Category: Basketball Player Development

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Unleashing Potential: A Guide to Effective Basketball Training

Coaches demonstrating the proper technique for taking a charge in basketball, surrounded by attentive athletes during a skills and drills session at Elite Hoops Academy. The coaches are actively engaged in the demonstration, while the players observe intently, eager to learn and apply the technique in their own gameplay

Basketball coaching transcends mere instruction; it’s an art of bringing out the best in every player. Exceptional coaches distinguish themselves not just by their knowledge of the game, but by their ability to unlock the full potential of their athletes. This journey, while demanding, is incredibly rewarding. Here, I’ll share insights from my journey as a player and now as a coach, focusing on three critical strategies to optimize player development.

Personalized Player Evaluation

Think of a basketball coach as a skilled artisan, where each player is a unique piece of work. The first step is a thorough assessment, understanding each player’s strengths and areas for improvement (opportunity). This can be achieved through various skills/drills and exercises, tailored to reveal different facets of a player’s game.

Imagine a player struggling with ball handling while maintaining court vision. A novel approach might involve integrating tennis ball drills, encouraging them to keep their eyes up. The key is the customization of training methods, ensuring that they address specific needs and not resorting to a one-size-fits-all approach.

Strategic Development Plan

Effective player development requires a roadmap. This involves setting both immediate and long-term objectives, unique to each player. Involve the players in this process; let them jot down their goals and weekly actions on paper. This not only fosters a sense of ownership but also makes the journey more personal and meaningful.

The plan must accentuate the player’s strengths while diligently working on their opportunities for improvement. Every step, every drill, every feedback should be a calculated move towards these goals.

Educating Players on the Game’s Nuances

Understanding the ‘why’ behind actions empowers players to perform better. As a coach, it’s crucial to explain the rationale behind each technique and strategy. This approach not only enhances compliance but also enriches the players’ understanding of the game, boosting their basketball IQ.

Incorporating film sessions, analyzing plays, and learning from seasoned players can provide invaluable insights into the game’s subtleties. This comprehensive understanding enables players to execute moves with greater confidence and precision.

Conclusion: The Art of Player Development

The role of a basketball coach is multifaceted, demanding both passion and dedication. The true reward lies in witnessing the transformation of your players, helping them realize their dreams and reach their peak potential. It’s a journey that demands perseverance and commitment but offers unparalleled satisfaction in the long run.

Entertainments

Coaches demonstrating the proper technique for taking a charge in basketball, surrounded by attentive athletes during a skills and drills session at Elite Hoops Academy. The coaches are actively engaged in the demonstration, while the players observe intently, eager to learn and apply the technique in their own gameplay
Basketball Player Development

Unleashing Potential: A Guide to Effective Basketball Training

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Rising Above the Rim: 5 Winning Strategies to Dominate Basketball Tryouts

Photo of boys basketball tryouts- action shot

Basketball tryouts are an exciting yet nerve-wracking time for aspiring athletes. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting your basketball journey, making a strong impression during tryouts is crucial. To help you stand out and increase your chances of making the team, here are the top five things you can do:

1. Showcase Your Skills with Confidence:

During tryouts, coaches are looking for players who not only possess the necessary skills but also display confidence in executing them. This means dribbling, shooting, passing, and defending with poise and self-assuredness. Confidence not only makes you a more appealing player but also elevates your teammates’ performance. Remember, it’s not just about what you can do but how confidently you do it.

2. Embrace the Hustle:

Hustle and effort are two qualities that coaches highly value. Dive for loose balls, fight for rebounds, and demonstrate relentless energy on the court. Show that you’re willing to do the dirty work and put in the extra effort. Your determination and work ethic will set you apart from others who may rely solely on their talent.

3. Be Coachable:

Coaches appreciate athletes who are open to feedback and willing to adapt. Listen attentively to instructions and corrections during tryouts. Implement them immediately, and show that you can apply feedback effectively. Being coachable not only helps you improve but also demonstrates your commitment to the team’s success.

4. Display Team Chemistry:

Basketball is a team sport, and coaches want players who can seamlessly fit into the team dynamic. Be a good teammate by communicating on the court, setting screens, making unselfish passes, and celebrating your teammates’ successes. Show that you can contribute to the team’s chemistry and cohesion.

5. Exhibit a Positive Attitude:

Your attitude both on and off the court matters. Stay positive, even if you make mistakes during tryouts. Coaches appreciate players who maintain composure and a positive outlook. Demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges shows your mental toughness, a quality highly regarded in basketball.

Bonus Tip: Prepare Physically and Mentally

Before tryouts, make sure you’re physically prepared. Train, practice, and stay in shape to showcase your best performance. Additionally, mentally prepare by visualizing success, staying focused, and maintaining a strong mental attitude.

In conclusion, making a lasting impression during basketball tryouts requires more than just skills—it demands confidence, effort, coachability, teamwork, and a positive attitude. By embodying these qualities, you’ll not only stand out but also contribute positively to any team you aim to join. Good luck, and give it your all!

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Game On: 5 Tips to Prepare Youth for Late Day Basketball Games

'Game On: 5 Tips to Prepare for Late Day Basketball Games'

As a parent or coach of a young basketball player, you may find yourself faced with the challenge of preparing your child or team for a late day basketball game. These games can be tough on young athletes, as they disrupt their normal routines and can cause fatigue and low energy levels. However, with the right preparation, you can help your child or team perform their best and enjoy the game. Here are 5 tips I’ve shared with my basketball teams on how to prepare for late day basketball games:

  1. Adjust meal times: If the game is later in the evening, you may need to adjust meal times to ensure that your child or team has enough energy to perform well. Have a light and nutritious meal around 3-4 hours before the game, and provide healthy snacks, such as fruit or energy bars, 30-60 minutes before the game.
  2. Hydration: Encourage your child or team to drink plenty of water throughout the day leading up to the game. Dehydration can lead to fatigue and decreased performance, so it’s important to stay hydrated.
  3. Rest: Ensure that your child or team gets enough rest leading up to the game. Try to maintain their normal sleep schedule, and avoid scheduling any strenuous activities on the day of the game. Encourage them to take a nap in the afternoon if possible.
  4. Warm-up: Before the game, make sure your child or team has a proper warm-up session to get their blood flowing and prevent injuries. This can include stretching, light jogging, and practicing basketball skills.
  5. Mental preparation: Talk to your child or team about the game and help them get mentally prepared. Encourage positive thinking and remind them of their strengths and skills. Visualize a successful game and discuss strategies for handling different scenarios.

By following these tips, you can help prepare youth for a late day basketball game and ensure that they perform their best. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the game!”

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Putting in Work: Winter 2021 Skills & Drills

Elite Hoopers (some missing) at weekly Skills & Drills @Frisco Field house, TX

So proud of these young athletes – they showed up every Friday and put in work to get better. Each of them coachable. Each of them focused. Each of them got better!

Coach William demonstrates the importance of ‘squaring up’ during Skills & Drills Winter 2021
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What Are the Odds of Competing in Men’s Professional Basketball?

When we survey NCAA student-athletes about their expectations of moving on to professional athletics careers, the results indicate surprising confidence in that possibility. The reality is that very few go pro.

On average only 1% of high school participants go on to play DI-DIII college basketball
 

 

Estimated probability of competing in men’s college basketball

High School Participants NCAA Participants Overall % HS to NCAA % HS to NCAA Division I % HS to NCAA Division II % HS to NCAA Division III
551,373 18,816 3.4% 1.0% 1.0% 1.4%

 

Sources: High school figures from the 2017-18 High School Athletics Participation Survey conducted by the National Federation of State High School Associations; data from club teams not included. College numbers from the NCAA 2017-18 Sports Sponsorship and Participation Rates Report.

 

Estimated probability of competing in men’s professional basketball

NCAA Participants Approximate # Draft Eligible # Draft Picks # NCAA Drafted % NCAA to Major Pro % NCAA to Total Pro
18,816 4,181 60 52 1.2% 21.3%
  • NBA draft data from 2018.  There were 60 draft slots in that year and 52 went to NCAA players (seven others chosen were international players not attending U.S. colleges and one spent a season at a prep school).  Percentage NCAA to Major Pro calculated using the 52 NCAA selections. Since 2008, 11 international players have been drafted on average each year.

 

  • On 2018-19 opening day NBA rosters, former NCAA Division I players filled 83% of roster spots.  Two NBA players attended non-Division I colleges.  (Source: Jim Sukup, College Basketball News).

 

  • Data on other professional opportunities in men’s basketball were collected by NCAA staff with the assistance of Marek Wojtera from eurobasket.com.  Tracking 2018-19 international opportunities for the 2018 draft cohort, it was determined that an additional 839 former NCAA student-athletes played internationally, in the G-League or in the NBA as undrafted players (606 from Division I, 194 from Division II and 39 from Division III) after leaving college; this includes international players who attended NCAA institutions.  These numbers were combined with the NBA draftees to calculate an approximate NCAA to Total Professional opportunities figure (calculated as [52 + 839] / 4,181 = 21%).

 

  • We estimate that 4.2% of draft-eligible Division I players were chosen in the 2018 NBA draft (52 / 1,230).  However, in total, 53% of draft-eligible Division I players competed professionally (NBA, G-League or internationally) in their first year after leaving college (calculated as [52 + 606] / 1,230). Approximately 17% of draft-eligible players from the five Division I conferences with autonomous governance (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC) were drafted by the NBA in 2018 (38 / 228), while 80% played professionally somewhere in their first year post-college (calculated as [38 + 144] / 228).

 

If you have the ambition to elevate your basketball career we can help.  EliteHoops located in Dallas, TX helps youth basketball players become the best they can be both on and off the court.

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Why Young Basketball Players Should NOT Watch the NBA


 

Yesterday I read an interesting article by a man who says young players shouldn‘t watch the NBA.

And he backs this up with many solid points:

The NBA is chock-full of:

  • Poor sportsmanship
  • Yelling at referees
  • Technical fouls and ejections

And it’s not great for our young, impressionable youth to see these things on a nightly basis.

Especially when we’re doing our best to teach them the opposite…

  • Good sportsmanship
  • Controlling emotions
  • Respect for others

Repeating myself for emphasis:

It’s incredibly difficult to convince our youth players of the importance of these traits when the world’s best players — who are the idols and role models of the current generation — are doing the exact opposite of what we preach.

Watching them is undoubtedly going to have a negative influence.

He even points out how the commentators encourage these *dirty* acts during the game by saying things like:

“A good elbow to the midsection just sends a good message to your opponent.”

And while this may be accepted in the NBA where millions of dollars and world championships are on the line, it becomes a big problem when young players start to believe that it’s acceptable for their level.

Now, to be clear…

I’m not telling you to forbid your team from watching the best basketball players on the planet (NBA, of course). I watch a lot of it myself.

It’s just an interesting topic that I thought would interest you.

I’ll leave you to decide what to make of it.

 
*Originally shared via Coach Mac of the Championship Coaching Course May 2019

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The One Skill Young Basketball Players Must Have to Become Elite

“Coachabilty describes someone who wants to be coached. This manifests itself as someone who likes being challenged, loves learning, strives for more and more and then works tirelessly at what they’re taught.” – Coach Geno Auriemma

Yeah, I get it. When it comes to basketball we all want our child to be the highest jumper, the quickest and best athlete on the floor. After all, if our kids are going to make their middle-school team, that AAU select team, or start on Varsity at the local high school- they gotta be the best…right?

Here’s a little secret- While all those physical attributes (quickness, agility, strength) are advantages to excelling in basketball- there’s one aspect of the game that young basketball players must embrace to become elite.

COACHABILITY

Being coachable and being teachable go hand in hand. Go ahead and let that sink in. Coaches are teachers and players are students- basketball is the subject. As a coach/teacher we want to feel that our player/students care about what we say.

Coach Jenkins Tip: Parents. Please let the coach ….’coach.’

How do You Know if Your Athlete is Coachable?

There are three main traits that a player needs to possess to be considered coachable:

  • HUMILITY A player that has humility accepts and admits that there are things they do not know, and cannot do, within the sport of basketball. Further, the player is willing to concede when they cannot accomplish a certain task alone and are willing to allow the coach to help
  • SENSE OF PURPOSE A player who is willing to state their goals and demonstrate their motivation will typically be easier to reach through coaching.
  • FAITH Improvement or non-improvement as a player can only be determined after the player has been through the experience with you as the coach. A player that puts faith in you is forgoing the benefit of hindsight, understanding that sometimes things need to get worse before they get better. At the same time that you are seeking or imparting these characteristics to your players, you should also encourage players and their parents to seek the same in a prospective coach.

What Can You Do to Make Sure You are Coachable?

Teaching your young basketball athlete/s to be coachable is not easy- it’s not impossible either. There are many things that we can do, say and teach as parents to help in this effort. But would be shocked to know that it starts with YOU?!

Set an Example and Stop Speaking Poorly of Coaches…

Way too often I hear parents speaking poorly of coaches in front of their children. The next time your young athlete comes to you with a complaint about his or her coach, think twice before you undermine that coach. It may be hard, but trust me- it will be worth it.

How about you? What are you doing to help your athlete be more coachable? Please share in the comments below.