The AAU season is a marathon, not a sprint. To ensure your BALLER hits the court running, it's crucial to start prepping them well in advance. Here's what we did with my sons in the 6 months leading up to this 2024 AAU season:
Tools we found and used:
PRSVR Weighted Basketball: This Weighted Basketball is a true three pound Weight Ball and ships within 24 hours. Get a strength workout in while they dribble and shoot - increasing their finger and core strength.
TruHeight Vitamins: Use our link to for online incentives, and to be sure you get the proper items for your growing Athlete. We have honestly seen our boys grow inches within a couple months - could've been a simultaneous growth spurt or could've been the vitamins.
PRSVR Game Ball: Tired of carrying around both an indoor and an outdoor ball? I was too. The PRSVR Game Ball is rubber filled instead of foam-filled, so you get the durability you need and it stays looking nice.
Get BOTH the Weighted Ball and The Game Ball with bundle pricing when you get a BALLER PACK!
D SLIDE: We were constantly talking about the baller stance, but it was hard for me to demonstrate all the moves and maintain correct form myself, so it was confusing for B. The D Slide forces athletes to keep their feet wide.
AGILITY LADDER: The agility ladder is an upgrade from drawing squares on the floor - especially when you start hitting the road. It really helped him develop "fast feet" and increased his ability to stop and start with ease.
Training Videos We Used:
YO BALLERZ IOS
YO BALLERZ ANDROID
YO BALLERZ YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Exercises and Drills You Can Do:
Building Ball Handling:
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Weighted Ball Workout: If your athlete isn't yet at a weight lifting point in their journey, gaining strength is tough for those under 12U. What really worked for us was Weighted Basketball workouts. Dribbling with a heavier ball strengthens hand and forearm muscles, making it easier to control a regulation ball later. Using the Weighted Basketball builds the muscles that are used when playing basketball, so it's important that drills are done correctly and competitively once you have mastered the drill.
- Drill Time: Reps Make It REAL!! We incorporated various ball handling drills like crossovers, between-the-legs dribbles, behind-the-back moves, and in-and-out drills. There are tons of free resources online for these drills – you can even find them on our own channel via YouTube: YO BALLERZ Youtube. The goal is to challenge your athlete with added reps, and then timed reps to ensure that the moves are being made correctly and efficiently at faster speeds as you train.
Footwork Fundamentals:
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Ladder Drills: Agility is key! We used a speed ladder 2-3 times a week to improve his footwork. Ladder drills help with quick changes of direction, essential for beating defenders and getting open for shots.
- Running Drills: Footwork extends beyond agility. We incorporated drills that involved dribbling while jogging forward, backward, and side-to-side. This improves his overall dribbling control and footwork coordination.
Building Stamina:
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Running: Strong legs translate to strong drives and hustle on the court. We gradually increased his running distance and incorporated interval training to build both endurance and speed.
- Conditioning Drills: We found fun conditioning drills online that involved jumping jacks, high knees, and mountain climbers – all great for building overall stamina.
Remember:
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Make it Fun: Keep the training sessions engaging! Incorporate games and friendly competition into the drills to keep him motivated.
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Listen to their Body: Don't push him too hard, especially in the beginning. Take rest days and pay attention to any signs of fatigue or soreness.
- Focus on Fundamentals: Solid fundamentals are the foundation of a good basketball player. Prioritize mastering basic skills like shooting, dribbling, and passing before diving into advanced moves.
PRO Tip: We also watched instructional videos by pro players and coaches to help him visualize proper technique and game strategies.
By incorporating these drills into your athlete's routine, you can ensure they're confident and prepared to compete in the upcoming AAU season. Consistency is key. Even short, focused practice sessions several times a week will yield better results than sporadic long sessions.
STAY UP BALLERZ!!