Basketball Training Frequently Asked Questions

May 18, 2014 By basketballtrainer

Basketball Training Frequently Asked Questions

There are a lot of questions out there about basketball training, so I decided to take some time out to answer some common ones. Hopefully this will clear up some misconceptions and give you a clearer picture about professional basketball training.

Q: Is my son or daughter good enough for basketball training?

A: Yes. Basketball training is not only for the elite. There are certain trainers that cater to elite players, but that is by no means the case for all trainers. You can find a basketball trainer to work with your son or daughter no matter his or her skill level. Basketball training is designed to build fundamental skills as well as advanced ones, so training is beneficial for beginner or limited players as well as advanced or experienced players. If your son or daughter is a new or limited player, that is no problem.

Q: Are basketball training sessions any different than team practices?

A: Yes. Team practices primarily focus on developing team execution and chemistry, while basketball training sessions focus on individual player growth and development. Basketball training can supplement team practices, as your young player becoming a better individual player helps him to be more of an asset to his team. When you take your young player to a basketball training session, he is given personalized attention that is designed to help him maximize his individual basketball potential.

Q: Is basketball training expensive?

A: The price of basketball training depends on the trainer, but quality basketball training is a professional service. That being the case, when you are working with a good trainer the price of training should not outweigh the delivered benefit. In relative terms, the cost of basketball training is less than the cost associated with AAU basketball when measured over the same length of time.

Q: Why should my son or daughter attend basketball training?

A: Well, there are a lot of reasons I can give. But in general, if your son or daughter is playing organized basketball, basketball training can enhance that experience by helping him or her develop into a better player. They might end up with a cool story like this.

Q: What makes somebody qualified to be a professional basketball trainer?

A: A good basketball trainer will possess certain must-have qualities. But in addition to those, YOU have the power to qualify the basketball trainer that will train your son or daughter by checking out the provided playing and coaching resume, and checking training references. The power is in your hand to determine who the best basketball trainer is for your young player.

Q: Can a trainer make my son or daughter good enough to…?

A: A basketball trainer’s job is to develop players to the best of his ability. There are certain qualities a trainer must have, as well as certain qualities a trainee must bring to the table, to get the most out of player development training. A trainer should not be guaranteeing lofty results for your player sight unseen. Any trainer doing so may not be able to deliver on these promises. After a proper evaluation and a buy-in from the trainee to the training process, a good trainer may be able to answer this question more specifically.

I hope this has cleared up some of the misinformation out there about basketball training and basketball trainers. To learn more, and to possibly get the ball rolling with a trainer today, let us help you find a good trainer in your area. Thanks!

Basketball Trainer Success Story

May 17, 2014 By basketballtrainer

Basketball Trainer Success Story

My Basketball Trainer Success Story

As a basketball trainer, I get the chance to impact the basketball journeys of a number of kids every week. The successes I and my training partners experience with young players are normally shared with our players and their parents, but I wanted to take the time out to share a recent basketball training success story. Here is the story of Lucas.

I met Lucas a little over a year ago. He was referred to me by another young player I was training at the time. Lucas stepped into the gym as an impressive looking physical specimen for a 7^th grader. He was about 5’10” tall and seemed to be a physically strong athlete. His father let me know he was a pretty decent lineman/linebacker in football at his school.

Now anytime you see a 5’10” 7^th grader you automatically assume that his height would allow him to make the basketball team. But Lucas decided to try out basketball training because he did not make his school team – not the A team or the B team. The first night of training we threw Lucas in there with some other kids his age for a warm-up scrimmage. He showed pretty good athleticism by rebounding and blocking a couple of shots. But in the individual evaluation after the instruction it became clear that Lucas couldn’t consistently make a layup with either hand, and when he did make layups with his dominant hand, he was jumping off of the wrong foot.

By the end of the initial training session, Lucas was executing the proper footwork and technique to consistently make a strong-hand layup. Soon thereafter he was consistently making them with his weak hand as well. Lucas had never played organized basketball before basketball training, so his father and I devised a dedicated plan to help him to “catch up” with his contemporaries and put him in position to make his school team as an 8^th grader. Lucas became a faithful trainee for the next few of months, coming to training sessions 2 or 3 times per week during that time. The bright side to Lucas having no previous basketball experience was that he came in with a humble attitude and soaked up instruction like a sponge. He didn’t spend time fighting me about some of the hard-to-let-go bad habits he had picked up, because he had none. He also understood the value of working on his game at home. He treated our sessions, in which he would learn new skills and techniques, as the school classroom and he made sure to do his homework at home. Whereas he would have a tentative grasp on a new concept in a training session, after practicing before and after school during the week, he would come back and tell me “Coach, I’ve been working on this. I think I’ve got it.”

Mental Basketball Training

Lucas’ confidence grew over the summer (he began training with me in the spring) as he played pickup ball with buddies who were on his school’s basketball team the previous year. Friends and parents of Lucas’ friends began to take notice of the player Lucas was becoming. He also joined a local club basketball team to get some game experience under his belt. Even though he joined the club team, he remained faithful to basketball training and he continued to improve at an impressive rate. Now, the growth wasn’t all smooth. Lucas had some up-and-down times as he struggled with confidence and attitude in some areas, as most young players do. I did my best to work with Lucas on the mental side of the game as well as the skills portion, and overall he was receptive. We began to attack mental hurdles like what to do when your shot’s not falling, positively receiving constructive criticism, seeing yourself from a coach’s perspective and approaching the game like the best player on the floor.

In the fall, Lucas’ school had a multiple day tryout. After each day I was on pins and needles as I waited to get the report from Lucas’ father. At the end of the tryouts and initial week of team practice, Lucas not only made his team – but he made his school’s A Team. That’s right – he went from no team to the top team. His willingness to humble himself and submit to basketball training, his willingness to put in the work outside of the training gym, and his commitment to training consistency paid off for him. Lucas continued to train with me during his basketball season, as he realized two things: basketball practice is not the same as working on and improving your game, and you never want to stop personal player development. After his school season, Lucas tried out for and was offered a spot on a local club team’s top traveling team for his age. He actually declined that offer and joined a separate organization that allows him to build chemistry with some of his future HS teammates. As his ability was growing, so were his opportunities.

Lucas’ story is a great one, and his success is what the basketball training business is all about. Know that Lucas is not alone is achieving basketball success after initial failure, as basketball success is an option for anyone willing to commit to it. We’d love to help you to have a story like Lucas’, so contact us today to get your very own basketball success story rolling!

Chris Price

Austin Basketball Trainer

Do I Need a Basketball Trainer?

May 16, 2014 By basketballtrainer

Do I need a basketball trainer?

This seems like a pretty simple question. As a basketball trainer by trade, I am tempted to tell you yes and list the reasons why. However, let’s address this on a case-by-case basis.

“I’m a 10 year old and love to play basketball with my friends at the park. I play organized football and soccer, but don’t play organized basketball.”

Young players who aren’t playing organized basketball don’t need a basketball trainer. If you’re just having fun with your friends, no coaching needed!

“I’m a 10 year old and love to play basketball with my friends. I’ve never played organized basketball before, but I think I want to tryout for my school team in the 7^th grade.”

Yes! A young player who is looking to play organized basketball can definitely use a basketball trainer. A trainer can help you build fundamental skills that you may not have another way to build before you tryout for your school team. You want to be prepared for when those skills and that basic basketball IQ is needed.

“I’m an 8 year old and I just picked up a basketball for the first time with my dad yesterday. I had a lot of fun!”

If you’re just being introduced to the game at this age, you may want to have some fun getting familiar with it first. It may turn out that basketball is something you just do for fun outside of an organized setting. If you play in your first organized rec season and afterwards have a hunger to get better, then seek out a trainer. If you spend a lot of time in the driveway shooting, then definitely come see a trainer so he/she can help you use correct form to begin muscle memory magic.

“I just made my 7^th grade team and I’m the best player on my team. Nobody on my school really challenges me on the basketball court.”

Yes! Talented 7^th graders don’t always ended up being talented high school players, so you always want to keep improving your game. If you’re the best in your school, expand your horizons. Are you the best in the district? In your area? Being good doesn’t mean you can’t be better. A good basketball trainer who’s played at higher levels of the game can also push and challenge you the way your school team may not.

“I got cut from my 7^th grade team. I really wanted to make the team, but it turns out I’m not good enough.”

Yes! We work with numerous players like this. If you didn’t make your school team, you are ripe for training. You may not know how to improve yourself to the point of making it in 8^th grade, but a good basketball trainer should be able to help. We can tell you lots of stories of players not making it one year, then getting with a basketball trainer, improving, and making the team the next year.

“I just got cut after the season of my 10^th grade year. The coach says he doesn’t have a spot for me on the JV or Varsity teams next season.”

Yes! I’ve actually been there. When a coach cuts you after a season, it’s because he doesn’t believe in what you can develop into that next fall. You have the choice of either believing what he says about you or fighting back and improving as a player and teammate. Sometimes getting cut is the wake-up call a player needs, and it is the perfect time to get with a quality basketball trainer and improve upon all aspects of your game.

“I’ve just received a football scholarship to my dream school. I’ve enjoyed basketball training up to this point, but I’m done playing. I’m strictly a football player now.”

Basketball training is generally designed to help you be the best player you can be in an organized basketball setting. If you’re not longer competing in that setting, by all means give that extra time and energy to something else. You’ll have fun taking what you’ve learned in basketball training up to that point to be a great recreational basketball player for the rest of your life.

“Coach, I just won District MVP and just got a full basketball scholarship to my dad’s alma mater for the fall. I made it!”

Yes! You’ve succeeded at one level and will start on a new journey to succeed at the next one. You don’t need to stop improving – you actually need to improve more now! Keep training and never take on the attitude that you already know enough.

“Coach, I just signed my first NBA contract. This is a dream come true. Thanks for all you’ve done for me. I’m in the big leagues now!”

Yes! The best players in the world still work with basketball trainers. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Lebron James and Kyrie Irving are some of the guys who still work with basketball trainers in the offseason. And yes, they are better players than their trainers ever were, but they never stop learning from and being pushed by them! Even successful professional players understand the benefit of constant player development.

For the serious basketball player, basketball training gives you a leg up on your considerable competition. It is almost a must for those wanting to maximize their full potential. Every player and family has their own budgets and time constraints. Decisions are absolutely a family matter and this really only serves as a basis for some talking points.

Contact a basketball trainer in your area to get started with basketball training today!

Basketball Trainer vs. Basketball Coach

May 14, 2014 By basketballtrainer

What does a basketball trainer provide that a basketball coach doesn’t?

That is a great question to ask, and as a parent of two boys (age 4 and 9) about to become basketball players themselves, one that I have thought about for a few years now. I am a former Professional Basketball Player, a former Division I college coach, and a current NBA scout. I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to basketball coaches, basketball trainers, and so called “basketball people” as I put it. I have watched the AAU games all summer long, and watched Middle and High School coaches at work during their seasons. So let me tell you that your son or daughter should work with a basketball trainer for the following 2.1 reasons.

A basketball coach cares about the entire team more then the individual!

When you are a coach, your main job is to make the team the best it can be. Working with each player to make them the best they can be is important, but it really doesn’t matter which 7, 8, or 9 kids become the best. All that matters as a coach is that the best players play in that game to help you win that day. Many players get limited playing time on AAU teams, Middle School teams, and on High School teams because the coach wants to win today. The coach isn’t always focused on the long term development of each player. A Basketball trainer’s only goal is the development of each individual player.

Individual skill development isn’t being taught at practice!

In today’s sporting environment, all kids do is play games. Even in practice, most of the time is spent on scrimmaging, or concepts, not individual instruction. Players need to learn the proper techniques of how to dribble, shoot, pass, and rebound the basketball. Players need to learn the proper footwork techniques on how to shoot a lay-up and how to be ready on the catch. Players need to learn how to use screens and how to get open. Players need to learn how to guard their man but still be in helpside defense. These individual skills can’t always be taught in a team practice setting. For example, coaches can’t stop practice when they have 10-15 kids on a team every time someone doesn’t use the proper technique in the lay-up line.

2.1 Youth basketball players are not getting enough shots during practice!

Coaches are working on so many things to get a team ready for games. They have to work on setting up offensive plays, out of bounds plays under the basket, and sideline out of bounds plays. They have to work on defensive concepts like man to man, zone, and the full court press. Coaches also prepare to play the other team and the game strategy to beat an opponent. Practice ends up being all about the team and very little about the individual. Not enough time is spent in practice shooting the basketball. The most important skill in basketball is scoring and putting the ball in the net. In one 1 hour training session with a basketball trainer kids can get more shots up than a full week of practice in most cases.

When considering if a basketball trainer is right for your son or daughter remember this, “Many experts say that to master a skill it takes 10,000 hours of practice.” While your kids are actually practicing with their basketball coach, how much skill work is actually getting done? How much individual attention is really being given to your son or daughter? If you have a quality basketball trainer who provides individual or small group workouts, I know that those questions will have a much different answer. Find a basketball trainer here.

What We Can Learn From The NBA Playoffs

May 13, 2014 By basketballtrainer

5 Things Youth Basketball Players Can Learn From the NBA Playoffs

Are you enjoying watching the NBA playoffs? I know I am, and I hope you are too. As a lifelong fan of the game of basketball, I watch basketball all the time merely for the excitement of the game. Watching the playoffs as they go along, and finding out who will be the season’s champion is fun for me. However, along with watching for fun, youth basketball players can learn a lot from watching NBA playoff games. If you are a player, here are five things you can take away from the NBA Playoffs. Where do you take them? You take them into your next basketball training session and identify what skills you want to work on with your trainer.

5. Basketball Truly is a Team Sport

The NBA loves to market individual players. Great players sell tickets, jerseys and get people watching games. Truthfully great players are exciting to watch. When I was a kid, Michael Jordan was the big superstar the NBA pushed as its main draw. Today, that player is Lebron James. But look at the teams in the playoffs, and look at some of the stars who are not there. Kevin Love and Anthony Davis are not in the playoffs this year. Even though these guys were 2 of only 5 players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds this season, their teams were not good enough to make the playoffs. Another notable name missing this year is Carmelo Anthony. His New York Knicks did not make the playoffs, even though Carmelo was the league’s 2^nd leading scorer and became just the first player in 11 seasons to average at least 27 points and 8 rebounds in a season. On the flip side of things, the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks both pushed championship contending teams to 7 games in the first round of the playoffs without an identifiable superstar on their rosters. Although great individual players can really make a difference in the game of basketball, at the end of the day one player doesn’t override team chemistry and overall great team play.

4. Champions Don’t Stay Discouraged

We generally think of the team that wins the playoff series to be “better” than the team that lost it. And that is generally true. But what does that “better” really mean? In the first round of the playoffs, only one series was a sweep, meaning one team won every game against the other one. Every other team that ended up winning lost at least one game in the series. Teams are so good in the NBA, and basketball is such a dynamic sport in general, that it is rare for one team to beat another team every time they play each other. But championship teams don’t stay discouraged. They know that just because they lost last night doesn’t mean they can’t win tomorrow night. In the history of the NBA, no team has completely swept through the entire playoffs without a loss, although some teams have gotten close. Good teams, and especially championship teams, are able to lose and shake the memory of that loss right off. As a youth basketball player, you should be the same way. Learn to not let the losses hit you so hard, and also don’t let the wins lift you too high. Stay even-keeled and keep fighting through your team’s schedule.

3. Winning Intensity is High Intensity

Teams in the NBA playoffs all have the same goal, and that is to win the NBA championship. When you watch the playoffs, watch how hard the players are playing. I want you to notice that winning basketball is played at a high intensity. To beat a team in the playoffs, you really have to beat them. Teams are not just going to lie down, as they’re all fighting to stay alive and advance. This being the case the winning teams have to pay hard and at their best. If you notice, a lot of the star players in the playoffs will increase their scoring and rebounding averages because they know this is true. Winning intensity is something all youth basketball players need to see and understand

2. Execution is Super Important!

As the playoffs get deeper and more teams get eliminated, teams become more evenly matched and you see less blowout victories and more close games. This year we even saw that in the first round. When you watch these close games, watch how important execution is at the end of them. Talented individuals playing erratically normally don’t win championships, because you can’t count on erratic behavior to win a close game. Teams that execute at the end, and talented players that execute, are the ones usually holding up the trophy in June. Things like getting a high percentage look at the basket, finishing defense possessions with rebounding, protecting the ball (no turnovers) and making free throws can be the difference between celebrating a championship and suffering ultimate heartbreak. You can ask the 2013 San Antonio Spurs about that – that one hurt me to watch. Youth basketball teams can see the importance of team execution, and also individual players can see the importance of being sound when it counts by watching the NBA playoffs.

1. It Is Hard Work to Achieve Basketball Success!

When is the last time your favorite team won the NBA Championship? My Houston Rockets last won 19 years ago, and they’ve only ever done it twice. When is the last time your favorite player won? If your favorite player is Lebron James, he’s won the past two seasons. But before that, he got to the Finals twice before and lost, and he didn’t win a championship during his first 8 seasons in the league. He’s considered to be one of the best players to ever play. The point to that is its hard work to achieve basketball success. Youth basketball players should notice how many teams have great players, great chemistry, are bouncing back from adversity, are playing hard and executing…. and still don’t end up as champions. Don’t forget that whoever ends up being champion is playing an extra two months of basketball past the end of the regular season as well. However, the team that does win does do the foundational things to win. They may have just executed better, had better chemistry, had the better player when all other things were equal, etc. Basketball is a fun and competitive sport, but just as with many things in life, it takes hard work to achieve success, and success is not guaranteed. But success can be achieved!

Youth basketball players, enjoy the NBA playoffs, and good luck to your team! Happy watching and ask your neighborhood basketball trainer any questions you may have on this.

Basketball IQ Training

May 13, 2014 By basketballtrainer

How To Train Your Basketball IQ

A common phrase used all the time by coaches is you need to improve you basketball IQ. When you break it down basketball IQ encompasses a lot of skills and areas of the game that one can improve to increase their IQ. In reality it is probably too broad of a term and should be broken down and explained to each individual relating specifically to their game. We want to share with you some areas of focus that will help you improve your basketball IQ as well as help you understand when a coach tells you to improve your IQ but doesn’t clarify which area of your IQ you should focus on.

When we talk about basketball IQ we aren’t referring to how smart you we are looking at your overall basketball knowledge and how you apply it to playing the game. There are a few areas you can focus on to improve your IQ.

Basketball IQ Space and Movements

Learn and study what basic movements and spacing should look like in the game of basketball. What do we mean by this? Understand all the basic skills and be willing to use all of them at any time like shooting, passing, ball handling, attacking the rim, rebounding, and screening. Understanding spacing is crucial to you being efficient on offense and a good teammate. Learn to drift to corner on drives, fill open spaces around the perimeter, cut back door when your dribbled at, and understand when to get out of the way.

Basketball IQ & Your Team System

Understand your teams systems and what your coach wants you to do in it. Try to learn your teams system inside and out. You want to be able to know every position in your teams offenses and defenses. Not only can you fill in for any position on your team but you can also help out lower basketball IQ teammates do their job more effectively. Make sure you understand your role in your teams systems and you apply yourself to being a master of that role. It doesn’t mean that your role can’t grow and change but master what you are given now and then watch how your coaches trust grows with you as your IQ increases.

Basketball IQ and Homework

Finally study the game. Watch NCAA and NBA games to learn from the top players in the world. Try not to get caught up in the flash and entertainment side of the games and watch the offenses/defenses they use. Watch players that play similar positions as you or watch players that play the same style that you want to emulate. When watching teams like Duke, Kentucky, and Wisconsin watch how their offenses are effective but very different. You may not ever run these offenses but you may play against teams that do. As you play more and study more you will learn that there aren’t that many different styles of offenses and they copy each other in some way or another. Don’t just watch video of games… go and see them in person. It will give you a different perspective and allow to appreciate the athleticism and skill it takes to get to the next level. Your coaches and basketball trainers are uniquely qualified to help you train your Basketball IQ.