15 resources for hoopers looking for self-improvement, training during the summer

by Zach Mason

Director of Communications

No city, state or country shares the same timeline on when organized sports can return and to what extent coaches, parents and fans can get involved.

It may be a while before teams can hold practices or participate in league competition, so the responsibility on continued skill development, fair or not, falls on the player - at least for the time being.

That’s why we wanted to highlight a variety of ways young players can refine their game, from virtual practice sessions to mental skills training. Many of these resources are free and available to the public, while some require a low fee.

Below is a diverse list of helpful websites, apps and articles to aid and educate players on their journeys.

APPS & WEBSITES

  • Ballogy - Free app featuring training videos from verified accounts like the San Antonio Spurs, but also alllows users to post their own content to showcase their skills.

  • The Basketball Embassy - That’s us! We have a big summer planned, with virtual camps on the horizon in addition to free training videos featured on the aforementioned Ballogy app. We’re always posting useful content on our Twitter and Instagram pages and we’ll be launching a podcast later this summer.

  • CoachTube - CoachTube is about giving every athlete in the world access to the instruction, knowledge, and the motivation they need to grow and progress as athletes and students. We do this by providing access to online training from the world’s best coaches

  • PureSweat - Free app that allows you to create basketball workouts tailored to what you need to work on and how long you have to work.

  • Train the Mind - Website with free videos on how to develop mental skills for athletes.

ARTICLES

PODCASTS

  • Hurdle - A wellness-focused podcast where the host interviews inspiring individuals to talk about everything from their big wins to how they’ve gotten through life’s toughest moments.

  • Optimal Health Daily - A daily blog offering health and wellness advice.

  • Sport Motivation Podcast - Former All American and NFL Running Back Olaniyi Sobomehin (Niyi Sobo), and he walks you through the specific strategies, habits, and most important mindset that you need to take your game to the next level.

  • USA Basketball Youth & Sport Development Podcast - A four-part educational series on the USA Basketball philosophy for player development.

These are just a few of the many resources available for basketball players working to improve all aspects of their game and increase their knowledge on the evolution of the sport itself. This list is non-exhaustive, and we encourage all young players to continue seeking out more ways to use their time to stay productive and healthy.

Zach Mason