Youth basketball game plays

Sport sampling during childhood provides a foundation for long-term success, often by allowing young athletes a chance to find a sport that they enjoy and that may ultimately fit them best. For the sport of basketball, multi-sport participation in youth can help an athlete be a better basketball player.

Participation in multiple sports in early childhood is beneficial from a player health and player development perspective. Athletes that reach the highest level of achievement are more likely to have played multiple sports at a young age and delayed single-sport specialization until late adolescence. Studies of world-class athletes in basketball and other team ball sports have demonstrated that top performing athletes often delayed single-sport specialization until age 16 or later.

Thus, delaying specialization until this age range is recommended. However, when considering the need to balance time among school, sports, community activities, and other responsibilities, our experts recognize that single-sport specialization in the U.

Specialization in basketball prior to age 14 is discouraged. Daily rest is important for injury prevention, sport development and overall health. Rest days should be taken each week, and extended time off should be taken each year for physical recovery as well as to recharge oneself psychologically.

Such an approach helps to maintain motivation for continued participation. High-density competition scheduling can increase risk for injury and burnout. Parents, coaches and event directors should be cautious in considering tournaments that schedule multiple competitive events i.

Special attention must be paid to rest, recovery and refueling. Such programs appear valuable in reducing lower extremity injuries in other sports. Early results indicate similar benefits in basketball. Variations among youth in cognitive and social development, as well as motor skills, should be considered when setting goals and expectations. The following are key elements of the model:.

Date of birth relative to the Playing Year is the final determinant of eligibility. For example, using the Playing Year, the 12U segment is for players who are 12 years of age and under as of Aug. Should a player turn 13 on Aug. For example, using the Playing Year, a ninth grade player cannot turn 17 prior to Sept. The NBA and USA Basketball working group on Playing Standards is developing age- and stage- appropriate playing guidelines — to include playing rules, equipment recommendations, and competition structure elements — for four age groupings:.

These recommendations, which will be announced in , are being designed to provide developmentally appropriate standards for youth basketball — allowing the game to evolve as kids grow and mature. Basketball is played in countless settings and locations across the U. These are important questions, and we understand that playing with the correct equipment and establishing age-appropriate rules significantly impacts the experience for youth as they learn the game.

Therefore, the NBA and USA Basketball have established detailed guidelines to help young players develop at a natural pace that is suitable to their age and physiological abilities.

The NBA and USA Basketball have worked closely with an expert working group on Playing Standards to develop age- and stage-appropriate rules and standards for youth basketball. Aligning with the Player Segmentation Model, these guidelines will help young players appropriately learn the fundamentals of the game, achieve and maintain early success, and provide enhanced long-term development.

Rules and Standards Charts See below for detailed rules and standards information. Please keep in mind:. Brenner is the medical director of the sports medicine program and the director of the sports concussion, dance and running programs. At the same time, 3 slides down towards the corner to give 1 more space on the wing. At the same time that 1 uses the screen from 5, 3 deep cuts along the baseline to the opposite corner. If X2 does stop dribble penetration as we expect they will , 1 passes to 2 on the wing who should be wide open for the three-point shot.

If X4 does sprint out to contest the shot, 2 passes to 3 on the baseline for the open three-point shot. This is a quick hitter designed to get a good shooter an open three-point shot from the corner off a skip pass.

Due to the skip pass, this may be hard for young teams to execute, but high school teams and older will find a lot of success using this play. Setup: Your team starts in a set with the low post player on the same side as your best three-point shooter. Make sure to practice this with your team at practice! This play is designed to get a blindside pick-and-roll for your point guard at the top of the key. After using the pick-and-roll, the point guard has a number of options to give your team in the best opportunity to score.

Setup: Players start in a formation with your best decision maker running the point guard position. Once the defense shifts, 2 passes back to 1 at the top of the key. As this pass is made, 5 sets a blindside screen on D2. As 1 is driving off the pick-and-roll, 3 slides down to the corner and 4 slides along the baseline to find a hole in the defense.

Option 1 — If no defender steps up to stop the ball, 1 pulls up for a jump shot. Option 2 — If D4 steps out to defend, 1 passes to 3 for the corner three-point shot.

Option 3 — If D5 steps out to defend, 1 bounce passes to 4 for the baseline layup. From a 4-low formation, the ball is passed to the middle players at the top of the key.

The play then involves a flex screen and pin down which provides two great open shot opportunities. Setup: The play begins in a 4-low formation with the bigs on ball-side. We then use a screen-the-screener action as 4 sets a pin down for 2. The play begins in a box formation and involves your best shooter setting a simple back screen for a center to get open for a quick layup.

The screener then uses a gate screen to open up a catch and shoot from the wing. The play finishes with an open post up by the center. Immediately after setting the screen for 5, 2 sprints through a gate screen set by 3 and 4 looking for a catch and shoot on the wing. After screening, 3 and 4 clear out to the top of the key. A super simple gate screen play off a baseline inbounds.

Setup: The play starts in a box formation with the shooter inbounding the basketball. The play begins with 4 stepping off the low block to receive the pass. By this time the shooter 2 has walked their player into the middle of the key.

If the defender cheats the gate screen, 5 sets a screen on the opposite low block which the shooter can use also. This play is designed to get great open midrange and three-point shots around the perimeter. If none of the shots are open, the team can either post up one of the bigs or set a ram screen for the perimeter player. Setup: The play begins with one player on the free-throw line and 3 players lined up on and between the low blocks. If any of these shots are open, the player should shoot it!

The play begins with 5 setting a screen for 3 pops out to the corner. A second later timing is important , 4 sets a down screen for 1 who cuts to the top of the key. As 2 catches on the perimeter, 4 will set a final cross-screen for 5. This play starts in a box set and has numerous scoring opportunities including a shooter cutting off a double-screen for the shot, a post player diving to the rim, and a pick-and-roll with great spacing if none of the first two options are open.

The play begins with 5 sliding to the high post and setting a double screen with 4. If 5 notices their defender helping, they duck to the rim for the layup. Setup: The play starts in a 5-out formation with the post players in the corners. The play starts with the point guard 1 passing to either wing. In this case, passing to 2. To take advantage of the help, 5 flashes into the key and creates an angle for the correct pass.

This play involves isolating your best mismatch on the low post and then keeping the 4 other offensive players active above the free-throw line to keep the defense busy.

Setup: Players start in a 4-out 1-in formation with the 4 outside players above the free-throw line on the wings and in the slots. The play begins with the basketball being passed either wing.

For this example, 1 passes the basketball to 3 on the ball-side wing. When the pass is made into the low post, the wing players both screen up for the slot players and they both replace each other. This keeps the defenders occupied. This is the perfect play to achieve a basic pick-and-roll with good spacing on the floor.

The simplicity allows the play to be run effectively by teams of any age. The play begins with the point guard 1 making a pass to either wing. It is done in a live environment, so your players learn how to attack the defense.

Lay Ups - This is an advanced drill that shows you different ways to finish around the basket. Maravich Stationary Ball Handling Drills - These are beginner drills to help develop better hand-eye coordination and a feel for the basketball. Cone Touch Dribbling 12 Variations - This is a fun game that teaches players how to dribble, change directions, and keep their head up. Warm Up Dribbling Drill - This is a great warm up drill that teaches players how to play in a low stance while shooting lay ups.

Pirate Dribbling, Mr. Cone Chair Dribbling Drill Through Traffic - This is a great way to teach your players to keep their heads up and dribble through traffic.

It improves ball handling and defense. You also improve your ability to make lay ups with defensive pressure. Full Court Press Breaker Overload Drill - This is a great ball handling and passing drill that teaches your team how to beat full court defensive pressure.

Pair Passing - This is a beginner drill to teach your players the technical skills for passing the ball. Pass and Switch - Here is a fun, fast-paced drill to improve passing. Wall Passing Drills - Here is a great way to improve passing and hand-eye coordination while maxing out repetitions. Diamond Reaction Passing - This is a fun way to warm up and get your player mentally focused.

Monkey in the Middle and Bull in the Ring - Here is a great way to introduce defenders to your passing drills. No Dribble Offense Drill - This is one of the best game-like drills to improve passing and cutting. Ball Reversal Offense Drill - This is an advanced drill that emphasizes ball reversals and ball movement. Jump Stop Drill - This is a great drill for reducing travels, improving balance, and developing better footwork to improve scoring and passing angles.

Defensive Slide Drill - This drill is essential for teaching your players how to slide and cut off the defense. Hip Turn Drill - A vital drill that teaches your players how to quickly change directions.

Defensive Shell Drill - This creates proper help position and defensive rotations. A foundation for all great defenses. Reaction Rebounding - This improves your rebounding, so you can properly finish every defensive possesion. Defensive Challenge Drill - This is a fun way to instill a defensive mentality in your team.