re: Middle School Basketball Rec League Offense Coaching Tips

It's hard to run 5 out correctly with no practice time because it is very reliant on kids making on court decisions and the right ones. Reading screens, timing on fill ups, when to screen, when to cut, etc. It also tough if you have 2 guys who can't play because unless you send them back door every time on the perimeter they end up turning the ball over. The absolute easiest thing to do with kids at that age and little practice time is 4 very simple sets where you are making sure that the right kids are getting the ball in the right places. Going 4 flat with your best ball handler at the top and you best or 2nd best guy setting the ballscreen is another option. And the easiest continuity to teach is just simple flex. Trying to teach 5 out in that short of time is going to look very jumbled up, your better kids will look indecisive, and your worst kids will constantly clog up the lane taking away your driving lanes and killing your spacing. With a group like that you just need to give them specific simple direction that requires little to no decision making and gets ball to the people who need it immediately.