Passing on the Game

Teaching

Playing

THinking

What to Call in 3-on-3?

I love the start of our 3-on-3 League in both the winter and the summer. More often than not, the kids have had either a long layoff from basketball or are just starting their basketball journey. With the various limitations of COVID, the enjoyment found in their play...

Comfort in Chaos before Great Execution

On the surface of our summer league, you may just see a bunch of kids running around at play.  That’s good, because it’s exactly what we want.  And yet, we want more.  Ideally, I want to see a bunch of kids running around learning how to really...

Summer #6 – Let Them Get Lost (And teach along the way)

Teaching through Free Play During my playing career, I often had to get settled into a new city and/or country. One of the most difficult things about settling into those new cities was finding your way around. I would typically start with someone driving me around...

Summer League – #5 – Encourage them to Shoot it!

In everything I write, I typically point out that if we want our kids to improve, they must have opportunities to stretch their boundaries. Indeed, they must be encouraged to try new things and take new risks.  Whether we realize it or not, most of our kids have been...

Summer Leagues – #4 – 4-on-4 Teaching Points

This post is specific to our 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 (w/ shot clock) leagues, which typically involved players from Grades 5-9. Learning while at play is the most powerful kind of learning. But in order to learn well, it is essential to keep it simple. Too often we overload...

Summer Leagues – #3 – 3-on-3 – Encourage the Dribble!

Developmentally, this post is specific to our younger players in 3-on-3. Grades 1-4. I find great joy in watching kids creatively and happily play the game of basketball. Capturing the imagination and getting lost in the game are the keys to a fun experience at their...

Summer League – #2 – Make More Decisions

The games you play shape you more than the drills you do.  It is not that the drills are unimportant. They are very important. I give plenty of time to them as a coach, but play is the foundation. Play is the essential that makes drills worth something. The games your...

Summer League – #1 – Experiment and Stretch (especially in the summer!)

I am excited to see kids engaging with the game in our summer leagues next week. With all the "quarantining" we have had, I know mine need to do so! As we move through the summer leagues, I am going to share 1-2 emails each week with our parents/participants. I won't...

Summer League – Our History

Thank you for signing your young player up for our Summer League. Our mission for these leagues is the same as it is for all our programs:  to help players of all ages and abilities play the game better and enjoy the game more.  As many of you are aware, they are not...

Finally Published – Offense Wins

Believe it or not, this book was more or less complete 6 years ago. I wrote it before I coached in order to remember how I thought as a player. And in reading it again, I realize that I still agree with it! So I will be applying it as best I can in the years ahead. A...
Read John O’Sullivan

Read John O’Sullivan

If you are involved in youth sports at all, it is wise for you to read John O'Sullivan on a consistent basis. His Changing the Game Project is right on the money. But here's a recent post I certainly enjoyed. Remember, too many youth coaches want to treat the kids to...

Fall Events in Context

Fall Events in Context

Fall Events in Context Anytime we create a new program or enter a new season of the year, I go into re-evaluation mode. I start asking questions about all our programs. What is their place? Should they exist? Should they change? Are they best for the kids we are...

The Need to “Just Play”

The Need to “Just Play”

An open letter to all our "Just Play" Camp Participants: Thank you for joining us for our 2019 Just Play Camp. We certainly hope your child enjoyed the week as much as we did!  I marvel every year at the improvement we see between Monday and Thursday. What often...

Final Thought for Summer League

Final Thought for Summer League

I want to thank you for joining us this summer for our 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 leagues. I certainly hope you had a positive experience. Most of all, I hope your young player was able to connect with the fun and spontaneity of the game in a meaningful way. I love the game of...

Subscribe

Receive Joe Crispin’s latest posts.

SOCIAL LINKS

Email Newsletter

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES

What to Call in 3-on-3?

I love the start of our 3-on-3 League in both the winter and the summer. More often than not, the kids have had either a long layoff from...

Comfort in Chaos before Great Execution

On the surface of our summer league, you may just see a bunch of kids running around at play.  That’s good, because it’s exactly what...

Summer #6 – Let Them Get Lost (And teach along the way)

Teaching through Free Play During my playing career, I often had to get settled into a new city and/or country. One of the most difficult...

Summer League – #5 – Encourage them to Shoot it!

In everything I write, I typically point out that if we want our kids to improve, they must have opportunities to stretch their...

Summer Leagues – #4 – 4-on-4 Teaching Points

This post is specific to our 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 (w/ shot clock) leagues, which typically involved players from Grades 5-9. Learning while...

Summer Leagues – #3 – 3-on-3 – Encourage the Dribble!

Developmentally, this post is specific to our younger players in 3-on-3. Grades 1-4. I find great joy in watching kids creatively and...

Summer League – #2 – Make More Decisions

The games you play shape you more than the drills you do.  It is not that the drills are unimportant. They are very important. I give...

Summer League – #1 – Experiment and Stretch (especially in the summer!)

I am excited to see kids engaging with the game in our summer leagues next week. With all the "quarantining" we have had, I know mine need...

Summer League – Our History

Thank you for signing your young player up for our Summer League. Our mission for these leagues is the same as it is for all our...

Finally Published – Offense Wins

Believe it or not, this book was more or less complete 6 years ago. I wrote it before I coached in order to remember how I thought as a...

RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This