Ever wondered why your kid's basketball team is struggling despite seemingly talented players? The answer might lie in what you're NOT measuring.

In this eye-opening episode, I share game-changing basketball statistics that will transform how you view youth basketball success. Drawing from conversations with former NBA player Jerome "Junkyard Dog" Williams, I reveal the secret metrics professional teams track that directly correlate with winning - metrics you can easily implement with your middle school or high school athlete.

Forget points and assists. We dive deep into Energy Generating Behaviors (EGBs) - measurable actions like defensive communication, deflections, and team touches that create momentum shifts. I explain why tracking "kills" (three consecutive defensive stops) might be the most powerful team metric you've never heard of, complete with real examples from our championship game where defensive focus completely changed outcomes.

The beauty of these statistics? They're based on effort and basketball IQ rather than natural talent, giving every player a path to contribute meaningfully. Parents will appreciate how these metrics provide objective feedback for improvement conversations, while coaches can use them to build defensive cultures that win games.

Download our free stat sheet from the show notes and start implementing these professional-level tracking systems with your young athlete today. Your perspective on what creates basketball success will never be the same. If you've found value in these insights, please take a moment to leave a review and share with another basketball parent who needs this information!

...and much more.

BONUS: The FREE Game Day Guide is LIVE https://wecoachparents.com/gameready

Hear more from Coach Parker on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@itscoachparker

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itscoachparker/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachparker

Got questions for us?
Email us at Carl@drivewaydads.com with your question, and you might hear the answer on one of our next epidsodes!

THANKS FOR TUNING IN!

If you enjoyed this week's show, don't forget to hit the "follow" button. Not only is it totally free, it guarantees you never miss out on future episodes.

Think you know someone who would enjoy this episode? Do them a favor and share it with them.

Also, please consider leaving us a quick review. It only takes a few seconds, but your review makes all the difference in helping us get the show out to more parents. And who knows...we might even read your review on the show!

Spring basketball season is here, and every parent is asking the same question: Should my kid play or focus on training? In this episode, Coach Parker breaks down how to make the right decision based on your child's long-term goals, skill level, and overall development.

He shares insights from his own experience raising college athletes, working with elite trainers like Coach Adams at Rhythm Dribble (Laurel, MD), and coaching youth teams to success. You'll learn why sometimes skipping spring games in favor of "lab work" (focused skill development) is the smarter move—and why missing out on tournaments doesn’t mean falling behind.

Other key topics include:

• How to set spring basketball goals based on where your child needs to be next fall
• Why development—not just playing games—should be the top priority in middle school
• The biggest mistake parents make with skills training (hint: it’s not about cone drills)
• The role of varsity aspirations in shaping your child’s training plan
• Why elite players focus on efficiency over flash (less dribbling, smarter decision-making)

Coach Parker also shares his personal development strategy for his 7th-grade son, how he balances multiple sports, and why “success leaves clues” when it comes to skill building.

Timestamps

0:00 - Sponsor: CP Basketball Academy Summer Camps – Train with the best this summer
0:29 - Welcome to the Show – Spring basketball season is here
1:09 - Should your kid play or train? How to make the right decision
2:33 - How spring & summer training determine success in the fall
3:34 - The fear of missing out & why skipping tournaments isn’t falling behind
5:30 - The value of elite skills training over just playing more games
6:54 - The true purpose of games: implementing what’s learned in training
7:29 - Tracking progress: How to measure improvement between training & games
8:54 - Free Resource: Download the Game Day Guide (wecoachparents.com/game-ready)
9:25 - Why flashy training doesn’t translate to real games
10:50 - Kyrie Irving & the power of simplicity in skill development
12:09 - The long-term goal: Getting varsity-ready by 9th grade
14:22 - Why skill development is non-negotiable in middle school
16:25 - How JV & varsity progression works in big programs
17:54 - Final thoughts: Focus on controlling what you can control

...and much more.

BONUS: The FREE Game Day Guide is LIVE https://wecoachparents.com/gameready

Hear more from Coach Parker on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@itscoachparker

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itscoachparker/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachparker

Got questions for us?
Email us at Carl@drivewaydads.com with your question, and you might hear the answer on one of our next epidsodes!

THANKS FOR TUNING IN!

If you enjoyed this week's show, don't forget to hit the "follow" button. Not only is it totally free, it guarantees you never miss out on future episodes.

Think you know someone who would enjoy this episode? Do them a favor and share it with them.

Also, please consider leaving us a quick review. It only takes a few seconds, but your review makes all the difference in helping us get the show out to more parents. And who knows...we might even read your review on the show!

What separates elite athletes from the rest? Their ability to stay locked in—fully present, focused, and unshaken by the pressure of the moment.

In this episode, Coach Parker shares a wild moment from his coaching career: being so locked into the game plan that he didn’t even realize the game had ended. This experience leads to a deep dive into the mental game of sports—how the best athletes train their minds to stay present and execute under pressure.

From Tiger Woods’ legendary focus at the 2019 Masters to the power of "next play" mentality in basketball, this episode breaks down the strategies that help athletes perform at their peak. If you’re a parent or coach looking to help young athletes master the mental side of the game, this one’s for you.

Other key topics include:

• The danger of focusing on the outcome instead of the process
• How to help young athletes build resilience and avoid "choking" under pressure
• Why flow state is the key to unlocking elite performance
• The importance of controlling what you can control in the game
• Why execution—not just talent or desire—determines who wins and who loses

Coach Parker also shares practical strategies for parents and coaches to reinforce mental toughness, confidence, and decision-making skills in young athletes.

Timestamps

0:00 - Sponsor: CP Basketball Academy Summer Camps – Train with the best this summer
0:29 - Welcome to the Show – The importance of mental performance
0:58 - The moment I didn’t realize the game ended—being completely locked in
2:05 - Why great athletes ignore the outcome and focus on execution
3:20 - Tiger Woods' 2019 Masters: A lesson in staying in the moment
5:48 - The "flow state" and how top athletes like Kobe & MJ mastered it
6:22 - The key to staying loose and avoiding the pressure trap
7:47 - How to train young athletes to focus on the present
8:25 - Why mental discipline is the foundation of success in sports
9:34 - Free Resource: Download the Game Day Guide (wecoachparents.com/game-ready)
10:51 - Controlling the controllables: How to shift an athlete’s focus
13:37 - The impact of a "next play" mindset on long-term development
15:35 - How effort-based habits (rebounds, 50-50 balls) translate to winning
17:23 - Final thoughts: How to train mental resilience in young athletes

...and much more.

BONUS: The FREE Game Day Guide is LIVE https://wecoachparents.com/gameready

Hear more from Coach Parker on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@itscoachparker

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itscoachparker/

Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@itscoachparker

Got questions for us?
Email us at Carl@drivewaydads.com with your question, and you might hear the answer on one of our next epidsodes!

THANKS FOR TUNING IN!

If you enjoyed this week's show, don't forget to hit the "follow" button. Not only is it totally free, it guarantees you never miss out on future episodes.

Think you know someone who would enjoy this episode? Do them a favor and share it with them.

Also, please consider leaving us a quick review. It only takes a few seconds, but your review makes all the difference in helping us get the show out to more parents. And who knows...we might even read your review on the show!