Anonymous wrote:How much does your kid work outside of team practice? Does your kid know how to develop on his own(probably not). I'd recommend getting a private trainer if he's otherwise happy with his team, especially if moving to another team might cost more anyway

I totally agree. One of the biggest things my kid got from working with a trainer was learning how to train. Earlier on it helped to learn how to work on ball handling and shooting in a disciplined way. Later on, his trainer taught him progressions of moves that he could work on.

The progressions of moves (like 6-10 different versions of a move, including counters and versions that pull up at 3, versions for a midrange shot, and versions going to the rim) totally changed his game, and it was weird for me (a non-basketball person) to see him using those exact sequences of moves and counters to score and having it work very well in games. The cool thing about all the version of counters and options was that he could just flow from one option to another based on what the defense did, and having worked on them so many times it was just muscle memory.

He trains once a week with a HS coach in a group format - coach saw potential and asked him to come to practices. He is constantly shooting and trying new moves. So he is very motivated and passionate about the game but I'm sure a trainer will help. I never played so I can't help him. I guess my issue is he joined the team as a key player but of course every season they cut and get new (and better) players and I don't think he is improving as he should.

How much does your kid work outside of team practice? Does your kid know how to develop on his own(probably not). I'd recommend getting a private trainer if he's otherwise happy with his team, especially if moving to another team might cost more anyway

If you want skill development in practice, moving up the ladder won't help. From what I've seen, my kid on a much more local lower level team spends most of practice working on skills. Their older sibling spends most of practice working on plays and playing 3 on 3 or scrimmaging. The higher you go, the more coaches expect you to work outside of practice either on your own or with a trainer.

My kid is playing on a competitive travel team but I feel hasn't improved at all in two seasons. Do we look for other teams (might mean more commute, more $$, more travel) or do we stay with the same team and hope he will get better? The latter option would involve us getting supplemental coaching elsewhere (again more $$ and commute!) as the current coach calls plays but doesn't really do skill development. What factors should I be considering to make the decision? I guess I am also not sure what is the end goal in playing with all these competitive travel teams? He is quite talented so personally my goal would be for him to get better at the game, continue enjoying and loving it, staying injury free and if he gets to play in a D3 school also known for academics I would be happy.