Whether you were a former basketball player and want to introduce your child to it, or they have asked about joining a league, basketball is a great sport for children to start learning early. There are many benefits to children playing sports at a young age, and basketball is no exception.

Work On speed

The first tip we have is to help your child focus on their speed. This is not only with their feet as they will be running a lot, but with their hands too. 

Basketball uses a lot of hand-eye coordination. This is one of the great things they will learn and be able to pick up as a skill from playing basketball. It also means that they need to learn it while playing. 

You can help them by practicing drills with them or running sprints on the court. You can read more about helpful drill variations here.

Be Supportive

Our next tip is more what not to do. If your child is not picking up the game quickly, that’s okay. Make sure you do not yell at them or make them feel bad about it. Try and stay positive with your children and let them know how well they are still doing. 

You can also help by providing positive affirmation and praising them when they do something well or for things they are good at. This will help them want to play and practice more and improve every aspect of their game.

If your child naturally is drawn to basketball or they seem interested in playing sports, and you suggest basketball, that is not a problem. Try not to pressure them into playing though. Children all like different things. While one child may love basketball, the next may like soccer or no sports at all. Just be supportive. 

Make It Fun

The third tip we have is to make the game fun. People are more likely to play, more likely to practice, and more likely to enjoy basketball if they are having fun. Make the game fun by having mini games regularly and having fun with the drills. You can even include a three-point contest with a prize too.

Sportsmanship is very important in any sport, but especially in basketball. Make sure you teach your child about winning and losing and to be polite to the other team. Basketball will naturally teach them these lessons, but it’s a good idea for you to share this with your child too. 

Find A Great Team

Our final tip is to search for a great basketball league and coach. It’s important to find a coach that will help your child and positively encourage them. Try and find a league with children like your child who have similar goals. This will make it much more likely that your child enjoys the game. 

As you can see, basketball can be an enjoyable game for people of all ages, especially children. If your child is enjoying the game, try and encourage them the best you can and practice with them too. Playing sports teaches children how to work with a group as well as increase their athletic skills.