: A 'SELECT-ive' Approach to Training

The most recent oddity that has surfaced in the realm of youth basketball is the advent of the "Personal Training" for basketball skills. Our staff has collectively looked over the training programs, plans and prowess of over 22 different trainers/groups in the past 3-6 months. And that's only the ones in Michigan!

Now before painting this picture, it's important to be fair: In a general sense, almost any worthwhile activity with the basketball in-hand, for the young player, by-and-large, is going to be a positive. More, given the limits of this definition of time spent, is probably better. However, not all described activity is "worthwhile." Some is counterproductive, restrictive, and not current. Additionally, the qualifications of these so-called Experts do sometimes leave a bit to be desired. For many of them, both male and female, the fact that they've "played college ball" seems to form, in their mind, some level of quality in what they are teaching. Some others have not played college ball, but have coached college (or high school) for a number of years. Some can produce lists of the famous, well-known former trainees that spent time (and let's not forget lots of money) with them; or the high school, AAU, and/or college programs that they have worked with. Clearly, if ABC High School, Team 123, or XYZ University have had this person with their athletes, the trainer MUST be legit...the genuine article...the goods...the real deal, etc.

This is Cosigning. We term this to be: Claiming an association to another person or entity, in the hopes of attaining a more favorable position with a prospect. People choose almost everything in life based on statistics, slants or statements like these. And many times they can have definitive value. Other times, they are a worthless as a screen door on a submarine.

There's no Cosigning when we talk about our perspective on skill training. We're not going to overwhelm you with endorsements or "drop names" of a school, team, or famous player. Why? Because as we see it, the person that teaches the team aspect of the game (the coach) should be the same person who teaches the requisite skills to play the game. They are one and the same, as they should be. That's exactly how it works with Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T.

There used to be a time where coaches were out on the court with kids early in the morning, or late at night, working with them. Today, coaches complain about volunteering their time, having to be outside, or having to be inside (as some would rather be golfing than in a gym!) As for the players -- well, Twitter, FaceBook, and video games like Guitar Hero have replaced the old "get up at 6:00am to work on your game" mentality.

Let's establish the following for parents…If your daughter was a B student in 9th grade science, and you thought her capable of an A; would you go get a college science professor to tutor her? Most would. You believe she has potential? She could possibly develop a super vaccine…cure the common cold, AIDS, save lives perhaps. No one would stand pat and do nothing. So the obvious parallel to the Basketball Trainer is made; but still, whether in 9th grade science, or the finer points of the spin move, it's the youngster who does the work. It always is...it has to be. Who you get to "work with her", or "help him with" this or that is a seperate decision-making process. It is not the process that the student/the athlete makes to either do the work, or NOT do the work. To apply themselves, or not. To step up, or sit down. And that's the part that is lost on many who seek the aid of the "Hot New Skill Trainer" of the moment. If the child is not capable, committed, and hard-working, seeking a high-level goal; then it is a waste -- no matter who the trainer is. 

But a lot of these trainers won't tell you that. So long as you continue to re-up for another 10 pre-paid one-hour sessions (at $35/hr.) they will tell you that your child is really "coming along" or "making some progress." They have absolutely no investment in the player's performance with the rest of his or her team (school, AAU, etc.) because they are simply running a business. And there's nothing wrong with that; it's a great way to make a living. But since the coaches and staff of Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. ARE the "trainers" (per se); we care very much, and have a direct and unfiltered understanding of what skill areas she needs for her to perform better with her team; what his goals are for the next level; etc.

TRAINING IS THE THIRD, ESSENTIAL
PART OF OUR TEAM TRIFECTA

Our stance on this comes from a foundation of study, explanation, drilling, and connective philosophies. These elements for learning are staples in the way we teach the game. In basketball: intelligent skill work, repetitions that escalate to perfection, and the discipline to self-motivate and stay with it -- are irremovable and unbiased. It is what it always will be: “work.” There really is no room for cosigning, or an injection of politics, private agendas, or some other spin when dealing with the task of a player's skill development. Remember, the youngster does the work, or he doesn’t. She improves or she won't.

Our teams are aiming for what one might call genuine team success in every competitive moment. We are seeking the excellence that comes to those who are doing a series of proper, correct things, as often as possible -- because that's what we've been conditioned to do. We believe fully in the benefits of being able to accomplish certain things in the game; impacting the way the game itself is played by the opponent. We have a supreme confidence and pride about doing this because we are good at it. Our girls work hard at developing the intuitive communication that allows them a chance not to miss something that we can take advantage of, something that will make us better.

One of the things fans/spectators and college coaches that are interested in our athletes notice is how less dependent we are on a "leading scorer"; the premium is on having players that have been properly trained to read, recognize, and make the right plays. There is a free flowing array of movement in our offensive sets; as opposed to other teams that set things up through numerical systems that start and end “1 goes here” “2 goes there” and 3, etc. -- looking to get it to their best scoring options. Our athletes flow, fully engaged in the contest; and everybody is looking for everybody and anybody to dribble, pass and take shots.

Need for exposure has replaced need for improvement; and entitlement has replaced work ethic..

The ability to recognize the need for player skill development occurs in almost every athlete in every major sport. The point of focus on those needs is usually brought on by deficiencies in comparison to another peer teammate or opponent; or under the pressure of live game performance. As the Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. season begins; our staff's greatest concentration is on starting habits with each athlete of doing successful things in action during the game, and the balance of off-game preparation (practice and training) that it takes to make these habits take hold. It is essential that we aid the players in setting multiple short term and a few long term goals as part of this process. And this is only the beginning. Throughout the season we will revisit, review and refine, the goals and growth the athlete has met and made.

To join an AAU team with the clear understanding that there will be regimented, required practices and training sessions, knowing you'll be evaluated based on your own goals and objectives, is not something every player will seek. And we understand that -- in fact, we're counting on it. To take full advantage of the member experience we have outlined, and to accomplish the things we've planned, takes a certain type of player. It's not for everyone, only for a select few.

Integration is a term that expresses the meaning of balance. Balance is associated with alignment. TAPES programs are designed to give the player proper training techniques that center around this concept.

TAPES is acronymic for Tactical Player Enhancement Systems. It is Legion’s belief that gradual implementation of phase training over time will help the player adjust to the exact movements of the game. 

Structure

Sport specific training is for top level athletes. In order to achieve peak performance, the athlete must commit to a year round program that implements 4-8 phases of athletic performance routines.

Anatomical, Hypertrophy, Maximum Strength, and Conversion to Power are the 4 areas in which TAPES base its training.

Logistics

TAPES work is based upon the athlete’s deficiencies as well as his or her efficient performance. In most cases, it is normal to do preliminary testing of the athlete. The tests involve obtaining results from: 1) Range of motion 2) Alignment 3) Balance 4) Weight dispersal 5) Explosion 6) Reaction 7) Coordination

Once the athlete and coach has been made aware of the results, its time to map out an individual program that tailored to the specification of that particular athlete