When did I learn this?

So I'm in the 2nd week of Cage Camp at Oklahoma Christian University (one of the largest fundamental basketball camps in the country), and as always it seems that the kids are getting worse and worse. Now let me qualify that last statement.

I am working with the NBA Division (10th -12th graders) this week for the first time in 10 years of camp; usually I am a Master Teacher or Director in one of the middle school leagues. This week there are approx. 8-10 seniors, 6-7 juniors, and the rest sophomores in a league of 44 kids. Out of the entire group there is 1 legit prospect as a sophomore, and about 8-10 kids that are pretty skilled, probably starters on their varsity teams. So I say all this to let you know that there is a lot of teaching going on in a pretty young high school group.

I have found myself telling my team multiple times, "Come on guys, you guys are high schoolers!" And so I think to myself..."when did I learn to play?"

Even though I played in college, I don't feel that I really understood the game and how to really play until my junior year in college thanks to a great coach. But I still knew how to set a screen, move without the ball, and how to shoot it a little when I was in high school. And that was with only freshman and sophomore ball in high school. So the question becomes why are these kids not learning and retaining the skills that are requisite to play and be successful at the game of basketball?

Is AAU to blame? Too many games? Is it other activities or interests (jobs, other sports, Xbox, etc)? Is it lack of quality coaches and teachers in the lower levels? I don't know. All I know is that as more and more kids are playing summer ball and less and less are going to camps or staying at home to practice, basketball players are getting worse. Is it any wonder that 2 recently recognizable names in the upper levels of basketball have publically talked about giving up AAU ball because of lack of fundamentals and too many games? (Brandon Roy and Stephen Curry)

It's time that we as coaches and parents start de-emphasizing the summer circuits and start encouraging our kids to work on their games individually or with a small group of friends. Let's save the summer tours for the top 1-2 kids on our teams/conferences and get the rest of the kids in the gyms so that they can help contribute to the success of their teams.

Players will not work on weaknesses during games. They will mostly play to their strengths.

Here's a great story I tell many young talented players:
A few years ago I sat with 2 very talented players after some pickup ball once camp was completed. One was Tyrone Ellis, All-American from Southern Nazarene who was in between successful seasons playing overseas and in the NBDL. The other was our redshirt sophomore power forward at Oklahoma Christian Jarred Merrill.
Tyrone had struggled individually the entire night, getting stripped by lesser players, not hitting shots...definitely not the player we had become accustomed to seeing dominate even the best players. But he let Jarred in on the secret to his struggles: He was working on his game. HE WAS WORKING ON HIS GAME DURING PICKUP BALL!!!!
During a time when most people are trying to brag and show each other up, he was purposefully doing things he was not good at in order to improve his game. He told me, "I know I can take these guys any time I want to. But I don't have anything to prove to those guys. I'm getting paid to play. I don't care what those guys think because they're not paying my check. My coach told me I needed to work on my between the legs dribble against pressure and to get into my shot; so that's what I'm doing."
WOW! What a novel idea!!! I don't know if this one conversation had the effect on Merrill as it did on me, although I reminded him of this often during the next couple of seasons, but he did improve a lot. Jarred went on to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding his last 2 years at OC and was named National Player of the Year. He's also playing overseas now after several NBA camps the past few years. What a great story!!!!!

First Christian Church Basketball Camp and Pick-up Outreach

It's been two weeks since we completed basketball camp at First Christian Church of Owasso and I'd like to just give a little shout out to Aaron, James, and Tim for the work they did behind the scenes for me, the church, and the camp. I've gotten several great comments and am looking forward to next year already.

It's only fitting that I became the camp director after leaving Owasso since it was basketball that led me to becoming a member of the church during my family's time there. As coaches we often speak of the character building aspects of athletics, but we often times overlook the social and ministry opportunities that basketball affords. I know I'm not the only person who has ever been hooked up with FCC because of the basketball league or Monday night pickup ball.

My wife often chastises me when I complain about there being too many people on pick-up nights or guys that don't know how to play. But we must all remember that just because we are gathering for basketball, doesn't mean we shouldn't miss the opportunity for fellowship, ministry, and outreach.

But is it too much to ask that the outreach come with a jumpshot or the ability to find me when I'm open on the break?!! :)

Welcome to my perspective...

Welcome to my perspective...as interesting as it may be. Would you listen to your coach? How about your dad? What if your dad used to be a coach?

Well, fortunately for me (a coach turned stay-at-home dad), my 2-year old daughter does a pretty good job of listening. Probably better than half of my former players. When I tell her to shoot it, she follows through. When I tell her to get the ball, she does. She wants to watch me play ball, and she wants to "watch ball with you, Daddy." So she's obviously well on her way to a college scholarship and the WNBA! Although at this point she still shoots a set shot.

So I will use this forum to discuss topics in basketball and coaching that are interesting to me in addition to sharing the occasional parenting antedote from the Stay-At-Home Coach. Tune in to the next great internet sensation that is certain to take the web by storm...and if not, just enjoy the knowledge that you've become part of a cult niche: the late night blog surfer.