I helped coach kids 8-10 and 11-13 in a nyc housing league.

I learned that kids want to learn and are receptive to instructions when given the right type of guidance. Alot if the coaches here were only concerne with winning and letting the best kids shine. The kids that couldn't play they shook their heads at lost causes. That's why I volunteered to coach when they needed me. I mostly coached my son's brothers team. He was doing it from 8-10.

You teach a kid to do something they will do it if they are having fun. If they are having trouble and you can get the better kids to lead without discouraging, then you will have a blast. Kids get so happy when they all are clicking. They look for each other and they keep trying when try notice what you are telling them works.

What breaks my heart is seeing coaches screaming at kids and belittling them because they messed up. Sometimes you can do alot if damage to a kid that extends of the court. The whole point is nurturing kids imho.

EnySpree wrote:Great stories guys....

I helped coach kids 8-10 and 11-13 in a nyc housing league.

I learned that kids want to learn and are receptive to instructions when given the right type of guidance. Alot if the coaches here were only concerne with winning and letting the best kids shine. The kids that couldn't play they shook their heads at lost causes. That's why I volunteered to coach when they needed me. I mostly coached my son's brothers team. He was doing it from 8-10.

You teach a kid to do something they will do it if they are having fun. If they are having trouble and you can get the better kids to lead without discouraging, then you will have a blast. Kids get so happy when they all are clicking. They look for each other and they keep trying when try notice what you are telling them works.

What breaks my heart is seeing coaches screaming at kids and belittling them because they messed up. Sometimes you can do alot if damage to a kid that extends of the court. The whole point is nurturing kids imho.

Frederick Douglas? My son played in that league this winter. He plays AAU ball and it get's real nuts when everyone starts taking it that seriously. Wouldn't ever want to coach an AAU team. I don't think I'd do well dealing with the parents, but the kids are great. I do however coach my son on his approach to the game, how important building fundamentals are, team work and passing...but mainly, just to work hard but also keep it fun.

newyorknewyork wrote:

NardDogNation wrote:Yeah, I use to coach at the Flames Neighborhood Basketball Association in Brooklyn. I definitely understand your excitement because my coaching experience became one of the best decisions I have ever made. I really hate the fact that I don't live in New York because if I was, I'd be in that gym every evening and every weekend.

Congratulations on your season though and getting things turned around! I'm a little old but if you guys don't do drug testing or keep track of birth certificates, I'd be more than willing to be your starting 5. I could give you about 50ppg (I'm a team player), 85rpg, 0.2apg (again, I'm very big on ball movement), 124spg and 355bpg. Say the word and we can get this thing done! lol.

Thanks, at the end of the yr we had coaches vs kids game. There was no mercy lol.

LOL. I use to be a cub scout leader and use to play leaders vs. scouts. There was no regard for emotions or self-esteem, lol. Maybe I'm a bad person but I get the same satisfication, if not more, from swatting a little kids shot as I do an adult's.

newyorknewyork wrote:

fishmike wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:Did it for the first time, and I have to say it was one of the funner experiences I have had.

Im hooked also. My son is a terrible basketball player. He loves soccer first, baseball second and he plays basketball because its something to do in the winter and his buddies play. He plays hard and likes it. Doesnt really care about scoring or anything, he just likes to get out there and hustle.

I got an email saying they couldnt start the season because they needed coaches, so I immediatly emailed the league and said I would run my son's team.

It was great. Im totally hooked. The kids played great and they all got better. We had a winning record but most of all the games were fun for all. My biggest accomplishment was I had 2-3 kids who couldnt reach the rim when they shot, but I had those kids playing defense, setting pics, chasing loose balls and they were in the thick of it and I think of the least skilled kids had the most fun and really improved.

Its a blast. Im hooked. Im coaching his baseball team this spring also now.

Andrew: Most leagues hold some kind of draft if for no reason than to balance the teams. There are great gaps in skill, size and athleticism at this age (mine were ages 9-11).

Yea man, we started winning when we started playing to our strengths. We weren't a very skilled team, but we played great defense, controlled the glass, got all the loose balls. You can always find a role for a kid on the team. Our starting center wasn't very coordinated. Couldn't dribble, couldn't really shoot. But as the season went along he really became a strong rebounder and got some critical put backs.

Good share. Good thread.