Grade 3 & 4 league will use a 26.0 size ball.

 

The program for the 3^rd and 4^th grade girls is designed to teach the basics and fundamentals of the game of basketball, to encourage good sportsmanship, to develop social skills and to have some fun!

 

The 12-week season is divided into three sessions.

 

Coaches should assume that the players have no knowledge of the game and need to learn all facets including rules, infractions, purpose of the game, layout of the court etc. The goal is to give players a basic understanding of the game as they progress to regular game conditions at the 5^th and 6^th grade level.

 

The instruction sessions should include a variety of drills, discussion of rules/ infractions/ game basics/ court layout, etc. interspersed through the session in small segments. A typical one-hour session might include 4-5 drills of 8-10 minutes each, interspersed with 4 discussion sessions of 2-3 minutes each. Don’t forget water breaks!

 

The scrimmage sessions should be run with one coach from each team on the floor with a whistle to control the flow, stop the action to point out infractions, and direct the play of the game. The assistant coach(s) should be on the sideline handling substitutions and hopefully maintaining order! No defense is allowed to be played in the backcourt, and it is highly recommended to not allow defenders to pressure the ball outside the three-point zone. All players should be given equal time on the court, with frequent substitutions to keep their attention focused on the game. Try to match players of similar ability to avoid mis-matches (no fun for the weaker team). As an example, all 4^th graders on one team against all 3^rd graders on the other would be a mis-match.

 

Teach the players both zone and man-to-man coverage. Use zone to start with so that they see the relative placement of the positions on the court and can protect their zone as the other team tries to penetrate. Once they get this – move to a man-to-man coverage - have them identify who they are covering on the other team by number and get use to defensive coverage in that setting. You should use man-to-man in the games that start in week five.

 

You can use the lists below to help you develop a session plan. Focus on the fundamentals and build upon skills and information that you share from week to week.

 

 

 

5 on 5 – position                                             Base lines

Points, baskets & free throws                         Half Court

Change of possession                                      Side lines

Jump Ball                                                        Free Throw lines, Key, Blocks

Time – quarters/halves                                    Lane (Paint)

Referees                                                          Basket

Offensive/ Defensive Positions                      Backboards (sides are in play the top is out)

Free Throw Set-up                                          Three Point Line

Good Sportsmanship

 

Out of Bounds

Backcourt

Double-dribble (two hands, start, stop and start)

Carry or palming

3-second violation

Offensive Fouls

Defensive Fouls (hold, reach, push, hack, trip, butt etc..)

Kick-ball

Traveling

Technical Foul

Lane violations on free throws

Intentional/Flagrant Fouls

 

Passing – Bounce, Chest, Overhead, Lead, In-Bounds

Dribbling – One hand waist high under control, learn both hands

Shooting – Form, Position square to the basket, lay-ups, jump shots, foul shots

Rebounding – Timing, Position, Box-out, JUMP

Setting and Using Picks

Walk the girls through the places on a court then put them in the middle, call out a place ie: foul line, the “paint”, the base line etc.. and have them run to that spot.

Emphasize use of both the right and left hand while dribbling from the base line to the half court (and back again). Start slow and as they gain control with both hands you can make it competitive or increase the number of times they go between lines. This is a key skill so encourage the girls to practice this in their garage, basement or driveway (weather permitting) between sessions.

 

Put the girls in two lines facing each other from base line to half court. One side has the ball and begins with bounce passes to each other. Move to each type of pass (overhead, chest) and then mix it up so that they get comfortable with passing and catching the ball.

 

Start close to the basket – use the large blocks to the left and right of the paint and have them shoot the ball, emphasizing use of the backboard. As they have some success move them along the key further from the basket toward the foul line. End with foul shots, but allow them to take one step in from the line (smaller girls should be give consideration to move closer – we want them to achieve some success). Encourage use of one hand to steady the ball and one hand to shoot the ball so they don’t get us to using both hands to “push” the ball up.

 

 

It is recommended that coaches assign each position a number. The guards are “1” (point guard) and “2”; the forwards “3” (have this position always inbound the ball) and “4”; and the center “5”. Your good dribblers should be your guards in order to move the ball up the court, taller girls should be assigned forwards, but allow the girls to play all positions if they want. During the practice weeks break them into five-on five (it is helpful if you have pinnies) and walk them through moving the ball to the basket.