We are running Holiday Basketball Camp on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am-12pm of this week in La Grange, Lisle and Schaumburg. It is great to see children in the gym working on their games versus sitting around playing video games. This is the time that players become better players as well.

In our Holiday Camps, we stress the basic basketball fundamentals: ball handling, passing, footwork, defense and overall basketball knowledge. We combine them with different Skills Competitions, 3 on 3, 4 on 4 and 5 on 5 half court basketball games. The age groups are 6-14 years of age for the camps.

In my observations, many of these participants have a tough time focusing during the camp instruction. As a youngster, I was taught to focus at home. My parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts made me listen and I did not have a choice! It was the best thing they could have done for me because it transitioned into school and athletics. The ability to listen is the most important ingredient for success as a young athlete.

Listening, hard work, respect for coaches, peers and yourself are the keys to success on the basketball court. Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you on the court!