Fine Tuning the Fundamentals

Yesterday, I trained Drew Crawford, Naperville Central standout, 2008-09 Player of the Year in Du Page County and future Northwestern University student-athlete. Drew has played off at the Bulls Academy one season each year since he was a 6th grader and has developed into an excellent basketball player. Drew understands that in order to play basketball and be a contributor at the collegiate level he has to continue to fine tune his fundamentals. The ability to make simple plays and execute consistently makes a major difference in having individual and team success at the collegiate level.A player of Drew's caliber has accomplished a great deal in basketball and has mastered the basic skills. It is not necessary to re-teach the basics but to adjust certain things and focus on the small ones.

For instance, when a player catch the ball on the wing, make sure they look at the basket in triple threat and read the defender before making a decision to pass, shoot or dribble. It is not necessary for the offensive player to make a decision in hurry. Be patient. This gives the offense player an enormous advantage over the defender. The defender is at the offense player's mercy they cannot determine what the offense player is going to do.

When an offense player is shooting on the perimeter, it is important for them to focus on their footwork. Making baskets and gaining advantages on your defender can come down to footwork and the ability to create space. It also gives a player the opportunity to attack the gaps to the lane and the basket.

Practicing the proper footwork is essential for a player to gain an advantage to pass, dribble or shoot as well. At the college level, all players are quick and strong so the opportunity to get open shots are rare. You can create offense opportunities by having good footwork.

Remember, work on your game daily. If you are not, someone else who is gains on you!

Yours in Basketball,


Coach Stewart

Fine tuning the fundamentals

Off-season workouts for young basketball players

It is important that young basketball players implement an off-season workout to compliment whatever other basketball activity they participate in. If its AAU, club or travel basketball, a player needs to focus on the individual weaknesses they need to strengthen for next basketball season in their respective school. The player that works daily to strengthen their weaknesses will get better and more confident overall.

Players should spend time daily working on their individual skills. Their is not an average time that should a player should spend but it should be quality time. It is important to maximize your time and work at game speed on all of your drills. Ball handling, shooting, footwork, etc. should all be executed at the highest level possible. Do not be concerned with making mistakes, practice makes perfect.

Do something basketball related daily.

Yours in Basketball,

Coach Stewart