In a basketball private training session I had today a slightly disturbing experience.  I worked out with a 11 year old boy who had just finished playing in one of Greater Austin’s youth basketball leagues.  This league will remain anonymous.

The boy was a polite, smart, attentive and focused young man who clearly came from a good family background.  I asked him to assume a triple threat position… he could not.  I asked him to execute a jump stop… he did not know what it was.  I asked him to assume a defensive stance and execute a defensive slide.  He did not know what I was talking about.

Once the look of shock wore off my face, I realized that his youth basketball team coach was probably a well intentioned Dad who gave up his own leisure time to do the very best he could for his son/daughter and their team.  Perhaps the child learned these basketball basics and forgot  them.  I asked if that was possible.  Definitely not.  He had never heard of these concepts.  He was, however,  able to execute a drop step after 15 minutes of instruction, mastered (at a very basic level) rip thrus, jump stops, and defensive sliding all in the remaining 30 minutes.  He had a high learning aptitude for basketball fundamentals.  This aptitude had been wasted for the last season.

It reminded me of a team of 13 year olds I coached in Manhattan Beach, CA  many years ago.  Some of the teams we faced in the league had 3 different traps, 5 out of bounds plays, 2 set offenses, and….. 50% free throw shooting, kids dribbling with their heads down, a complete lack of trust in their teammates, complete inability to box out with sound technique, and an obsession with the three point line.

We are failing these kids.

The question then becomes: “How can Austin Youth Basketball best help these kids basketball leagues throughout Greater Austin?”  I am open to proposals.  Bring your ideas.  Here is mine.  Get every coach in your league (and I do mean every coach) together in one gym and we will go over the fundamental essentials that each child deserves.  We can also go over the essentials of practice planning.  Our focus will be teaching the coaches to teach the kids how to play.  If you want to teach the kids plays (Xs and Os) rather than how to play- this will not be a fit.  If your primary goal is a championship trophy- this may not  be a fit.  I suspect that is not the reason most of you have gone into youth sports.

Each coach deserves a chance to make a difference.  Their hearts are in the right place.  Many coaches need coaches.  This will greatly enhance the experience for the player and the basketball coach.

We can help.  Each Austin basketball league will be different in terms of needs and this will need to be customized.  Fees will be negotiable.  This is bigger than dollars and cents.  Email me at chris@austinyouthbasketball.com  to chat about your league and how we can help put on a coaches clinic.  Many of you have done a great job moving in this direction.  Others need help.  Together we can make a difference

The post Austin Youth and Kids Basketball Leagues…We Need To Talk first appeared on AUSTIN YOUTH BASKETBALL.

Check out the  Austin Toros Kids Basketball Club.  What a deal!  Their site states:

Hey Austin Toros fans, if you are between the ages of 2 and 12, then we’ve got an exciting offer for you. Join the Toros Kid’s Club today for just $15.00 and become part of the action all season long! By signing up you will receive a Kid’s Club t-shirt, a membership card good for a 15% discount on Toros merchandise, one ticket to 4 Toros home games, access to a post game basketball clinic following one game, a birthday card from Da Bull and other special offers throughout the game.

The post Austin Toros Kids Basketball Club first appeared on AUSTIN YOUTH BASKETBALL.

Thinking about basketball summer camp but don’t know how to evaluate the many choices available to you?  Here are some questions you should use to evaluate prospects and then determine where your child fits.

1.  Is the camp local or distant?  Here in Austin there are several good choices available expenditures that don’t require the that a distant camp most often requires.  Your player/child may benefit more from attending several weeks of local camps more than just one week of an ovenight camp.  Your child may, however, crave the sense of independence and new experience that overnight camp offers.

2.  How convenient are the camps locations and times for your family?

3.  How do you perceive the camp value?  This is not a pure price question.  Rarely is the cheapest of anything the best value.  Child/player development question is no exception.  Factors in this equation can include things like:  player to instructor ratio, hours of instruction vs. open play, the fun factor, etc.

4.  What kind of experience does the Camp Leadership and Instructor have?  This can be the toughest of all things to evaluate.  We recommend that the camp leadership have some college basketball experience and also expereince in coaching youth basketball.   This is not to say that children may not benefit from someone who has less experience that is passionate, committed and does their homework.  It does, however, act as an effective gatekeeper to weed out some of the opportunists.  One more thing- we are still so naive to think that these people should serve as role models to your children.  Do they walk the talk?  Quick google searches can help find out a little.  We believe that backgorund checks should be performed on anyone around your most precious resources.

5.  What kind of testimonials and reviews has the camp received?  Again, the age of the Internet has made this process easier.  We recommend speaking with parents and children in person given the opportunity.

6.  What is the focus of the camp and what are the needs of your child/player?  In other words, if your child is a point guard will he receive specifc attention to their needs.

7.  What is the feel of the camp?  Is discipline stressd at the risk of the kids having less fun?  Is it so laissez- faire that nothing gets accomplished?  How does this fit with your child’s personality?

8.  How are the facilities?  Are they world class or is it a run down middle school gym with fungus in the showers?  Are there other recreational opportunities like swimming?

9.  Does the camp genuinely appreciate your child/player and appreciate your business?

10.  Is the camp geared toward player exposure or player development?  Camps for player exposure usually have more games for scouting purposes while player development participants may learn more.  Perhaps you are trying to expose your child to a coach of a high school or college that runs the camp.  This may be an opportunity for them to get to know one another.

Click Here For Austin Basketball Camp Schedule 

The post How To Choose A Basketball Summer Camp – Top 10 Questions To Ask first appeared on AUSTIN YOUTH BASKETBALL.