[abriggs06Participant]

My nephew is 6 years old and stays in the South Suburbs of Chicago my family and I. As cliche as it sounds, from the minute he’s been able to walk, he’s been playing basketball. I bought him a Playskool rim and he would shoot jumpers all day and night. The thing that shocked me and my father was that a two year old had natural form! Feet set, fingers spread, everytime he would shoot he had a routine! He plays in a basketball league now with other 6 year olds and he has an ability to establish an offense! Like instead of rushing and trying to shoot all the time, whenever he gets the ball, he looks around for whoever is open and will make a decent pass. Now why am I sharing all of this? Because I need opinions. Im thinking about over the summer, taking him to the courts and recs I grew up at to toughen him up alittle bit. Thats his only thing, hes a bit scary. But Im reminded of how players like Jason Kidd, Tyreke Evans and his favorite player Derrick Rose had that knock against them. So I just wonder: how much could I get away with without Child and Family Services getting involved LBVS, or if you have any other suggestions? Thank you in advance.

[abriggs06Participant]

OH! By the way, I used to play in the Roseland area, Inglewood, and the infamous Westside of Chicago. Although I didnt really take to basketball enough to let it get me to college, playing in these places DEFINITELY made me tougher and smarter.I dont take crap from anyone lol.

[abriggs06Participant]

OH! By the way, I used to play in the Roseland area, Inglewood, and the infamous Westside of Chicago. Although I didnt really take to basketball enough to let it get me to college, playing in these places DEFINITELY made me tougher and smarter.I dont take crap from anyone lol.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Go all out, put him into basketball programs, camps, leagues, and help him learn everything he can. He enjoys it so its not abuse lol. Make him run, makes him work, boost his condtioning like hes your little soldier (probally do that when hes a little older but yah). make him do the things that will turn him off being a basketball player, the things that arent advertised. Then if he still wants to be one youve got a better shot. The great thing about basketball is you need good grades to suceed and when he becomes the age where he reconizes his skills that will keep him out of trouble, in schools, and studying up.

Make sure hes always ahead of the pack, alot of kids are very good from a young age but dont build on that talent. Pf course you can be strictabout his daily routine, but dont suck the fun out of the sport, always mak him feel the love, and if hes not having fun theres no reason to play the game.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Go all out, put him into basketball programs, camps, leagues, and help him learn everything he can. He enjoys it so its not abuse lol. Make him run, makes him work, boost his condtioning like hes your little soldier (probally do that when hes a little older but yah). make him do the things that will turn him off being a basketball player, the things that arent advertised. Then if he still wants to be one youve got a better shot. The great thing about basketball is you need good grades to suceed and when he becomes the age where he reconizes his skills that will keep him out of trouble, in schools, and studying up.

Make sure hes always ahead of the pack, alot of kids are very good from a young age but dont build on that talent. Pf course you can be strictabout his daily routine, but dont suck the fun out of the sport, always mak him feel the love, and if hes not having fun theres no reason to play the game.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

It seems as if it’s your dream for him to be a great player.  Don’t take the fun away from the game by forcing him to play more and more.  That being said,  if you over push a child into something, it tends to take the fun away from the game.  It will start to seem as if it’s your’s and your father’s dream rather than his.  Let his grow into the game and the game onto him.  He’s just a child, let him play when he wants.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

It seems as if it’s your dream for him to be a great player.  Don’t take the fun away from the game by forcing him to play more and more.  That being said,  if you over push a child into something, it tends to take the fun away from the game.  It will start to seem as if it’s your’s and your father’s dream rather than his.  Let his grow into the game and the game onto him.  He’s just a child, let him play when he wants.

[jjonzParticipant]

6 yrs old? Man so much to do & learn about life & sports. I found a book that sets up a 20 year plan for athleticisim, and i have at least 3 other books that i can recommned that will at least get your son to D1. Got workout books basketball books/ skills & drills. But @ an early age kids should try multiple sports to get all of the neccessity that each sport requires. Right now he could try juggling for hand eye coordination.

[abriggs06Participant]

Oh yea, whenever Im home, we are tossing the tennis balls in the basement. And he played flag football prior to playing basketball. He enjoyed that too. He was literally lil Devin Hester lol. He averaged a touchdown a game.

[abriggs06Participant]

Oh yea, whenever Im home, we are tossing the tennis balls in the basement. And he played flag football prior to playing basketball. He enjoyed that too. He was literally lil Devin Hester lol. He averaged a touchdown a game.

[jjonzParticipant]

6 yrs old? Man so much to do & learn about life & sports. I found a book that sets up a 20 year plan for athleticisim, and i have at least 3 other books that i can recommned that will at least get your son to D1. Got workout books basketball books/ skills & drills. But @ an early age kids should try multiple sports to get all of the neccessity that each sport requires. Right now he could try juggling for hand eye coordination.

[abriggs06Participant]

Oh without a doubt, above all else I want him to continue to have fun. Hes just a child. As much as I would love to have a nephew be a great player, I want him happy above all else. Watching him play, he loves it. And hes turning into a little general too. And education is key! My biggest concern is too many times, Ive seen parents, coaches, family members throw so much at kids and they either end up spoiled, missing their childhood, resenting them, angry as all get out. I just dont want to do that to him. Thats what happened to me and football. Soo what Im getting from folks is to ease him in. This is good stuff btw! THANKS!

[abriggs06Participant]

Oh without a doubt, above all else I want him to continue to have fun. Hes just a child. As much as I would love to have a nephew be a great player, I want him happy above all else. Watching him play, he loves it. And hes turning into a little general too. And education is key! My biggest concern is too many times, Ive seen parents, coaches, family members throw so much at kids and they either end up spoiled, missing their childhood, resenting them, angry as all get out. I just dont want to do that to him. Thats what happened to me and football. Soo what Im getting from folks is to ease him in. This is good stuff btw! THANKS!

[FritzParticipant]

If you think he has the motivation to try and make it to the pros or even just college make sure you teach him the right skill set for the body he is going to grow into. For instance if hes only going to be 6′ 2” dont let him focus on post moves and dominate his grade just because he is a lot taller than people his age. Also hes definately too young to be lifting weights but obviously keep him in shape by running, and squat jumps to work on his explosiveness. Once he gets into like 5th or 6th grade routine pushups will help him stand out even more.

Basically follow the approach this father has with his prodigy son, dont force him to do anything just guide him and help him become the best player he can become.

 

[FritzParticipant]

If you think he has the motivation to try and make it to the pros or even just college make sure you teach him the right skill set for the body he is going to grow into. For instance if hes only going to be 6′ 2” dont let him focus on post moves and dominate his grade just because he is a lot taller than people his age. Also hes definately too young to be lifting weights but obviously keep him in shape by running, and squat jumps to work on his explosiveness. Once he gets into like 5th or 6th grade routine pushups will help him stand out even more.

Basically follow the approach this father has with his prodigy son, dont force him to do anything just guide him and help him become the best player he can become.

 

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’d say when he’s ready, work him to become a point guard.

You can’t go wrong with that, if he ends up being 6′, that’s decent size for a true point guard but if he ends up 6’4-6’6", he can play 2guard with a great passing ability.  And if he grows to 6’7-6’9 then he can be a point forward.  If he grows any bigger than that, he can be a big man with great passing ability.

Point is, you can’t go wrong with passing ability.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’d say when he’s ready, work him to become a point guard.

You can’t go wrong with that, if he ends up being 6′, that’s decent size for a true point guard but if he ends up 6’4-6’6", he can play 2guard with a great passing ability.  And if he grows to 6’7-6’9 then he can be a point forward.  If he grows any bigger than that, he can be a big man with great passing ability.

Point is, you can’t go wrong with passing ability.

[Snubs15Participant]

Exactly what jjonz said. Younger athletes (6-11) should be playnig various different sports and activities to learn all the different movements, and disciplines for the purpose of attaining basic fundamentals. Playing multiple sports also builds a solid athletic base and helps prevent overuse injuries. So many times young kids overtrain with one sport causing injury and an end to their possible career. This is just basic stuff that is taught in my growth & development program in university. Just a heads up to try and not just focus on just basketball and maybe include some other sports in his younger days.

[Snubs15Participant]

Exactly what jjonz said. Younger athletes (6-11) should be playnig various different sports and activities to learn all the different movements, and disciplines for the purpose of attaining basic fundamentals. Playing multiple sports also builds a solid athletic base and helps prevent overuse injuries. So many times young kids overtrain with one sport causing injury and an end to their possible career. This is just basic stuff that is taught in my growth & development program in university. Just a heads up to try and not just focus on just basketball and maybe include some other sports in his younger days.

[FritzParticipant]

Can someone help me out Im pretty sure im doing this right but its not working. Im switching my text to plain text editor and posting the youtube embed code, and the video pops up fine when I save it, then when I type in the random code you have to enter and post it the video just dissapeared completely. I tried to go back and edit my post above this also and it said Access denied….weird. Both these things worked when I joined the site but arent working now. Im not sure if it is just my computer or not but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[FritzParticipant]

Can someone help me out Im pretty sure im doing this right but its not working. Im switching my text to plain text editor and posting the youtube embed code, and the video pops up fine when I save it, then when I type in the random code you have to enter and post it the video just dissapeared completely. I tried to go back and edit my post above this also and it said Access denied….weird. Both these things worked when I joined the site but arent working now. Im not sure if it is just my computer or not but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

Baseball, tennis, soccer and wrestling are all he’ll need…and when he plays older competition build his confidence…young players get discouraged when they get blasted the 1st few times…but above all else don’t let this kids talent go to waste, keep him away the wrong crowds, we have enough wasted potential in Philadelphia and I’m sure you have enough in south side Chicago…keep up the positive view…

[The Scare Crow ReturnsParticipant]

Baseball, tennis, soccer and wrestling are all he’ll need…and when he plays older competition build his confidence…young players get discouraged when they get blasted the 1st few times…but above all else don’t let this kids talent go to waste, keep him away the wrong crowds, we have enough wasted potential in Philadelphia and I’m sure you have enough in south side Chicago…keep up the positive view…

[Author]

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