Thanks for this one, it is something I try to be conscious of, but it is good to see it here. (The part about the adult's dreams.)
They are at an age now we they can run an offense, if they listen. They plays are designed so the big guy gets his hands on the rock every possesion. The times that it has been run it works. I have the big man at the high post and want him to receive the passs and turn and pivot look for the guy down low or up fake and drive.(There are othe options.)
I've gone this route cause the wing players tend to not come to meet the pass. Things turn into a cluster fukk when the ball goes into the wing.
Al Harrington is a good analogy.
My guess is (1) they don't know or haven't been shown that and (2) no one ever gets you the ball at the age when you post up. I know this because at that age was over 6 feet (now am 6'4") and was made a center. It was infuriating because I never got the damned ball. On good teams I stayed in my role because the point got me the ball. On bad teams, I took my shots, even if it meant I was going Al Harrington on everyone's butt.
The best bet is to teach spacing, movement, and help them improve their fundamentals. Shooting, mechanics, and technique. If that goes well maybe teach a few moves (I guarantee your big man will work the post if he knew a couple of Kevin McHale's moves and your point will shoot some mid range shots if you teach him to split the double a la Mark Price--but that takes a certain type of 7th or 8th grader). I would say conditioning too but that assumes a certain level of competition. The worst team I ever played on was 7th and 8th grade travelling. The damned coaches had us running the triangle offense. Their sons were the guards. A regular bunch of MJs and Kobes 
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Just be realistic and make sure your helping them achieve their potential instead of fulfilling the adults' dreams
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7/10/2011 1:05 PM
