN AN ENJOYABLE ATMOSPHERE.

 

MODEL PRACTICE 

1st Grade League 8:00 – 9:30 Have kids bring their basketballs  

8:00 – 8:10      10        Whistle Dribbling – in lines  

8:10 – 8:20      10        Right Hand/Left hand speed dribbling – same lines  

8:20 – 8:30      10        Count Lay-ups – teach lay-up technique  

8:30 – 8:40      10        Dribble Relays  

8:40 – 8:45      5          Whistle Dribbling  

8:45 – 8:55      10        Dribble Tag  

8:55 - 9:05       10        form shooting – Elbow under the ball – BEEF  

9:05 – 9:15      10        Short Scrimmage – outlet on each side of the floor – emphasize triple threat  

9:15 – 9:30      15        Sharks & Minnows/Obstacle Course  

2nd Grade 9:30 – 11:00 – Have kids bring their Basketballs  

9:30 – 9:35      5          Whistle Dribbling  

9:35 – 9:45      10        Dribble Relays  

9:45 – 9:55      10        Count Lay-ups – review technique  

9:55 – 10:05    10        Dribble Tag  

10:05 – 10:10 5          Whistle Dribble

 10:10 – 10:20 10        Form Shooting – elbow under the ball – BEEF  

10:20 – 10:30 10        Sharks & Minnows

10:30 – 10:45 15        Scrimmage – outlet coaches – emphasize Triple Threat  

10:45 – 11:00 15        Cone Dribbling/Obstacle Course /Dribble Relays 

3RD & 4TH Grade League 

OBJECTIVE:  

Teach basic basketball fundamental skills and build enjoyment in the game.  

GAMES TO USE TO TEACH BASKETBALL: 

Dribble Relays, sharks and minnows; dribble tag, knockout, count lay-ups, and cone dribbling.  

DRILLS TO USE:  

Fundamental Lines                 2 line lay-ups                           Dribble series

Under the basket shooting      2 line passing                          Form Shooting 

BASKET HEIGHT  

3RD Grade – 9 Feet

4th Grade – 9 Feet 6 inches

BALL SIZE

 3RD & 4TH Grade – Junior  

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED/UNDERSTOOD BY THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 3RD AND 4TH GRADE LEAGUE: 

Skills: Dribbling, proper lay-up, triple threat, and shooting form.

Rules: double dribble, traveling, out of bounds, and line up for free throw.

 

GAMES: 

Use an outlet coach – Only 1 inbounds play (have them get to spots)  – No offensive plays (teach to pass and cut) 

No press – pick up at half court 

No steals off dribble, steal off pass – Commissioner will decide when to steal off dribble 

Referee will ask player “what did you do” on all whistles then turn possession over to other team 

Commissioner and coaches will divide teams evenly both in numbers and ability. 

Game times should be split evenly with 10 to 12 minute quarters running time.  Allow for substitution half way through each quarter.  

Scores will be kept. 

Coaches should even-up teams at game time.  If we have disproportional teams, Commissioner has the right to even up teams at game time.   

Objective is for close competitive games that present an opportunity to learn  

MODEL PRACTICE 

3rd & 4th Grade Leagues 11:00 – 12:30 – Have kids bring their basketballs  

11:00 – 11:05 5          Whistle Dribble/Individual ball handling  

11:05 – 11:10 5          2 Line Passing – chest and bounce passes – catch in triple threat  

11:10 – 11:15 5          Form Shooting – elbow under ball – BEEF  

11:15 – 11:20 5          Under the Basket Shooting  

11:20 – 11:30 10        Dribble Series  

11:30 – 11:35 5          Dribble Tag  

11:35 – 11:45 10        Count Lay-ups – review proper technique  

11:45 – 11:55 10        Whistle Dribbling/Dribble relays  

11:55 – 12:00 5          Fundamental Lines  

12:00 – 12:15 15        Scrimmage – outlet coaches – Triple Threat  

12:15 – 12:30 15        Sharks & Minnows/Obstacle Course  

4th Grade Add Offensive Concepts – give and go  
 

5TH & 6TH Grade League 

OBJECTIVE: teach fundamental skills, create enjoyment in the game of basketball, build knowledge of game, rules, and develop team concepts.  

GAMES TO USE TO TEACH BASKETBALL:  

Sharks & minnows, dribble tag, dribble relays, whistle dribbling, obstacle course, and timed lay-ups 

DRILLS TO BE USED: 

Fundamental Lines                 Dribble Series w/ faking          Man in the Middle Passing     

 2 Line Passing                       Cone Dribbling                        Individual ball handling         

3 Line Lay-ups                        Under the basket shooting

V-Cut Shooting                        Form Shooting

5 on 0 Break                            Pitch & Fill                   Duke Passing Drill                 

4 on 4 shell                              1 on 1 Zig-Zag             Shot-Box-Ball             

Circle Transition                      1 on 1 touch the hip

Team Offensive concepts:

Pass and screen away                       Pick & Roll                  Give & Go

BASKET HEIGHT  

10 Feet  

BALL SIZE  

Intermediate
 

GAME SUGGESTIONS   

Teach the kids how to play basketball not how to run basketball plays.

 

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED/UNDERSTOOD BY THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 5TH & 6TH Grade League:

Skills: Triple Threat, Free throw shooting, elbow in on Jump shot, one hand shooting, dribbling with both hands, lay-ups, pivoting, and blocking out.

Concepts: Spacing, pass and cut, cutting, teamwork.  

Rules: double dribble, traveling, 3 seconds, free throw lineup, out of bounds, and what constitutes a foul.      

No press – pick up at half court

No steals off dribble, steal off pass – Commissioner will decide when to steal off dribble

Referee will ask player “what did you do” on all whistles then turn possession over to other team

Commissioner and coaches will divide teams evenly both in numbers and ability.

Game times should be split evenly with 10 to 12 minute quarters running time.  Allow for substitution half way through each quarter.  

Scores will be kept. 

Coaches should even-up teams at game time.  If we have disproportional teams, Commissioner has the right to even up teams at game time.   

Objective is for close competitive games that present an opportunity to learn   

MODEL PRACTICE 

5th & 6th Grade League 6:00 – 7:30  – Have Players Bring Basketballs

6:00 – 6:05      5          Individual ball handling

6:05 – 6:10      5          3 Line Lay-ups  

6:10 – 6:15      5          Fundamental Lines left and right Pivots

6:15 – 6:20      5          Form Shoot – elbow Under the ball – BEEF  

6:20 – 6:25      5          Under the basket Shooting

6:25 – 6:35      10        Dribble series

6:35 – 6:45      10        Offensive concepts – Pass and Screen Away for Jump shot

6:45 – 6:55      10        4x4 shell whistle – Jump to the ball – always check position

6:55 – 7:05      10        1 on 1 Touch the Hip – 3 Dribble Limit – no turning your back

7:05 – 7:10      5          Shot Box Ball

7:10 – 7:20      10        Pitch and fill

7:20 – 7:30      10        Team – Review OOB under – screen up or across

Individual Skill Improvement

Some players practice and never get any better, while others improve dramatically. Why?  It's has to do with practicing correctly, or what you really need to practice to improve.  All players need to work on (1) ball handling skills, (2) shooting, (3) work under the backboard, (4) offensive moves, (5) free-throw shooting, and (6) fingertip tipping and jumping drills.   Practice at home, four or five days a week. 

1.  Ball-Handling:  Spend 10 minutes doing our standard ball-handling drills, and dribbling drills.

Finger Grabs:  Hold the ball with the fingertips, squeezing it while rotating it back and forth from hand to hand.  The ball should not touch the palms of the hands.

Pound the ball:   Pound or slap the ball hard from hand to hand.

Circles:   Move the ball in a circular motion around one leg, then the other leg.  Then circle around the back.  And then circle around the head.  Then combine them and move the ball in circles around your head, then down your body, down around your knees, and then around your ankles.  Then come back up again.  Be sure to use your fingertips, not the palms.

Figure Eights:   Spread your legs out wide with the ball in front of you.  Move the ball around through your legs in a figure-of-eight motion.  Keep your eyes forward and don't let the ball hit the floor.  After 30 seconds, reverse the direction.

Tipping: Tip the ball back and forth from one hand to the next, starting with your hands straight up over your head.  Then gradually move the ball down, while continuing to tip it back and forth.  Go down to your chest, then your waist, knees, and ankles, and then back up again.

Drops:   Put the ball between your feet and grab it with both hands.  Start with the left hand behind your left leg and your right hand in front of your right leg.  Drop the ball and let it bounce once.  Quickly, move your left hand in front of your left leg and your right hand behind your right leg, and catch the ball as it bounces up.  Drop it again and switch your hands back to the original position (left behind, right in front) and catch it.  Repeat this motion continuously.  For a more difficult variation, try catching the ball before it actually hits the floor!

Line Dribbling:  Begin where the baseline meets the sideline, dribble in either direction, each time you come to a line that changes direction you need to get low and use a change of direction dribble move (crossover, spin, between legs). You will do this for 1 minute at a time. 

 2.  Spot Shooting:  See the diagram showing the more common places to shoot on the court.  Spend time taking a certain number of shots from each of these spots.  Always follow and rebound any missed shots with a lay-up.  Start with the shorter shots, working on good one-handed technique with your shoulders square, your elbow in, proper wrist cock and fingertip release and with a nice follow through, getting back-spin (rotation).  Older players can try to extend your range out to the 3-point range.  

3.  Under the Backboard (Mikan Drill):  his old drill is still one of the very best for developing a touch or feel for the ball coming of the backboard.  Do this drill under the basket before your shooting practice.  Become familiar with how the ball comes off the backboard, and at different angles.  Start by standing right under the basket.  Step on the left foot and do a baby hook lay-up on the right side, using the backboard. Catch the rebound and step on the right foot and do the baby hook lay-up on the left side using your left hand.  No dribbling is allowed.  Repeat this continuously alternating right and left sides for a couple minutes.  This will help you with your lay-ups, both right and left-handed, and give you a better feel for the backboard.

Practice shooting from one foot, rather than from greater distances:  Unless you shoot with the proper technique, practicing from great distances distorts your shot. Improper practice makes your shot worse. So, practice from one foot while you develop your shot.  Take 10 one foot shots from the right side of the basket, then 10 from the left, and then 10 from the center. Use the backboard from all three positions. You can repeat this many times.

Connecticut under the basket series

a.      1 foot lay-ups

b.      2 foot lay-ups

c.      dribble move – lay-up

d.      pull-up jumper

UConn Under the Basket Series

4.  Offensive Moves

X-outs - begin by standing at the right elbow with a basketball. dribble the ball with your right hand and take a right handed lay-up. Rebound the ball (miss or make) and dribble with your right hand to the left elbow. Without picking up your dribble touch your left foot on the elbow and change direction and take a left handed lay-up. repeat until you make 12 lay-ups. - teaching tip, you will always be dribbling with what we call your outside hand. That is the hand that will be closest to the sideline.

Jab Step Series:  First, from the right side of the court: make sure your left foot is the pivot foot, and you jab step with your right foot.

1. Jab step- drive – lay-up.

2. Jab step - crossover – lay-up.

3. Jab step - pull back - jump shot.

4. Jab step - drive - jump shot.

5. Jab step - crossover - jump shot.

Then, repeat all five moves from the left side of the court. Make sure your right foot is the pivot foot, and you jab step with your left foot. Shoot all lay-ups from this side, left-handed.  

NOTE:  The pivot foot designated in the above drills are for purposes of doing the drills only.  In a game setting, which foot becomes the pivot foot often depends on how you receive the pass from your teammate. 

5.  Free Throw Shooting  

Fundamentals:

1. Line up with your right toes just to the left of center so that your right arm and ball are lined up with the basket.  Place the left foot back just a little.  Shoulders should be square to the basket.

2. Put your weight forward on your toes, but keep your back straight... don't lean forward. Keeping your back straight will keep you from stepping over the line.  Bend a little at the knees. Your legs will provide the power.

3. Focus on the basket... don't look at the ball

4. Shoot with your right hand (right-handed players), and just use the left hand to help balance the ball.  Release the ball from your fingertips to get good backspin (rotation) on the ball.

5. Take the deep breath, and shoot.  Use your legs for power and come up on your toes as you release the ball.  If your back is straight, you won't cross the line or lunge forward.  If you need more power, it's OK to jump a little on your release.

6. Follow-through... Keep looking at the basket and hold your shooting hand in the "gooseneck", follow-through position until the ball goes through the net.

Attitude:  Think and say to yourself "net" or "swish" before each shot... to focus on the ball going through the net.  Be confident... this comes from success, and hours of practice!  Don't let a missed free throw ruin your confidence.  If you miss one, just quickly analyze the miss and correct it.  For example, if your shot was long, next one use less leg power. Too short, use more leg power.  Off line, reposition yourself on the line.  You won't make them all, so expect to miss a few, and don't let it bother you when it happens.  The most important free throw is the next one, not the last one!

Practice:  Shoot free throws in the off-season, in the summer.  College players may shoot 2000-5000 free throws each summer! High school players should be able to shoot 1000 free throws each summer.  Shoot 25 shots every day for 5 days of each week.  In eight weeks, you will have shot 1000 free throws... but be sure your technique is correct, using the fundamentals above, and that the line is 15 feet from the backboard.  For your own fun, keep track each day of how many you made, and keep your totals.  Keep track of each week's stats, and see if you are getting better by the end of the 1000 shots.  If you are not improving, there could be a flaw in your fundamentals, and you need to ask for help.

Conditioning:  You must be in excellent physical condition to play the game well.  Shooting skills, concentration, and basic fundamentals deteriorate when you are tired.  In the off season, don't forget conditioning.  Run a couple miles 3 or 4 days a week.  Do some wind sprints, or 100 yard dashes.  Jumping rope is also good for developing quick feet, as well as for conditioning.  Be ready when the first day of practice arrives! 

6. Tipping Drill:  Stand under the basket on the right side and throw the ball up on the backboard.  Jump as high as you can, and tip the ball with your right hand fingertips 10 times.  Try to tip the last one in the basket.  Repeat this on the left side, using your left hand. This will help improve your fingertip control and play under the basket, as well as improving your leaping ability.

 

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