Ready Set Sports

So You Think You Might Want to Coach at Ready Set Sports...

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Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Ready Set Sports youth sports program! The success of our program, which focuses on skill development, participation, sportsmanship, and fun, heavily relies on our dedicated team of volunteers. We are incredibly grateful for their efforts and excited that you may be interested in joining us.

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What to Expect as a Coach

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Before committing to coaching, it's important to understand both what you can expect from the role and what will be expected of you. Here are some key points:

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• Desire to Work with Children: You must genuinely enjoy working with kids and have the patience, maturity, dependability, and sound character to mentor them.

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• Provide a Safe and Enjoyable Experience: Coaches are responsible for ensuring a positive and safe sporting experience for their assigned group of athletes, focusing on both individual and team skill development.

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• Time Commitment: Your commitment is just one hour per week, during your own child’s games. You will coach your child's team, maintaining an unbiased attitude.

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• Active Participation: Instead of being a spectator, you'll be on the court assisting with drills and overseeing team activities, including practices and games.

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• Support and Leadership: Ready Set Sports head coaches will lead all drills, and you will ensure your team is carrying them out correctly. You’ll also lead by example, supporting the league’s policies, rules, and objectives.

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• Team Unity and Fair Play: Foster team unity, ensure equal playing time for all players, and focus on skill development, safety, sportsmanship, and fun.

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What Makes a Great Coach

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Our best coaches:

• Show Genuine Care: They care deeply for their players and parents, viewing them as both athletes and individuals.

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• Prioritize Mentorship: Positive mentorship, leadership development, and team unity are valued over winning and losing.

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• Practice Patience and Empathy: They are patient, empathetic, and understanding, even in emotionally charged situations.

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• Commit to Their Role: They embrace their responsibilities to the team, individual players, and their families.

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• Ask for Help: They know when to seek assistance.

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• Communicate Effectively: They are confident, reliable communicators who listen actively and address concerns with kindness and firmness.

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• Model Good Behavior: They serve as reliable role models, praising effort and progress.

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• Teach Life Lessons: They see competition as a means to teach important life lessons about handling success and failure.

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• Have Strong Knowledge and Passion: They possess a strong understanding of basketball and a passion for teaching, coaching, and mentoring.

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BASKETBALL THREE WEEK PRACTICE PLAN

Summer and Winter League

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Jr. NBA/WNBA League Practice/Training Plan for weeks 1-3 (Winter/Summer): 

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Week 1-3 Key Points:

• Keep sessions fun, engaging, and fast-paced to maintain attention.

• Use positive reinforcement and celebrate small successes.

• Encourage kids to practice dribbling and shooting at home.

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Duration: First 3 weeks
Frequency: 1-hour sessions
Objective: Develop basic basketball skills (dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork), build confidence, and promote teamwork and fun.

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Week 1: Introduction to Basketball Fundamentals & Meet and Greet

 Meet the Players and Coach (10 minutes)

1. Introduce yourself and meet the players.

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. Dynamic stretches: Arm circles, leg swings, high knees, and lunges (5 minutes).

Skill Development (40 minutes)

1. Dribbling Basics (15 minutes)

   • Teach proper hand positioning and ball control.

   • Drills:

     • Stationary dribbling (right hand, left hand, alternating).

     • Walking dribble (slowly walking and bouncing the ball).

2. Passing Basics (15 minutes)

   • Teach chest pass and bounce pass techniques.

   • Partner passing: Pass and step forward/backward.

   • Group passing: Form a circle and pass to one another.

3. Shooting Basics (10 minutes)

   • Teach BEEF: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through.

   • Practice shooting close to the hoop with proper form.

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Week 2: Building on Fundamentals

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Skill Development (40 minutes)

1. Dribbling and Movement (15 minutes)

   • Add crossover and basic change-of-direction moves.

   • Dribble through cones or markers set up in a zigzag.

2. Passing and Teamwork (15 minutes)

   • Focus on accurate passing to moving targets.

   • Play "keep away" in small groups.

3. Shooting and Layups (10 minutes)

   • Practice layups with and without defense.

   • Focus on footwork and approach to the hoop.

Game/Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

1. Mini scrimmage: Divide into small teams, focusing on passing and movement.

2. End with group feedback and encourage practicing at home.

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Week 3: Applying Skills in Game Situations & Pre-Season Mini Game

Warm-Up (5 minutes)

1. Dynamic stretches (5 minutes).

Skill Development (20 minutes)

1. Shooting and Rebounding (10 minutes)

   • Practice shots from different spots close to the hoop.

   • Teach basic rebounding techniques (box out and secure the ball).

2. Teamwork and Communication (10 minutes)

   • 3-on-3 passing drills: Encourage players to talk to each other.

   • Emphasize spacing and moving without the ball.

Preseason Game (30 minutes)

1. Verse team on opposite court

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If you have any follow-up questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Ready Set Sports at 703-795-2574.

 

We look forward to the possibility of you joining our coaching team and making a positive impact on our young athletes.