Basketball Trainer – Have You Found One Yet?

You’ve taken a big step as a basketball player once you decide you need personalized basketball instruction.  Many players don’t see the need, let alone possess the desire, to go and get another basketball coach.  As a player who is looking to work with or is already working with a trainer, you’ve shown a special level of love for the game, humility, passion and work ethic.  You’re on the right track.  But all basketball trainers are not created equal, and all of them are not worth your precious time as a basketball player.  How do you know when you’ve found a good trainer?

Basketball Trainer Experience

A good basketball trainer will have some experience playing high-level organized basketball.  They don’t have to be the greatest player in the world (many of the best trainers are not), but they should have at least played high school Varsity basketball, and preferably college basketball or some level of professional basketball.  If your trainer played college basketball, that probably puts them in the to 5% of all basketball players.  The reason for this is that they can offer you tips and expertise that quality high-level players are using, because they’ve been around them and played against them.  They have also been exposed to high-level basketball instruction from high-level coaches that help inform their training.  There is nothing wrong with an inexperienced trainer doing his or her best to help you, but be mindful that his or her ability to develop you into the player you want to be may be limited.

Trainer Knowledge and Basketball  Communication

It’s been proven that the best players don’t necessarily make the best coaches and trainers.  The reason for this is that as a player sometimes you can get away with natural talent, athleticism and instinct to guide you to success.  However a basketball trainer is responsible for transferring his knowledge and skills to you the trainee, so he must be knowledgeable and able to communicate.  You want a trainer who can break down important concepts to you, and communicate to you why critical adjustments need to be made.  Your trainer can’t give you his instinct and athleticism, but he can give you knowledge, tips and anecdotes from his basketball life to help you grow.  Don’t spend your precious time or resources with a trainer only because of his playing resume.  If he is not able to build your IQ and skills through effective communication of basketball knowledge, he is not worth your time.

Motivation

A good basketball trainer cares about you improving as a basketball player.  He may care about building his training operation also, but that should never stop him from keeping first things first.  And that first thing is helping you to become a better player.  There are trainers out there who are more concerned about you being one of the foundations of their training business than them being one of the foundations of your basketball development.  If you are a good and well known player in your area, make sure that you are not being used as a promotional tool for a lackluster trainer.  There are a couple of ways you can tell if your trainer’s motivation is in the right place.  Is he giving you good feedback on a consistent basis?  Has he helped you add anything to your game recently?  Is he introducing new skills, drills or tactics to help you improve?  Is he tracking your development and communicating that to you?  Proper motivation is key in a trainer you are going to invest your precious time and resources in.

Is Your Basketball Trainer Invested In You Or Himself?

Your basketball trainer should be invested in your basketball journey.  If you have a trainer who is not, you are missing out on not only a great experience but a key part of the development process.  Invested trainers are committed to seeing you in game action with your school or club team or at least on tape if they are very busy trainers.  This is in part to see your hard work pay off but also to get gameplay feedback to help you improve further. An invested trainer will know when your school or club tryout date is and build a training plan designed to help you peak at the right time.  A trainer may send you written feedback or encouragement before that big day as well.  What you don’t want in your training experience is to just show up and go home, show up and go home once or twice a week.  If that’s all you are getting from your trainer, you may be getting the short end of the stick.  The best trainers we’ve seen attend games, provide constant feedback and encouragement, prepare players for tryouts and even connect players with club and college coaches.  Trainers like this understand that development is constant, and it is not just confined to the training gym.  This is the type of trainer you want.

You’ve made a quality decision to seek out a basketball trainer.  Now don’t short yourself in the execution – find yourself a good one.  Connect with a trainer in your area who is experienced, knowledgeable, properly motivated and invested, and you will be making one of the best decisions of your basketball life.  Here at www.basketballtrainer.com, we’re pleased to help you with that process.