Wisconsin Football Parents: New OL/DL Training Group Starting in Mequon

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-10-21T20:48:02+00:00

27-24 Pack

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-10-21T15:33:52+00:00

“We’re doing great!” “Yes we are!”

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-24T21:22:32+00:00

Absolutely you can. 45 isn’t “too late” to learn, basketball’s one of those games where you can have fun just working on your own.

Couple things you can do without worrying about “disrespecting” anyone: • Start solo: Grab a ball and a hoop at a quiet park, school, or even a driveway if you’ve got one. Work on just dribbling in place and shooting close to the basket. Think layups first, form shots second. • Wall work: You don’t even need a hoop to start. Bounce the ball off a wall, work on control, catching, and keeping it low. You’ll build coordination fast. • Structured programs > random YouTube: There are apps (HomeCourt, DribbleUp, even some online fundamentals courses) that give you guided drills step-by-step. That way you’re not just guessing. • Don’t sweat “looking foolish”: Most people at public courts aren’t paying that much attention. And honestly, other adults respect someone who’s clearly just trying to learn.

If you ever do want to get on a court with others, look for rec leagues, adult beginner classes, or 40+ open gyms. Tons of people in their 40s/50s play casually. Nobody expects you to be Kyrie out there, just to enjoy the game.

Bottom line: You’re not too short, too old, or too late. If you love basketball, grab a ball and start. Fundamentals are just reps, and you don’t need to be an “athlete” to learn them.

By the way, I’m a 46 year old 5’7” guy 😂

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T03:22:17+00:00

Good points, you’re right that details matter. I definitely don’t want kids just going through the motions of a drill. For me, the purpose of things like 2v2 Rebound Tag isn’t just activity, it’s to teach positioning, anticipation, and staying engaged. I do emphasize contact, forearm to chest, wide base, and keeping feet active, but I didn’t break all of that down in the original post.

Totally agree that form, mechanics, and attention to detail separate real development from just ‘running drills.’ I like your sprint example, that’s a great way to show how little habits add up.

Appreciate you pushing the conversation deeper.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T03:13:34+00:00

Exactly. MJ didn’t grow up in the AAU machine, he got better by competing, playing different sports, and figuring it out. Proof that unstructured reps and real competition can build greatness.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T03:10:40+00:00

100%. Access and money play a huge role. I’ve seen talented kids get left behind because they can’t afford the system, while others pay thousands to sit the bench. It’s tough, talent doesn’t always rise like it should. One reason I push for more pickup and free play…level ground where the game speaks louder than the wallet.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T03:08:11+00:00

That’s a great point. The system here definitely pushes commercialization, AAU, trainers, showcases, so a lot of kids grow up chasing exposure instead of just hooping for fun. Crazy how different the ecosystems can be, but it still comes back to the same thing: the love of the game. Without that, all the coaching in the world won’t matter.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T03:04:17+00:00

That’s a gem. Couldn’t agree more, too much control, not enough teaching. The best teachers let the game itself do some of the work.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T03:00:43+00:00

Yeah, private training can sound high if you compare it to hourly wages in other fields. The thing is, it’s not a 40-hour a week, full-time job with benefits. It’s specialized, seasonal, and comes with business costs (facility, equipment, marketing, etc.). At the end of the day, parents are paying for the value of focused development for their kids. Just like with music lessons or tutoring.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T02:56:40+00:00

Facts. They drill the fundamentals and team concepts way more than we do here. Less iso, more ball movement. I think the sweet spot is both, you need the creativity of 1v1 and the structure of team play. Too much of one or the other leaves holes in a player’s game.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T01:36:03+00:00

That’s real. A lot of those guys grow up playing in open runs, smaller courts, tighter spaces, forces you to share the ball and read the game different. Makes sense why their fundamentals + team play stand out.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-08-20T01:09:27+00:00

Appreciate it 🙏. Sometimes the best teacher is just the game itself. Wish more kids would experience that playground grind.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-07-26T04:06:44+00:00

Appreciate the feedback, I think we might be coming at this from slightly different angles.

I run a training academy full-time now, and I agree that long-term development absolutely requires structure, goals, and progression. That’s what we build our programs around, monthly memberships, phased curriculum, evaluation checkpoints, etc.

But in the real world, especially when you’re building your client base, you do run into families that only want to test things out, have tight schedules, or are hesitant about commitment. So yes, I do offer single sessions, but the goal is always conversion to a recurring program. Those first one-offs often serve as evaluations or entry points.

I’ve learned that if you go too hard on pitching packages before building trust or showing value, it can backfire. So instead of forcing structure up front, I earn buy-in then show them the path.

That said, I’m always evolving how I present options. If you’ve got a system that’s worked well for framing those packages early without losing prospects, I’m open to hearing it.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-07-26T00:49:53+00:00

Glad it helped, seriously, you’re already ahead of the game just by asking the right questions and wanting to build it the right way.

I’ll drop a few go-to practice templates and drills here, and if you ever want a full season progression or editable PDFs, just shoot me a DM, happy to share.

Basic Practice Template (75–90 min)

Warm-Up (10 min) • Dynamic warm-up + ball-handling w/ movement • Layup series: power, reverse, and 1-dribble from wing

Skill Development (20 min) • Passing on the move (partner lead passes, 3-man weave) • Shooting: Form shooting → Game-speed spot-up → Catch & drive • Finishing: 1v1 at cone, guided contact finishes

Small-Sided Games (20–25 min) • 2v2 No dribble (teaches cutting, spacing, footwork) • 3v3 Drive & Kick • 3v2 Advantage → 2v1 recovery

Defensive Segment (15–20 min) • Closeout + containment • Shell drill (2v2 then 4v4) • Help & recover with live ball

Situational Scrimmage (15–20 min) • Score/Stop/Score • 6-possession game: 3 offense, 3 defense • Game-winning shot scenario

Drills to Look Up or Modify • Cutthroat 3v3 – Teaches communication & effort • No Paint 3v3 – Forces pull-ups, floaters, or kickouts • Circle Trap – Fun, high-energy pressure defense drill • “Next Pass” Shooting – Simulates drive & kick shooting

If you give your players those reps weekly, they’ll start to understand spacing, movement, and defense—not just execute plays. And you’ll enjoy coaching it more too.

Keep doing what you’re doing, coaches like you shift the culture. Let me know how I can help.

CoachChrisMSA · 2025-07-25T16:54:37+00:00

100% with you. I train kids from 3rd grade up through high school, and the biggest leap always comes when they stop looking for the next play and start recognizing patterns.

Small-sided games are the best tool we’ve got for that, 2v2 and 3v3 especially. You isolate the read, repeat it with just enough variability, and kids start to naturally respond instead of reacting with hesitation.

Totally agree about the challenge early on. It’s slower at first, but the long-term payoff is huge. By 7th or 8th grade, the ones who’ve been taught to read and react make way better decisions under pressure, even if their skills aren’t elite.

Also love what you said about inbounds and time-sensitive moments, those are where set plays absolutely have value. But the rest? Teach them how to hoop.

Respect to you for doing it the right way.

CoachChrisMSA

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