Good Shot, Bad Shot: Why the Result Isn’t the Real Story
Players don’t start out believing a shot is only good if it goes in. Nobody enters the game thinking that way. They learn it — from sideline reactions, the sound of a groan in the stands, a coach’s body language, or the quick praise and criticism that follows every possession. Eventually, players stop asking themselves, […]
What Coaches and Trainers Miss
One of the biggest challenges in youth sports today is that players are being judged constantly, yet truly evaluated rarely. Parents sit in the stands watching their child play, trying to piece together what’s holding them back. Coaches see the game through the lens of their system, their scheme, and their needs. Trainers see progress […]
Why Most Athletes Plateau Between 14–17
Most parents experience the same uneasy feeling at some point. Their child improves steadily during the early years of youth sports, only to hit a stretch where everything slows down. The shots they used to make with ease begin to feel inconsistent. Confidence rises and falls unpredictably. Other players start separating in ways that feel […]
Three Schools, One Journey!
When people hear my younger son attended three different schools in high school, most assume something went wrong — that he couldn’t handle adversity or was always chasing an easier path. But sometimes, what looks like instability is really growth in disguise — the process of finding the right environment, the right leadership, and the […]
The Trap of Early Rankings: Why Development > Designation
I once drove all the way to New Orleans for a “can’t-miss” tournament. My son’s team was ranked fifth in the country, and that number made it feel like we had to be there. It promised exposure, high-level competition, and a chance to prove ourselves on a national stage. After all that travel, the hotel […]
Why Isn’t My Kid Getting Minutes? The Honest Talk Every Parent Needs to Hear
Your kid’s sitting on the bench. You’re frustrated. You know how much time, money, and emotion has gone into this dream. But before we blame coaches or politics, let’s have an honest conversation because in most cases, the gap isn’t favoritism… it’s preparation. Coaches Don’t Play Potential — They Play Production You might see your […]
Don’t Let Coaches Limit Your Taller Young Athlete
When I was a kid, I was always one of the tallest players on the floor. Coaches automatically stuck me at power forward. I spent most of my high school career under the basket, posting up, rebounding, and setting screens. That worked fine…until I got to college. At 6’3”, suddenly I wasn’t a power forward […]
Why Character and Work Ethic Matter More Than You Think in Recruiting
Most families focus on stats and exposure — but college coaches dig much deeper. When they’re considering your athlete, they don’t just watch film. They call high school coaches, AAU coaches, teachers, guidance counselors, and even community members. They’re looking for the truth about your player’s character, work ethic, and attitude when no one’s watching. […]
Why Younger Players Need to Play Free
Some of the best basketball lessons don’t happen in gyms, tournaments, or structured practices. They happen at the park. No whistles. No playbook. No pressure. Just a ball, a rim, and the freedom to play. When my boys were younger, I used to take them to the park to hoop. It wasn’t about drills or […]
From Bench to Breakthrough: When Minutes Don’t Come Easy
Every athlete dreams of playing time. They put in the hours, they sweat through practices, they visualize the moment when the coach finally calls their name. But for many, those moments never come — or when they do, it’s just two minutes at the end of a half. The bench becomes a second home, and […]