Developing confidence in athletes is a key part of coaching, and preparing them properly sets them up for success. *Part 1 of a 3-part series In the last few posts I wrote for Fast Model Sports I talked about some important elements of team sport success being things that we might not always think of as…
Transition into Training: Tips to Engage Youth Basketball Players
Helping players make a smooth transition from their day into practice is extremely important, especially in youth basketball. Coaches – can you spare five minutes prior to practice to engage the brain, and thus the athlete? Through no fault of our own, coaches have been conditioned to want to immediately “get after it” as quickly as possible in order to…
Big Man Camp: Kevin Love
“Big Man Camp” featuring Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers demonstrating the high side and low side scoring series from the T-Post position. Summer is basketball camp season and below is a virtual “Big Man Camp” featuring Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In this series of videos, Love demonstrates moves from both the “High Side” and “Low Side” scoring series from…
Player Development: 10 Dynamic Drills That Utilize Cones or Chairs
Adding cones or chairs into drills is a great way to simulate defenders, taking skill development to another level. Although there are many areas in which coaches need to focus on at any given time, it is essential to include skill development as one of the primary focuses throughout the season and off season. Sure – building team…
Finish Like a Pro: Drills to Improve Scoring at the Basket
Teach players how to finish with both power and finesse in a variety of ways near the rim with these drills. Summer is a great opportunity to become a better player or coach. This post shares four drills to improve one of the most important skill for every basketball player – finishing. Many players and coaches focus…
Time for Tires: Ideas to Mix Up Strength and Conditioning
Flipping tires is a fun strength and conditioning exercise that is also functional for basketball players to develop explosiveness. The last thing a coach wants is for players to be disengaged, no matter if it’s a practice, game, film session, weight workout or any other activity. One of our program beliefs is that conditioning should be fun – we will rarely just run…
Buying In to Defense: Four Tips for Your Team
Most young players naturally enjoy offense more than defense, but these simple tips and drills will have your team excited to defend. Coming off our 2017-18 Virginia state title, I have reflected on some of the things we did defensively that helped us achieve our success. Coaching in this era, where so much emphasis is…
Scoring Made Simple: 3 Easy Yet Effective Shots to Practice
Don’t sleep on the fundamentals – add these three simple shots to your player development routine and see scoring go up! There are several ways to score in basketball, with the jumpshot being a primary one (especially in today’s game where the three-pointer is so heavily emphasized). But, to become a complete player, it is important to…
Buying in to Defense: 8 Drills to Guard the Basketball Better
Sure, a huge part of playing defense is mindset and attitude, but these eight drills will teach skill and technique. Oftentimes, when coaches talk about focusing on skill development in practice, they are referring to working on offensive skills like shooting, passing, ball handling, and finishing. Being a successful defender is almost always considered an…
Big Man Camp: Steven Adams
“Big Man Camp” featuring Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder and middle scoring moves from the T-Post position. Summer is basketball camp season and below is a virtual “Big Man Camp” featuring Steven Adams of the Oklahoma City Thunder. In this series of videos, Adams demonstrates the “Get Middle” scoring series from the T-Post…