Basketball can be intimidating for a child who is unfamiliar with the competitive nature of sports. Despite encouragement from parents and coaches, some children have difficulty getting into the action as other players dribble, pass and shoot. You can instill confidence in a child who freezes by employing an approach used by many youth basketball coaches.
Fundamentals
You might watch a high school or college basketball practice and notice the coach uses an adamant tone as he conducts drills. This is because a good coach understands the importance of fundamentals when developing young players. A player who learns the fundamentals can make significant contributions to his team.
Action
Playing basketball requires deliberate actions. A child who freezes might be confused about the correct action in certain situations. Your child can begin to get involved in the offense by learning the correct way to receive a pass and deliver a pass after running to a spot on the court. By conducting a "Spot-up" drill on a consistent basis, you teach your child to act with confidence and without hesitation.
The Spot
The first part of the drill has your child running to a designated spot on the court and setting his feet set shoulder-width apart. As he sets, his hands are at chest height and his palms are open and facing out. Ask your child start at the far end of the court and run a spot on the outside perimeter above the free throw line. Have him to return to the far end of the court and run to a spot near the base line at either side of the basket. These are typical spot-up points for an offensive player. Repeat this part of the drill several times until you are confident your child can run to a spot, stop and set his feet correctly.
Receiving and Passing
You expand the spot-up drill by including short passes between you and your child. For the purposes of teaching basics, bounce passes are easier for children to catch and deliver. Stand at the middle of the free throw line with a basketball. Ask your child to run to a spot that you designate. Deliver a bounce pass and have her deliver a bounce pass back to you. Designate different spot-up points each time. Repeat the drill every day and openly acknowledge her progress each time your child shows improvement.
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