Spartan Youth Grow Through Fundamentals
Spartan Youth Grow Through Fundamentals
Earlier this month, Wessington Springs hosted a 5th and 6th grade basketball tournament as fundraisers for all the teams in the program. During this tournament, the boys’ team got their first win of the year. I had a chance to ask coach Jenna Mikkelson some questions about the importance of basketball at such a young age.
She told me the most important skills in basketball are the fundamentals. For 10, 11, and 12-year-olds it’s the foundation on developing them at a young age.
“I always remind them it’s the little things and we have to spend time and focus on those things every practice” said Coach Mikkleson. “Focusing on the basics every practice, it helps develop them and acts as a cornerstone for players going forward.”
She points out that the place where these kids become better isn’t always on the court, but at practice.
“During practice we focus on defensive shuffle, having their hands out to play defense, boxing out and rebounding, shell defense, ball handling with their left and right hand with your jump stops. Basic layups and bunny shots with scrimmaging at the end.”
She explained that by doing these drills, kids will get better and when they get older these fundamentals will carry over and make them better basketball players.
She also has told them it’s not always about winning and losing, at this age especially.
She went on to say, “I remind them no matter what we can always get better. So come to practice ready to work hard and do those things to keep getting better, that’s what I care about! This keeps their morale up and makes them want to play and have fun.”
The next generation of Spartan ballers are being developed by working hard and getting down their fundamentals, which is so important at such a young age. With coach Mikkelson getting these boys to put in the work, we can look forward to many more successful Spartan years and hopefully more banners can be hung in the rafters.