Happy November! Just as I did in 2021, I’ve chosen to post here frequently during the year’s most underrated month — when colors peak, college hoops return, college football heats up and we get to celebrate Thanksgiving, hands down the best holiday. I hope you’ll stop by occasionally to see what’s on my mind.

COACHING YOUTH BASKETBALL Third Edition: A Guide for First-Time Coaches is out!

I’m excited to announce the third (and final!) edition of my book “Coaching Youth Basketball: A Guide for First-Time Coaches.”

What began as a casual brainstorm over beers with a fellow coach in early 2021 has evolved into something bigger. Like the game itself, this project kept moving. I found myself compelled to listen for and capture new thoughts and fresh perspectives for the book’s second and now third iterations. This dedication paid off unexpectedly earlier in 2024, when I accepted an opportunity to provide color analysis for some Division II college games via live stream (with more to come this winter).

This latest update reflects insights I’ve gained watching primarily the college and high school game and identifying subtleties there, that also apply at the youth level. As both a coach and former youth league administrator, I’ve drawn from my experiences to produce the guide I wished had been available when I first stepped on the sidelines after being volun-told, “You’re the coach!”

Stuart Wade’s essential guide transforms novice coaches into confident leaders. With additional new content, this third edition equips you with both the “hardware” of coaching—practices, plays, and strategies—and the crucial “software”—managing parents, expectations, even disappointments. Wade’s clear insights prepare you to make a positive impact on young players, boosting their skills and love for the game. Ideal for beginners ready to turn their enthusiasm into effective coaching. – amazon.com blurb

A significant “add” to this edition is a chapter on officiating from my friend Alex Inman, a respected Virginia basketball official with over three decades of experience. Alex, who has officiated multiple state high school championships, offers candid guidance for coaches dealing with officials at the youth level. As he notes:

“You are doing great work coaching youth basketball, developing young people’s skills and character. And it can be hard work, especially in games when emotions build and frustrations can mount. So my best advice really is to take that deep breath and count to ten. Controlling yourself sets a positive example for your team that allows them to focus completely on doing the things you are teaching them to do.”

The new “CYB” edition features refined and expanded content throughout, especially within the ‘Overtime’ appendix introduced in 2022. From running killer practices to managing parent expectations, it’s all here.

Coaching Youth Basketball is my attempt to gather wisdom I absorbed from countless hours in the gym, collaborations with veteran coaches, and with the valuable network of basketball families I’ve been lucky to encounter over the years. My goal remains unchanged: helping coaches create an environment where young players of all skill levels can discover and enjoy the game.

As I look back on my time and this last and final revision, I’m grateful for the unexpected rewards of youth coaching. What began as an uncertain first step on to the sideline has become one of my most fulfilling experiences as a parent. Through this final edition, I hope to pass along the lessons learned and strategies developed to help other first-time coaches succeed in this rewarding role.

“Coaching Youth Basketball Third Edition: A Guide for First-Time Coaches” is now available on Amazon.

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: 50 Years of Hoops – Stuart Wade

Comments are closed.