I couldn't agree more. I love Man to Man defense and I think kids should master that but I am not a Man to Man snob and will throw a zone defense at a team quickly and go back to man to man before they realize what hit them if it can get me the ball and eventually a win. Word up.

 

Man to man snobs are fun though. And stubborn.

 

You play to win the game!!!!!!

 

I agree. Winning also develops a habit of winning. Either side of all zone or all man is stunting the growth of a player.

 

If your a good enough coach you teach the same basic principles for both types of defense. Defense at the end of the day depends on effort.

 

The harder part of coaching is offense and getting movement in the half court. I have more of a problem with young kids running to many set offensive plays instead of running a form of motion offense.

 

Developing a free flowing offensive set at a young age makes instinctive basketball moves second nature. Offensive set plays should be at a minimum at a young age.

I agree. Winning also develops a habit of winning. Either side of all zone or all man is stunting the growth of a player.

 

If your a good enough coach you teach the same basic principles for both types of defense. Defense at the end of the day depends on effort.

 

The harder part of coaching is offense and getting movement in the half court. I have more of a problem with young kids running to many set offensive plays instead of running a form of motion offense.

 

Developing a free flowing offensive set at a young age makes instinctive basketball moves second nature. Offensive set plays should be at a minimum at a young age.

 

It's amazing how long it takes some kids to learn or how quick they learn how effective a simple pick and roll can be with the right combination.

It's amazing how long it takes some kids to learn or how quick they learn how effective a simple pick and roll can be with the right combination.

 

Yep. It's also amazing how very talented high school kids don't understand spacing on offense because of how they were coached in youth basketball.

 

That could mean make the back cut in man to man or filling the open space in the zone. I've seen many talented players stunted by structured youth basketball offense.

 

A good motion offense teaching the basic principles of the pick and roll or pick and fade , with back cuts filling open space teaches such better habits.

 

You play to win the game!!!!!!

 

I'm a big fan of trying to win a game, Not a fan of participation trophies. I do think 3rd and 4th grade should be about learning the game as a priority.

I'm a big fan of trying to win a game, Not a fan of participation trophies. I do think 3rd and 4th grade should be about learning the game as a priority.

 

I do agree but if the scoreboard is on........

Never too early to teach this:

Amoeba Defense

My daughter has been playing in the little Pioneer league since 1st grade. She is now in third they have to play man to man and no double team. We are 1-0 on the year so far. Not sure how rules change next year in 4th grade when they have school teams

 

I never did like this rule when I was coaching youth basketball. It usually turns into the best player/ball handler doing a lot of dribbling and shooting with the rest of the team setting picks and watching. Coaches sons seem to most often fill this role.