My approach to coaching beginner basketball players in the Reno/Sparks community is all about fundamentals. Having played Division 1 and professional basketball, I know firsthand that a strong foundation in the basics is key to long-term success.
I focus on teaching proper footwork, ball handling, shooting mechanics, and defensive principles, making sure young athletes develop the skills they need to compete at higher levels. I emphasize discipline, hard work, and attention to detail because I believe that fundamentals win games.
Beyond just skill development, I want my players to develop a high basketball IQ—understanding spacing, movement, and decision-making on the court. My goal is to equip every player, regardless of their natural ability, with the tools to succeed, whether that’s in high school, college, or beyond.
Because I’ve played at multiple levels, I know what it takes to excel, and I use that experience to mentor young athletes on both the mental and physical aspects of the game. Through structured drills, game-like scenarios, and repetition, I help players build confidence and consistency.
At the end of the day, my coaching is about more than just basketball. It’s about teaching life skills—discipline, perseverance, and teamwork—that will benefit my players far beyond the court.
1. Intro & Goals – 5 min
Quick conversation: basketball background, strengths, weaknesses, and goals.
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2. Warm-Up & Ball Handling – 10 min
• Dynamic stretches/full-court movement.
• Stationary and moving dribbling series (crossovers, behind-the-back, in-and-out).
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3. Shooting Evaluation – 15 min
• Form shooting (close range).
• Spot shooting (mid-range & 3-point).
• Off-the-dribble pull-ups.
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4. Finishing & Attack Moves – 15 min
• Layups with both hands.
• Floaters, euro-steps, and contact finishes.
• Triple-threat attacks: 1–2 dribbles into pull-up or drive.
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5. Competitive Drill – 10 min
• Timed finishing challenge OR limited-dribble 1-on-1 to 5 points.
• Tests effort, decision-making, and competitiveness.
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6. Cool Down & Feedback – 5 min
• Light stretching.
• Share observations and give 1–2 focus points for next time.
Weeks 11–20: Performance Phase
Focus: Transform skills into dominant, repeatable habits under competitive conditions.
• Skill Sharpening:
• Increase shooting volume (300–500 makes per session).
• Add deeper range and quicker release.
• Expand finishing package with counters (spin, hop-step, wrong-foot).
• Advanced Game Reads:
• Ball screen reads, off-ball movement, attacking defensive schemes.
• Recognizing help defense and making the right play (shot vs. pass).
• Strength & Conditioning:
• More explosive drills (first step, vertical jump, lateral quickness).
• Basketball-specific conditioning (full-court sprints into shot, defensive slide intervals).
👉 By Week 20: Player should look sharper, faster, and more decisive in game-like situations.
Weeks 4–5: Skill Expansion & Efficiency
Focus: Add layers to strengths, tighten weaknesses, emphasize efficiency.
• Ball Handling: Combo moves into finishes (2–3 dribble max). Decision-making drills: shoot vs. drive.
• Shooting: Volume shooting with accountability (e.g., 200+ makes per session). Off-the-catch, off-the-dribble, step-backs.
• Finishing: Contact finishes, wrong-hand/wrong-foot layups, finishing against length (use pads/challenges).
• Game Reads: 1-on-1 from disadvantage (defender starts closer, player must react).
• Conditioning: Shooting under fatigue—run to half-court, return, then 5 quick makes.
👉 By end of Week 5: Player should show more efficiency in scoring, faster reads, and ability to stay composed under fatigue.
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Weeks 6–7: Advanced Game Situations
Focus: Simulate real-game play, build basketball IQ under live conditions.
• Ball Screens: Attacking off ball screens (pull-up, drive, pocket pass).
• Scoring Options: Three-level scoring focus—rim, mid-range pull-up, 3-point shot.
• Decision-Making: 2-on-1 or “drive & kick” drills (even if it’s just you acting as passer/defender).
• Defensive Work: Closeouts, lateral slides, defending 1-on-1.
• Conditioning: Competitive shooting goals (e.g., 30 makes in 2 minutes).
👉 By end of Week 7: Player demonstrates better court vision, improved shot selection, and the ability to create offense at all three levels.
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Weeks 8–9: Competitive Edge
Focus: Replicate the pressure of real competition, test resilience.
• High-Pressure Shooting: Must-hit situations (10 free throws in a row or start over).
• Advanced 1-on-1: Defender plays live with restrictions (limited dribbles, time constraints).
• Situational Training: Down 2 with 30 seconds left; tie game scenarios.
• Mental Training: Emphasize body language, focus, and recovery after mistakes.
• Conditioning: Sprint into shots (simulate fast-break pull-ups).
👉 By end of Week 9: Player shows confidence in high-pressure moments, poise in crunch-time situations, and the ability to close games.
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Week 10: Evaluation & Game Simulation
Focus: Test everything in a “mock game” environment.
• Warm-Up & Review (10 min).
• Full Evaluation Drills (20 min): Shooting percentages, ball-handling sequences, finishing tests.
• Live Play (20 min): 1-on-1, situational scrimmages, time/score pressure.
• Reflection & Feedback (10 min): Review progress from Week 1, compare strengths/weaknesses, and set next-phase goals.
👉 By end of Week 10: You’ve established a clear before-and-after snapshot of growth, with data on shooting %, decision-making, conditioning, and mental development.
Week 2 – Skill Refinement & Repetition
Focus: Reinforce fundamentals, clean up mechanics, add reps under structure.
Session Breakdown (60 min each):
• Warm-Up & Ball Handling (8 min) – Add more combo moves (cross → behind, hesitation → cross).
• Shooting Form & Consistency (15 min) – Spot shooting with accountability (e.g., make 8 of 10 before moving). Track percentages.
• Finishing Work (12 min) – Inside-hand layups, reverse finishes, floater progression.
• Game Situations (15 min) – Controlled 1-on-1 from specific spots (wing, top, corner). Limit dribbles.
• Conditioning Drill (5 min) – For example, “5-spot shooting” under time or 17s (sideline touches).
• Feedback/Cool Down (5 min).
👉 By end of Week 2: Player shows cleaner mechanics, better footwork, and improved shot rhythm.
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Week 3 – Game Application & Pressure
Focus: Put skills into live, pressured settings and test decision-making.
Session Breakdown (60 min each):
• Dynamic Warm-Up & Ball Handling (8 min) – More game-like dribble moves (attacks into finishes).
• Shooting Under Pressure (15 min) – Catch-and-shoot with closeout defender (use pad or light contest). Track makes.
• Advanced Finishing (12 min) – Contact layups with pad, euro-step vs. defender, wrong-foot finishes.
• 1-on-1/Small-Sided Reads (15 min) – Situational play: drive-and-kick reads, “live” possessions starting from triple-threat or ball screen.
• Conditioning + Mental Challenge (5 min) – e.g., hit 10 free throws in a row after exhaustion drill.
• Feedback/Cool Down (5 min).
👉 By end of Week 3: Player is applying skills in game-like settings, handling defensive pressure, and showing growth in confidence/decision-making
