Small Sided Games for Teaching Basketball

A small-sided game (SSG) is a basketball game played on a smaller court with fewer players. Additionally, small sided games are often designed with special rules and restrictions, designed to teach and encourage the execution of a particular skill or tactic. Although they are gaining more and more popularity as of late, small sided games are not traditionally used within the basketball world. Small sided games offer numerous development opportunities for athletes of all ages and stages, and it is for this reason that this book has been written.

There are countless benefits to using small sided games as a part of your team practices or player development sessions. Small sided games set the stage for the athletes to develop all of the following skills in a gamelike context:

Technical skill development

Tactical skill development

Fitness development

Efficiency of movement

Love for the game