I’ve been incorporating a weighted basketball into some of our ball-handling work lately, and I’ve honestly seen some solid results. The players seem to be developing stronger control, especially when it comes to keeping the dribble tight under pressure. When they switch back to a regular ball, you can tell the difference—it looks quicker, cleaner, and more confident. We’re not overusing it, just mixing it in with our normal drills, but it’s been a good addition so far. It’s helped emphasize staying low, controlling the ball, and being intentional with each dribble. I’m always looking to keep improving what we do, so I’m curious—has anyone else used a weighted ball in their training? If so, what kind of results have you seen? And are there any other drills or tools that have really helped improve your players’ ball-handling and overall performance?

Do we define success too early in basketball by wins and losses, or is that exactly how kids learn how to compete?

What actually is the “best team” for a young athlete? I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, because I see so many families (and players) chasing the biggest name, the most wins, or the “elite” label… but still not getting the development they expected. In my opinion, the best fit isn’t about reputation—it’s about growth fit. For me it comes down to a few things: • Development over outcome – Is the player actually being taught, corrected, and developed… or just playing games? • Real opportunity – Not just being on a stacked roster, but actually being in situations where a player can grow, make mistakes, and learn through reps. • Coaching style match – Some kids need structure and accountability, others need confidence and teaching. The wrong environment can slow a player down even if it looks “elite” from the outside. • Long-term growth path – Where will this player be in 1–2 years if they stay in this system? Too often we ask “What’s the best team?” instead of “What’s the best environment for THIS athlete right now?” I’ve seen players take huge jumps in “smaller” programs because they were actually developed… and others plateau in big-name programs because they never really got to expand their game. Curious what others think: What’s one thing YOU look for when deciding if a program is the right fit for a young athlete?

What should be the focus for offseason? Work on their weaknesses or strengthening their strengths?

if the ball is rolling on the floor after you lose your dribble and you pound it back up(one hand) is that illegal?