Sportsmanship
The real job of teaching good sportsmanship starts with Mom and Dad. It's up to you as the parents to lay the foundation, not the coach. Make it clear to your child that if he or she wants to be a member of the team, they must abide by the rules of good sportsmanship. The real test of character is always more apparent in times of difficulty. Help your child through your own responsible leadership. They will benefit over the long-term the lessons they learn, both in basketball and in life.
The Golden Rule
Young players should treat teammates, coaches, opponents and officials the same way that they would like to be treated -- fairly and with respect.
Trash Talking
Any kind of verbal exchange intended to taunt, humiliate, or embarrass a player from another team is NOT to be tolerated. There is a very clear difference between a playful exchange and verbal intimidation. If you witness either your son or daughter participating in the latter, inform the coach immediately.
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Key Tips
- Encourage and support
- Don't pressure your child
- Give more time with the ball
- Don't live vicariously through your child
- Learn the game yourself
- Play basketball with your child
- Attend youth games
- Watch games on TV with your child
- Invest in training tools
- Start with the basics
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The Importance of Development before Competition
In a developmental basketball program for boys and girls under 13, coaches should be committed to helping boys and girls to learn how to play. Consequently, the guiding principle for coaching basketball at this age level should be helping players to learn, not managing them to win.
Helping Players
Because the most effective way to learn is by doing, youngsters should begin playing as soon as possible. The only prerequisite is that they can run, jump, and throw and catch a ball. It is very likely, however, that they will not play well at first. Hence, the value of practice. The more they play, the more they will improve.
Initially, most if not all practice time should be devoted to team play. As the boys and girls become comfortable playing within defensive and offensive frameworks, they should begin improving their individual and one-on-one skills. When team play is introduced first, youngsters can more easily understand how the various individual and one-on-one skills relate to team play, and how improving these skills will improve their team play.
Because they will likely play badly at first, it is very important that coaches accept poor play with grace, understanding, patience and humour, and offer encouragement and appropriate feedback. Seeing this reaction, the players will persevere.
Coaches should also encourage boys and girls to strive to win, that is, to play with intensity and enthusiasm. Equally important is helping them to develop the ability to temper their enthusiasm and intensity with intelligent decision-making. Thus, the players' creed should be, "Play Hard, Play Smart."
Finally, in this developmental approach, the purpose of games is to demonstrate what the boys and girls have learned, not whether they won or lost.
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