Each day at the NIKE/Elite Hoops Basketball Camps we preach to the players that practicing isn't enough. In order for players to truly get better each day, they must not only practice, but they need to practice with pressure. We hear stories from players all the time about how many hours they practice and yet that practice isn't turning them into a better player. The reason why? Pressure.

When a player shoots a shot during a regular season game there is pressure to make that shot coming from numerous sources: their coach (who wants the score on that possession), their teammates (who want to win the game), their parents (they want their son/daughter to look good on the court), defense (who wants to block the shot) and lastly themselves (they don't want to fail). It's not easy to hit a shot with that amount of pressure...unless you have dealt with it before-and MOST players haven't.

You can recreate game like pressure in practice or at home in 3 ways:
1. Have a defender guard you for the ballhandling/shooting drill
2. Have a clock time you
3. Set a number of makes/reps to perform

To make yourself a really strong player use two or more of these techniques together. In our Living by Numbers series that we perform daily at camp, players have 12 fundamental skill drills that they work on trying to get a certain number of reps/makes in a certain amount of time. By creating pressure for players in drills it makes practice more "game like." Thus, when a player gets into the game and has an opportunity to make a shot, dribble the full length of the court with a defender chasing them, etc. it is much easier for them to perform because they have done it before under pressure.

Today, at the NIKE/Elite Hoops Boys Basketball Camp at Carolina Courts players performed 5 Ballhandling drills: Figure 8, Figure 8 Dribble, Flip Flop, Front/Back Bounce and Front/Back Catch. Each player had 30 seconds to perform each drill and maximize their number of reps. We reminded them today that, "The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war." And based upon the effort today from our campers, they won't be bleeding in games nearly as much as they used to.

At our second annual NIKE/Elite Hoops Boys Basketball camp at Carolina Courts, coaches emphasized the importance of "not mistaking activity for achievement." Players were told that just because they were at camp, in a station, or even playing 5 on 5, they were not going to achieve anything (or get better) if they weren't giving their full effort!

This applies to any aspect of their game, whether it is ballhandling, rebounding, shooting, or defense. A player must go game speed to get better, and eventually perform better in games. The goal is to help players develop this type of work ethic outside of camp when working on their game in the off-season because that is when real improvement occurs!

If players continue to work hard the rest of the week, in their stations, 5 on 5, Living by Numbers, and 3 on 3, then they should see tremendous improvement by Friday! The coaches are excited to see what's in store for this talented and hard working group!

On day 4 of the Nike/Elite Hoops Coed Elite Basketball Camp at GAC players continued to work hard in their stations as well as their Living By Numbers. Coaches emphasized that they must keep on working hard on these drills in order to succeed outside of camp. All of the ballhandling, perimeter moves, defense, and shooting techniques at camp are designed to help our players work on form, as well as mock game-like conditions and situations. Our goal is to allow players to interpret and execute proper technique, while having to also focus on all of the other aspects of the game simultaneously. These aspects range from defenders, to speed, to time, and to the pressure that comes while playing in an actual game. We want to make the pressure in practices and trainings are as difficult as possible so that games can be a breeze.
If the players are truly devoting all of their effort to getting one percent better each day, like they promised to at the beginning of camp, then they will definitely see the improvement.
Campers have done a great job this week and the coaches cannot wait to see what will come next during "Championship Friday!" Everybody has high hopes of a positive outcome.

On day 3 of the Nike/Elite Hoops Coed Elite Basketball Camp at GAC, coaches stressed the importance of practicing under pressure. When playing in games, players are hit with ten times the amount of pressure than they're hit with during practice. Between parents, coaches, friends, and fans the pressure to succeed during a game is almost unbearable. So it is easy for players to want to feel cool and collected in non-pressured situations such as practices. In practice, it is you, your coach and your teammates. Practically zero pressure. Consequently many players do not do as well in their games because of the lack of pressure put forth during practices. To help players in this category of the game, coaches introduced a couple of pressure layup and shooting drills today during Living By Numbers and morning stations.

The first drill, Trailblazer One on One, was introduced during our Rebounding/Fastbreak Station. This drill has two competing players-one on offense and one on defense-that start under the basket on the baseline. The offensive player, who is holding the basketball, dribbles towards and around a cone positioned at the three point line and then shoots a layup. At the same time, the defensive player sprints towards and around a separate cone placed between the three point line and halfcourt. The defenders goal is to block the offensive player's shot. The offensive player must either score or get fouled to get the point. The drill puts both players in a pressured shooting environment that players will more than likely find themselves in during the games.
The other drills were, again, introduced during our Living By Numbers, these drills are known as Cone Layups and Cone Jumpers. A lot like shooting under pressure, these drills have players up against the clock rather than up against other players. They have 45 seconds to make as many shots as possible and try to beat past records.
Pressured situations are a prime focus for many coaches and it is good for players to learn them here at camp in order to succeed in the future with other coaches.

Hunter Vick breaks the Flip Flop record at 92!

On day 2 at the Nike/Elite Hoops Coed Elite Basketball Camp at GAC, coaches focused on emphasizing how important ballhandling skills are in young players. The more that ballhandling is practiced the more likely players are to get better at the various drills. During our Living By Numbers drills today, players were given five drills to work on in the off-season to not only get better, but to also get more comfortable and, therefore, allow their skills to broaden. Hand speed and hand quickness is a key focus when dealing with the ball. The five drills are known as Figure 8, Figure 8 with dribble, Flip Flop, Front Back Bounce, and Front Back Catch.
Every one of the players participated in the Living By Numbers ballhandling skills putting forth a great effort, and straining to beat the records hanging on the wall. Although nobody beat any records today, it was tremendous to see each player working their hardest under the pressure from teammates, and the clock. Each player was able to receive their own personal best record and that is exactly what coaches are looking for. The hard work and determination that players showed today is exactly what we are looking for in all Elite Hoops players, it is also what coaches in the future will be looking for. If the players can keep up with this hard work then they stand a good chance of making whatever team they try out for in the Fall.

Day 1 was a fantastic day for over 100 campers at the Nike Elite Skills Basketball Camp at CPA in Nashville, TN. Here are some photos from station work on Day 1.

Today was the first day of the Nike/Elite Hoops Coed Elite Basketball Camp at Greater Atlanta Christian. With a total of 54 campers signed up for the week to build upon their knowledge of basketball. Boys and girls are intermixed into groups based on age and skill level. Campers flew through stations this morning, and were taught by Camp Director, Lee Miller, to "never mistake activity for achievement." The coaches want to see if each camper can push themselves and try their very best every minute at every task. It was explained to them that though you are physically moving and performing an act it doesn't necessarily mean that you are getting any better, or reaching achievement status yet. By the end of stations, most of the campers were able to achieve the drill in front of them. Stations included drills from perimeter moves to team defense. Two fundamental skills that coaches emphasized greatly on today were ballhandling and proper layup form. Every camper has promised to become one percent better each day.
In the Ballhandling Station, players were taught stationary drills specifically to help them gain a comfortable feel for the basketball. Ballhandling is a fundamental skill in the game that cannot be overlooked early on.
In the Shooting Station, coaches went over the proper layup form known as the "Mikan Drill." This drill is an easy layup drill that focuses on technique and form. Players were to make sure to have their
"right hand, right knee in the air," when performing a right handed layup and the make to have their "left hand, left knee in the air," when performing their left handed layup. While beginner players are told to work on form more then speed normally, this camp has older, more elite players ranging from ages 12 to 16, making speed a priority to most of the players. This encourages them to develop quicker foot work in between layups.
We have a tremendous staff this week with college players and well known high school coaches from Atlanta. Coaches see high skill in this group and look forward to a successful week.

The Nike Elite Skills Girls Camp in Nashville concluded yesterday at CPA. It was a fantastic week as there were numerous records broken, girls that were pushed to get better, and ton of fun had by all those involved. Championship Friday ended the week as the following girls were honored for their performances:

Mikan
Claire Wilson-HS
Mary Caroline Hayles- College
Savannah LeGate- WNBA (RECORD-17)

Figure 8
Sarah Davis- HS
Chloe Moore- College
Nayia Holmes- WNBA (RECORD-29)

Cone Layups
Ava Maddux-HS
Micah Skinner, Emma Maddux- College
Jayna Ferrell- WNBA (Record- 9)

Hot Shot
Claire Wilson- HS
Emily Allen- College
Savannah LeGate- WNBA

Coaches Awards
Charitee Groves- HS
Cate Goodrum- College
Grace Dishman- WNBA

Most Outstanding Players
Claire Wilson- HS
Mary Caroline Hayles- College
Jayda Dunn- WNBA

We look forward to returning next year to the campus of CPA in Nashville for another sold-out girls camp. On behalf of all of us at Nike Elite Hoops Basketball, thank you to all the campers, parents, and coaches that were involved in making this a special week!

Championship Friday was exciting for campers and full of basketball! Players started their morning of with 5 of their 10 stations, where they reviewed what they had been taught all week long. After stations, championship activities began! Players competed in their Living By Number Championships. Below is a list of the drills that players competed in and the champions in each division:

Some people believe you can go in the gym, work on the same shots over and over, and come out a better shooter…WRONG. You become a better player when you challenge yourself to become better than you already are. You shouldn’t be content when your athletic ability hits a plateau. Sure it occurs naturally, but well-rounded athletes should expect a climbing slope throughout the years that they play. The way to continue on this slope of success is to train yourself harder and stronger each and every time you hit the court, the weights, or the track.


Day 4’s quote was “don’t train at the level you’re at, train at the level you want to be.” Every coach here at NIKE/Elite Hoops Basketball Camp sees a unique potential in every player that walks through our doors. But we also see what it takes for those players to reach that potential: the willingness to exert hours of blood, sweat, and tears- nothing less. Signs of improvement occur when players test their body’s ability to elevate its level of play, endurance, speed, and decision making on a higher level than they are on.

Our basic “block-out” drill gives our campers opportunities to defensive maneuver themselves around guys bigger than themselves. In this drill, 2 players are set up under the basket. A coach throws up a shot, hoping to miss in order to give the players a chance to rebound. The players then use their legs and body to place themselves closer to the basket, with their opponent behind them. When choosing a partner, the players should automatically choose someone bigger and better than them for an ultimate challenge. This will demand more from their body’s ability, essentially training them on a higher level. This quote can take on a business-like perspective. When applying for a job, a person “shouldn’t dress for the job he/she has, but instead, dress for the job he/she wants.” Understanding the underlying meaning to today’s quote will help players in all area of life, not just on the basketball court.

We had a great day on Wednesday at the Nike Elite Skills Girls Camp. Numerous records were broken. Check out this video of some special performances in the individual improvement time.