When people think of success on the basketball court, they often picture star players making flashy plays. But experienced coaches know the truth: games are often won or lost by the players beyond the starting five. Your bench matters. If you want consistent wins, you need a second unit that understands your system, executes under pressure, and contributes without disrupting chemistry. That starts with intentional, consistent basketball skill development.
In this post, we’ll break down proven ways to develop your bench into a dependable, game-ready unit. Every tip below is rooted in real coaching experiences and built for practical use with youth teams.
Shift the Focus of Basketball Skill Development
Many new or inexperienced coaches rely on static drills, things like stationary ball handling, one-handed passing, or cone zig-zags. These have value, but they don’t teach players how to think. Game performance is about reactions, not routines. So shift your focus toward decision-based drills. Give players scenarios where they must choose and act quickly.
Start with a “catch-and-react” drill. Have a player catch the ball at the short corner or wing. On the catch, give them 1–2 options: attack baseline or middle. Add a defender. Teach them to scan, decide, and go. From there, layer in additional reads: help defense rotation, post feed, or pull-up. Let the drill evolve based on game situations.
By repeating these reactive moments, players stop thinking and start playing instinctively. And that’s when development becomes game-real.
Use Small-Sided Games for Basketball Skill Development
Want your bench to get better? Let them play. But in controlled, competitive, small-sided settings. Small-sided games (2-on-2, 3-on-3, 4-on-4) speed up learning because they isolate key decision-making moments.
In a 5-on-5 setting, a bench player might go minutes without touching the ball. In a 3-on-3 setting, they’re involved constantly.
Add simple rules to shift the focus. Try 3-on-3 where players must pass within 2 seconds. Or 2-on-2 with no dribbles allowed. These rules force quicker thinking and better spacing. You can even run a 4-on-4 “advantage” game: defense starts with only three players, offense reads and attacks the gap.
Keep scores and rotate teams quickly to maintain pace and energy. Bench players thrive in these formats because they learn how to read defenders, use space, and make fast decisions.
Make Rebounding Part of Basketball Skill Development
Rebounding is often treated as a hustle stat. While effort is critical, it’s also a teachable skill. Especially for youth players, learning how to box out and read angles can be the difference between a rebound and a put-back bucket.
Teach “find, hit, get.” That’s your rebounding sequence. First, locate your assignment. Next, initiate contact. Finally, go get the ball. Simple, clear, and actionable.
One effective drill: position two players, one on the wing, one under the hoop. Toss a shot from the top. When the shot goes up, both players sprint to the ball. The one underneath works on boxing out; the wing player works on attacking the glass. Add consequences if the ball hits the floor. This raises intensity without needing to run extra sprints.
Another option: play 5-on-5 where a missed box-out equals a point for the other team. Now your team connects rebounding with winning.
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Bench players won’t always get touches, but they can earn minutes with defense. And nothing gets a coach’s trust faster than strong on-ball pressure. But players must be taught how to defend, not just told to “stay in front.”
Drill footwork and angles in short bursts. Start with a “mirror drill.” Two players face each other: one on offense, one on defense. The offensive player can shuffle left or right, no ball, no fakes. The defender mirrors their movement. Focus on low hips, active hands, and short steps.
Then layer in a live ball. Let the offensive player attack with one dribble max. Defender focuses on forcing weak-hand drives and keeping their hips square. Rotate pairs every 30 seconds to keep energy high.
Don’t forget to emphasize help defense and recoveries too. Bench players often come in cold. They need to be mentally sharp and positionally aware to contribute defensively.
Every Player Should Learn to Shoot
Not every player will become a scorer, but every player should be able to shoot. It’s the most universal skill in basketball, and it travels to every level. Great shooters space the floor, force closeouts, and give your offense breathing room.
Teach consistent form. Repetition matters here. Require every player to make 50 form shots before practice or after. Use a shooting ladder in workouts: start short, move out, track makes. Teach players that shooting under pressure starts with shooting under control.
Here’s a challenge to give your team: in an empty gym, your shooters should hit 60% from three. If they can’t do that without a defender, they’ll struggle when a defender contests or bumps them. Help players understand that gym shooting and game shooting are not the same, but one builds the other.
Build Skill Through Repetition and Accountability
Skill doesn’t develop through variety alone. It develops through repetition, accountability, and purpose. As the coach, set a tone that the bench must meet the same expectations as the starters.
Start with accountability. If no one boxes out in a drill, stop the action. Explain the mistake. Reset. If your second unit turns the ball over, don’t ignore it. Teach the right choice and run it back.
Use a rotation that gives your bench group specific goals during scrimmages. For example: hold the other team to one shot, move the ball through all five players, or force two turnovers before rotating out. This gives structure and lets players connect effort to results.
Even when you’re not drilling specific skills, your culture is always developing. So make sure your bench players know they’re a vital part of it.
Final Thoughts on Basketball Skill Development
The best way to prepare players for games is by mimicking games. That means creating pressure, enforcing decision-making, and building habits they can rely on when things speed up. Your bench needs reps just like your starters. Let them play, make mistakes, and learn in controlled chaos.
When you focus on basketball skill development that builds thinking players, not just skilled ones, you develop a team that’s deep, confident, and ready for any moment.
Effective communication lies at the heart of successful coaching, and in the dynamic world of basketball, it becomes a game-changer. In this article, we delve into essential basketball communication strategies derived from a insightful YouTube video titled “Communication Strategies for Leaders.”
As coaches, understanding and implementing these strategies can foster a positive team culture, enhance player development, and contribute to overall success on and off the court.
4 Key Basketball Communication Strategies
1. Modeling Communication
The video underscores the importance of coaches modeling effective communication for players and team leaders. Demonstrating trust and openness sets the stage for meaningful conversations within the team.
2. Honesty in Conversations
Coaches are advised to be brutally honest with players about their roles and team dynamics. This transparency, even in challenging discussions, builds trust and helps players make informed decisions for their development.
3. Teaching Clear, Concise, and Positive Communication
Introduce players to the NITE (Name, Information, Tone, Eye Contact) acronym. This tool encourages players to be clear, concise, and positive when interacting with teammates, fostering a culture of effective communication.
4. Utilizing Names in Communication
Recognize the significance of using names in communication. The video emphasizes that names act as spotlights, creating a personal connection. Coaches can incorporate small group exercises to practice using names and reinforcing this important aspect of communication.
Coaches should find the delicate balance between overcommunication and being clear and concise. Avoid overwhelming players with information, but ensure that essential messages are communicated effectively.
2. Implement the Rule of Three
Based on the video’s insight, coaches should keep instructions and concepts in groups of threes. Whether outlining team goals or discussing strategies, breaking information into three chunks enhances retention and understanding.
3. Small Group Exercises
Introduce small group exercises early in the season to practice communication skills. Engage players in scenarios like interacting with waitstaff in restaurants, encouraging the use of names and positive communication.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback
Coaches should consistently provide constructive feedback on communication efforts. Recognize improvements and address areas for growth, creating a learning environment that supports players’ communication development.
Conclusion
In the fast-paced world of basketball coaching, effective communication stands as the cornerstone of success. By implementing these basketball communication strategies derived from the insightful video, coaches can create a team culture built on trust, transparency, and positive interactions. As coaches, our responsibility extends beyond the court, shaping not only skilled athletes but also individuals with strong communication abilities that will serve them well in all aspects of life.
In the realm of basketball coaching, creating a positive team culture is more than just about winning games; it’s about fostering an environment where players thrive, learn, and grow both on and off the court. As coaches, our impact extends beyond the game strategy, influencing the lives of our players. In this article, we’ll explore the crucial aspect of basketball team building, emphasizing the significance of positive team culture.
The Importance of Basketball Team Building
Building a positive team culture in basketball is a multifaceted process that involves effective communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to success. Here are key elements to consider:
1. Communication is Key
Establishing open lines of communication is fundamental to fostering a positive team culture. Encourage players to express themselves, share their thoughts, and contribute to team discussions. Effective communication builds trust and cohesion within the team.
2. Leadership vs. Captaincy
While team captains are common in sports, it’s essential to recognize that leadership can come from various team members. The leader in the center circle may not necessarily be the team captain. Emphasize the importance of leadership qualities in all players, fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere.
3. Addressing Challenges Head-On
Bullying and negative behavior can disrupt team dynamics. Coaches should be proactive in addressing such issues swiftly and decisively. Creating a safe space for dialogue and addressing conflicts ensures a positive environment for everyone.
4. Celebrate Successes and Learn from Failures
Acknowledge both individual and team successes to boost morale. Similarly, use losses as opportunities for learning and improvement. A positive team culture encourages resilience and a growth mindset among players.
To implement positive team culture effectively, coaches can take specific steps:
1. Team-Building Exercises
Incorporate team-building exercises into practices or training sessions. These activities foster camaraderie, communication, and trust among players.
2. Regular Team Discussions
Hold regular team discussions where players can express their thoughts and concerns. This open dialogue helps build a sense of belonging and ensures that everyone feels heard.
3. Mentorship Programs
Establish mentorship programs within the team, pairing experienced players with newcomers. This promotes a supportive environment and accelerates the integration of new team members.
4. Leadership Workshops
Organize leadership workshops or training sessions to enhance leadership skills among players. Empower them to lead both on and off the court, contributing to a positive team dynamic.
Conclusion
In the world of basketball coaching, team building is not just a strategy; it’s a philosophy that shapes the team’s culture. By prioritizing effective communication, addressing challenges, and celebrating successes, coaches can foster a positive team environment that transcends the game itself. Embrace these strategies, implement actionable steps, and witness the transformation of your team into a united and resilient force on the basketball court.
Building the best basketball team possible remains the goal of any coach at any level of the game. It goes beyond selecting the starting five, or even defining specific bench roles. Sometimes, it’s the intangible qualities that separate the good teams from the great one. This particular blog post by Coach Bob Starkey examines the idea of building around a team’s strongest link, instead of dwelling on the cliched coaching axiom: You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Here’s what Coach Starkey had to say.
The Strongest Link
I have thought often over the course of the past two years about this particular blog post. Rarely do you want to tackle one of those life-long coaching axioms. But that’s what I’m going to do.
“You’re only as strong as your weakest link.”
Now don’t get me wrong — I’m not saying that your team wouldn’t be better if your weakest player had a great attitude and was a hard worker. But I am saying this:
“You’re only as strong as your strongest link.”
I base my premise on years of coaching. I have been fortunate to have coached some special teams. During my tenure on the college level I have been to six Final Fours — special teams indeed.
Some of those teams had a player or two that didn’t work as hard as they could have or didn’t have the best of attitudes. In fact, with a team, it is almost a safe bet that you will have one or two.
But the one thing those Final Four teams had was a player or players that were incredibly committed to having a great team. They were leaders in their actions and in their words. The best players on those teams were the hardest workers. The best players on those teams were the unselfish.
Coach Don Meyer said at the very first clinic I ever heard him speak nearly 20 years ago that “if your best player is your hardest worker than you have a chance to be good…but if he’s not, you could be in for a long season.”
The Strongest Link Can Hold the Chain Together
The strongest link is the most important because it is the link that holds the chain together. The stronger that link, the more links it can “carry” and “lift.” If you have a team that is top heavy with strong links than you are about to have a great season.
I believe a good coach can minimize the effects of a player with a bad attitude or poor work ethic if they are at the bottom of the chain…but if that weak link is at the top it’s going to break at some point and you will be scrambling to hold it together.
As a coach, I think it is important to recognize that and make sure that you put the necessary energy into communicating and motivating your strongest link. Too often we get caught as coaches spending 80 percent of our time on the bottom 20 percent of our team.
Developing the Bonds
Work hard to find and develop strong links. Talk to them about how important they are to the success of the team. Let them know that it is up to them to be the hardest workers when the coaches aren’t around. They need to be the most enthusiastic whenever everyone else is flat. Yes, they need to get on their teammates when necessary to hold them accountable but they most also know when and how to lift them when need be.
Make the time to meet periodically with your “strongest link” to coach him or her up. Give them the attention they need and make sure the team knows that you have his or her back. Coach your strongest link on what you need from him or her in all areas of the game — including on the floor, in the weight room and in the locker room.
I have also coached teams that had good talent but did not have a strong link at the top and those teams ALWAYS felt short of their potential.
I would add “the strongest link carries the chain.” How strong is your strongest link(s) and what are you doing to make them stronger?
Hand painted jersey portraits make a great gift for Senior Night or Banquets. They have worked hard and pushed themselves to the limit physically and emotionally. Give them a gift that will be cherished long after they graduate.
Basketball bench roles might not be the most glamorous, but having the right players in those spots often makes the difference between winning and losing. Fans often assume that coaches spend the majority of their time working with the starters. A team’s first five on the floor normally represent the five top players on the squad. These players usually lead the team in minutes played and produce the most. But what happens when one (or more) of these players find himself in foul trouble or suffers an injury? At that point, the coach needs to turn to the reserves for a boost.
The best basketball teams enter their season with defined bench roles for subs to play. These players might not be among the starting five, but knowing exactly what they’ll need to do when called upon helps them focus and prepare. This is an unspoken but integral element of teamwork and team building. Having the right makeup and mix of subs on a bench will elevate any team’s ceiling.
Here’s a look at four key bench roles for any successful basketball team to have.
Basketball Bench Roles
No matter how good a starting five might be, no team is complete without a deep and reliable bench. Subs can often change the trajectory and feel of a game. And when these bench players check into the basketball game with defined roles, they can excel.
The Defensive Stopper
While some squads slot their defensive stopper with the starters, having a lockdown defender among your reserves can completely throw off an opposing team’s best scoring option. Ideally, this player is someone who can stop dribble penetration, keeps a dominant post player from scoring, or denies the hot shooter touches.
If you can get some steals and generate some turnovers even better. The more of these you can do, the sooner you’ll get off the bench and the more you’ll play. Of course, if you can’t do any of these things without fouling too much you’ll be right back on the bench.
The Rebounder
Teams need offensive rebounds to gain extra possessions, get put backs, and draw fouls. A well-timed offensive board might lead to an open three or dispirit a taxed defense. On the other end, defensive rebounds end your opponent’s offensive possession and might just start a fast break break. Either way, rebounds impact the game immediately.
Building your bench with a top-flight rebounder will change the course of a quarter, if not an entire game. On my team, the leading rebounder off the bench gets to decide where we eat after the game.
The Energy Boost
Sometimes, the starters just come out flat. This may happen at the tip, or perhaps after a halftime lull. Regardless of when it happens, coaches value a sub who provides the energy boost the team needs. The stats might not appear in the box score, but everyone can see the importance of players filling basketball bench roles like this.
Taking charges, diving on loose balls, chasing down long rebounds, talking of defense, high-fiving teammates are all ways that subs can change the momentum of the game once they are on the floor. High energy is contagious and your attitude and hustle may get everyone else playing with greater intensity. Who knows how long you’ll be in the game so go full blast and leave it all on the floor.
The Microwave (Instant Offense)
The NBA’s Detroit Pistons sported a key player on their two championship teams in the late ’80s who provided an offensive spark off the bench. Vinnie Johnson earned his nickname, the Microwave, thanks to his ability to heat up quickly and score points when subbed in. Having a reliable scoring threat fill one of these pivotal basketball bench roles often leads to consistent winning.
It’s important that these players find the flow of the game quickly, instead of recklessly flinging shots while cold. But after a few trips up and down the floor, this player should look to hit that open three, or grab good position down low to a quick layup. In the open court, this player attacks with control and pressures the defense.
Hand painted jersey portraits make a great gift for Senior Night or Banquets. They have worked hard and pushed themselves to the limit physically and emotionally. Give them a gift that will be cherished long after they graduate.
In my coaching education workshops, I always asked coaches if they thought sports should be a fun experience for their players. Should there be fun at basketball practice? Of course, everyone said yes. So then I would make them the following offer: “If you can give me an adequate definition of ‘fun,’ I’ll sign off on your certification right now and you can leave six hours earlier than everyone else.” I made that offer for almost 15 years running and there were no winners.
Focus & Fun at Basketball Practice
Since the majority of your athletes’ time is spent in practices, it is vital that practice time be a fun, enjoyable experience. If it’s not, it’s not going to be effective. Unfortunately, some coaches feel that, because learning sports skills require discipline and focus, it’s incompatible with fun. But focus and fun are not incompatible at all.
In fact, focus is necessary for fun to occur! Just think of some of the fun experiences you’ve had in your life. You probably remember them very clearly. And that’s because you were very focused on what you were doing, who you were with, and what your surroundings were like.
It’s the same with sports. Sports are fun when three things are happening:
Kids are deeply involved in what they are doing
They feel closely connected to their “mates” (e.g., teammates, coaches, parents)
Kids feel like they are performing to the best of their ability
All three of these items require focus on the part of the athlete. And, as a coach, you can make all of these things happen in your practices and your games. There are ways to maximize your time as a coach. Here are some suggestions.
Developing Focus and Fun
Encourage your players to participate with all their senses.
For example, if you’re outside on a beautiful summer day, take a deep breath, pound your chest and say, “Don’t you just love the way the grass smells on a day like this?” If you’re poolside, you could say: “I love the ‘swoosh’ sound you guys make as you glide through the water. It’s better than therapy!”
Help your players to get to know each other better.
When everyone is pulling for each other, even the hardest drills become more enjoyable.
Focus on skill development.
Improved skills lead to feelings of competence, satisfaction, and accomplishment. These feelings, in turn, create enjoyment and fun at basketball practice.
Provide realistic challenges.
Kids learn and grow through a progressive series of challenges that are appropriate for their skill level and development.
Emphasize personal successes.
Playing well, or the feeling that a person has played well, is an essential part of the fun in sport.
Keep winning in perspective.
Being on the winning side is less important than striving to win. By striving to win, your players learn to concentrate, try hard, and be the best they can be.
Look for ways to energize kids and jazz up your practices.
Be creative. Cal Ripken saw a mannequin in a ski lodge and got the idea to use old mannequins to help kids learn to hit the cutoff man in the infield grass while practicing throws from right field. Just imagine how entertaining (and educational) it was when someone hit the mannequin in the wrong spot.
Other ways to incorporate fun into your practices might include ending a week as ”crazy socks day,” and doing fun, teamwork-oriented drills like “follow the leader.” Don’t think that just because your coach always made you run laps, you have to do the same thing to your players!
A former Hall of Fame athlete and coach, Dr. Selleck—a retired psychologist, organizational and management consultant, and sports education specialist—is the founder and director of Lead2Play, a comprehensive program that encourages youth participation in sports while promoting healthy living and the development of key life skills, such as organization, management, and team-building.
Dr. Selleck was inducted into the Stanford University Basketball Hall of Fame, the Pac-12 Hall of Honor, and named one of the “100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America” by the Institute for International Sports at the University of Rhode Island.
Incorporating team building exercises into practice has been one of the most impactful things I have done as a coach! My mission when coaching is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, has a voice, and experiences joy every day! Coaches should strive to incorporate focus and fun into their basketball practices.
If you want to learn more about basketball specific principles and drills to create a championship culture, please check out my book, “Help Them Up” on Amazon.
The below exercises can be used for all team sports!
3 Practical Steps for Team Building
Question of the Day
Every day at the start of practice, we circle up. I ask if anyone has anything they want to share with the group. I have also used this time to praise someone for a good teammate moment I observed them do, had the team sing happy birthday to a team member, etc. Then, I share a question of the day or ask the team to think of one.
Everyone gets into groups of two or three and during a warmup lap and they ask each other the question. I ask them to pick a different teammate every day, so they get a chance to connect with everyone. They jog back to the circle, and I ask if anyone wants to share something they learned.
The team always enjoys learning about teammates. I have seen friendships develop through this exercise because they find commonalities about each other they previously didn’t know about.
A few examples:
What is your favorite topic to talk about and why?
What do you like to do on the weekends?
Do you have any pets? If so, how many and what are their names? (With my team, they love talking about their pets!)
What is a goal you have for today’s practice and is there anything I can do to help you with it?
What are you grateful for?
Dynamic Warm-Up
A few years ago, I attended a UConn Women’s basketball practice. It was incredible! They were in complete unison when executing their dynamic warm-up. Since that day, I have been very intentional with warming-up as a team which prevents side conversations, shows unity, and creates elite level communication!
I have my team line up on the sideline and they do the exercises to the opposite sideline. I select someone to be the leader of the day or ask for a volunteer who then energetically yells out the exercises. The team then responds in a loud and energetic tone the name of the exercise. Then the leader yells, “go” and the team, while in unison, travel across the court trying to stay synchronized with all teammates.
For example, the leader will yell, “high knees” and then the team yells, “high knees” followed by the leader yelling, “Go”. We proceed with exercises like defensive slides, skips, lunges, jog, back pedal, etc.
I love to make this player led and have them take accountability over their team.
Accountability Circle
A few years ago, I attended a USA Basketball youth development clinic. I was amazed by Coach Joe Mantegna at Blair Academy (New Jersey) and his presentation on building a culture. He shared this concept which happens at the end of practice for 5-10 minutes and after games.
We meet in a circle so everyone can make eye contact with each other. You can choose to have players put their arms around each other to stay connected.
When first introducing and teaching the team this exercise, I shared, “This is a safe space, and everyone needs to be respectful of one another. We will invest time everyday doing this because it will help us all grow as individuals and as a team. We are not stating things about any specific person, rather their actions and words that we witnessed that specific day. For the first few weeks we will only say positive things about each other and then if we do a good job, we will allow everyone to share feedback that may be tough to hear but said with the intent to help us improve.”
However, the coaches can interrupt if someone shares something unkind or not helpful to the team. The coach can explain why what was said was not helpful and why. It works best when the coaches don’t speak first and allow for some silence so teammates can use their voice to build up teammates. This exercise was key to our team building. It single handedly elevated my team’s culture and use it consistently.
Looking for some Great Team Gifts? 
Dan Horwitz