I am a 5&6 grade girls coach and during a game they just act like they don't know what they are doing....?

Question

but during practice they do everything good. Our 1st game was 15-19 and 2nd was 19-33 and last game was 8-33. We are just going down hill. Can you help please??

Answer 1

I'd say scrimmages in practice too.

One thing I would suggest for those scrimmages is to practice passing before taking a shot.... say, the ball must be passed at least three times before you're allowed to take a shot. It gets them to be aware of each other, rather than just looking toward the basket (and likely missing the basket). By being aware of each other, they can get the best possible shot off. It teaches them teamwork, which is especially important at that age because generally 5th/6th grade girls are extremely self-centered and want to be the one to make the basket. Praise assists too in a game situation.

Answer 2

I have also coached this age group. Whatever you do don't become a tyrant and scream at them. It's only 5th grade. Maybe you Can try and reward them for doing things in the game. Also try and lighten-up practice just a bit. Look at the teams you lost to. Maybe they were just that much better than your team. is your team filled w/several 1st time players? If so remember that. The main thing at this level is to teach them the fundamentals of the game. Please teach them the game. Don't get all uptight like this is the AAU Tournament or something. I hate to ask this but is this your first time coaching? You could've been out-coached. I'm not trying to say you're a bad coach. But hey anything is possible. So look deeply inside and look at your game plan. Look at the team you're going to play, scout them, and do your best to create a game plan your team can execute. Maybe your team is a work in progress? There could be many reasons why your team is losing increasingly worse and worse. Obviously we'll never know the whole story but hopefully something here will help you. Good luck and have a great season.

Answer 3

Well, maybe your players are pressured during games. I played basketball this year and our team did well at practice and games. What you need to do is to find what exactly is falling apart durin games wether its defense, shooting or boxing out. Then you should have your team work on that for the most part during practices.

Answer 4

Have you tried scrimmaging during practice? If they get used to playing against people, it might help. Also you can take them to see an older girls game so they can get a good idea. If they play good against thmselves, but not others try bringing in guests and other people to play with them.

Answer 5

this is a tough one..i coached aau bball allstars for 12-13yr olds and it was difficult as well to integrate practice into the games. I would say to begin having more fun at practice, shooting contests, awards, something small, this way there not that tense once the games come. Try to be more laid back, its only 5th grade. hopefully this will help and the games will be alot closer.

Answer 6

try to tell them that if they dont work harder there going to go down hill & ur going to make practice longer than it is hope this helps well this is what my gymnastincs coach did if we didnt work hard enough

Answer 7

you need to find a happy medium between drills and scrimmage when you practice. they seem to get flustered in game-time situations, so maybe you can focus on scrimmaging more when you practice. let them play, but blow your whistle and freeze them when you need to correct them. then, blow your whistle again and let them keep scrimmaging.

Answer 8

the only way i know how to get kids focused is to run them

Answer 9

"Attitude reflects leadership."