Free Coaching Resources · Templates
Coaching Templates
Ready-to-use coaching templates you can print or save as PDF: a Player Edge Questionnaire for starting the season by learning what each player brings, and three fill-in session plans — under-12, under-14 and under-16 — built on the master-plan framework from the Session Design guide.
Each template prints on its own page. To print just one, choose that page number in your browser's print dialog.
🏀 Player Edge Questionnaire
“What do you bring that helps us win — every single game?”
Part 1 · Reset your thinking
When you're not scoring, how do you usually feel during a game? (circle one)
- I stay engaged
- I try to shoot more
- I get frustrated
- I drift out of the game
What do you think coaches usually notice most? (circle one)
- Scoring
- Defence
- Effort
- Team play
Part 2 · Your natural strengths
What do you think you do better than most players on your team?
Which of these feel most like you? (pick 3)
- I bring energy and talk a lot
- I play hard every possession
- I defend and make it hard for others
- I rebound and chase the ball
- I make smart passes / decisions
- I set screens and help teammates
- I hustle for loose balls
- I stay calm and make good choices
- I lift teammates up
Part 3 · Effort & control
Which of these can you always control, even on a bad day? (pick 3)
- Effort
- Communication
- Defence
- Hustle
- Rebounding
- Screens
- Decision-making
- Attitude
When you're having a bad game, what can you still do to help the team win?
Part 4 · Teammate impact
What is something your teammates would say you are great at?
What is one thing you do that makes your teammates better?
Part 5 · Define your edge
If you could be the best on the team at one thing, what would it be?
Finish this sentence:
“No matter how I'm playing, I will always to help my team win.”
Part 6 · What do we want to be known for?
At the end of the season, when other teams play us, what do you want them to say about our team?
A few examples: “They play really hard.” · “They share the ball.” · “They never give up.” · “They play great defence.”
Under-12 Session Plan
Fun first · maximise touches · fundamentals · no system
| Time | Block | What & format | Your teaching cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5 | Arrival | Free shooting — get early touches, have fun | |
| 5–10 | Warm-up | Movement + stop–pivot–catch ritual | |
| 10–22 | Ball handling | Both hands, eyes up — stationary then moving | |
| 22–35 | Skill | Finishing or form shooting (start close to the rim) | |
| 35–50 | Small-sided | 2v2 / 3v3 half court — apply the skill | |
| 50–60 | Decision | 2v1 transition — the pass-or-go read | |
| 60–70 | Game | 4v4 / 5v5 — let them play, coach less | |
| 70–75 | Close | One specific call-out per player + home task |
What went wrong:
What I'll fix:
One thing I was proud of:
Under-14 Session Plan
Skills hold · introduce concepts · still mostly small-sided
| Time | Block | What & format | Your teaching cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5 | Arrival | Free shooting | |
| 5–12 | Warm-up | Dynamic prep + stop–pivot–catch | |
| 12–27 | Skill | Shooting (catch & shoot at game speed) or finishing | |
| 27–34 | Concept install | Ball-screen logic / pass–cut–replace (brief, then play) | |
| 34–54 | Small-sided | 3v3 with the concept live | |
| 54–66 | Decision | 3v2 / 4v3 transition — kick-out & corner reads | |
| 66–82 | Game | 5v5 — apply the concept | |
| 82–90 | Close | Reflection + home task |
What went wrong:
What I'll fix:
One thing I was proud of:
Under-16 Session Plan
Holistic · physical + mental · more complex concepts
| Time | Block | What & format | Your teaching cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–8 | Activation | Physical prep — movement, landing, change of direction | |
| 8–15 | Warm-up | Shooting + mental reset cue (keyword) | |
| 15–30 | Skill | Position-relevant skill block | |
| 30–40 | Concept / coverage | Install or refine an action or defensive coverage | |
| 40–62 | Small-sided | 3v3 / 4v4 shell with the concept live | |
| 62–80 | Game | 5v5 live — connect it to the game | |
| 80–95 | Situational | Special situations — last minute, ATO, free-throw pressure | |
| 95–105 | Close | Reflection + individual targets |
What went wrong:
What I'll fix:
One thing I was proud of:
The Player Edge Questionnaire is an original junior.basketball resource — free to use and share. The session plans are unofficial fan-created resources, not affiliated with or endorsed by Basketball Victoria; the framework is synthesised from the Talking Split Podcast. Full credit to Rob Calder, Mike Zeppel, Justin Shuler, Ash Arnott, Zoe Carr, Darren Best, Nathan Cooper-Brown, and all guests.