Improving in Basketball: advice needed

[Anonymous]

I have twin boys who just turned 10. They just started their first rec basketball season. Need advice on how to get them to improve: specifically, be aggressive on the court. They are tall, and they have done swim team, rock climbing, and tennis, but those are individual sports. This is their first time on a team. They enjoy it, but don't have that "go get that ball!" attitude when playing. Do I sign them up for a summer camp? Small group training? I can play with them off the court, but FWIW there is no father in the picture, and I can shoot baskets but that's about it. I'd like them to feel more confident before next fall.

[Anonymous]

You can sign them up for training but it's expensive. Honestly, for now, what you're doing is the best thing-just let them play. Camps in the summer are fun. Lots of basketball ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have twin boys who just turned 10. They just started their first rec basketball season. Need advice on how to get them to improve: specifically, be aggressive on the court. They are tall, and they have done swim team, rock climbing, and tennis, but those are individual sports. This is their first time on a team. They enjoy it, but don't have that "go get that ball!" attitude when playing. Do I sign them up for a summer camp? Small group training? I can play with them off the court, but FWIW there is no father in the picture, and I can shoot baskets but that's about it. I'd like them to feel more confident before next fall.

It’s very common for tall kids that seem like they’d be natural basketball players to not be aggressive. My kid’s aggressiveness didn’t come until about sophomore year of high school when he went from being a catch and shoot three point shooter to being a kid who would drive to the basket and look for contact or poke the ball away on defense. It made a huge difference for his game, but unfortunately I’m not sure how to teach it.

One thing that might help a bit might be judo, because you’ve got to be comfortable hitting the floor in basketball.

[Anonymous]

As a former coach and private trainer, I would suggest getting them at least a couple sessions of private training to start and sending them to hoops summer camp. Have them watch some college ball on TV and take them to a local high school game. Have them play pick up at the park once they start to get the hang of it.

[Anonymous]

Sign them up for field sports where contact is encouraged.

[Anonymous]

Option A: let them develop at their own pace and learn they are loved and valued by you and teammates just for who they are

Option B: pit them against each other, let them play 1v1 and winner eats dinner and loser doesn’t. Let the winner know you love them for winning a little more than the loser who you love just a little less

[Anonymous]

Be like Deon and rank your kids if you want them to be winners. Let them know where they stand

[Anonymous]

They enjoy it and are 10. Let them be and let them have fun. At that age, you already have parents paying $$$$ and many kids in AAU. We were those parents. And then many of them don’t make the HS teams or end up dropping basketball completely for a variety of reasons.

Take the lead of your kids. If they are having fun and enjoying rec leave it at that. If they are asking for more, find a camp. If they get really serious then find a trainer. Part of aggression in sports is just an innate thing. I see it in my kids, who do or don’t have it.