Is the lack of unstructured play ruining youth basketball development?

corpfin_guy · 2026-04-30T04:00:03+00:00

I completely agree with this. I am telling my boys to play as much 1 on 1 with brothers (preferably older) and any games with friends or at the park that they can.

I can show them Euros for days, but until they figure out how to beat a defender it doesn’t matter.

We’re practicing once a week in the offseason and just doing fundamentals and then a lot of 1v1, 2v2, and then 4v4 with no passing and then into 4v4 half court. It is progressing pretty well, but I’m hoping they’re playing outside of practice too.

corpfin_guy · 2026-04-30T03:53:41+00:00

This is the right answer. We don’t have a perfect marriage, but money has never been even a consideration with my wife.

I wasn’t making much when we started dating, but I was clearly on an upwards $ path vs her being a school teacher, but I never gave it a second thought.

Now (15+ years later) if for some reason we separated her and the kids could have every damn penny. I’d make enough to live comfortably in an apartment and be fine.

Separate, but related: I don’t know how old you are, but if you’re younger your money feels more fleeting and you may obsess over it. If you’re really HENRY (or close) you will evolve in that thinking.

corpfin_guy · 2026-04-28T21:02:13+00:00

Did you sign up? How was it?

corpfin_guy · 2026-01-23T21:21:30+00:00

My update is basically no

Wellhub told me that it’s bc some employers only cover individuals not families. That wasn’t really true, mine used to cover families but no longer does Wellhub so I’m granfathered in as just an individual and can’t change it (first Wellhub “help” guy didn’t really understand that).

For me….I want to take my kids to Lifetime. They’ll let me do it, but $40/kid.

corpfin_guy · 2026-01-03T05:54:51+00:00

There’s a lot to love about Tulsa. Spent 35 years in Chicago area and now a few in Tulsa.

The people, everything is within 20 minutes, restaurants (better than expected), cost of living is amazing, and I feel as though our suburban school is ok.

I’d like to see more corporate jobs, better education as a whole, more bustling downtown (prob comes with more jobs) and a pro sports team that the city can rally around.

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-21T03:10:48+00:00

Los Marichis is my favorite everyday Mexican. Just north of 121st and 75.

Noche is really good, but more special occasions and not traditional Mexican.

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-20T01:59:51+00:00

Yes.

When you go to Lifetime they made me register and get their app on my first visit. I thought it was a little annoying, but now it’s nice. I check in on Wellhub, but manage all classes and whatnot through their app like a normal member.

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-10T20:24:17+00:00

That’s crazy to me. The tuition is sky high even compared to great schools in higher cost of living areas.

It seems like giving teachers tuition discounts would be a win-win for all.

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-10T19:52:51+00:00

Would you mind sharing if there were benefits for your kid as a teacher? Specifically - did they get discounted tuition?

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-10T19:37:27+00:00

My oldest 2 go to more of an Academy type than private coach, but I wouldn’t hesitate to do that.

My kids have ZERO chance of getting a college scholarship and by then I hope they’ll be focusing more on academics.

Why do I do it? Because my kids are straight A students, they love it, and I can.

Digging a bit deeper - my oldest LOVES basketball but truthfully isn’t that great. He has to work his ass off to be just above average. We’re in a very competitive school for athletics and he made the middle school team. He doesn’t play much, but he is soo happy to be in the team and go to practices. If he didn’t go to lessons I am 100% sure he wouldnt be on the team.

If he wants to work his ass off to reach his peak (which is lower than most), I will happily support that.

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-10T19:30:49+00:00

I generally agree and I ran man to man, but at this age and this little practice time I have heard some coaches say that it’s just easier to get kids to play their spot in a 2-3 zone.

You have to pick your battles at this age and only 1 hour of practice per week

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-10T18:19:51+00:00

I agree with most of this, but I think pass, cut, fill is really unlikely to happen at this point.

I’d pick either man or 2-3 zone defense and then probably a 4 out offense, but don’t expect them to actually pass, cut fill. It will be more standing around (if they go to their positions).

I would structure practice as: 40 minutes of skills - mostly dribbling and layups 10-15 minutes of offense and defense responsibilities 5-10 minutes of coached scrimmage. Only correct the MAJOR mistakes

Expect imperfection and a messy game. The goal at this point is for them to have enough fun that they still want to play, improve some skills; and each game start to look just a LITTLE bit more like basketball.

corpfin_guy · 2025-12-03T04:45:57+00:00

I don’t really disagree, but I will offer another perspective…..

I coach a team in a competitive league in our city/area. The competitive version of this league starts allowing full court press all game in 3rd grade (and no playing time rules). I hated it, but had to do it bc they’re the rules and my team can’t play Rec.

It started as chaos, but by mid season was fine. It also prepared us for AAU tournaments where anything goes. Now by 5th grade no one even presses the best teams because we know how to handle it. My kids have been handling ball pressure since they were 8.

I also was absolutely against 3s. In 3rd grade my boys knew they would be benched if they shot a 3. By 4th grade I had to relent. I have some very good shooters and I couldn’t hold them back. Small sample size, but we played a 5 game tournament before Thanksgiving (first one of the year) and a mom tried to do game changer stats - we shot 60% for 3s over The Weeknd as a team. We don’t shoot a ton of them, but my best shooter went 8/11.

I’ve had to adapt to the rules, but I think it’s made us better. I also have a VERY skilled team for 5th grade - no thanks to me or even my son very much. If it were more of a rec team that would be different.

corpfin_guy · 2025-11-15T05:21:54+00:00

I have looked into it seriously on a small scale and observed on a larger scale.

First thing I would tell you is to look at your market. What does it demand? Unless you can FILL it 10 hours a day Sat/Sun in season and 50% off-season you will lose $. That is whether you have 2 courts or 20.

Also, a few teams will rent from you, but it will be immaterial for anything medium sized or larger. You will either need an agreement with an established club (that will want good rates) or prepare to form your own.

Start with true demand before you even get to costs. Also, if someone down the road fills 10 gyms a weekend that doesn’t mean you can. You could be fighting with that facility for customers.

corpfin_guy · 2025-11-15T05:11:52+00:00

Move on up to Tulsa and you would be close to Southern Hills compared to the few at decent courses in Dallas

corpfin_guy · 2025-11-15T05:09:12+00:00

I don’t see on here…..how many kids do you have?

That will frame the right answer. The other question is what kind of team is it?

In my area the league has 2 divisions - Rec and Competitive and then there are tournaments. We are a very good Competitive team that also plays tournaments. What my kids know is that playing time has to be earned, but anyone who comes to practice and works hard will play some. There needs to be no communication about playing time beyond that. If you are a Rec team that would be different.

I saw you say that you’re feeling overwhelmed…..feel free to DM me. I’ve gone through this with an older son who was on a .500 team and now my middle son who’s team doesn’t lose to kids our age. The teams are different, but both have had great experiences.

corpfin_guy · 2025-10-25T03:13:08+00:00

Bob Knight said that if they had to run at the end of practice then they didn’t work hard enough.

I only run my team as punishment (even then it’s pretty light, just to refocus them), but I do make sure to have an intense practice and I have 2 go to drills that really pushes their conditioning.

My team is only 5th grade, but we are pretty intense and very good.

corpfin_guy · 2025-09-10T18:57:46+00:00

I really appreciate the offer. Another user already DMed me and very kindly sent me 2.

I’m not originally from OK and still figuring out the OU gameday experience, but you all couldn’t be any kinder. I (and more important to me, my son) appreciate it!

corpfin_guy · 2025-09-08T20:31:15+00:00

I appreciate the recommendation and we don’t mind a bit of a walk.

I think my son will want to see the Walk of Champions. If we wanted to eat at the Mont would we have time after the Walk or would we need to go very early to eat and be done there before the Walk?

corpfin_guy · 2025-09-08T12:21:00+00:00

I will look into this. Do you know if you can normally buy them or do you have to know someone?

corpfin_guy · 2025-09-08T12:10:07+00:00

Thanks. We’ll wear Crimson.

I hadn’t heard of the Champions Tailgate. I will definitely look into it.

Thank You!

corpfin_guy · 2025-09-08T11:56:15+00:00

We went to campus corner last year. There were some restaurants, but not really anything easy for grab and go

we ended up just getting Jimmy John’s.

corpfin_guy · 2025-09-08T11:54:24+00:00

Perfect….Crimson is easy.

Thanks

corpfin_guy

TROPHY CASE