The Core Four​​

 

At Southside Hoops, we keep things simple by emphasizing The Core Four — four teaching areas that are absolutely essential program-wide. If we stay committed to these together, our kids will not only become better basketball players but also stronger young men.

 

1. Character Development – Person > Player

Basketball is what we do, but it’s not who we are. Developing people comes first, players second. The game will eventually end, but the lessons of teamwork, humility, passion, servanthood, and thankfulness last a lifetime. That’s why we say Person > Player. For more, see our 5 Pillars of Southside Hoops.

 

2. Player Development – Fundamentals First

Player development is all about building the fundamentals of the game: footwork, ball handling, shooting, and passing. We often call this “skillwork,” and it’s the foundation that everything else is built upon. Without strong fundamentals, no offensive or defensive system will hold up. The more reps we give players in these areas, the more prepared they’ll be for long-term success.

 

3. Defense – Habits that Win

Defense is a team commitment built on five core habits:

• Stance

• Vision

• Position

• Communication (talk early, loud & often)

• Rebounding

We are a man-to-man defensive program — more specifically, we teach the Packline Defense. It demands discipline, toughness, and teamwork. Zone may win now, but man-to-man habits in the Packline system teach players how to guard their yard, seal gaps to stop penetration, and rebound together. These are the habits that carry with players year after year.

 

4. Offense – Behind Our Offense

We teach 5-Out Motion because it forces players to learn spacing, cutting, passing, driving, and decision-making. Some call it conceptual offense today — but really, that’s what motion has always been. The deeper purpose is this: 5-out creates positionless play. Instead of labeling kids as a “point guard,” “post,” or “shooter,” every player learns to handle the ball, read the floor, and make the right play. Over time, this approach produces complete basketball players who can contribute in any system, at any level.

 

Bottom Line

The Core Four is not about instant success — it’s about preparing players for the big picture. When we emphasize character, player development, defense, and offense the right way, we give our kids the tools to succeed on and off the court.