TOP 20 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BASKETBALL EXPOSURE CAMPS

Posted by Brendan Winters on with 0 Comment

Showcase Exposure & Elite College Basketball Camps

Top 20 Things You Should Know About Youth Exposure Basketball Camps!

If you are a talented young basketball player, you might be wondering what recruitment opportunities there are that you can take advantage of.

Over the years, college basketball recruiting has evolved from evaluating players at a traditional high school basketball camp to now exposure basketball camps and AAU tournaments.

One reason coaches attend exposure basketball camps, also known as showcase basketball camps, and AAU tournaments is because it can save them some money and makes it easier for them to spot talent all in one place.

Another reason would be that youth basketball exposure camps and AAU tournaments take place when the college basketball season is over, which gives coaches more time to focus on recruiting.

So what exactly is a basketball exposure camp?

Continue reading “TOP 20 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BASKETBALL EXPOSURE CAMPS” →

BASKETBALL DRILL OF THE MONTH: FOOTWORK-LINE DRILL (Part 2)

Posted by Brendan Winters on with 0 Comment

Footwork Pivot Basketball Drill Pt. 2

In our first basketball Drill of the Month, I explained how to do the “footwork-pivot-line” drill but mainly focused on the simple forward pivot.

In part 2, we’ll focus on the more complicated reverse pivot, which surprisingly many players struggle to do … even in high school!

To recap, the drill is set up in the below steps:

#1 Players line up on the baseline and free throw lane line facing the elbow.

#2 Players dribble up the elbow with their outside hand and jump stop to triple threat at the elbow.

#3 Before the drill, the coach tells the players which kind of pivot they should do – left foot forward, left foot reverse, right foot forward, or right foot reverse – and players do that pivot at the elbow.

#4 Again before the drill, the coach tells the players which kind of pass they should do – 2-hand bounce, 2-hand chest, 1-hand side chest, or 1-hand side bounce – and players make that pass after the pivot.

In the video in part 1, you can see that the players were instructed to do a forward pivot, which is how I think this drill should always start.

Then, in the above part 2, you can see the players moved to the reverse pivot, which is much harder for players to do, especially when you layer in different passing instructions.

If you watch the video, you will see some common mistakes made by players, including:

#1 Not dribbling with their outside hand.

#2 Going too quickly with their jump stop and pivot, which sometimes causes a travel.

#3 Pivoting with the wrong foot.

#4 Throwing a bad pass or the incorrect pass.

Overall, most of these mistakes are caused by players trying to go too fast, so instructing them to slow down and THINK as they do the drill is recommended.

In our next Drill of the Month, I’ll focus on how to make this drill into a competition, which really keeps the players engaged and having fun!

Download the Ultimate Guide to College Basketball Recruiting

Click on the button below, enter your email address and zip code. We’ll send you the PDF of this guide for free.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SELECTING A YOUTH BASKETBALL CAMP IN CHARLOTTE

Posted by Brendan Winters on with 0 Comment

How to Pick the Best Youth Basketball Camp in your Local Area

selecting a youth basketball camp

Youth basketball camps are always great opportunities for aspiring young players to improve their individual basketball skills.

As a parent or coach, one of the biggest dilemmas is always finding the best summer basketball camp in Charlotte where your child can be taught to play basketball the right way.

At the end of the day, you want a youth basketball camp that puts enough emphasis on individual skill development.

That is not to say that team aspects are not as important. But the truth is that, in order to fit into a team, your individual skills must be up to par.

Of course, a good youth basketball camp will also set aside enough time to teach children how to play within a team.

You also want the environment to be safe, a place where children can have fun as they hone their basketball skills and learn important life lessons.

The fun aspect of the camp is very important as well. It is what keeps children looking forward to going back to the camp again.

Playing in a fun and safe environment is not only crucial for skill development but is also vital for a child’s confidence.

A lot of our youth basketball camps are in Charlotte, so we proposed this question…

How do you find the best basketball camps in or near Charlotte?

Great question!

There are many factors that come into play when choosing a basketball camp for your child in the Charlotte area.

Of course, the biggest priority should be your child’s needs. One thing that you should definitely avoid is picking a camp merely because of its proximity to your home.

Being close to your home is a great advantage, however, when considering the best basketball camp for your child, you should be able to check off the boxes below or you could be wasting your money and your child may not receive the value he or she needs to really improve their game by learning proper basketball fundamentals.

Here are some tips that we have discovered from our parents at PSB when deciding on sending their child to our summer basketball camps.

1. Understand your Child’s Needs

All children don’t have the same needs. When you understand your child’s needs, it becomes easier to choose the most appropriate camp for him or her.

If you don’t know, ask them!

You will be surprised sometimes what they understand about their skillset. You could also ask the coaches that have spent time with your child from a basketball standpoint.

2. The Staff

It shouldn’t be uncommon to see former collegiate basketball players, current or former youth basketball coaches, college basketball coaches, or even professional basketball players training at summer basketball camps.

If you want your child to learn and be inspired by the best, find the basketball camps that will provide that experience.

At Pro Skills Basketball, we do our best to put the most experienced individuals in front of our young players, so that they can truly learn the game and improve their skills.

3. Talk to your Child

You will be amazed at the amount of information that children have that adults don’t. If there is a particular camp that your child prefers, take that into consideration.

Remember, basketball camps are more about our children than they are about us. Most times, children have valid reasons for their preferences.

4. Get Referrals

Other parents who have taken their children to a youth basketball camp can be a great resource of useful information.

A fellow parent can tell you which camps to avoid or which ones to pick based on their child’s experiences.

You still want to validate the information that you receive, but a referral is always good!

5. Know the Reason for Going

Parents will take their child to a summer basketball camp for a variety of reasons. Does your child need exposure? Is your child looking to improve his basketball skills? Is your child looking to attend with friends?

What do you want your child to get from the camp at the end of the day? That should be one of the first questions you ask yourself before beginning your search.

What are the most important things to look for in a youth basketball camp?

characteristics of a good youth basketball camp

Although skill improvement is one of the most important reasons why many parents take their children to basketball camps, nevertheless, there are other very specific characteristics that you should look for in a youth basketball camp.

Here is our summary:

  1. Fun. Basketball is supposed to be fun for kids. If they are not having fun, they might start to hate the game.
  2. Confidence. Great basketball camps can build a child’s confidence, which can help him or her in life outside of basketball.
  3. Safety. Knowing that your children are safe gives you peace of mind.
  4. Life skills. A good basketball camp will impart your children with important life skills to help them in their everyday life.
  5. Empowerment. You want your children to leave the camp feeling like they can take on the world.
  6. Team skills. Your child should learn how to be part of a bigger cause rather than play for him or herself. This helps them in other areas of their lives as well.

Conclusion

As you look for the best basketball camp for your child in the Charlotte area this summer, it is important to know that it is about your child and not you.

This way, you will be more objective with your choices and will not have any reason to regret your decision. You can never go wrong when you put your child first.

At Pro Skills Basketball, we understand the importance of improving young players’ basketball skills while teaching them to be better people. That is our mission and what we strive to do!

We have a plethora of youth basketball camps in Charlotte to choose from for kids of all ages and skill set.

Our 2018 basketball camp locations consist of the following areas in and near Charlotte, NC:

Download the Ultimate Guide to College Basketball Recruiting

Click on the button below, enter your email address and zip code. We’ll send you the PDF of this guide for free.

ACADEMIC SHOWCASE BASKETBALL CAMPS

Posted by Logan Kosmalski on with 0 Comment

 

Pro Skills Charlotte College Basketball Players

 

With the end of high school basketball near and the summer AAU circuit right around the corner, I wanted to take the time to look at a relatively new summer opportunity for aspiring college players, which are the Academic Showcase Basketball Camps!

While there are not a ton of Academic Showcase Camps out there, there are a decent number to choose from and it’s important to do some research before attending.

Whether you want to play in the Ivy League or for a top-rated institution at the DIII level, you could benefit from attending one of these events…or you could just be flushing your money down the toilet.

Let’s evaluate some aspects of Academic Showcase Basketball Camps so you can determine if, and which ones, are right for you.

Continue reading “ACADEMIC SHOWCASE BASKETBALL CAMPS” →

UNDERSTANDING AAU BASKETBALL

Posted by Brendan Winters on with 0 Comment

Charlotte AAU Basketball

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States. AAU targets the promotion and development of young athletes. However, AAU in the youth basketball world typically doesn’t refer specifically to this nonprofit organization, but rather refers to all competitive “club” basketball, similar to how the brand “Kleenex” became a catch-all term for tissues.

With that said, when we talk about AAU in this article we are talking about competitive club basketball. Moreover, many athletes, coaches, and parents believe that AAU basketball is a great way to develop new skills and be seen by college coaches.

AAU provides an opportunity for young basketball players to play A LOT of basketball. A looming question surrounding AAU is, does it really help basketball players develop their skills?

Continue reading “UNDERSTANDING AAU BASKETBALL” →