Basketball Weekends In The Gym

Basketball Weekends

For many basketball parents, spending time in the gym on the weekends can be exhausting, frustrating and expensive. The family is tired and the last thing you want to hear is another bouncing basketball. You’ve just won your first game at 9am and there is 5 hours to kill until the second tip. What to do now? Where is the team going to eat? How are you going to occupy the family for the time in between? Yes, there is plenty to moan and groan about when you’re in the gym all weekend. But after spending time at a major tournament this past weekend, I’ll tell you why it’s a great experience for your athlete, your family and you as a parent.

Locked In! was taking in all of the vibes this weekend at Mohegan Sun for the Vertical Hoops Fall Championships. We had a great setup, ran a few podcasts (this one is out now), and gave away four sets of UConn Men’s and Women’s basketball tickets to new subscribers to the newsletter. Winners are posted at the end! All in all, it was a great experience to see so many young hoopers, coaches, and referee’s out there doing what they love.

As always, please subscribe and share to spread the good word of the basketball landscape. We appreciate you taking to time to read and listen to what we have to say. We love feedback so use our email to send us new topics and anything else you want to hear!

—Nick DeFeo

For you listeners, Locked In! Podcast & YouTube Channel

Five Words to Describe AAU Weekends:

1. Competitive: Watching young basketball players get out on the court and compete with such passion is so great to see. Competition is one of the main reasons why we are playing in the first place. With over 160 teams in the building this weekend, there was no shortage of comp. From the 4th grade all the way up to the high school level, each team left their heart out there for the chance to bring home a ring! Learning how to compete is a valuable lesson we can teach our young athletes in this setting. Teams from New York are playing teams from Maine. New Jersey v. Connecticut. With these kids being able to see different athletes that they wouldn’t normally see in their Winter season, they develop a level of respect for how far they are traveling and how hard they are playing. This is a lesson for the parents as well. Each kid is out there pushing themselves to the max just for a chance to compete and win. No, we don’t always come out on top. But the next time you’re watching your son or daughter compete, just remind yourselves that it’s a privilege for them to be out there doing what they love.

2. Energy: There was certainly no shortage of energy in the gym this weekend! On the first day of the tournament, the doors did not open until 7:30am. At 7:15am, there was a line approximately 125 players, coaches and parents deep ready for that first tip at 8am. With coffee in hand and AirPods cranking their favorite song, the chatter was extensive and getting louder by the minute. Once the games began the energy snowballed into something greater. Players diving on the floor, “defense” chants reigning from the bench and coaches giving their best encouragement from the sidelines. Even numerous buzzer beaters occurred within the first few games of the weekend. Basketball is a sport that needs energy. It thrives off of the cheers, the ball movement, the swish through the net. It’s an atmosphere that only basketball can produce!

3. Chaos: We’ve covered a few easy ones in competition and energy but now to the chaos! There were people…everywhere. A convention center turned into twelve!! basketball courts. Chairs for teams, coaches and fans. Open areas for family members to run around. The line at the concession stand at least 15-20 deep. The noise of sweatshirts and sweatpants being pressed with logo’s. Of course the whistles of referee’s making calls from all twelve of the courts. With a tournament weekend like this, some amount of chaos is to be expected. By putting these players in an environment like this, it allows them to understand what it’s like to play under pressure. Exactly what is needed to win a big game especially on the road. It teaches composure, communication and other skills that are vital to their development as basketball players. The chaos brings a lot with it but watching these players handle it was even more impressive.

4. Teamwork: BOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!! A common chant shouted in a deep voice from the benches when their teammates hit a big three pointer. Many times over the course of the weekend we noticed players laughing with each other while warming up for games and counting how many shots they can make in a row. Teamwork is defined as combined action from a group of people, especially when effective and efficient. Two words every coach wants to hear! Basketball can sometimes be described as a selfish sport because one player can dominate the ball. Often times this weekend, coaches were yelling at their team to get them to pass even more. And once they did, it was a sight to see. Parents cheering wildly once the ball went through the basket and high fives all around for the players. Teamwork is a loose term that is often used in sports but unfortunately not taught well. Our best examples come through experience and that is when we are taught that teamwork is the way to go. Two is more than one. We is greater than me!

5. Fun: Last but not least, this weekend was FUN! All of the smiles, laughs, late nights and early mornings. Every parent, player and coach were out on the court having fun. At the end of the weekend, this is all we can ask and once again another valuable lesson for all to learn. No matter what we are going through, we have an outlet that provides genuine happiness. A sport that cultivates friendships, rivalries, and great battles among teams from near and far. Basketball is a beautiful game when played the right way and the Fall Championships at Mohegan Sun was a great example of that. We look forward to being at other tournaments throughout the country to see what else is going on in the world of youth hoops!

Training Tips: Mid-Range Progression

UConn Basketball Ticket Winners!

Thank you to all who subscribed to the newsletter and came over to chat about what we’re doing! We appreciate the support and are extremely happy to have you reading and listening along. The four winners of our giveaway are listed below. If you are a winner of the UConn Basketball tickets, please email us at [email protected].

• Evan Reindl

• Elizabeth Phillips

• Coach J Lloyd

• Kristin Johnson

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