We are holding several open gyms this summer for our junior high players. Historically, these have been very successful for three reasons.
Reason No. 1 — we keep them light and fun. Players come and go as they please. This provides a bit of a challenge from a numbers standpoint, but it has worked for us.
Also, we have contests. Foul shooting is the most popular contest. We challenge the players in two ways. The first challenge is how many pairs of foul shots they can make. The second challenge is consecutive shots made. Keeping track of the “current champs” on a large poster inspires them to work between workouts and at least ensures that they come back.
We also have a contest called the “glass breaker” contest. This takes three players at each basket. The first is the shooter and the players starts at the foul line. The other two players are stationed at the blocks with a basketball at their feet. They are the rebounders. On the whistle, the player sprints to a ball, picks it up and attacks the basket with one shot. They then hustle to the second ball and take a shot. The other two players are responsible for gathering loose balls and setting them back down on the block while the shooter goes from block to block trying to score. The goal is to make the most baskets in 30 seconds. Then the team rotates.
Reason No. 2 — We focus on a skill for that particular night. For instance, we might have a “big-man” night, dribblers’ night, shooting skills night or a rebounding night. It is great for the coaches as it forces us to find new drills that we normally do not run during the season. On this night, we have all organized activities focused on the skill for that particular night.
Reason No. 3 — We keep it somewhat consistent. Open with stretching, then about 15 minutes of open scrimmage. Then we meet to see how the summer is going and to discuss the topic for the night. We then move to any specific drills we want to cover. Then, it is contest time.
I like to end each summer session with two things. The first is a three-on-three half-court scrimmage — no dribble! Whether it is due to too much time in front of video games or the TV, or not enough time in the driveway, players are losing the fundamentals (i.e give and go). Making them play without the use of a dribble forces them to screen away from the ball, use various cuts to get open, etc. We have seen a definite improvement in their game using this drill.
Finally, allow at least 20 minutes for open scrimmage again. We don’t call fouls but we do intervene at teaching moments (not too much) and to keep things under control.
Of course, you might be under contact or coaching restrictions due to state laws during this non-basketball period. If so, get someone else to run the open gym for you. Let me know what has worked for you as well.
