There’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to development. Both private and group training have a place! But you need to be sure you use them the right way... Private Training – Benefits 1. Fully personalized feedback 2. Faster correction of bad habits. More explicit teaching methods to correct poor shot mechanics, improve dribble timing/movement, etc. 3. Can be a confidence boost (reps + attention) Private Training – Drawbacks 1. Higher cost (Can be 3-6x the price of a group session) 2. Less game-like decision making. If the private lesson is just a player and a coach, the bulk of the work will be on-air, or 1 on 0. This can be very beneficial - but again, only if used properly. 3. Can create dependency if overused. Some players nowadays only train by themselves when they are with their trainer. It's important for players to still find time to get in the gym by themselves, play pickup with friends, etc. Group Training – Benefits 1. Game-speed reps & real reads. You simply cannot replicate in-game scenarios and live reads in private training 2. Competition + accountability. Playing against bigger, stronger, and better players is one of the best ways to improve. 3. Learning from others’ mistakes. Oberservation learning is one of the best ways to get better, faster! 4. Builds toughness & communication. Builds these intangibles - that private training cannot replicate. Group Training – Drawbacks 1. Less individual attention. Harder to fix shot mechanics or specific technical skills. 2. Easier to hide or coast. If a player is more shy, they may not be assertive enough to get many reps. 3. Not always tailored to your role. More general skill development, not catered to the individual specifically Real talk: The best development plan usually includes both. Private training to sharpen the toolbox, group training to test it under pressure. I like to start with group training in order to "diagnose" what the player needs and then go back to private training to fix/work on it.

Basketball Concept: DOMINOES Great offense isn’t about forcing shots, it's about knocking over the first domino and letting the rest fall. Dominoes = advantage → reaction → next advantage What This Looks Like in Games: - Beat your defender ➜ help steps up ➜ kick-out ➜ extra pass ➜ open 3 - Paint touch ➜ defense collapses ➜ drop-off or spray-out - Post touch ➜ double team ➜ skip pass ➜ closeout attack - Hard cut ➜ tag defender ➜ lob or dunk One good action creates the next one. Coaching Cue for your next workout: “Don’t try to score. Look to knock over the first domino.” How to Apply / get players to do this implicitly in your workouts - Paint-touch rule: No shot until the ball touches the paint - 0.5 second decision rule: Shoot, pass, or drive immediately - Advantage SSG drills: 2v1, 3v2, short-clock situations (7 second fastbreak drill) Takeaway The best players don’t hunt shots.They hunt reactions paint touches and advantages to initiate dominoes. Question for you: What’s your go-to first domino? Drive, cut, post touch, or ball screen? Drop it in the comments.