The Curriculum sets out the basic core skills we look to encourage in all players in all teams. It is not aimed at being restrictive but should be viewed as a series of building blocks that will be built on a part of a comprehensive Collingwood basketball education.
This curriculum is a framework and a guideline only. There is nothing in this that would stop a coach introducing more advanced concepts to younger or less experienced kids, nor is there any reason why an under 18 team should not go back and work on weak-hand layups. That will always remain the prerogative of the coach. The purpose of this document is to assist coaches (particularly new coaches) in working out what skills should be taught.
You can view instructional videos to the required skills at Domestic Training Drills page.
Under 10 – 11
General Skills
- footwork
- dribble eyes up
- two handed pass
- bounce pass
- overhead pass
- how to stop and start
- jump stop
- basic pivoting
- layup fundamentals (weak hand layups)
Defensive
- learn what a defensive stance is
- knees bent/arms out wide
- On every pass/foot in the paint
- tracing the ball
Offensive
- weak hand layups
- form shooting
- eyes up when dribble
- share the ball
- retreat dribble
- passing drills
Coaching tips (emphasis)
- Fun
- Teamwork
- Ball movement
- Participation
- Try to keep drills short and to the point.
- When you feel the level of intensity dropping move on from that drill
- Discourage a lot of 3 point shooting
Under 12 – 13
General Skills
- dribble both hands
- transition passing
- shooting technique – jump shot from dribble
- running lanes – driving lane
Defensive
- defensive stance
- take dominant hand away
- boxing out – pivot into body technique
- closeout
- guard the yard FIBA endorsed alternative to zone defence. Protecting space. Starting to add a physical restriction of someone coming into your defensive area.
Offensive
- shoot off dribble
- shooting fundamentals
- layup both sides
- Decision making in driving lane – pass or layup
- give and go – passing and receiving
- spacing
- screening away
Coaching tips (emphasis)
- fun
- compete
- reward team goals
- starts on defence
- run the floor on transition
- team first
- 5 out
Under 14 – 15
General Skills
- pick and roll basics
- footwork to get open
- jab steps
- screen setting
Defensive
- close outs
- containment
- deny middle
- transition defence (home, middle, plug)
- pick n roll defense ie hedge or switching
- defensive rotations ( your choice on how you want your team to rotate)
- lots of close out drills
- chopping feet on closeouts
- implementing trapping defense (half court & full court )
- post defense
- doubling the post
Offensive
- jump stop pivot and dish
- v-cuts
- flash-cuts
- various layup finishes
- jump stop
- euro
- reverse
- one step
- using the ball screen
- using away screens
- setting away screens (down screen, back screen,double screen)
- dribble handoffs
- teach ball handlers to go north and south & not east and west.
- post player footwork
Coaching tips (emphasis)
- read and react principles (layer 1 – 3)
- 4 out 1 in
- small sided games (with constraints)
- press breaker
- try to limit players running to ball carrier
- post players rim run
- start teaching Positional players.
- talking in team defense
- talking in individual situations ie all screen situations
Under 16
General Skills
- Understanding court spacing
- How to run lines
Defensive
- advanced close outs
- Jump to the ball
- Diving on loose balls
- Taking charges
- scramble defence (2v3, 3v4, 4v5)
- dribble drive
- thumbs series
- 1-4 series
- Horns
Coaching tips (emphasis)
- dribble drive motion