Pee Wee Playbook Coach Handbook
Mattahunt Community Center
PEE WEE PLAYBOOK
Complete Coach's Guide âĸ Ages 8â13
OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER INFO
Lead Coach
__________________________________
Season / Year
Fall / Winter 2026
Assigned Assistant Coaches
____________________________________________________________________
Our Coaching Philosophy: Fun & First Names
Welcome to the team! Our goal is to introduce kids to the game of basketball while building lifelong character. For teen or recreational staff, your primary weapon is high energy. If you are having fun, they are having fun. Keep instructions quick, voice volumes high, and focus on positive reinforcement.
Praise Loud
Shout praise across the court. Catch them being good!
Explain Fast
Keep talking under 45 seconds. Get them moving!
Use Names
Use their first names constantly to build a bond.
7-Week Structured Journey:
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W1 Basics & Dribbling
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W2 Passing & Catching
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W3 Shooting Form & BEEF
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W4 Defense, Slide & Box-Out
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W5 Offensive Cut & Spacing
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W6 Fast Breaks & Basketball IQ
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W7 Championship & Awards
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TOOLBOX & GUIDELINES
Teen Coach Survival Guide
Weekly 90-Minute Class Schedule
10 MIN Welcome & Dynamic Warm-Up
15 MIN Ball Handling & Footwork
20 MIN Skill of the Week
15 MIN Competitive Skill Game
20 MIN Controlled Scrimmage
10 MIN Cool Down & Awards
The "Triple Threat" Whistle Hack
When kids are dribbling everywhere, shouting won't work. Instead, train them: One sharp whistle blow + shout "TRIPLE THREAT!"
They must instantly stop, hold the ball tight to their ribs with both hands, bend their knees, and lock eyes on you. Practice this 5 times in Week 1!
High-Energy Engagement Hacks
Keep the energy high. If a drill is dragging:
- Add a countdown: "10 seconds to score!"
- Make it a relay: Split the group, race them.
- Turn it into noise: Every basket, bench goes wild.
Simplified Court Rules for Youth Rec Play
Double Dribble Cannot dribble, stop and hold ball, and then start dribbling again. Focus on teaching them to pass once stopped.
Traveling Cannot run with the ball without dribbling. For ages 8-10, call it strictly only if they take 3+ giant steps.
Fouls & Contact No pushing, grabbing, or slapping arms. Call fouls early to prevent rough play. Reset ball at the top of key.
Pre-Session Equipment Checklist
Arrive 15 minutes early. Check: Basketballs inflated (Size 5 for ages 8-10, Size 6 for 11-13) âĸ 12 orange cones ready âĸ At least 10 yellow/blue pinnies for scrimmage. Keep the first-aid kit close!
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Week 01 Guide
Basics & Ball Handling
Focus: Respect & Control
Key Coaching Cues
- đ "Finger Pads, Not Palms!" - Dribble using pads for maximum control.
- đ "Eyes Up, See the Gym!" - Keep eyes on the coach/defenders.
- đ "Protect the Ball!" - Keep your body between the defender and the ball.
Take-Home Challenge
Dribble a ball for 10 minutes every day at home. Switch hands!
Today's Active Drills
Drill 1: Red Light, Green Light 10 MIN
Kids line up baseline. "Green light" = dribble fast forward. "Red light" = freeze in low Triple Threat stance. Knock out any player who double-dribbles or drops the ball. Keep it highly dynamic!
Drill 2: Dribble Freeze Tag 15 MIN
Inside the half-court, 2 players are "IT" without balls. All others have a ball and must keep dribbling. If tagged, freeze in triple-threat until teammate crawls under legs or high-fives.
Drill 3: Cone Zig-Zag 15 MIN
Set up 4 cone lanes. Players dribble to cone, perform a crossover (change directions/hand), then run to next cone. Emphasize low dribbling around the cones.
Drill 4: Sharks and Minnows 15 MIN
Minnows must dribble baseline to baseline. 2 "Sharks" guard midcourt, trying to slap balls away. Minnows who lose their ball become Sharks. Last minnow standing wins!
Dribble Layout
Diagram shows how to organize lanes. Cones (â˛) are spaced 8 feet apart. Ensure players don't crowd the player aheadâmaintain a "2-dribble gap".
Scrimmage Focus: Every player must dribble at least once before passing the ball!
START
O O
â˛
â˛
â˛
Dribble path
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Week 02 Guide
Passing & Catching
Focus: Communication & Accuracy
Key Coaching Cues
- đ "Step Into the Pass!" - Always step toward your target to add power.
- đ "Thumbs Down, Fingers Out!" - Force the ball spin on a chest pass.
- đ "Show Me Your Hands!" - Receiver shows a ten-finger target for accuracy.
Take-Home Challenge
Complete 100 chest/bounce passes with a parent/sibling.
Today's Active Drills
Drill 1: Partner Passing Setup 15 MIN
Pairs stand 10 feet apart. Work through: (1) Chest passes, (2) Bounce passes (must bounce 3/4 of way to teammate), (3) Overhead passes. Practice the Jump Stop and Pivot right after receiving.
Drill 2: Circle Passing Challenge 15 MIN
Group forms a large circle with 1 player in the center. Ball is passed quickly. Center player tries to deflect the ball. If deflected, the passer steps into the center! Call out names before passing!
Drill 3: Speed Passing Relay 15 MIN
Split team into groups of 4. They form a line down the court. The ball must travel from the first player to the end and back using only quick chest passes. First group to finish 3 cycles wins!
Drill 4: Knockout Passing 15 MIN
Set up three cones with targets (or use actual wall targets). Players must bounce-pass or chest-pass to knock down cones or hit specific targets from a distance of 12 feet. Time limit adds pressure!
Passing Lanes
Always stress proper footwork: step forward with one foot on release. The receiver should immediately square up in "Triple Threat".
Scrimmage Focus: Teams must complete 3 passes before any shot can be taken. Build that teamwork!
O1 Passer
âļ
Bounce Pass
O2 Receiver
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Week 03 Guide
Shooting Fundamentals
Focus: Form & Confidence
Mastering the B.E.E.F. Shooting Technique
B Balance
Feet shoulder-width apart, 10 toes to basket.
E Eyes
Lock eyes on target (back of the rim).
E Elbow
Elbow tucked under ball in an "L" shape.
F Follow
Flick wrist, hold "hand in the cookie jar."
Today's Active Drills
Drill 1: One-Handed Form Shooting 10 MIN
Stand 3 feet from the rim. Kids shoot with only their dominant hand (guide hand stays at side/pocket). Focuses on wrist flick & elbow extension. Make 5 swishes, then take 1 step back.
Drill 2: Around the World 15 MIN
Set up 5 shooting spots using cones around the key. Players start at spot 1. They must make a shot before moving to next cone. Keeps kids focused on shot selection and confidence.
Drill 3: Classic Layup Lines 20 MIN
Line of dribblers on right wing, line of rebounders on left. Dribbler drives, takes two steps (Right foot, Left foot, explode up with right knee high), and uses backboard. Rebounder passes back.
Drill 4: Spot Shooting Competition 15 MIN
Split team in half. 2 hoops. Teams race to make 20 total baskets from designated high-percentage paint spots. Teammates must feed rebound passes. High energy, rapid shooting!
Shooting Target Area
Always aim for the top-right corner of the inner square on layups (the bank shot sweet spot!). Keep layups close.
Scrimmage Focus: No long shots. Emphasize high-percentage layups and high-volume passes first.
â˛
â˛
â˛
Spot 1 Spot 2 Spot 3
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Week 04 Guide
Defensive Hustle
Focus: Effort & Stance
Key Coaching Cues
- đ "Sit in Your Chair!" - Low, wide defensive stance. Knees bent.
- đ "Find a Body!" - Box out immediately when the shot goes up.
- đ "Hands Wide, Active Feet!" - Avoid reaching; block lanes using movement.
Take-Home Challenge
Practice low defensive slides in kitchen/backyard for 5 mins daily.
Today's Active Drills
Drill 1: The Mirror Drill 15 MIN
Pair up. Offensive player moves laterally along a line (within 10ft lane). Defensive player mirrors their movement, staying in a low defensive stance. No contact, just rapid footwork.
Drill 2: Defensive Slide Relay 15 MIN
Group into 4 lines. On whistle, first player slides diagonally to key cone, slides across, then sprints back. Focus on feet not crossing over (no clicking heels together!).
Drill 3: Box-Out Battle 15 MIN
Coach stands at top of key. Two players face coach. Coach shoots/throws ball to rim. On release, players must pivot, make contact (bum to thigh), arms wide to box out, and grab the ball.
Drill 4: 2-on-2 Closeouts 15 MIN
Offense starts on wings. Defense starts in key. Coach passes to wing. Defender must "close out" quicklyâsprinting first 2 steps, then small "choppy" steps to stay balanced. No easy shots!
Box Out Alignment
Defenders (D) must seal out Offensive players (O) using their backs and hips. Keep arms high!
Scrimmage Focus: Award +2 extra points to the defensive team for every clean shot contest or rebound stop!
D Defender
O Offense
Ball trajectory âĒ â đ
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Week 05 Guide
Offensive Movement
Focus: Spacing & Cuts
Key Coaching Cues
- đ "Pass and Move!" - After you pass the ball, cut to basket or rotate.
- đ "V-Cut: Fake & Explode!" - Take 2 slow steps in, then explode out.
- đ "Keep the Spacing!" - Try to stay 12â15 feet away from teammates.
Take-Home Challenge
Watch a full quarter of any pro/college basketball game. Count the cuts!
Today's Active Drills
Drill 1: Pass & Cut (Give & Go) 15 MIN
Player at top passes to wing, then immediately takes 1 hard step away before cutting directly down the key to the basket. Wing passes back for a quick layup. Build timing and quick hands.
Drill 2: The V-Cut Drill 15 MIN
Offensive player starts on block. Walks defender slowly toward hoop, then explodes back to the wing, catching a pass from the top of the key. Focus on sharp, decisive cuts.
Drill 3: Spacing Game (Four Corners) 15 MIN
Place 4 cones on wings and corners. 4 players must stay near cones. Coach commands "Rotate!" and they must quickly shift places while keeping perfect court spacing. No clustering!
Drill 4: 3-on-0 Continuous 15 MIN
Three lanes run down the court. Players pass continuously as they run, never letting the ball touch the floor. Emphasize pacing, looking ahead, and finishing with a layup.
Give-and-Go Play
Top player passes to wing, then cuts down center key. The path must be hard and straight to catch defenders sleeping!
Scrimmage Focus: Extra +1 point awarded for any basket that comes directly off an assist/pass!
1 Passer
2 Wing
âļ
âŧ Cut path
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Week 06 Guide
Basketball IQ
Focus: Decision-Making
Key Coaching Cues
- đ "Find the Open Lane!" - On fast break, run the wings, never stack up.
- đ "Stop the Ball!" - First defender must stop the player dribbling.
- đ "One Extra Pass!" - Give up a good shot to get a great shot.
Take-Home Challenge
Practice fast-paced decision making in 1-on-1 games with friends.
Today's Active Drills
Drill 1: 2-on-1 Transition Battle 15 MIN
Two offensive players run fast break against one lone defender. Teaches offense to draw the defender and pass to the open player. Defender must protect basket and stall play.
Drill 2: 3-on-2 Fast Break Run 15 MIN
Three attackers run down court against two defenders. Spacing is key: attackers must fill lanes (wings and center). Defenders stand in tandem (one high, one low in key).
Drill 3: Numbers Fast Break 20 MIN
Players sit on sidelines assigned numbers 1-4. Coach throws ball on court and yells "1, 2, 3!". Those numbers run. Teaches fast break transition and quick dynamic reaction times.
Drill 4: Transition Relay Race 10 MIN
Divided into two full teams. On whistle, dribbler races to far basket, must make a layup, rebound own ball, sprint back and hand off. Excellent conditioning game!
Fast Break Lanes
Attacking players must sprint down the outer sidelines (Wings) while center dribbler (O1) attacks center.
Scrimmage Focus: Limit to 2-3 dribbles maximum per possession. Players MUST pass to advance the ball!
O2 Wing Lane
O1 Ball Handler
O3 Wing Lane
â â
â â â
â â
D Protector
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Week 07 Ceremony
Championship & Celebration
Focus: Pride & Achievement
Tournament Schedule
- âąī¸ 00-15 Min: Dynamic Warm-up Stations (All weeks combined)
- âąī¸ 15-40 Min: Skills Olympics (dribbling, shooting contests)
- âąī¸ 40-75 Min: 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 Championship Matches
- âąī¸ 75-90 Min: Grand Awards Ceremony!
The Skills Olympics
đ Fastest Dribbler: Time-trial zigzag drill across court.
đ¯ Hot Shot: Max made shots in 60 seconds from 5 spots.
âšī¸ Free Throw King: Best out of 5 consecutive free-throw shots.
Award Recognition Templates
đ Sportsmanship
Recognizes extreme encouragement & high-fives.
Winner:
⥠Hustle Award
Recognizes diving after balls & defensive run-backs.
Winner:
đ¤ Best Teammate
Recognizes elite sharing of the ball and passing.
Winner:
Final Take-Home Challenge
Set one concrete basketball skill goal for next season (e.g., "I will learn to do a crossover with my left hand"). Keep working hard, Mattahunt stars!
đ "Good coaches show where to look. Great coaches show what to be." Thanks for your energy!
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