As a coach I am always looking for ways to have my kids improve as basketball players. I try to find time in practice to do as much skill work as I possibly can but the one question that I always have is "Are my kids getting better by going 1v0 all the time?" The answer to that question is no. Don't get me wrong there is plenty of room for skill work without a defender but playing against resistance is the best way to apply what you have learned during skill work. This is why I always try to incorporate Small Sided Games (SSG) into as many practices as I can. Before I get into the numerous possibilities in incorporating SSG into practice, I want to explain some of the great benefits involved in using SSG. It forces players to apply the skills they have acquired in a competitive environment. It allows players who normally don't get many touches 5v5 to get involved and evolve their game. It allows coaches to better control games by tailoring the games to...
