ROOKIE LEVEL

1. Rookie
MVP

01
 ROOKIE LEVEL

Rookie Level ABCD’s

At the Rookie level, the game is all about fun, being active and learning basic fundamental
skills. This level is for players with little to no basketball experience and it should be
positive and build a love for the game. The Rookie level emphasizes small-sided games
such as 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 to allow for more repetitions and improved skill development. The
goal of the Rookie level is to use games-based activities to form a base of motor skills.

A LWAY S F U N BUILDING SKILLS C O R E VA LU E S

D E V E LO P I N G
M E NTA L & P HY S I C A L
High-Fives & Smiles See Development List Sportsmanship WELLNESS
& Fairness
Positive
Encouragement Confidence Active Lifestyle

Interactive Games Respect Positive Outlook

One very important Players at the Rookie Players at this level In this level, Jr. NBA
way we can ensure that level enjoy and play may be very aware of players are encouraged
the players have fun is basketball because it their feelings and the to lead an active
through our high-fives, is fun. While they are feelings of others. In lifestyle and maintain a
smiles, and positive enjoying the game and their first introduction to positive outlook. Getting
encouragement. having fun they are also basketball, some players exercise from multiple
Coaches, parents and able to acquire the basic have the tendency to be sports and activities
organizers should use fundamentals. Some individualistic or shy, creates healthy habits
their body language and of the fundamentals while others see the and positive thinking in
positive reinforcement that are introduced game as an opportunity all areas of life. Being
to create an enjoyable include having a good to spend time with active also translates
environment. Fun also athletic stance, running, friends. Therefore, it is to better productivity
plays out through a jumping, stopping, important to emphasize in school and overall
variety of skill-related, balance, ball-handling, sportsmanship mental and physical
interactive games. passing, and shooting. & fairness, instill health. This foundation
Whether it’s a relay These movements and confidence, and teach of being active and
race or dribble tag, a skills can be found players to respect each positive develops a base
games-based approach in the development other. By incorporating athletic development in
makes basketball fun lists and will lay the these messages, basketball and beyond.
to learn and play. foundation for skills players will grow in their Encourage players to
later in the pathway. social understanding be active and positive!
and sport etiquette.

02
 ROOKIE LEVEL

Development List
During the Rookie level the athletes will be exposed to the skills and concepts below.
Players will progress at different speeds or excel at different skills. Loading or
deloading for individual players or for the team can be implemented to make practice
developmentally appropriate.

Ball Handling Shooting Offense

(To be done with right
and left hand)  Form Shooting  Pass & Cut

 Stationary Dribble  Using the Backboard  Ball Reversal

Low, Middle & High
 Stationary Crossover
 Dribbling at
Different Speeds
 Jump Stop Lay-Ups  Drive & Kick Pass
(both sides)
 Give & Go
 Traditional Lay-Ups
(both sides)

 Jump Stop Shooting Defense

 Dribbling in
Different Directions  1-2 Step Shooting  Defensive Stance

 Crossover at (both feet)  Defensive Slide

Different Speeds
 Staying Between
Rebounding Player & Basket

Passing  Jumping, Catching  Tracing &

& Landing Pressuring the Ball
 Catching

 Hitting a Target
Footwork & Movement Other
 Stationary Chest,
Push & Bounce Pass  Athletic Stance  Understanding
& Triple Threat the Court Lines
 Pivoting & Pass
 Running at  Introduction to Rules
 Passing to Moving Players
Different Speeds Travel
 Passing on the Move
 Running in Double Dribble
 Recognizing Open Players Different Direction
Out of Bounds
 Body Control & Balance
Scoring
 Two Foot Jump Stop
Fouls
 Pivoting

 Skipping & Jumping

 Pushing Off
& Exploding

03
 ROOKIE LEVEL

Practice Plans
The chart below indicates approximate amounts of time to be spent on each portion of
practice. The twelve practice plans to follow are samples that reinforce Rookie level principles.
Use the Jr. NBA Coaching Tips from page 12 to get the most out each of your practices.

Cultivating Values
and Developing Mental
Competing & Physical Wellness

Warm-Up &
Injury Prevention
Team
Concepts 10% 5%
5%
5%
5%

10%

TOTAL
PRACTICE
TIME

70%
Building
Skills

These percentages serve as approximate recommendations on how to allocate

practice time and are referenced throughout the practice plans.

04