Signing up for basketball training is becoming more and more popular at all levels. It is not unheard of for youth players as young as 6 years old to be participating in basketball training. But many players and parents are wondering if it is really necessary to have a private trainer. Hopefully the below discussion will help you answer that question…..
Is Basketball Training For Me?
First and foremost, if you are considering basketball training for your child you must ask yourself: Am I driving this decision or is my child? You can not want it more than your child or it will result in burnout and will negatively affect your relationship. Too often we see parents that are putting undue pressure on kids to participate in a sport the parents love. Kids are dropping out of basketball at an increasing rate and the number one reason they give is….It isn’t fun anymore. If your child is driving the desire for additional basketball training, great!! Now, how do you choose the right training for your child?
What Kind of Basketball Training Is Available?
There are many options in choosing what type of basketball training is right for your child. One option is hiring an individual trainer that will work 1:1 with your child on fundamental skill such as shooting, ball handling, and footwork. There are also group basketball training sessions that work on the fore-mentioned skills plus start to incorporate team skills such as passing, on-ball defense, team defense, and team offense. Both approaches have great benefits for player development so giving your child the opportunity to do both is a great formula. However, basketball training often costs money and takes time out of the week so it is important to decide what works best for your family. Many parents look around and see their child’s peers in training and worry that they have to do the same for their child to “keep up”. This feeling can cause undue stress on the whole family. There are many options for basketball training that do not cost a lot of money and produce excellent results. Remember that what works for one child is not what works for every child.
How do I Find a Basketball Trainer ?
First of all, just like every player’s path is different so may be their connection with a trainer. What may be a good fit for one child may not be for another. With that said, it is important to give it a chance knowing that it may be hard at first. It is human nature to want to avoid discomfort, but that is how we grow. A trainer should never be demeaning, but they are there to help players push through discomfort. When you start to look for basketball training in your area, start by asking other parents in your community where they go and why they like it. Reach out to the trainer and ask about their basketball training philosophy. Especially with youth players, you are looking for trainers that are focusing on teaching the fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, passing and footwork. Another resource for finding trainers is the Coach Up website where you can search by area and read reviews. Lastly, parents should always feel welcome at their child’s training session. Parents should also feel comfortable asking questions and voicing concerns. If you do not feel that your child is in a positive environment where they are learning skills and gaining confidence you should look for a different trainer who is a better fit for your child.
Other Options for Basketball Training ?
As I mentioned before, basketball training can get expensive when using private trainers. There are many other great cost effective options for basketball trainers. Search your community and ask your school about recreational programs in your community. Contact your local high schools about upcoming camps that they may be offering. Also, another great way for kids to get better is to play!! These days kids are spending less time in free play/pick up basketball games. There is so much to be said for just grabbing some friends and a ball and going to a local park or community center to play. Of’course we also can’t forget the advantage of the internet, there are some great YouTube videos with basketball training drills for specific skills that your child is interested in working on. Here are a couple I really like:
