Names have been changed in this post to protect player and school identity.
“This is Coach Jones from High Major University. I heard you’re working with Tony this spring when he’s on break and just wanted to touch base with you,” said Coach Jones.
I knew who Tony was, had seen him play in high school and now in college, but had never talked to him in my life. I responded “That’s news to me. I’ve actually never even talked to Tony in my life. We’d be happy to work him out when he’s on break, but I’ve never heard from him”
This wasn’t the first time that this had happened where a player had told his coach he was coming to or had been working out with us already. And, it got me to thinking. Why in the world would a player ever tell his coach this?
The only thing I can think of is that they think it gives their coach the impression that they are working to improve in the off-season and they’re trying to “fool” their coach. But, to me herein lies a much bigger problem.
Based on doing a lot of listening from coaches, players and parents there seems to be a misconception about this basketball skills training world. That if you work with us, Drew Hanlen, Mike Procopio, Ganon Baker, Tyler Relph or any of the other guys out there doing good job teaching the game, that there is some magic involved. That a couple days with us is equal to 3-4 weeks of hard work, sweat and sacrifice on your own. And, it’s completely wrong. Anyone can go to a camp in the summer. Anyone can workout with an “Elite” trainer for a couple days or even a couple days per week. That is easy.
But, the players that actually improve their skill level are the ones putting in the time day after day. They take what they learn from these camps or workouts and then consistently put in the work when no one is around. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to discredit what we do. I think we do an amazing job of simplifying the game and teaching it in effective and efficient ways.
We can teach you a TON in a couple of days.
But then, it’s on you.