Mass Update

I have often said that it is difficult to remain consistent with my updates when my team is losing.  Well, this time also there is a clear correlation between the two.  For it has been a long couple of months.  We are presently 10-13 and fighting for a playoff spot, as we were last year.  We have lost numerous close ones and two in a row.  We now have only 7 games remaining, and we need to do well in order to make the playoffs.  

As of late, I have been playing relatively well.  Not forcing a lot, because the defense on me has been rather focused and physical. My personal averages are about the same as they have been all year, but I am shooting a bit less, which is good.  

We play tomorrow on the road against a team tied with us in the standings.  Needless to say it is a big one.  I will be sure to write an update sooner rather than later…win or lose!

Camp Dates 2009

June 23rd to the 27th. These are our finalized camp dates for this year’s Crispin Basketball School at Pitman High School. The camp begins this year on a Tuesday because Pitman Schools do not conclude their school year until the 22nd.  

The morning session will be for grades 5-8 and run from approximately 9am-12pm. The afternoon session will be for High School players and will run from approximately 1-4pm.

The cost for the camp for Pitman Residents is $110.  For everyone outside of Pitman, the cost is $135.  However, if you register before May 30th with a $50 deposit, you will receive a $10 discount.  Also, if you or someone you know would like to attend, but are having financial difficulty and legitimately cannot afford the camp, please contact us.  A registration/information form can be viewed, printed or downloaded by clicking here.  (To download, right click and save.)  You can either print it and send it to the address listed or download it, fill it out and send it to camp@crispinbasketball.com

And if for some reason none of these options work for you, please contact us.

We are also happy to announce that current Pitman High School Head Coach, Kevin Crawford, will be working with us and leading various sessions throughout the week. We have known Kevin for at least 15 years now, having played with and against him in various settings, so we are excited to work with him in this year and hopefully in the years to come. We are very confident that he will make this year’s camp even better than those we have run in years passed.

One final announcement: we are presently looking into the possibility of running another camp during the same week (from Monday to Friday) for Harrison Township’s Park and Rec at Clearview High School. If we do so, the leadership load for each session will be shared by Joe Crispin, Jon Crispin, Steve Crispin, Kevin Crawford, and Bobby Fisicaro. Ages and times will be announced whenever the details are confirmed.

Tempo: The Pace of the Game

As a college basketball analyst most of the games I watch are at the collegiate level. Obviously like any basketball fan, I don’t miss many Kobe-Lebron or Lakers-Celtics match ups. So needless to say, I watch my share of NBA too. It is only recently that I have begun to watch a good amount of High School hoops. With no vested interest, that is, a client, friend or family member playing in the game I find myself watching from a coaching perspective. I watch the game and think about what I would do to improve upon the play of both teams. I also think about what separates high school to college and college to the pros. Five minutes into the high school game I realize it is tempo.

In talking to a number of former collegiate and former professional athletes from many sports I can’t think of one that hasn’t mentioned at some point, “If I only knew then what I know now.” Now all you young aspiring athletes out there, listen up… One of those things that we wish we knew then that we know now is tempo. Tempo is the speed and pace of the game and it is something that must be addressed. By understanding tempo you will drastically improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of not only your play but your energy too. You will use less energy and will be twice as effective.

Ironically enough the tempo of the game slows down as the level of play improves. At the professional level you might think that the players aren’t playing with enough energy or it may look as though they are playing half speed. It is not that they are playing half speed or full speed, they are playing at many speeds. The game is not to be played at one speed. As you mature and progress as an athlete in whatever sport you play you will realize that to gain the advantage against your opponent you need to learn how to make efficient and purposeful movements, changing speeds and changing directions.

Watching the high school game it was hard to even recognize what type of offense either team was running. What should have been a pas and screen away looked more like a pass and run away. And a “V” cut to get open looked like a frantic sprint with no change of speed or direction. If I could call a timeout from the stands and address both teams, I would tell them to SLOW DOWN! Instead of running around I would advise them to make precise, explosive cuts and to move with a purpose on the court.

It is great that young players watch professional and collegiate level basketball but it seems like all they see are the spectacular moves and monstrous dunks. I implore all those who want to take their game to a higher level, don’t watch for the dunks and ankle breaking crossovers. Watch how Kobe Bryant walks his man down to the block before he makes an explosive cut to the ball for a scoring opportunity. Watch how Richard “Rip” Hamilton lulls his defender to sleep before making an aggressive “V” cut to get open.

As we close up the high school and collegiate seasons we begin to look at what we can do to improve for next season. I believe that tempo and learning how to slow the game down should be on the top of everyone’s list. Learning how to control pace and learning how to move with a purpose will have an immediate positive effect on your overall game.