markmgr

What to Look for in a Youth Softball Coach

To illustrate the importance of solid coaching when it comes to youth softball there is a story of a softball coach who established a 93-4-2 record over five years in an 8 and under fastpitch league. Every year he lost several players due to age and had t... Read >

Youth Soccer Passing Drill

When it comes to passing in youth soccer, the "push pass" is one of the basic soccer fundamentals every player should learn. Most youth soccer players can learn this technique when they reach the ages of 8 to 10 years old. Learning to pass quickly and eff... Read >

5 Traits of a Successful Youth Soccer Coach

Another youth soccer season is fast approaching. Parents are getting their children registered, referees are brushing up on the rules, and youth soccer coaches are getting prepared for the first practice. It can be tough coaching youth soccer. It takes a ... Read >

Youth Basketball Free Throw Shooting Tips & Drills

It's tough to find a way to get through, over, and around five defenders in youth basketball game, so any time you are given a free opportunity to put points on the board, you have to be able to take full advantage of it. The ability to get to the foul li... Read >

Youth Basketball Ball Handling Tips & Drills

The point guard is the straw that stirs the drink on the basketball floor, and though he or she generally does the majority of a basketball team's ball handling, all players should develop their ball handling skills. It is a core basketball skill for the ... Read >

Youth Basketball Passing Tip & Drills

Though we all love to see a dazzling crossover dribbling move, a sweet jumper that tickles the twine from beyond the arc, and the monster slam from behind the ear, in the final analysis, youth basketball is a team game. There have been many NBA players wh... Read >

Youth Basketball & Improving Jumping Ability

Unless you happen to be seven feet tall, jumping ability has a great deal to do with your success as a basketball player. An above average vertical leap can in essence add inches to your height, and since there are no exercises or basketball drills that w... Read >

Youth Basketball Shooting Drills

There is nothing more satisfying than watching a basketball leave your fingertips with the perfect backspin and arch on its way toward the hoop until you hear the sweet sound of the swish. Like anything else it takes practice to become a good shooter, and... Read >

Youth Soccer Attacking Drills

In youth soccer, goals win games and goals come from your offensive attack. Attacks are about good teamwork, creativity, speed and composure. There are so many different ways of attacking in soccer, and that is one of the beauties of the game. Your soccer... Read >

Youth Basketball Defensive Drills.

They say no man is an island, but that is exactly what it can feel like when you are defending the player with the ball. At its core, though, it is the essence of good defensive basketball. At some point in the game, every player on the floor will have th... Read >

Youth Basketball Fast Break Drills

A well-run fast break is one of basketball's most thrilling plays. Most fans of the game love to see a fast-paced tempo with plenty of running and scoring. Strategically, the basketball fast break makes sense in the simple fact that the goal is to push th... Read >

Youth Basketball Fast Break Defense

Few things can swing the momentum of a basketball game like the fast break. Transition basketball is designed to get easy and quick offensive opportunities before the defense can get into place. In fact, some teams make the fast break their dominant style... Read >

Youth Basketball Free Throw Shooting Drills

Though it may seem like one of the least exciting offensive aspects of the game of basketball, free throw shooting is every bit as important as making lay ups, knocking down open jump shots, or hitting the three. It is not a basketball cliché that games ... Read >

Youth Basketball Ball Handling Drills

Every fan enjoys watching the creativity of a great ball handler. Few plays in basketball are as athletic and graceful as a well-executed spin move, an ankle-breaking cross over, or a behind the back dribble to avoid a defender. The purpose of these dribb... Read >

Coaching Youth Basketball: Set Plays

Basketball is one of the most popular youth sports for many reasons, but undoubtedly the creativity involved is a driving force why it's fun and exciting for kids to play, coaches to teach, and fans to watch. There's always an opportunity to surprise the ... Read >