MVP Offseason Workouts For Youth Basketball

Here’s a way to improve your basketball game during the off-season without breaking the budget.

They say, “If you’re getting better, you are getting worse.”

Players shouldn’t let their game stall between seasons. Instead, the offseason should be considered a time to make big improvements. The greatest improvements to basketball can be made during the offseason when you have time to work on your individual game. You’ll get more reps, get better quicker, and save time and money. Spend more time on the court and less time in the car.

We’re excited to present MVP Offseason Workouts for Basketball, our new program for youth basketball players ages 10 to 17.

What’s included in these MVP Basketball off-season workouts?

Here’s what you get:

18 carefully designed 66 minutes* basketball workouts in this ebook

A minute-by-minute breakdown of activities for each workout session
Activities rotate from one to the next quickly to keep players interested and for aerobic benefit.
Illustrations to help understand activities and an appendix with more detailed explanations of drills.
Designed for either a 6-week period with 3 sessions each week or a 9-week period with 2 sessions each week. Players who play another sport in the offseason frequently find the 9-week time period best.

An inspirational story and quote for each workout

Before each workout, we recommend players read the stories and quotes.
Life lessons like never quitting, overcoming obstacles, and the power of persistence is reinforced.

Information young basketball players should know.

Topics include:

What Coaches Like
Nutrition Advice to help you Play your Best
Set Goals to Achieve More
The importance of rest and sleep
The value of the student-athlete.

MVP Tips. Includes insider secrets to rebounding successfully, targeting your shots (aim small, miss small), shooting free throws more effectively, the importance of the first dribble, and many more.

* Why are the workouts 66 minutes in length? Most basketball players don’t do enough off-season workouts. The players who do practice typically practice for about one hour. By completing 66-minute workouts, players using this program invest 10% more into their game. This can translate into much bigger gains come the regular season.

By the numbers:

102 pages in this ebook
25 illustrations
18 Workouts – each 66 minutes long
18 inspirational stories and quotes
5 off-court advice topics

Who are these workouts designed for?

Basketball players ages 10 – 17 years old. Both boys and girls. Recommended for players who have played organized basketball before.

Why offseason workouts are important?

Repetition of an exercise builds muscle memory. Focusing on individual skills during an off-season workout gives a player plenty of opportunities to fine-tune those skills and improve upon them.
No waiting. You can accomplish a lot in a little time when it’s just the player, the hoop, and the basketball. There are no lines when you practice by yourself.
Your team’s coaches don’t have enough time to devote to every individual skill. Regular season games usually present too few opportunities to hone a skill. Practices during the regular season provide more opportunities, but typically, a coach has many other topics to cover.

Let’s say a player wants to work on their up-and-under post-move. A game might provide just 2-3 opportunities to try this shot. The topic might only be covered once at one team practice, and a player might work on the move into some scrimmage. However, an off-season workout might include dozens of opportunities weekly to work on this move.

Why It Works

Breaking down the bigger game into smaller components makes it easier. It is commonly held that if a player scrimmages, that player will likely get better at basketball. However, if that same player takes a different approach by scrimmaging some but also concentrating on improving some of the fundamental basketball skills, the player will likely improve at a much more rapid pace.
It provides a platform to strengthen weaknesses and build on strengths. Individual workouts can be tailored to work on areas specific to a player’s strengths and weaknesses.
There is plenty of time until the next game. Working on your shooting stroke during the season can be difficult. Corrections can be made by working on shooting during the offseason, and lots of practice can take place before a game. It’s the ideal time to work on shooting.
It’s a relaxed environment where no one is watching. Individual workouts enable players to take risks without fear of evaluation or criticism. Sometimes, players improve their game by taking chances and taking risks.

A Parent’s Choice

As youth basketball coaches, players’ parents frequently ask us about Summer AAU team opportunities, basketball clinics, and basketball camp recommendations for their young players. There are many choices to be made, and sometimes, it can be stressful for the parents as they determine the best course of action.

In their eagerness to see their children advance their basketball skills, many parents will make a big commitment—both in dollars and time—to ensure their kids have every opportunity to improve their game. Are these types of opportunities worthwhile? Yes, they certainly can be. However, many players at the youth basketball level up through the NBA can take a different approach.

We recommend individual off-season workouts to parents looking for an opportunity for their kids to work on their basketball game during the off-season. Great improvements can be made to the player’s game, and the financial commitment is minimal.

Players like Dirk Nowitzki, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Love commit to off-season workouts at the NBA level. After a short break upon the conclusion of the NBA season, they work hard at improving their game during the off-season. Scrimmaging and 5-on-5 play are part of the equation, but the focus is on individual skill development.

Players return to regular season teams with new skills that take their games to a new level. Maybe it’s better long-range shooting or improved post-moves. The work done during the off-season contributes greatly to what makes stars perform at their highest levels.

MVP Offseason Workouts for Youth Basketball

$23.99

How the workouts were designed?

Some of the thinking that went into the overall workout plan and each individual plan include:

A Focus on Fundamentals. We placed an emphasis on the building blocks of a good basketball player because that easily transfers from one team to the next.
Strong emphasis on ball handling and shooting. These are 2 critical areas that can be practiced individually effectively, and the offseason is a great time to work on these skills.
All-around player development. Youth basketball players shouldn’t just learn guard skills or post skills. The best players are well-rounded. They know how to do both skills, making them tough to guard.
Shift activities quickly. Moving from one activity to the next quickly keeps players interested and enables players to work on many different skill sets.
Increase difficulty over time. Some of the fitness drills will get progressively more difficult. Initially, we want players to grow accustomed to using different muscles, and then, as the plan progresses, we’ll ask for more repetitions or longer time periods.
A fitness focus. Players play their best when they’re in shape. It’s hard to execute at the highest level if you’re tired, lack strength, or are just out of shape. To address these needs, a part of each workout session includes general fitness exercises.

Other Features

It is designed for individuals but can be used with a bigger group. One player can complete the activities for these off-season workouts on his or her own. However, workouts can be more fun with a partner or two, and these plans will accommodate that. A whole team could work together if there’s a big enough court area with multiple hoops.
Plans were designed for healthy kids who have played basketball before. If you have concerns about having your child participate in this program from a health perspective, consult your physician. Kids should bring a water bottle to their court and drink water as needed.

What do players need for these workouts?

For this offseason workout plan, players will need the following:

2 basketballs
8 cones or 8 post-it notes (or anything to mark a spot on the ground)
Basketball hoop and dribbling area – (a driveway hoop will work)
1 tennis ball
Water bottle
Jump rope (optional)
2 Chairs (optional)

MVP Offseason Workouts for Youth Basketball — reg. $23.99 [wp_eStore:product_id:25:end]

About The Authors

Nolan McMonagle has coached multiple basketball teams for his local school and the YMCA. With a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Central Washington University, he has worked alongside a physical therapist on a professional indoor football team. In addition to helping treat players’ injuries, he put them through exercise programs to enhance their performance.

Mike O’Halloran has coached his four children on 15 different basketball teams. He created the Well-Prepared Coach™ line of sports books and has authored three basketball books. He is the founder and editor of www.SportsFeelGoodStories.com, selected as a Top 10 Blog for Youth Sports Parents by Blogs.com. His articles have been featured in The Post Game and on the home page of Yahoo.com.

Testimonials For O’Halloran’s Youth Basketball Practice Plans

Praise for O’Halloran’s Well Prepared Coach – 30 Youth Basketball Practice Plans book for coaches:

“Thanks for the 30 Practice Plans! I coach 5th—and 6th-grade girls’ basketball. After winning only 3 games the previous 2 years combined, I began using your structured practice plans each week, and now we are one game away from the league championship!”
Mike Jadach, JV Coach Assumption School, Ansonia, Connecticut

“Last year, I coached a 5th-grade boys basketball traveling team. It was my first year coaching and the kids’ first year playing. I used your practice plans and they were great for me and the kids did real well. This year they are playing 6th-grade ball at their school and are so far undefeated. I will be coaching them again after their school season is over and will definitely revisit your practice plans.”
Fred Dubray, Coach – Mobridge, South Dakota