pee-wee basketball coaching

Yeah - I saw that site and already requested the download link.  I hear ya!  These are 4-5 year-olds.  They can't even dribble yet.  Just getting them to run in the right direction to the right hoop is an accomplishment.  Even with 27" balls and the rim at 6-ft, most can't actually reach it with a shot.  I assume there will be a whole lot of "Sesame Street games" mixed in with coaching.  How is the question.

Hopefully Breakthrough Basketball has some good advice.  THANKS!

Teach them basics with fun (well, duhhhh, 1TT).

1). Depending on the number of kidlets in the group, have them spread out a good distance in a line by using the endline as a guide, keeping the kids several feet apart.  One ball is used.  All kids face the same way.  The first person starts with the ball and has to PIVOT to the kid behind him.  Control the ball with hands in proper position on the ball and have them do a two-hand chest pass to the next kid.  The pass should be with both hands and at chest heighth.  The kid MUST make sure the retrieving kid is ready and has eye contact.  Retrieving kid MUST keep eye on the pass and catch with both hands.  Continue to the end of the line, then the last kid to retrieve the pass should pivot away, then pivot back and start the process all over.  Do this a couple of times.  Then have them perform the same drill but have them perform a two-hand bounce pass.

2). There is NEVER enough time to practice right hand dribbling drills up and down, then left hand dribbling drills up and down, then cross-over.  ALL DRILLS TO BE DONE SLOWLY to work on technique and CONTROL.

3). Free throw competitions - 2 groups of equal number of kids (if possible).
  a). 1st group to 5 or 10 wins, the other groups do "suicide" runs.
  b). The kids vs. the parents.  The kids shoot first, each shoot once, and total number made is recorded.  The parents then shoot, and if the kids make more freethrows then the parents, the kids don't have to run (parents never run if they lose anyways).
  c). Freethrows - all kids are gathered around the freethrow area for rebounds, one kid shoots two freethrows, and the kids all clap after EVERY freethrow, whether made or not.  This is for team building.

4). Dribbling skill - Depending on how many kids there are, you can usually have a group of 10 to 12 fit inside the middle circle area at half-court, each with a ball.  The kids must dribble the ball and not pick up the ball.  All kids try to not the other kids' basketball away, without having their ball knocked away, out of the circle.  The last one left dribbling the ball without stepping out of the circle or getting the ball knocked away doesn't have to run.  This is a fun activity.

I used to help coach at the youth level for a few years.

See if these help, and good luck.  Some coaches like it when parents help, others won't.  See how it goes.

THANKS!  Some great ideas there!

Thanks for the help, but I'm new to this and don't know some of the games you described.  What is freeze tag, bridge tag, sharky sharky, pom-pom and pullaway?

I'm LOVING the input and ideas!  Thanks guys!!!