Philosophy

Here are four things that guide our over-arching philosophy of coaching and training.

1) The fundamentals.

When it comes to the game of basketball (or any other for that matter), you can only go as high as your foundation will enable you to. To build a skyscraper, you better begin by digging deep. So it is impossible to react with wisdom and decisiveness at game speed unless and until you have trained your mind and body in the proper techniques of dribbling, shooting, footwork, etc.

Though we didn’t realize it at the time, our most decisive moments as basketball players were our early years, the years where we learned to dribble and shoot and pivot correctly. No matter what age you may be, however, (or what level), it is vital to consistently return to the fundamentals of the game until they are in large part mastered. Therefore, we aim to properly teach and reinforce the fundamental moves and movements necessary to enjoy and dominate the game.

2) One-on-one basketball.

From our vantage point, when all is said and done, you must be able to play one-on-one. The rhyme is accidental, but the point is clear. No matter what offensive system a coach may utilize, he realizes that he must have good one-on-one players to make things happen. From an offensive standpoint, we want to instruct and empower players in the art of one-on-one basketball. Sure, different players will have different needs and abilities. It is true that there are many who aren’t particularly inclined to go one-on-one. That is fine, really. No matter a player’s inclinations, however, we believe that every player still needs to be equipped with (at least) the basics in one-on-one basketball, because it is such a foundational element to the game.

3) Individual workouts.

What we mean by this, is that it is our desire to instruct players in such a way that we empower and encourage them to work on their games by themselves. Playing the game is necessary. That is obvious enough. But if you really want to become a better basketball player, you must learn how to work on your game either by yourself or in a small group setting. Our aim is to provide such settings of course. But we also want to teach players how to go home and train themselves.

Teaching drills is necessary. But it is also necessary to help players see their own strengths and weaknesses, and to plan their workouts accordingly. Also involved in this distinctive is our desire to implement a more holistic approach. Jon’s background as a personal trainer (and Joe’s interest in and implementation of it), serve as the foundation for this. For it’s not enough to know only what you should do (i.e. what drills you can do). You also need to know to what degree you should do it, and when. How much is too much? What are some of my weaknesses and how can I correct them on my own? These are questions we want to equip the individual player to answer himself.

4) Individual vision and instruction.

Different players have different capabilities and different desires. From a coaching standpoint, there is no need to try to force someone to become someone they are not, or someone they do not want to be. A 6-8 forward who loves to shoot from the outside, for example, is not someone you want to relegate only to the post. Though you want to help him develop his post game, it is wise to tap into his ‘motivated abilities’ and thus, to help him become the best shooter he can possibly be.

Every player (and person) possesses a certain degree of potential that longs to be tapped into and developed. We have abilities that we want to see maximized and indeed, are willing to work ourselves at maximizing. Our desire (and job) is to take careful note of what those ‘motivated abilities’ are, and consequently, to maximize those abilities for the player’s enjoyment and the fan’s benefit.

This by no means negates the need to strengthen an individual’s basketball weaknesses. What it does mean, however, is that it is necessary and best to help the individual player learn how he most enjoys the game and what he can do to maximize his gifts.