BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Build the Complete Player
Here's the truth about Basketball: The girl who struggles to make layups in 6th grade might be leading her high school team to championships by junior year. We've seen it happen again and again. Basketball is one of those sports where late bloomers absolutely thrive-if they get the right training and encouragement along the way.
That's what we're all about at H.O.A. We help young athletes fall in love with the game while building real skills that show up when the scoreboard is running and the gym is packed.
HOW WE THINK ABOUT TRAINING
You know what we don't do? We don't run kids through drills just to keep them busy. Every single thing we work on has a purpose, and that purpose is helping your daughter become a smarter, more confident basketball player.
We focus on mastering the fundamentals—the stuff that matters in every single game she'll ever play. Think solid ball handling, consistent shooting form, crisp passing, and defensive footwork that actually stops people. We challenge our athletes just enough to keep them growing (we aim for about 60-70% success in drills—hard enough to push them, but not so hard they get discouraged). And we make sure everything we teach in drills shows up in actual game situations, because what's the point of looking great in practice if it falls apart during competition?
Most importantly, we teach players to think. Basketball IQ wins games, and that only comes from understanding the "why" behind every move.
The Great Outdoors1
WHAT WE ACTUALLY WORK ON
Ball Handling
Let's be honest-if your daughter can't control the ball under pressure, nothing else matters. That's why we spend serious time on ball handling, starting with the basics and building up to game-speed moves.
We start with stationary dribbling to build that rock-solid foundation. Then we add cone patterns to work on changing direction without losing control. Speed dribbling gets them ready for fast breaks. We throw in tennis ball challenges (yes, dribbling while catching a tennis ball it's harder than it sounds!) to boost hand-eye coordination. And two-ball drills? They're tough, but they're magic for making both hands equally strong.
Your daughter will start with controlled drills and gradually move to going one-on-one against live defenders as she improves.
Shooting
Here's what we believe: form shooting is the most important drill in youth basketball. Period. It builds the muscle memory your daughter needs to knock down shots when the game's on the line and everyone's watching.
We start close to the basket with perfect form baseline, wing, top of the key, other wing, other baseline. Once the mechanics are solid, we back up. Then we add movement, because in real games, nobody's standing still waiting to shoot. We work on shot selection (when to shoot, when to pass), and we practice mental routines for those high-pressure free throws.
Every single athlete gets proper form locked in before we add any fancy stuff.
Passing & Court Vision
You know what skill gets overlooked all the time? Passing. But the best players know how to move the ball, and that's what creates open shots.
We train every type of pass-chest passes, bounce passes, overhead passes with both hands. We work the non-dominant hand extra because games get won when defenders can't predict which way you're going. Pass fakes (the high-low, low-high moves that freeze defenders), making smart decisions when defense is in your face, and skip passes that swing the ball across the court and break down defenses-all part of the program.
Defense
Great offense gets you noticed. Great defense wins championships. We make sure every player can guard somebody.
We drill proper defensive stance and how to slide without crossing your feet. We practice closeouts sprinting out to contest a shot without flying past the shooter. Help defense positioning so your daughter knows when to leave her player and rotate. On-ball pressure that makes life miserable for whoever has the ball. And defensive communication, because five players talking on defense is a nightmare for any offense.
Working by Position
As athletes develop and their roles become clearer, we give them position-specific training.
Guards work on handling ball screens, making pick-and-roll decisions, and setting up teammates for good shots.
Wings focus on cutting without the ball, moving to get open, and catch-and-shoot situations. Posts learn footwork in the paint, finishing around the rim, and even developing that perimeter game for when they face a zone.
WHY ELEVATE IS DIFFERENT
Most basketball programs focus only on basketball skills. We do that and we also make sure your daughter is physically prepared to perform those skills without getting hurt.
That means strength and conditioning specifically designed for female athletes (yes, there's a difference). ACL injury prevention protocols built into every workout (girls are way more likely to tear ACLs than boys-we take that seriously). Mental performance training so she stays confident under pressure. And multi-sport athletic development that makes her more than just a basketball player.
Girls leave our program as better basketball players, absolutely. But they also leave as better athletes, period. And that makes all the difference.
LET'S GET STARTED
