CBS Sports - Matt Norlander

he is 100% correct.
Kids don't practice fundamentals... they just play games. Lots of games.

I have a son playing HS baseball at one of the best HS programs in the area and then summer ball for a premier regional travel team. He literally will practice the month of February and then not practice again until the following February. Oh, they work out in the off season and throw and hit, but there are no "team" practices after February. Its absolutely crazy. As an 8th grader, his 14YO showcase team did not have a single team practice from March to July. Oh, they went to Perfect Game and they went to countless showcase events, but they did not practice as a team. Its sad really because the kids do not grow up learning how to play the game. They just master the individual fundamentals.

Seems reasonable for baseball.

It's an individual game.

(12-14-2016 11:15 AM)AlonsoWDC Wrote:  Seems reasonable for baseball.

It's an individual game.

Hardly

So funny. Those same kids who "don't practice fundamentals" are many of the same kids who go on to play in an NBA that is at a higher skill level than at any time in history. SMH. College basketball is bad because of the best amateur players go pro as soon as possible....as they should. College basketball is left with great Freshmen who are still learning the game and 2nd tier and lower players who just aren't as good.

Those great Freshmen used to be transitioned into college basketball behind more experienced upperclassmen who were of a similar skill/athletic level. Now, those upperclassmen of similar quality don't exist. They are pros and the gifted freshmen are leading teams before they are probably ready.

https://theringer.com/college-basketball....d6u63ehao

It's true there is less time in team practice and less time on team fundamentals. As a former coach and parent, there is no doubt about that. However, there is more individual instruction through instructor sessions and one-on-one. And I agree they play many more games with little practice. The offset to this is that they are playing so many more games. I played 2-3 sports all the time. I moved from one to the other every offseason. They typically don't do that today. My son was playing 4 early on, then dropped 3 his freshman year to focus on one. He did it year round. So less fundamental work, but more game scenarios. Some things will suffer and some will improve.

early specialization is bad too. We have coaches at our local soccer club telling 10 year olds to stop playing basketball or lacrosse or risk being moved down a team.

(12-14-2016 02:08 PM)Tiger87 Wrote:  It's true there is less time in team practice and less time on team fundamentals. As a former coach and parent, there is no doubt about that. However, there is more individual instruction through instructor sessions and one-on-one. And I agree they play many more games with little practice. The offset to this is that they are playing so many more games. I played 2-3 sports all the time. I moved from one to the other every offseason. They typically don't do that today. My son was playing 4 early on, then dropped 3 his freshman year to focus on one. He did it year round. So less fundamental work, but more game scenarios. Some things will suffer and some will improve.

Mechanically, my son is light years ahead of where I was at his age, but he does not have the feel for the game; and its not just him.... its his whole team.

Nature + Nurture.

Known as AAU balling

(12-14-2016 03:23 PM)holyterror Wrote:  Nature + Nurture.

Every time I see your sig, I think of this. Good stuff.

Sport has problems when it can't attract beyond its core fans. College basketball has that problem. Outside of lower seeded teams knocking off big names in the NCAA tourny its not a compelling sport for those that are not hard core fans. There are rarely any household names playing because of the turnover players. When your lead in on most CBB news last year was the Monmouth bench celebrations, I mean really? I'm very much a casual fan, I just can't find reasons to watch. The games themselves are pain full to watch.

(12-15-2016 08:46 PM)dcg141 Wrote:  Sport has problems when it can't attract beyond its core fans. College basketball has that problem. Outside of lower seeded teams knocking off big names in the NCAA tourny its not a compelling sport for those that are not hard core fans. There are rarely any household names playing because of the turnover players. When your lead in on most CBB news last year was the Monmouth bench celebrations, I mean really? I'm very much a casual fan, I just can't find reasons to watch. The games themselves are pain full to watch.

college basketball has become a 6 week sport in the national sense.

The NBA is killing the college game.

(12-14-2016 03:23 PM)holyterror Wrote:  Nature + Nurture.

Caught and taught