Summer Basketball Camp – Week 1 Where Legends Are Made

Week 1 of summer basketball camp was a great success! Young players got the opportunity to improve their games working on the fundamental skills of basketball. 

In the morning, we start with our stations: 

• Dribbling
• Shooting
• Team Offense
• Defense 
• Rebounding

Each station has a progression we cover during the week from Monday to Thursday, moving from simple to more complex. 

I believe this is the best Summer Basketball teaching camp in the Tri-Valley area. Oftentimes I hear coaches talk about the fundamentals and I’m not convinced they really know what that means. This is why many High School coaches have a negative opinion on AAU basketball as a whole and a large reason why many of the best young players in the world are not from the US.

Many times I see coaches with cones and other gadgets teaching players to take way too many dribbles, making too many moves trying to develop their “bag.” What good are all those moves if you don’t understand the right context to use them in when playing five on five? In high school or college, oftentimes you have three to five dribbles to score before you need to move the ball. Make a quick move and get to the paint with a tough, physical finish at the rim. This is actual fundamental skill, it’s what we emphasize and what coaches want at the next level in the Tri-Valley.

I truly think zone defense should be banned from youth basketball until at least 6th grade so players learn how to play man defense and know the various stances based on their relationship between the ball and their man. This is actually fundamental defense and how we teach players the right way to play.

Again, this is heavily emphasized at the high school and college level and mandatory for Tri-Valley High School players. Players that don’t understand this because coaches make them camp in the paint in a two – three zone for their whole youth career will be shocked when they are cut for the freshman team or find little to no playing time. 

We also competed a lot during the week and crowned our inaugural champions this week including:

• One on one champions 
• Free throw champions 
• Most improved player 
• Best defensive player
• Most valuable players. 

Bulldogs legend and stand out player Gabe Coutand was a triple crown winner taking home three medals including the one on one championship, free throw championship and most valuable player for his age group. 

The following day after camp, Gabe made the game winning shot in overtime to defeat a great team that had previously beaten our team in Reno at the Memorial Day Tournament. This is a great lesson to show that hard work pays off and you can improve quickly with concentrated and consistent effort. Congratulations Gabe!

Reflecting on week one, I really enjoyed the time I was privileged to spend with these young players at lunch and lectures getting the opportunity to mentor these great kids. Basketball is more than just a sport, it’s a great teaching tool to show young people what passion, determination, sacrifice and consistent effort over time can do for you. Looking forward to week two!

If you’d like to join us in week two and you’re in the Tri-Valley, click here to register!