Enjoying and imparting the game
Skill Development Groups
Over the past year, I have spent a great of time evaluating how we can better develop young players on both a conceptual and skill level. As I have looked at our programs, I think we are very strong on the conceptual side, but that we can offer more in terms of specific skill-development.
By conceptual, I mean giving kids an opportunity to develop a better ‘feel’ for the game. This is a super high priority for us (maybe my highest priority in fact). I believe most kids need more contextual, game-like learning in order to develop. The game teaches the game. Creative, fun games teach it even better. Play is the foundational for all skill development.
But there is also a clear need for specific skill work. It naturally depends on the player and his or her stage of development, but I have seen a need to give more players more time to more consistently focus on developing their skills. Less context. Just skills. Ball-handling, shooting, footwork, finishing.
In light of this, I am launching monthly “Skill Development Groups” for boys and girls Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12. There are two things you need to know.
First, these groups will be different than my current workout groups or anything like them. In our workout groups, we will probably spend about 30% of our time on skill work. The rest of our time is devoted to ‘contextual’ learning. These skill groups are an entire hour (100%) devoted to skill work. This is important to note, because this type of work is not for every kid. It is really designed for kids who want to ‘tinker’ and try new things from a skill perspective. There are plenty of kids ready for it in middle school, but not all. High School players are more than ready for it (and need it most from what I have seen!)
Second, creativity and consistency is the key. We will meet two evenings per week for one hour with no more than 20-25 players. Each hour will consist of ball-handling work and then skill stations that players can move pretty freely in between. Our team will consist of myself, my father (Steve Crispin), Connor Dickerson (one of my current players woh is exception is this regard), and other players I have worked with who I believe can give great feedback and show players of various ages how it can be done.
Third, my long-term goal is to develop more of these groups and a better culture of skill work. I will be giving Connor Dickerson a great deal of freedom in this regard, because these are all learning principles he is engaging in to develop his own game. And he is passionate about teaching others. I am confident such structure can serve many of our players very, very well.
Details: $100 per month for 8-9 sessions.
Grades 5-8 – Tuesday and Thursdays – 5:30-6:30pm
Grades 9-12 – Tuesdays and Thursdays – 6:30-7:30pm
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Client Testimonials
We want to thank all of you for a wonderful spring season. Our whole family is excited about Joey being a part of the Crispin Basketball program.
Joey has spent most of the last few winters with some sort of cough, cold, or infection, that has restricted his time out on the basketball court. When he was out there, he wasn’t able to have fun. That was NOT the case this past month. He looked forward to practice and loved the games/tournaments. He enjoyed every minute of this spring season and cannot wait to start the summer league. He will have surgery in 10 days, but he is already making plans to get back out on the court afterwards. Saying “He had a lot of fun” does not accurately describe this past month for Joey. READ MORE >
Our family has nothing but positive things to say about our experience with the Crispin Basketball program. Everything from the quality of the training and coaching staff, the training atmosphere, opportunity to work with members of the Rowan basketball team, information sharing with the parents, etc., was top notch. For the past three years, we’ve had a seldom used basketball hoop in the driveway and basketball was just another winter activity. Upon joining the club, Zach took the initiative to try to get better on his own, applying what he learned during his training sessions even when the weather conditions were less than ideal. While it’s too soon to predict the type of basketball player he might become, he definitely developed a greater appreciation and love for the game at a time when he was contemplating giving up the sport for good. READ MORE >
As parents, we truly appreciate the care and thought that goes into the Crispin Basketball program. It is really refreshing to find a high-level basketball program that has the best interest of kids at heart – not only developing skills, a basketball IQ, and a love for the game, but most importantly character.
Also, it’s difficult to match the wealth of experience and knowledge of Crispin Basketball! Your coaches have coached and played at the highest levels and know the game inside-out. Unlike a lot of coaches and basketball programs that focus on winning at any cost, Crispin Basketball takes the “long view” and gives kids every opportunity to develop their skills and become smart, fundamentally-sound, hard-working, well-rounded, team-oriented players. READ MORE >
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