Topics Covered

While Coach Lutz can’t possibly cover all of the topics below at any one clinic, he does discuss the ones that are most relevant to the age group and skill level of the kids he is coaching.

Passing

  • How to handle pressure and pass out of double-teams and traps
  • How pivoting and ball fakes are the least taught and most critical aspects of being a good passer
  • How to “see” open teammates without ever looking at them
  • The ten types of passes used during most games
  • The one skill rarely emphasized by youth coaches, but without this skill you cannot become a good player

Dribbling

  • How to develop the hand-eye coordination and dribbling skills of a point guard, even if you’re the tallest player on the court
  • What is the single-most important dribbling drill ever created
  • The two most important factors in becoming a better dribbler
  • What is the difference between dribbling and ball-handling, and why BOTH are important
  • How this single skill of dribbling can cause the most havoc on defenses

Shooting

  • Why better balance and footwork will increase your shooting percentage immediately
  • How to identify why you are missing, and how to make simple adjustments for instant results
  • The one time NEVER to take an open jump shot or 3-pointer
  • How very short movements without the ball can create wide open shots
  • Why being ready to shoot the ball at all times is so critical for creating scoring opportunities for both yourself AND your teammates
  • The easiest shots on the floor and how to consistently get your shot off from those spots
  • The most difficult shots on the floor and how to avoid getting caught in those areas
  • The most important factors to becoming a great 3-point shooter, even if you are a “big man”
  • When to never drive toward the basket
  • How to identify your personal “shooting range”, and why it is important to NEVER shoot beyond this range
  • How to have the confidence that every shot you take will go in the basket
  • What is “good shot selection” and how to always lead your team in both 2-point and 3-point field goal percentage
  • What is the single-most important aspect of the shooting motion

Play Making

  • The four basic ways to create space from your defender, and why this is so critical to becoming a good offensive player
  • The difference between ball fakes and shot fakes, and how to keep your defender off balance using both
  • Ways to be your team’s best “play-maker” even if you are not playing the point guard position
  • How to develop the three most important skills that will guarantee you playing time at the end of close games
  • How to practice and prepare yourself to have your best games against the toughest opponents
  • The importance of spacing, timing and screens, and how to make the most of all three
  • When to curl or flare off a screen, and how to use screens away from the ball to create mismatches for easy baskets
  • How to be an excellent pick-n-roll player
  • How to improve your assist-to-turnover ratio
  • How to get to the foul line more often, and the most important drill to help you to be a consistent 80% free throw shooter
  • How to have point guard skills no matter your size or position, and how to use these skills to create mismatches for any defense

Conditioning and Agility

  • Why conditioning is so important to being a great shooter and playmaker
  • How to be the best conditioned player on the team without ever having to go for long runs or use boring stationary machines
  • Different ways to improve your foot speed and hand speed