"Ball-Hogging" in Basketball - where do you side on this?

[Anonymous]

I have twin boys at opposite ends of the spectrum on this, so I see it from both sides. They play on different, but equally competitive, basketball teams. They are 10 years old.

Boy 1 is and always has been super, super competitive. He is a basketball fanatic and practices on his own, as much and anytime that we will let him. He is the kid who is outside in 25 degree weather for 2 or 3 hours, just to perfect his foul shot or dribbling skills. He is far and away the best player on his team. Boy 2 is much more laid back and has to be pushed to go to practices, even with his team. He likes basketball but doesn't love it, and his skill level shows it. He is in the middle of the pack as compared to the kids on his team.

Boy 1 plays aggressively and goes for the ball at every opportunity. He also scores a lot of points for the team. He is still learning the team aspect of the game, for example, how to better evaluate his position on the court and know when to pass when someone else could take a better shot. But he is still accused of being a "ball hog," which is apparently the worst criticism a 10 year old boy can give another boy on the team.

Boy 2 has someone just like his brother on his team. When I watch those games, I see how annoying it is to the other kids when the "star" takes over and seemingly limits the others' ability to participate. But they all want to win, so they reluctantly adapt. Other parents have made snide comments about this kid and his "ball hogging," (there it is again) even though their sons (mine included in this case) are clearly inferior players.

I get that the purpose of these leagues is for everyone to learn to play the game, but I also think that at 10/ 11 they are at the point where the skills of the better and more dedicated players are going to start coming through. And that should be encouraged, right?

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I feel as though you want us to tell you that it's OK your son is a ball hog.

They're 10. They need to learn about teamwork more than they need to win a game.

[Anonymous]

At age 10 can't the better kids join AAU?

[Anonymous]

Run the play. This is a coaching problem. If you don't run the play you should sit.out a couple times. Coach can decide what the right balance is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have twin boys at opposite ends of the spectrum on this, so I see it from both sides. They play on different, but equally competitive, basketball teams. They are 10 years old.

Boy 1 is and always has been super, super competitive. He is a basketball fanatic and practices on his own, as much and anytime that we will let him. He is the kid who is outside in 25 degree weather for 2 or 3 hours, just to perfect his foul shot or dribbling skills. He is far and away the best player on his team. Boy 2 is much more laid back and has to be pushed to go to practices, even with his team. He likes basketball but doesn't love it, and his skill level shows it. He is in the middle of the pack as compared to the kids on his team.

Boy 1 plays aggressively and goes for the ball at every opportunity. He also scores a lot of points for the team. He is still learning the team aspect of the game, for example, how to better evaluate his position on the court and know when to pass when someone else could take a better shot. But he is still accused of being a "ball hog," which is apparently the worst criticism a 10 year old boy can give another boy on the team.

Boy 2 has someone just like his brother on his team. When I watch those games, I see how annoying it is to the other kids when the "star" takes over and seemingly limits the others' ability to participate. But they all want to win, so they reluctantly adapt. Other parents have made snide comments about this kid and his "ball hogging," (there it is again) even though their sons (mine included in this case) are clearly inferior players.

I get that the purpose of these leagues is for everyone to learn to play the game, but I also think that at 10/ 11 they are at the point where the skills of the better and more dedicated players are going to start coming through. And that should be encouraged, right?

Any thoughts?

Not if it is at the detriment of the other players. Nobody likes a ball hog.

[Anonymous]

I think that's for the coach to deal with.

[Anonymous]

You don't see it both ways. You see 2 kids - one that loves it and one that couldn't care less (or maybe he could care less a little bit, but not by much). you forgot about all those kids that have the enthusiasm and love of the game as your first boy has, but they don't have the talent. Where do they fit in? They know they'll never be the star your ds is, but don't they get a chance to play?

And I agree with the others - your son needs to learn teamwork. And that means working with someone with lesser ability than your ds and dealing with the consequences of that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At age 10 can't the better kids join AAU?

This. Or even try out for the county league or is that 5th grade. I seem to remember that things got better after these kids left the house leagues and went to teams where more kids were at their level. I think kids do need to learn teamwork, but they also need to learn that no one is going to give them the ball unless they show they can do something with it. And the kids who work very hard on their own are going to be better, period. It's never to early to learn that lesson. That's said: It's up to the coach to teach teamwork as kids figure out ball hogs and learn how to shut them down over time. Then if the other players on the team don't have experience under pressure, the team won't do well.

[Anonymous]

When a child becomes the "best player on the team" it is time for that player to move up to a team with similarly skilled players.

He will benefit from having to work himself up to the position of "best player on the team" and the kids on his current team will benefit from need to step up to the plate.

[Anonymous]

There are ball hogs in the NBA. It happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have twin boys at opposite ends of the spectrum on this, so I see it from both sides. They play on different, but equally competitive, basketball teams. They are 10 years old.

Boy 1 is and always has been super, super competitive. He is a basketball fanatic and practices on his own, as much and anytime that we will let him. He is the kid who is outside in 25 degree weather for 2 or 3 hours, just to perfect his foul shot or dribbling skills. He is far and away the best player on his team. Boy 2 is much more laid back and has to be pushed to go to practices, even with his team. He likes basketball but doesn't love it, and his skill level shows it. He is in the middle of the pack as compared to the kids on his team.

Boy 1 plays aggressively and goes for the ball at every opportunity. He also scores a lot of points for the team. He is still learning the team aspect of the game, for example, how to better evaluate his position on the court and know when to pass when someone else could take a better shot. But he is still accused of being a "ball hog," which is apparently the worst criticism a 10 year old boy can give another boy on the team.

Boy 2 has someone just like his brother on his team. When I watch those games, I see how annoying it is to the other kids when the "star" takes over and seemingly limits the others' ability to participate. But they all want to win, so they reluctantly adapt. Other parents have made snide comments about this kid and his "ball hogging," (there it is again) even though their sons (mine included in this case) are clearly inferior players.

I get that the purpose of these leagues is for everyone to learn to play the game, but I also think that at 10/ 11 they are at the point where the skills of the better and more dedicated players are going to start coming through. And that should be encouraged, right?

Any thoughts?

I think you want DCUM to pat you on the back and tell you that Boy 1's team WANTS your son to be a ball hog.

[Anonymous]

Ball hogs keep other kids from developing their own skills, and it can backfire if (1) there's no Plan B when he's double or triple-teamed or (2) he has to sit out to give other players time on the court or fouls out.

Of course, kids want it both ways - they want to play and win. If Boy #1 is as good and dedicated as you suggest, he should play travel ball, and the coach will insist on teamwork for the reasons mentioned above.

[Anonymous]

I'm just impressed with how much time you have on your hands for this!

[Anonymous]

kids like that all have a couple of players they love. watch a game together and point out to him how his model players getting other players involved and have success as a team, and then challenge him to become a complete player.

[Anonymous]

Your ball-hogging son is in the wrong, not just for the team but for himself. It's working for him now because the other kids are generally less-skilled, but his inability to play as part of a team is really going to hurt him later when the other kids develop better defensive skills and he can't just run the ball down the court every time he gets it. Your son is squandering his talents if he can't learn to function as part of a team, and that's where you focus should be since it sounds like it's by far the weakest part of his game.