David G. Faucher shares his successful "full-participation model" of coaching youth basketball in this Baffled Parent's Guide. Faucher, the head coach of the men's basketball team at Dartmouth College, covers creating good habits, offensive skills and defensive basics, dealing with parents, first aid and safety, and game rules.

"An excellent guide to teaching kids about the game. There's something here for veteran coaches as well as beginners."--Larry Bird

"Whatever your coaching credentials, your greatest responsibility is to give each player a positive learning experience."--David Faucher

"Here's a book I would recommend to all youth coaches."--Jill Kearney, recreation director, Norwich, Vermont

"I like Coach Faucher's philosophy, his approach to coaching kids, and his enthusiasm."--Jeffrey Thomas, youth coach, Richmond, Virginia

"Easy to follow and comprehensive. A clear and inspiring picture of how to play basketball and how to coach basketball."--Tom Bertocci, youth coach, Thomaston, Maine.  Paperback. 160 pages.

REVIEWS 

5 out of 5 stars

A lifesaver for some and lots of ideas for the rest., February 2, 2000

I was drafted to coach a my son's basketball team a few months ago. An experienced coach, I'm not. It was an absolute delight to have a friend suggest this book. It provides everything from a great youth coaching philosophy to all the Xs and Os I could ever need. Equally important is that it provides offensive and defensive schemes that the team could understand and remember. Bottom line: these kids aren't the athletes they will be someday, but they have begun to understand how to play the game intelligently, that they are more successful as a team than as individuals, and they support one another in games and in practices. There is a David-and-Goliath element to their play now. They are usually over-matched physically, but they manage to pull most games out at the end.

This book will be great for your team and, as time goes on, for the game of basketball and the kids who play it, too. Coach Faucher really knows how to capture the kids' attention.

 

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5 out of 5 stars

a perfect book for new coaches, July 12, 2001

i decided that i wanted to coach basketball at my school, i wasn't sure what i should do, how to do it, etc. this book is a real good start. it talks about what skills kids need to be taught, it gives drills on how to teach those skills, it gives you sample practice plans that show you how to organize the drills, etc. it even gives you some plays for inbounding the ball, etc. all in all the book has everything a first year coach would want. a small warning however, this book is designed for first year coaches. you are not going to find how to run a triangle offense, or how to beat a pressure defense. but if you are looking for a book to start you off, then this is the one.