Dear Parents,

Welcome to Basketball Basics.  You will find no stronger, more capable instruction anywhere.  Now that we have a full time location on the Lakeshore, re-stating our goals and approach to the game is appropriate.

Our Core Values describe who we are, please take a moment and review the page to the right.

I would also like to address the specific development of your son or daughter here.

We have experienced modest growth since 2006, when Basketball Basics was founded.  This growth has come in what can only be described as a "crowded field" of basketball choices.  There are rec leagues, winter leagues, associations, summer leagues, travel leagues, school sponsored instruction, 3 on 3 tournaments, team camps, school camps and another dozen options out there for you.

Our modest growth can be traced to our core values.  Limiting the players to 12 or fewer, teaching and reinforcing the game's primary skills through repetition and mentoring positive life skills for each kid is a recipe for competitive development on and off the court.

As you make a basketball choice for your son or daughter, consider our core values and some of the things we stand for (and against) below.  Feel free to call or e-mail with any questions.  We model our approach on the greatest coach ever, John Wooden.    Why not aim high and attempt to be the best? 

What parents, AD's and coaches say about Basketball Basics 

Coach Jim McGannon

What you can expect from Basketball Basics:

1. Small number of players always.
2. Developing skills through well known drills and repeating these drills often to create competitive habits.  "It's the little details that are vital.  Little things make big things happen."  Coach Wooden
3. The most important model each day in the gym is the coach.  We reinforce key life skills on and off the court.  The coach must model appropriately without bluster.  He/she must have the skills to teach, to exhibit patience, to be respectful at all times and to be fair and firm. 
4. The scrimmage is used to TEACH, not determine an outcome.  While we compete and keep score, our focus is on your son or daughter's competitive development.  Wins will only follow sharp skills. Most youth competitive leagues are more for the grown ups than the players.  We do not run LEAGUES: See below.
5. We give up on no one.  Patience and encouragement in a fair but firm manner are our hallmarks.

What you will NOT see with Basketball Basics:

1. Leagues.  Leagues abound and lead parents to believe that "league competition" must necessarily make their kids better.  This is simply WRONG about 90% of the time. What makes kids better, from beginning kindergardeners to our All State candidates, is closely supervised repetition.  Reps do not occur in leagues, but in practice.
2. Split gyms.  Kids do not learn with 20, 30,40, 50 kids in the gym and multiple scrimmages going on.  Kids learn when they focus on the matter at hand and are being taught with explanation, demonstration and imitation. Most importantly, they must receive consistent reinforcement and repetition, which fosters competitive habits.  
3. Try outs.  (Except with our competitive AYBT teams) Kids develop at vastly different times and ages. A kid who can't tie his shoes in 5th grade may be the best player by 10th grade. It's happened 1000 times but only if these kids are given the chance, are capably taught the game and then cajoled with further reinforcement of the game's basic, primary skills.
4. Cuts.  (except with our competitive AYBT teams) Some organizations will tell a 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grader that their skills are not "good enough".  While cuts are part of life (jobs, college entrance, high school sports, relationships!), Basketball Basics does not believe in cuts at these tender ages.  Let the kids play any time and all the time.  If some players (or their parents) think they are "too good" for lesser competition, they will be missing out on perhaps their 1st exposure to key life skills like patience, encouragement, perspective, initiative and self-control.  Among many other traits, these skills often define the best players. 
5. Travel.  Competitive habits and players are built through repetition and reinforcement, not miles travelled.   "Never mistake activity for achievement."   Coach Wooden
6. Screaming coaches.  This one kills me.  I honestly think some of these screamers feel they get more from their players by acting this way.  It's not only counterproductive, it's embarrasing to watch.  Intensity and screaming are not the same thing.  The best coaches are unbelievably intense yet controlled.  That's what makes them INTENSE!!   The most intense coaches model poise and composure under fire.  "Young people need models, not critics." Wooden