How to Teach Boys to Play Basketball

The sport of basketball is played primarily in the winter by boys ages 8 to 17. Boys compete in recreational leagues organized by grammar schools, community and recreation centres, municipal, industrial and church facilities, family driveways and backyards, summer camps, and on summer playgrounds. Many gymnastic clubs, recreational programs and YMCAs offer basketball for boys.

In addition to enhancing physical fitness, boys who participate in basketball develop personal, social and cognitive skills that can help them throughout their lives. For example, the Aspen Institute/University of Texas psychosocial benefits survey indicates that basketball players report high levels of self-esteem and low rates of depression. The rate of injuries in basketball is also lower than in most other boys sports.

All of these skills, along with a positive attitude towards competition, are the foundations on which a good athlete is built. As a coach, it is your responsibility and privilege to teach these children the right things – both on and off the court.

It is important to teach kids that being a good teammate and practicing good sportsmanship are just as important as winning games. This includes respecting opponents, keeping a positive attitude even after losses and focusing on the team’s goals. The most effective way to reinforce these values is by being a role model yourself. Kids are very impressionable, and your actions on the sidelines will have a significant impact on them both in basketball and in life.