(http://austinyouthbasketball NULL.com/2010/04/11/basketball-injuries-and-your-child/childs-knee/)

The policy of Austin Youth Basketball is to err on the side of caution with injuries.   A developing body needs time to recover and patience not glorified in the media which is obsessed with the “warrior mentality.”  What often does not make it into the media is the focus now put on things like injury prevention thru yoga, pilates, proper rest, periodization, cross training, recovery principles, and modality precision.  If you truly want to raise a warrior, teach them how to care for their bodies, how to listen to pain, how to recover, and how to recognize limits.

I  pushed my body past it’s limits.  Yes – there were some glory days.  There were also two torn ACLs, 7 different surgical procedures and rehabs on my knees, broken bones in arms and legs, broken noses, severely torn ankle ligaments, etc.  Much of  this before my 21st birthday.  I can tell you there is not a lot of glory watching me try to warmup for a basketball game now.  It is a slow and painful process.  No regrets here but possibly some lessons that should be shared.

Read “Ways To Help Your Children Stay In The Game Injury Free.” (http://www NULL.cnn NULL.com/2010/HEALTH/04/08/children NULL.sports NULL.injuries/index NULL.html?hpt=Sbin)

Ganon Baker has a new website. (http://www NULL.ganonbakerbasketball NULL.com) It is excellent.  It has some awesome content and even better offers to take your game to the next level.  Ganon recently wrote a blog article that brought the “Talent Code” to my attention.  Check out the video and tell us how it fits with Austin Youth Basketball:

I remember a few things about the Pistol.  I remember him going for 68 on the Knicks as I watched Channel 9 in horror.  I also remember people questioning the value of his entertaining and flashy game.  I remember the extreme ball handling wizardry.  I remember a guy with horrible knees consistently finishing off the wrong foot in a forest of tall trees.  Most importantly I remember a guy who saw the game in different way.  He was always 2 moves ahead.  He would use one move to set you up for a move he would use to hit a buzzer beater.  His wizardry was extreme but his craft was honed to perfection in extreme drills.  Pete made drills hard so the game would be easy.  He had turnovers… but he played with few big men with hands to catch his passes.  Check out the video and make your own decisions. Stay tuned for some Pistol Drill Videos coming soon.

Some of my basketball students at Life Time Fitness and Austin Youth Basketball have been asking abut my basketball team “Next Level.”    Next Level is a team of some of my favorite basketball players in Austin.  It is comprised of former professional, college, and high school stars.  We are currently the Champions of the highly competitive Life Time Fitness  League.  Components of the team have also won the Austin City League.  The team is comprised of:

• Brian Pirtimma – Randolph-Macon College
• Mike VandeGarde – Illinois State, Pro ball in Europe and South America, NBA Scout  76ers, Big Man Coach for Life Time Big Man Camp
• Adam Reinking –  Hawaii Pacific University, Coach St. Andrew’s
• Chris Corbett – University of Maine at Fort Kent, Director of Austin Youth Basketball, Instructor Life Time Fitness
• Kezie Asomugha – Huston Tillotson
• Dan Hadwiger –
• Thomas Hesse –

I was thrilled to be assemble a group of guys who play hard, unselfishly, and win the right way.  I feel lucky to be a part of this group and look forward to out next game on Sunday, April 11th at 7pm at Life Time Fitness in South Austin.  This wil be the second round of the playoffs and we will be playing the winner of the game featuring “Triple Threat”and “Baseline.”  Both are great teams featuring many former college players.   We will be missing our center Mike VandeGarde who will be at the Portstmouth Invitational Tournament scouting future NBA draft picks for his employer the 76ers.

Should we be fortunate enough to advance the Championship Game will be played Sunday, April 18 at 6pm.  Students and their parents are welcome to attend.  Please politely inform the Life time front door staff that you are Life Time students here to see your instructor’s game.