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!

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