How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp

How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp

 

Running a Youth Basketball Camp can be a lot of work, but even if you have never run a youth basketball camp before, don’t worry we got you covered. AVCSS Basketball is here to provide all the information to get you started in the right direction. Basketball drills, basketball games, ball handling drills, shooting drills, passing / catching drills, defense / offense, jumping, footwork, triple threat, lay ups, and other basketball skills are only just one aspect of what it takes to run a successful youth basketball camp.

 

Check out our New Download – How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp

Take a look at the information below and feel free to add or take away to make it fit your style of teaching (coaching). Use the How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp information as a guide, or use it as it is written – it’s up to you…

 

 

“GETTING STARTED”

 First – Pick an age group and gender – just boys, just girls, or both?

Do you want to run a camp for really young players? Elementary school players? Middle school players? or even High School players? If you are running a camp for the local recreation center, you may not have to make this choice – it may already be made for you.

Important Note on Insurance: If you are not running a youth basketball camp through a recreation center or basketball club, then you are going to have to look into getting some liability insurance prior to holding the camp. It is not as expensive as you think. There are many insurance companies out there that can provide you with liability insurance, but it is easier just to use companies that specialize in youth sports insurance. Most of these companies can give you a very good deal (but you may find a better deal if you shop around).

  

 

Second – Start getting organized.

Once you know the age groups / gender its time to start planning the camp activities. Below is a sample “Checklist” that I used to plan and organize a camp (so I wouldn’t forget anything).

 Sample Basketball Camp Checklist – Handout

1. Print out all Camp related Paperwork, phone # list, etc.

2. Bring the Following:

• Whistles (make sure all your assistants have whistles also)
• Stopwatch
• Clipboards
• Pens / Pencils
• Pump and Needles for the basketballs
• Basketballs (its best to allow for 1 basketball per player)
• Cones
• Pennies / Practice Jerseys (enough to cover the number of teams)

3. Follow up with the person / persons assisting with the camp, are they ready to go? Do they understand their roles, what time do they need to be there, what to bring, etc.

4. Follow up with the gym coordinator (person who is in charge of the gym):

• Baskets down (and at the right heights)
• Score clock ready (and working)
• Small table for the score clock
• Area to use for breaks, lunch (if needed) – will campers bring a lunch?
• Emergency procedures, phone numbers, etc.
• Are there vending machines available, etc.

 

 

5. Follow up with the Recreation Center – Can you get the roster early? Or even a partial Roster? If yes, start logging in the participants names on the camp lists, logs, etc. (try to do this early). Are you familiar with the basketball gym? Do you know how many baskets there are? Where the restrooms are located? It would be very beneficial to visit the gym in advance.

6. Plan first day of camp (see next step below), have some time at the beginning to allow the campers to get comfortable with other campers, the coaches, etc. Use this time to get acquainted with the campers – ask them their names, ask how they are doing – so they don’t feel so intimidated…

7. Drills – Basic skills to work on for beginners.

• Jumping – teach the proper way to jump.
• Catching – teach the proper way to catch the ball.
• Passing – teach the basics of the bounce pass, and chest passes.
• Footwork – show basic footwork drills.
• Ball Handling (basic) – I always start the camp off each day with ball handling.
• Shooting – teach the basics of shooting.
• Lay Ups – teach the basics of the lay up.
• Basic defense (moving side to side, keeping their hands up)

This is just a short list of drills to get you started, add or delete drills and skill work as you need to, its your camp, do what you are comfortable doing… Just make sure the drills fit the age group you are having the camp for!

8. Games – Plan on how you will run the games:

• Girls vs. Boys, Girls vs. Girls, Boys vs. Boys
• Mix the Girls and Boys
• How long will the game be played (quarters, half, etc.)
• Plan player rotation (be fair, allow all players to play).
• Ages? Some players too young, too old, separate wisely.

9. First Aid Kit – Be ready for some basic care if needed. Have a emergency plan ready (just in case).

10. Awards for competitions – Make sure you get some awards, certificates, t-shirts, etc if you are planning to have individual or team competitions during your camp (the players love to get awards at the end of the camp).

 

Third – Start Planning.

 Now the fun begins. It’s time to start planning the camp activities. Below is a sample “Camp Practice Plan” that I used to plan my camps with.

Sample Youth Basketball Camp Practice Plan – Handout

1. Role Call: Run 2 Laps, Stretching exercises – teach the importance of stretching, and make sure that they do it correctly.

2. Ball Handling: Teach proper stance, techniques first…

• Basic Ball Handling Drills – Handout

• Cone Dribbling / Basic - Video Clip

3. Passing Drills: Teach the players to look the ball into their hands when they catch it.

• Basic Chest Pass - Video Clip

4. Shooting Basics / Drills:

• Basic form (follow through / reach in cookie jar) – no basketball
• Practice shot using basic form – with basketball
• Shooting Competition – 2 lines, first team to 10.
• Free Throws / Basic Examples - Video Clip

5. Review of Basic Basketball Fundamentals:

• Traveling, Double Dribble, etc.
• Triple Threat - Video Clip
• Fouling – How many you get, don’t reach, etc.

6. Defense Basics:

• Basic Defensive Stance (sitting position, arms up/out, hands up).
• Basic Step Slide - Video Clip

7. One on One Competitions: (explain the basics, use the skills that they have learned, and keep track of wins / losses) – One on One Competitions – Handout

8. Hot Shot Contest: (how many baskets in a one minute period) Lots of fun for the campers – Hot Shot Contest (How to Info) – Handout and here is the Hot Shot Contest Log Form – Handout.

9. Knock Out: (a fun game to break up the day a little) Knock Out / the Players Favorite - Video Clip

10. Competition / Games: – Make up the teams, player rotation, etc. Have the players come up with their own team names, get them involved.

• Five on Five Team Competitions – Handout

11. End the day with a “cheer” at mid court: Always end the day praising the campers by saying Great job, way to work hard, etc. Then end with a “Cheer.”

 

Fourth – Other Notes, During the Camp, Etc.

 Once the camp gets started, use these suggestions to help make it an awesome experience for all the campers!

1. Be energetic, and show the campers that basketball can be fun!

2. Don’t show favoritism to any one camper, treat all campers the same.

3. Have a plan in place for dealing with any unruly campers, campers that get homesick, or campers that just don’t want to be there.

4. Make sure you have cell phone numbers of all the parents in case of emergencies.

5. Keep up the pace – don’t slow down, keep things flowing and you’ll spend less time babysitting – the last thing you want is for the campers to lose focus.

6. Make sure to plan consistent water breaks, and most importantly bathroom breaks into your daily schedule / routine.

7. Lunch Breaks (if applicable) – If you are holding an all day camp, make sure that the campers bring their lunches with them. 

8. Take notes at the end of the day – what could you have done differently (or better?), what worked, what didn’t work, what was missing, did you forget something, did I forget to mention something? 

 

How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp – Conclusion

Running a youth basketball camp can be very rewarding, lots of fun, and make you or your basketball club a good amount of money. The campers are paying for quality instruction, and want to have a fun experience – it’s your job to ensure that this happens. If you organize and plan early enough, you will have a successful youth basketball camp – the word will get around, and the reward will be more campers wanting to participate in future camps. Hopefully the information in this How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp menu page will help you succeed! Good luck!

Check out our New Download – How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp

 

How to Run a Youth Basketball Camp

 

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