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.
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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.
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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.
