training in the Off-season (pt. 2)

Note: This article is intended for a July and August offseason, but the ideas can be applied at any time during the year

Ages 5-9

Have fun!

Engage in as many sports as possible. Make friends while doing it. Remember, don't take it too seriously.

If you truly love a sport, head out to your driveway and shoot some hoops! Play against your siblings, parents, cousins, or friends!

Ages 10-12

Play as much basketball as possible!

If you're starting to develop a passion for the game, the best thing you can do is have a ball in your hands as much as possible. There are no secret drills.

Take a look at the top players in the world. How many of them had personal trainers at your age? Very few, if any!

How many of them played in tournaments every single weekend without taking a break to explore other sports? Very few of them!

But you know what they all did? They shot hoops on their driveway after school and after dinner!

Ages 13-15

Early-developers & Outliers

This is a challenging age category to discuss. On one hand, you have the early developers who are dominating their age division. On the other hand, there are outliers who haven't physically developed enough to believe they can excel in the sport.

If you're dominating, don't become complacent. I remember when I was in grade 8, there was a player in BC who everyone thought would be the next LeBron James. He was dunking, he was dominating, he was the next Great One... but he didn't make his high school team in grade 11...

If you're struggling, take heart. One of the best high school classes in Kelowna history (2019) included several players who were nobodies at your age. You never know who will develop!

By following a routine like this and sticking with it, you'll not only develop self-discipline but also create excellent habits.

Training Recommendation

2-3 days per week:

Allocate 1-2 hours each day to work on your skills, stretch, enhance agility and endurance.

2 days per week:

Make time to organize scrimmages with your friends or teammates.

Ages 16-18

Keep training in the off-season!

By now, you should have a good sense of whether your basketball career will continue. If you want to have a successful high school career and contribute to your team's success, keep training during the off-season. If you aspire to play basketball after high school, keep training during the off-season. If you simply want to have fun and be part of a team, keep training during the off-season!

The best players I have worked with follow a schedule that looks something like this:

3-5 days per week:

1-1.5 hours for Skills Training 1 hour for Weight Training

2-3 days per week:

Engage in scrimmages.

At this stage of your career, you should have a general idea of the drills that can help you develop. If you're unsure, the greatest tool in the world is right at your fingertips: YouTube. If you can't find the answers you need, perhaps it's time to consider hiring a professional trainer.

In our next blog post we will provide you with a series of skill videos you can use as a reference this off-season

Are you interested in receiving off-season training from the best coaches in the Okanagan?

Then click the button below to check out GW Hoops’ off-season programs!