That's a wrap! We just concluded our fourth and final "Skills & Drills" session of the fall. We averaged 50 Jr. Titans each Sunday, and this last Sunday we also had a great turnout of Jr. Titan coaches as well. A special shout out to Coach Bowers, Coach Simpson and our Player-Coaches for showing up and going hard. Every Sunday we had at least four players and two Titan coaches on hand to share energy, enthusiasm and encouragement. That's what we call the Titan Way! FSP Challe

Our third "Skills & Drills" session did not disappoint. All of our Jr. Titans, Player-Coaches and Coaches worked really hard and got better. When it comes to skill work in the gym, we want our players going so hard we WILL make a mistake. This concept might sound crazy, but it's true. We need to go hard and get comfortable training at a uncomfortable pace. That's how we get better. A special shout out to Coach Bowers, Coach Cooley and our Player-Coaches for leading the way to

We were back at it this weekend for our second "Skills & Drills" session with our Jr. Titans. A big shout out to our Player-Coaches for giving up their Sunday afternoon for our South Titan Basketball family. I also want to thank Coach Cooley and Coach Simpson for being there too! In this video you will meet our Player-Coaches and Coach Cooley emphasizes the importance of jump stops. Below is Sunday's outline of what we set out to accomplish: Thought for the Day: ACE Factor At

We had had our first "Skills & Drills" session for our Jr. Titans this past Sunday. A big thanks to current players Josiah Beckenhauer, Daniel Brocaille, Graham Cassoutt and Jack McKittrick for coaching up the future Titans! The following is a recap of what we talked about and did: Thought for the Day: ACE Factor Attitude - Click Here Concentration - Click Here Effort - Click Here Form Shooting Progression (FSP) As I've shared time and time again, every player that I've coach

Today marked our last "Skills&Drills" session. We had terrific help from current Titan players Graham Cassoutt, Jacob Grafelman, Chase Lett and Andrew Thomas! A big thanks to Ben Williams for being there too. I sure hope all of our Jr. Titan players and parents understand how much time Ben puts in to making the Jr. Titans a successful program and positive experience for all of us. Let's tell him so. Great job, Coach Ben! We have plenty of highlights in this video. One of whic

We were back at it this weekend for our second "Skills & Drills" session with our Jr. Titans. A big shout out to Jared Mattley for giving up his Sunday afternoon for our South Titan Basketball family. I also want to thank Coach Cooley and Coach Simpson for being there too! In this video Coach Cooley and Jared explain and demonstrate several keys to becoming a good dribbler. We like to say dribbling is the skill we want to practice the most, but use the least (in a game). Belo

Before we talk X's & O's, I wanted to share with you a very short clip from Geno Auriemma of UConn addressing great players and effort. Good stuff reinforcing what we call the A.C.E. Factor! Geno reminds his team how important it is that they bring their own energy. We will often term this as starting your own engine. We were back at it Sunday for our second "Skills & Drills" session with our Jr. Titans. A big shout out to these Titans for giving back to our future: Shaibu Ab

It was a great day to be a Titan this past Sunday! We had had our first "Skills & Drills" session for our Jr. Titans. A big thanks to current players Shaibu Abakar, Jacob Grafelman and Jared Mattley for helping assist in the afternoon! The following is a recap of what we did: Form Shooting Progression (FSP) We are huge believers in this process; so much we spent 45 minutes on this progression! As I shared with your son Sunday, every player that I've coached in the past 30 yea

"Skills & Drills" Fall Session is officially in the books. It was really a great four weeks of getting better together. A big thanks to the high school players and Jr. Titan coaches who sacrificed and gave back on these Sunday afternoon sessions. Not always an easy thing to do. Session 4 consisted of the following: Form Shooting Progression (FSP) Players are encouraged to own this drill every time they step on the court. Click Here to see Isaac Simpson demonstrate FSP. We bel

We were back at it Sunday for our second "Skills & Drills" session with our Jr. Titans. A big shout out to the coaches and Isaac Simpson for giving back to our future! The following is a recap of what we did: 2-Ball Dribbling Sequence Low Rhythm & Non-rhythm – Player A maintains a low, simultaneous dribble. He then dribbles every other. High Rhythm & Non-rhythm – Player A maintains a high simultaneous dribble. He then dribbles every other. High / Low – Player A dribbles one b

Each year in the fall we hold four sessions of "Skills & Drills" for our Jr. Titans. The enthusiasm is always high and many of our current players help conduct the workouts. Yesterday was no exception! The following is a recap of what we did: Ball Handling: 150 Pound Series Player A completes the following ball handling skills: High Pound (25x) Low Pound (25x) Inside-Out (25x) Crossover (25x) Between Legs (25x) Behind Back (25x) Every “pound” counts as one dribble. After c

To become a really good motion player you must learn to "read the defense" and play hard to guard. When getting open on the wings this drill does just that: Front Pivot- tight curl (defense is in your back pocket). Outside Pivot- drag a foot (defense is denying and lunges). Reverse Pivot- wipe & go (defense is up and in you, really tight). #readthedefense #skillwork #hardtoguard

To follow up on our most recent blog Winning the Footwork War (in the Paint) our 6 Shot Detlef Schrempf shooting is a team favorite. Learn to score with your back to basket! We encourage ALL of our players (centers, forwards and guards) to master these three moves: Jump Hook Drop Step Up & Under On all six shots, emphasize the 3 C's: Catch Chin Check #postplay #skillwork #detlefschrempf

Getting Open on the Block To begin with, learn to sprint from the defensive end to the offensive posting area in four seconds or less. Coach Simpson, who coaches our bigs and does an awesome job doing so, constantly tells our forwards to "run the rim!" Upon arrival, it's important to change speed and direction. For example, if you are flashing across the lane and the defender is above you, then take him a step higher and cut low (back cut). If the defender is below you, then

We have a saying, "Dribbling is the one skill we practice the most and use the least." Feel free to read that again. Don't be that guy with sticky hands (AKA Ball Stopper). Too often too many players dribble for no apparent reason, go nowhere, and much of the offense breaks down. Listed below are the five proper uses of the dribble: To advance the ball up the floor. To escape trouble. To improve the angle of a pass. To create a shot for yourself. To create a shot for a teamma

Ninety percent of the game is without the ball. Thus, you must learn how to move without the ball to get open. In doing so, consider the three things you can do on offense: 1) move the basketball, 2) move people and 3) screen. The first step in playing hard-to-guard is to move people, also known as cutting. Two basic cuts without the ball are a front cut and a back cut. More specific movements are the following: 1. V-cut and/or L-cut is a hard step or steps (2-step rule) take