Steps to build basketball program

There is great value in getting athletes to review games and practices. Actually seeing their successes and mistakes is much more effective than simply being told. Saying is one thing, but showing them is hands-down the best way to teach. They need to hear, but they need to see it firsthand too. Beamon has his players watch each game twice. The first time they view just as they would a normal spectator. But the second time through, the athletes are to specifically watch themselves.

Are you helping your teammates out? Are you looking for the open man? Could you have made a better pass? First time through, watch it like a game. Have your JV and freshman players watch video of the varsity team, as well.

Not only will it show them how to correctly run your system, but it will also inspire them to want to reach that level themselves. Get the Right Group Together Your coaching staff is the cornerstone on which your program is built.

Middletown even engages its sixth graders, empowering them as ball boys and team managers. Get them to buy into your program by sharing your vision of the program. Provide players with responsibility of looking out for each other. Players need to understand that everything they do is setting a standard for the future classes to follow. Also, allow players to have a voice in your organization.

Players take pride in setting rules and following them. Plus, it shows that you care about your players and want them to be an integral part of the program. This helps everyone on the team understand their role and what they need to do to perform their best.

If a player shows he or she can handle that role, then provide that player more responsibility at an expanded capacity within the team framework. Dealing with parents is a tricky situation for most coaches. Parents are great at tying up some of your loose ends, volunteering at events or helping you organize those events.

Provide them with the responsibility of organizing events, such as the banquet senior night, pasta parties, etc. Of course, this only works if you lay down ground rules from the start.

Do not allow parents to interject or speak with their child during practice — they are only there to silently observe. The very first thing a coach should do when taking over a program is to establish a vision for where you want the program to head within a specific time period. This vision must involve all aspects of running the program. It does not include winning a certain number of games or championships. Every team wants to win but may not have the opportunity to win.

Your vision needs to focus on putting your team in a position to win while being realistic and honest with yourself and players. Having a false sense of hope is not a good thing. Next, look at what it takes to move your program toward your end goal. Work with assistant coaches and administrators to develop a plan of action.

Use all resources available to you to be sure you have a wealth of input into your vision. A great starting place for your vision is to ask yourself what you want players to accomplish during their four years in your program.

When players graduate, what do you want them to say about playing for you and your school? Also, set up a values system for your program. Are there other youth basketball organizations already established? These questions will determine the viability of your organization getting off the ground. Or do you want to do what we do and just rent out the space you need from different schools, churches, rec.

If you can answer the above 4 questions then it might be time to think about the BIG question of HOW exactly to start a youth basketball program?

There are so many things to consider and so many questions that need to be answered like:. Business type? Customer service? Gym rental? Hiring coaches? It can truly be overwhelming and just be too much for some coaches to want to deal with, which is why we started our Director Development Program to help coaches get off the ground in other cities.

Brendan Winters is a former Davidson Wildcat and European professional basketball player as well as the co-founder of Pro Skills Basketball.