Training vs. Working Out

It’s been exactly one month since my last blog post.  I am refreshed, re-energized, and completely refocused on my commitment to offer quality insight on basketball strength & conditioning, coaching and motivation. 

In addition to spending quality time with my wonderful wife Rebecca and my twin sons Luke and Jack (23 weeks old), I read a dozen books on leadership and watched numerous DVDs and YouTube clips on performance enhancement. I combed through notebooks of my own notes and took time to reflect and evaluate my entire program.  Most importantly, I developed my plan for this coming pre-season.

And I have never been so excited!

During my reflection period, I decided to make a fundamental change to my blog. My posts are going to be much more concise.  I realized that some folks had a take a day off from work to read some of my lengthy blogs!  I will make each post helpful, insightful, and impactful… just with fewer words.

Enough said.

A couple of weeks ago a colleague of mine, Nick Tumminelo (a brilliant trainer in Baltimore and owner of Performance University), posted this on his Facebook page:

“Do you know the difference between training and workout out? Training is when you have a progressive plan with measurable goals and continual challenges. Working out is anything that makes you sweaty and tired but not necessarily better because it lacks consistency, direction and specificity.”

I couldn’t agree more.  This concept is so applicable to your pre-season training program because it lays the foundation for your success this season. Picture a pyramid. A wide base (foundation) yields a higher peak. Your strength & conditioning foundation gives you the ability to perform your basketball skills at a higher level, perform them with more efficiency, and perform them for the entire game (without letting fatigue play a factor).

That is why the best players and the best teams are in the best shape! 

I am certainly a staunch believer in working hard. Intensity and consistency are the keys to success in anything… especially training.  But you have to be working towards something to make it effective. You have to have a plan. You have to have goals. You have to make progress towards those goals every workout. 

Working out just to workout, with no direction, will give you mediocre results at best. Puddles of sweat and aching muscles are only valuable if they are taking you closer to where you are trying to go.

Don’t just work hard. Work smart.

On that note, getting stronger and more explosive is important for basketball.  But nothing is more essential than moving efficiently on the court.  Here are a variety of drills I use with my players on a daily basis to promote proper footwork, jumping/landing mechanics, as well as strengthen and increase the functional mobility of the ankles and feet:

Movement Training for Basketball: http://TinyUrl.com/MovementTraining

Please let me know if I can ever be a resource to you for your program. You can email me at Alan@StrongerTeam.com.

Train hard. Train smart.

Alan Stein

www.StrongerTeam.com

www.Twitter.com/AlanStein

PS: I just released an 8 Week Pre-Season Strength & Conditioning Program download at http://Shop.StrongerTeam.com. It includes everything you need to get stronger, more explosive, and in sick basketball shape. This program is the difference between training and working out!

Eight Suggestions for Succeeding

With the start of the basketball season about six weeks ago for most high school players, I wanted to bring out one of my favorite items from John Wooden, legendary Head Coach of UCLA. This list of "Eight Suggestions for Succeeding" has been in many of his books and many of his interviews.  In fact, he could be found mentioning one, if not all of these in almost every practice and interview he conducted.  All of the players that have played for him know these by heart.

As you and your teammates begin pre-season workouts and training not only will these eight points keep you and your team focused, but you will also become a much stronger individual and team if you use these in your daily life as well. 

Next Monday we'll be detailing each of these points and what they mean on and off the court.

1. Fear no opponent. Respect every opponent

2. Remember, it's the perfection of the smaller details that make big things happen.

3. Keep in mind that hustle makes up for many a mistake.

4. Be more interested in character than reputation.

5. Be quick, but don't hurry.

6. Understand that the harder you work, the more luck you will have.

7. Know that self-analysis is crucial for improvement.

8. Remember that there is no substitute for hard work and careful planning. Failing to prepare is 
     preparing to fail.


Lee Miller
Elite Hoops Basketball

Malcolm Brogdon Chooses Virginia

Elite Hoops trainee and Greater Atlanta Christian senior, Malcolm Brogdon verbally committed to the Virginia Cavaliers on Monday.  When Brogdon first started training with Elite Hoops, he was being recruited by mid majors. In one short year, Brogdon went from being a mid major, 2 star player into an ACC bound player and candidate for Mr. Georgia Basketball for one reason.  Work ethic. To see Malcolm in one of his Elite Hoops training sessions click HERE.

Semi-Finals of WNBA Playoffs for Elite Hoops Hall of Famer

On Wednesday, the 4th place Atlanta Dream and Elite Hoops Hall of Famer, Angel McCoughtry, head into the WNBA playoffs against the number 1 team in the Eastern Conference the Washington Mystics. This should be a tough match-up for the Dream, as the Mystics have won 3 out of the 4 regular season meetings.


Ned Dishman, of NBA.com says,"It’s hard to predict which team will come out on top by the end of this series. Will the Mystics carry the momentum of a six-game win streak into the first round and get the best of Atlanta? Or will the Dream’s high-flying offense be too much for the Mystics to handle?It may be a No. 1 vs. No. 4 matchup on paper, but this one is capable of going either way."


Elite Hoops wishes Angel and the Atlanta Dream good luck in their first round playoff series!

To read more about the upcoming series visit WNBA.com!

Hard Work Brings Prosperity

Awaking to the sounds of school buses running and kids yelling this morning we can say that school has officially started in Atlanta. With the start of school many of Elite Hoops 1,200 campers this summer are trading in basketballs and the hardwood for books and homework. As you leave to start your classes remember one of our favorite quotes from this past summer camp season, "Hard work brings prosperity."

Each and everyone of us coaches here at Elite Hoops was delighted that you attended camp this summer but don't be satisfied and leave it at that. Many of you will have try outs for your teams in the upcoming months. Its important that that you continue practicing the drills you learned this summer at camp so that your hard work will pay off come try out time. Do you remember the drills you learned for individual improvement throughout your camp week? Here's a reminder just in case your memory faded a bit while you were at the pool after camp.

Monday: Mikan & power lay ups
Tuesday: Figure 8 no dribble, figure 8 dribble, flip-flop, front back bounce, & front back catch
Wednesday: Diagonal key lay ups & diagonal key jumpers
Thursday: Hot shot

If you want some video tips and pointers just click here and head over to our YouTube site and brush up. Try and fit in some basketball and practice your drills a few times a week to keep sharp and remember, hard work brings prosperity.

2010 NIKE Basketball Camp Season Concludes

Eleven weeks, 14 cities and 20 camps later we can officially say that the 2010 NIKE/Elite Hoops Basketball Camp season has come to a close. This was the longest, largest and most widespread camp season to date for Elite Hoops and it would not have been possible without our two other Camp Directors: Chris Langley and Patrick Hughes. These two coaches have worked their tails off over the past 11 weeks to help make sure that our camps ran smoothly, efficiently and without hiccups.  Dealing with 1200 campers, 2400 parents and multiple gym locations is no easy task.  However, both Chris and Patrick made it seem that way.

Langley directed our Georgia camps in Peachtree City, Cumming, and Roswell where he oversaw 300+ campers and 36 coaches.  Langley's hard work and dedication hasn't gone unnoticed by other members of the basketball community. In fact, Langley was named Co-Director of the 2010 JJ Hickson Skills Academy here in Atlanta.  Langley has been a vital member of Elite Hoops, setting up many of our Fall Skills Training programs for 2010, so make sure to check out one of his events.

Hughes directed our Florida camps in Parkland, Weston and Boca Raton. There, he oversaw 6 first year camps and a bunch of new staff coaches in the sunshine state. Hughes laid a solid foundation with the south Florida players and parents which will allow us to grow next summer.  Check out what one of the parents said about one of our camps directed by Hughes HERE.  After his six weeks in south Florida, Hughes traveled up to Charlotte for our final camp of the season. There, we figured out that he had been in a hotel for 49 of the past 51 days! Talk about commitment to excellence.

Thanks again to these dedicated and talented coaches. Without them, Elite Hoops wouldn't be so 'elite.'

Girls complete a week of camp.

Today was the last day of camp at Blessed Trinity. The girls started their day with stretches and warm-ups. After that, the campers received their camp t-shirt and took a group photo. The girls completed stations and competed in the Living by Numbers' drills. Towards the end of camp, the girls broke into their teams and played in their championship basketball games. At the end, there was an award ceremony, where the girls received their certificates and evaluations. Prizes were also given to players for their achievements throughout camp.

For more information about our camps, visit www.elitehoopsbasketball.com.