Ask almost any child what their favorite part of the day is in elementary school and you’ll find that recess rules. The chance to get some fresh air and run beats anything for the kid in all of us. Basketball for children should be an exercise in education and fun. This article is about the fun part of the game.

Putting the fun back into fundamental basketball teaching should be an emphasis for any coach in today’s culture. Our game has suffered in the last 15 years due to a lack of fundamentals at the youth level. It shouldn’t surprise you that the fun factor for kids dropped at the same rate. All young people deserve to be taught in a positive and fun environment. This is what brings them back, which leaves plenty of time for serious, competitive play later on.

Building enthusiasm while teaching the fundamentals requires effort on the part of the trainer. By devising creative ways to teach the jump stop, dribbling and passing make a big difference. Pivoting can be taught using the example of a swing door. One end of the door stays in place while the other end swings around it. Tell the children to pretend they are a door opening into their room at home. You will get laughs and laughs, but in the end you will leave an impression on their minds that will not be soon forgotten.

When I show a tray from the right side, I use an analogy with the insect. In the exact place where the left foot will land, I put a mark that means an insect that you want to step on. You’d be surprised how excited they are now about proper footwork on their layups. Suddenly your clumsy steps will become easier, as will the ability to teach layup shots.

I have designed a teaching model for youth basketball that puts the FUN back in the game. Stepping on the “bug” is just one example of many that make up this creative approach to teaching the fundamentals. Remember your younger days when you worked with elementary students. Once you remember those days, you will instantly become a better and more tolerant trainer. We can start changing the game one young person at a time. Use the ideas in this article to help change the focus of youth basketball in your gym.