Expert: Mark Berrier - 3/24/2004

Question
Mark,

I have a twelve yeare old son who has good height for his age and wants to play basketball. He has played rec association basketball before and is about to enter into a serious league. Competition level is tougher. Primarily interested in drills, workouts that he and/or I can help with to get him agressisve in the low post positions.
 Any motivational techniques to get him more interested in taking the game seriously would help also.

Thank you for your consideration,

Alpha  

Answer
Hello Alpha Jones!

First off a little advice;, as a Dad and a son who was pushed by my Father to play football, I can honostly tell you don't pressure him to play. It will only make him hate the game and burn him out faster. Let him learn at his own pace. Also, he doesn't have to be a great now. He's only 12 so there's room to grow here. I don't know one college coach or even one high school coach that looks at one of their players and says, "he was a helluva AAU/Little League player". Nobody cares. The only thing that matters at this age, no matter if it's "serious ball" or not, is that he learn how to play. With others on his team. With coaches yelling. With referees giving him bad calls. You know, the works.

Now, that being said, here's what he can do on his down time away from the gym and it will help him tremendously. Jump rope everyday. At least 30 minutes a day. It will develop within him strength, agility, quickness, and jumping ability. Work on his footwork first. Get his feet moving. Most coaches teach "posting up" and stick the biggest guy they have under a goal with their back to the basket and there they are, stuck on two feet facing away from the goal. Stationary with no hope of beating their opponent, much less getting a rebound, etc.

If you can get access to a gym, here are some things that will help. Drills he can do would be like gassers. Gassers are where they get into a defensive position with their head up, feet a little more than shoulder width apart, bent knees and a straight back. Now cross over feet while running sideways across the court, touching the other sideline, then going back. Then next time step and slide. Get him dribbling while running full speed. Not half speed or walking but at the run. Both hands and especially the worst hand. He won't get any better dribbling without going after the things he doesn't do well.

Then get the boy catching the ball and stepping towards the goal from the low block. Catch and step at the same time. In one motion without putting the ball on the floor and making the layup. Then once he gets this move down, make him shoot. They should be separate until he gets his feet in concert with his hands. Then make him do it shooting. Everytime he misses, have him run a gasser. He will learn and concentrate.

Well, that should get you started. He'll either be motivated by wanting to get better and not be defeated or he will sink at being beaten and want to quit. Your job as a Dad is to boost his ego and stroke him a little. Brag on him to his face, but be firm so that he still needs to continue to work hard for that is the only way he'll get any better. That will be his best avenue of motivation.

Just my humble opinion. Good luck. I hope this has helped.

Mark Berrier