2017 / 2018 Camp Testimonials - What People Are Saying About Breakthrough Basketball Camps

Attack & Counter Basketball Camps with Don Kelbick


We appreciated Coach Kelbick's no-nonsense approach to teaching during the Attack & Counter Skills camp, and his desire to teach every kid, then let them get as many reps as possible with their new skills.

The Attack & Counter camp was my son's second camp with Breakthrough Basketball, and my daughter's first. Their experience was excellent all three days. Coach Kelbick has an engaging personality, a wealth of personal stories to share, and the players clearly respected the lessons he was there to provide. Coach Kelbick invites players to demonstrate drills throughout the camp, and our son really enjoyed the extra coaching and reps he received when he volunteered, even when he ended up being "toast." The Attack & Counter camp is great for players who have a solid skill set but have never considered the importance of their footwork, and also for those who need to develop a more aggressive approach to the game. It was a three hour drive, two nights in a hotel and three days of camp for us - but it was a great experience. Both of our players learned a lot, and both parents learned a lot! We have already recommended this camp to others and plan to attend it again the next time it's offered in our region.

Scott Hughes - Stoughton, Wisconsin Attack & Counter Camp



There were a lot of ball handling and one on one drills that I haven't seen before, which I thought was very refreshing, and kept the interest of my daughters as well. Great job, and great camp!”

I thought Don's take on the game of basketball was refreshing. He really drilled the attack mentality into the players heads. He broke basketball down into very simple terms, stressingthat the same things happen over and over again, the only thing that changes is the situation. By the end of the camp I could see what Don had told the players over and over many times during the camp start to sink in and change the way they played. It was very good to see my daughters start to get that mentality.

I thought the camp was well run, and all of the drills were things that players can do by themselves at home. Don obviously has a lifetime of basketball knowledge with a unique and effective way of teaching it to the players. There were a lot of ball handling and one on one drills that I haven't seen before, which I thought was very refreshing, and kept the interest of my daughters as well. Great job, and great camp!

- Adam Simington - Stoughton, Wisconsin Attack & Counter Camp



Elite Guard Camps


“Basketball Skills and Principles of Success!.... My son remained engaged.”

I like the "flow" of the camp. The combination of drills, films and discussions appeared well thought out so that the kids got exposed to basketball skills, character building and principles of success. My son remained engaged. Before the camp I was concerned he might not be ready for a skills focused camp but within the first few hours on Friday I was certain we have made the right decision.

This camp fully met my expectations. Adam Hepker is an inspired teacher. I give him HIGH marks for his presentation skills and clear enthusiasm for the game and young people. I would love to get this program in San Diego. As my first BB camp and I am now even more interested in the other offerings.

Dave S - Los Angeles, California Elite Guard Camp



“She does a lot of camps and I am going to say this was the best…My only regret is that our daughter’s entire team didn't participate. It was truly phenomenal.”

There are so many great things about this camp I'm not sure where to start. First the instructor Charlie Miller was energetic, knowledgeable and kept the kids interested and engaged. I think the thing I loved most was that everything he did related back to game situations. I don't think kids get enough of that these days.

My daughter is in 8th grade and will be the starting varsity Point Guard at her school next year and she wasn't sure about the camp going in. So many camps have a wide range of playing abilities that they tend to coach to the lowest skill. It was refreshing to see kids who could play so coaches could really focus on the skills they need.

Our daughter has been to (name of camp removed) College and loves it and I rank this right up there with that or even higher. She came home after the Saturday session and told me that she learned what to watch for when watching basketball games or game tape. That is huge.

I also loved the things like scrimmages with game situations (leading by a point or down by 3). She also loved that when another kid took a show off shot and made it at the end of one of these game situations where the girls team had the lead by 1 with 30 seconds to play the coaches called the girl out on it because it was the wrong situation. That spoke volumes to my daughter. I could go on and on. The biggest endorsement was we missed the Friday portion because our daughter was in a track meet that ran very late Friday night so she was exhausted. She then went all day a Saturday and Sunday and was exhausted and she still had the energy to tell us all the things she loved about it. She does lots of one on ones and camps and I am going to say this was the best and we love Coach Miller.

My only regret is that our daughter’s entire team didn't participate. It was truly phenomenal.

- Steve Eldridge - Dallas, Texas Elite Guard Camp



He said "Yes!"

My name is Andie and my son Mark Burkholder (from West Virginia) we went to a few of your camps at Roanoke, VA. Anyway, I contacted you a year ago about NCSA, well to give you an update; and thank you for your input, by the way! I really appreciated it. Well, they are a great organization! And through them you also learn and get to meet a lot of great basketball coaches and programs, it really reveals how little the public really knows about the college programs, not to mention the recruiting process. Before all we would hear is "D1, D1," or be so stuck on the division numbers and boy do you miss out on a lot of amazing opportunitites and great people if you do that! Praise Jesus, He cleansed us from that wrong thinking and my son looked into a lot of programs and in November, he showed up at Geneva College, the birthplace of college basketball, and that was it! The coaches are great, the instructors and the whole atmosphere was like an extension of our home, and Mark said that was where the Lord was leading him to go! Although he had more recruiting visits lined up, he said nope, he saw what he needed to see and a few days later, in November, called them back and verbally commited to them as their shooting guard.

I wanted to share that with you, along with a picture of the announcement I designed up and made up for him, so we could share it on FB with friends and family. I have a younger son, Luke, and he is currently in archery, but is talented in basketball, too. If he decides he wants to play for high school, I told him I will be taking him to your camps. We are currently working on moving to Harrisonburg, VA, so we will be definitely closer to them! Thank you so much for all of your help and your organization, we have so enjoyed your camps and encourage others to go to them as well! You have no idea, but they have been such a blessing for Mark at the darkest of times, and he always came away from them with the Lord's Light shining brightly on his dreams again, reminding him that his confidence on the court needs to be in God first, and not in himself. Thank you for your time and everything you and your organization does!

- Andie Burkholder



"Every drill had specific goals which were then reinforced with videos."

I enjoyed the fact that the importance of life overshadowed the basketball skills being taught. Every drill had specific goals which were then reinforced with videos. The clear communications about the real life issues that young people deal with...It was great to see Noah being able to utilize his development from the last camp. Great Camp!

- Ed Lloyd, father of Noah Lloyd at our Roanoke Elite Guard Camp


"Being able to see moves they were working on at the camp used in college and NBA levels helped drive home the importance of knowing proper technique and timing."

The instructors and attention to details were awesome! Matt Keeley had such an upbeat and positive attitude and message for the players on and off the court. My son is 14 and has a lot potential with regards to height, length, and skill, but lacks a lot of confidence. I think concentrating on the details when it comes to correct movements helped him a lot.

The video sessions and note taking were different from others camps we have been to, but I thought were very helpful. I was surprised at how much my son had filled up his pages. Being able to see moves they were working on at the camp used in college and NBA levels helped drive home the importance of knowing proper technique and timing.


- Alecia Smith. Parent of Isaiah Smith at our Louisville, KY Elite Guard Camp


"Taking the time to teach young people what it takes to be successful in life and in basketball is amazing to me. I got so much more than expected."

What I liked about the camp was the facilities, coaches, and the skills taught. Not only was the basketball skills outstanding, but the life skills that were taught too. Taking the time to teach young people what it takes to be successful in life and in basketball is amazing to me. I got so much more than expected. Teaching our youth how to be great members of our community and teaching them how to learn on their own shows that this camp is not about the money. Teaching the kids how to training on their own and how to watch film / games and learn from them was awesome.

Words cannot express how wonderful the Breakthrough Basketball Camp is. This camp goes above and beyond the X's and O's of basketball. It taught my 14 year old the X's and O's needed to be an outstanding young man not only on the court, but in life. The real life experiences of the coaches on what it takes to be successful in life and basketball from middle school thru high school on to college is amazing. I cannot wait till the summer camp, because my son truly enjoyed and wants to attend again. I will for sure have all my kids attend these camps in the future.

- Jason Esser parent of Trevor Esser at Denver Elite Guard Camp


Definitely would recommend to friends - No nonsense coaching!


My daughter, Brianna Prue, attended the Breakthrough Basketball Elite Guard Camp March 18-20 in Roanoke, VA. This was her first camp ever and we weren't really sure what to expect. She was very excited and nervous too.

(In the pic to the right, instructor Jim Huber working with camper Brianna Prue).

The first day their Coach Jim called everyone, parents included, into the gym to give his opening speech about the camp and what to expect and what he expected from the campers.

I loved it! He was right on point. No nonsense. And I love that he's coaching the kids not only on key basketball skills but life skills as well. If the kids listened to him and took what he said to heart they will have the tools to go far. Not only in basketball but in life.

I liked the fact that the kids got time with each of the coaches and that Coach Jim made a point of trying to have time with everyone as it was a large group. It made Brianna feel special that Coach Jim remembered her name out of all those people and that he took the time to work one on one with her on her shooting. She would leave camp every evening exhausted but glowing and excited.

This was definitely money well spent in my book. We just signed up for the Attack and Counter Camp in Roanoke VA on August 5-7th and Brianna can't wait to go. She didn't want the last one to end. She said that she wished the camp would go on all week. This is definitely something that I would recommend to my friends for their kids looking to improve and excel.

Thank you for providing such a great experience for our youth.


- Natalie Prue -Appomattox, VA - 10 Rating


“48 years old… one of the BEST camps I have ever been to for instruction and training.”

I am 48 years old and in my years as a player and coach I have attended many camps all over the US and by far this is one of the BEST camps I have ever been to for instruction and training. Matt Keeley is BOSS and brings the enthusiasm and energy to the court like none other. Matt embodies what elite players need to be like with his strong character, ability to clearly communicate, encourages and inspires others to work hard to not only be great on the court but to be a great individual in all of life's adventures. As well he is a leader, speaks with positive words and clean language and well mannered. Unbelievable how fast 18 hours of instruction went! We'll be at more skills camps like this and not game playing camps.

- Doug Arnold, parent of Abigail and Marissa Arnold (10 out of 10 Rating)





“Camp made my skills better and made me think more” “

The camp made my skills better and made me think more. I have new drills and workouts I can use to improve my game now as well. The coaches were also very helpful and taught me well.”

- Andrew Moseman in Rochester, NY at Adam Hepker’s Elite Guard Camp









“This organization amazes me every time...The confidence, and the encouragement they help to instill within my son... ”

The professionalism and flow of the camp was amazing. The way the coaches were actually able to give "hands-on" advice, and consideration to each camper was beyond anything I have ever seen before. This is another camp that is geared towards helping those players seriously considering basketball as a long-term sport. This organization amazes me every time, and through every camp my son signs up for. The confidence, and the encouragement they help to instill within my son by just their unique way of breaking down the basic fundamentals of basketball, and encouraging him to grow from there, adding his own unique touch, has been something I greatly treasure, Thank you!

- Andie Burkholder, parent of Mark Burkholder at our Roanoke Elite Guard Camp (10 out of 10 rating)
 


Ballhandling, Shooting, and Decision Training Camps with Chris Oliver


The energy from Mr. Bluitt was great. The organization of the materials. Making each child feel special, even when they did not get the drill on the first try. Thanks for allowing my grandson to participate in such a wonderful and educational camp.

- Mary Evans - Parent of Michael Benjamin at our Redwood City Ball Handling Camp with Coach Bluitt











"Couldn't wait to call the kids previously coached to share BDT (Basketball Decision Training)!"

"I attended the Pasadena Camp in April and couldn't wait to call the kids I previously coached to share BDT. I started to train about six kids and their game developed after the first practice. It went way smoother than any practice I have ever conducted. No Lines, no lay-ups, the kids had a ball in their hands, dribbling, shooting, back pivoting, changing, and ended with Italian 3 on 3."

- Adolpho


"...Couldn't be more happier with the quality of the staff, the incredible knowledge base, and the enthusiasm...corrected girls without making them feel bad about themselves!"

Thanks again for all you guys do! Jason, Libby, and I couldn't be more happier with the quality of the staff, the incredible knowledge base, and the enthusiasm!

I know from experience there's a huge difference between how boys and girls perceive things! Girls tend to take things way more personally, than boys. Not once did Libby feel like she couldn't do it or that she wasn't good enough. Clearly your staff understands that aspect and corrected girls without making them feel bad about themselves!

Libby has participated in a few of these clinics and walks away with all kinds of ways to improve her skill level!


Thanks again for the wonderful experience!
- Kristi



“This is my 13 year old son's second Breakthrough Basketball camp and he has only had good things to say both times.”

This is my 13 year old son's second Breakthrough Basketball camp and he has only had good things to say both times. First, he had fun. He liked the scrimmages and felt the competition was good. You attracted a serious group of skilled players with this camp. Second, he definitely felt that he got useful instruction/lessons - some things that he already knew that Chris reinforced and some things that were new. Also, he felt that he learned some useful variations on some moves that he was already using, which he was very happy about. Both times, as a parent, I've been impressed with how well organized your camps are and the respectful/serious approach you take to working with the kids. Definitely worth the cost and the time!

- Roy Morris, father of Max Morris. Los Angeles, CA (Rating of 10)





“Keep the CalTech location and head coach
Chris Oliver and I will be back every year.”

The coaches and instructions were at the perfect level and detail. Was motivational and learning without being punitive.

Keep the CalTech location and head coach Chris Oliver and I will be back every year.


- Casey Semmler (Rating of 10), mother of Camper Zack Semmler 2021 from Little Rock, AR with Coach Oliver







“I saw him struggle at first, but improve his skills throughout and more importantly his self confidence. The camp did him a world of good.”

My son is one of the bigger players on this school team and has always been a post player. They never work on ball handling, moves and counters. It's always go set picks, rebound, then give the ball to a guard. This camp gave him the opportunity to challenge himself in areas he hasn't been comfortable in. I saw him struggle at first, but improve his skills throughout and more importantly his self confidence. The camp did him a world of good. Like Coach said "It is not that you aren't good at something, it's just that you aren't good at it yet!" He already wants to come back next year.

- John Watters, father of Nathan Watters at Dubuque Camp
 

What is up with the chaotic, unorganized style at the camp? At times, it just looks sloppy.

Joe Haefner’s Response:

I totally get where the Basketball Decision Training Camps with Chris Oliver might appear this way. However, this is purposely planned by Chris into the camps.

To sum it up quickly, Chris believes this method of teaching results in the most improvement and transfer to game performance over the long run. Learning is not a straight line. It doesn’t look structured and perfect. It’s an upward slope that ups and downs throughout the process.

I would highly advise you read this article to understand exactly why Chris teaches way.


Complete Youth Skills Camp


Camper battling rare autoimmune disease inspired by perseverance story


Hi Coach Huber,

Today one of your assistants shared a perseverance story with the kids. It struck a note with my daughter, Anna.

When Anna was 4, she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease that essentially made her white blood cells attack the connective tissue in her joints like they were an infection. By the time we realized she was 'sick', the damage was so prevalent that she couldn't even make a step up onto a 4" riser on her own, she needed a hand rail or someone assisting. It has been a long road but she has made it into remission last year and now she is out on the basketball court tearing it up against girls and boys.

Anna is now going into 8th grade, and has only been playing basketball for a 9 months. She found basketball this past year thanks to her younger sister, Claire. Now further, one could say it's a fluke that Anna was even at this camp; it was her younger sister that was originally registered and would have attended, had she not broken arm last week. After the arm break, we convinced Anna to give-it-a-go as Claire's replacement so she could come home and teach Claire some of the learnings when she was healed. :-)

A special note of thanks for the time you took this AM before the camp start to help Anna with her shot mechanics; that 1-1 time meant the world to her. Anna has only played basketball 9 months, and just 2 months ago, I was helping her break the habit shooting jump shots with two hands. Anna has come a long way, but the attention from you today and the Perseverance message gave her an extra confidence boost.

The Lord puts events in our lives that help to shape our character. As I reflect on the events during this past week that lead Anna up to today, I see His had was clearly present. We have been very fortunate and blessed to participate in your camp. You are a class act, you run a great program, and we look to return in the future.


- Mike Stern from Minneapolis Youth Skills Camp





The instructions were clear, and the drills were applicable to each age range. The coaches were amazing, and both days were run to the minute. Best camp we have ever been to. I really appreciated all the effort from the coaches. Being able to make their way around to each court and comment on each player over the past two days was really cool. The message at the end was also appreciated. I'm going to hold my player to his homework assignment. Thanks for everyone who was a part of this camp!

- Jake Stiles - Lafayette Youth Skills Camp








I LOVED it. It was well organized. Coach Q was excellent. He was very knowledgeable about what he was teaching. He taught the fundamentals. He taught life lessons and how being an athlete you have to have character. He taught the older group different then the younger group. I just can't say enough good things about it.

- Mary Bishop parent of Alexandra Alex Bishop




The weekend went great. My boys really, really enjoyed the camp. Their confidence is high at the moment and they have things that they are self-motivated to work on.

Prileu Davis did a great job leading the camp. I appreciated his intensity and his passion for what he was doing. I'm sure I'm not alone, as a parent, in also appreciating his "Gratitude is the Attitude" mantra. I think the kids embraced that idea over the weekend and hopefully will carry that theme home as well! :)


- Mike Donovan, father of Daniel, William & Michael Donovan - Manton Youth Skills Camp.




Corrected Daughter With One-On-One Instruction At Youth Skills Camp!


Loved the way Coach Q and the others took time to help on an individual basis as needed. The talks about its ok to make a mistake and the drills were awesome.

All of the instructors were very good but Madison loved this gentleman (Paris Davis in the picture to the right with Madison). He took the time to show her one on one what she was doing or not doing in a way that she understood.


- Wendy German - Peoria, Illinois - 10 Rating





Daughter's Confidence Has Doubled!


This is our second camp we've attended. Coach Q. doesn't miss a beat. My daughter's confidence level has doubled now that she knows in depth what each drill does for her. She loves it.

Instructor Quentin Mitchell with Taya Ferguson.


- Jennifer Metz - Peoria, Illinois - 10 Rating





"Refreshing to see & participate in a camp that focuses on fundamentals, fundamentals & more fundamentals."


Excellent overall content from coaches, drills and life skills with the ending session recap conversations. It was refreshing to see & participate in a camp that focuses on fundamentals, fundamentals & more fundamentals. With some much focus placed on winning within youth sports today, this is an area that is often left behind within the development with kids

To the right, a picture of Matthew Sorce, with instructor AJ Guyton.


- Paul Sorce - Chatham, Illinois - 10 Rating




"We drove 8 hours to have our Daughter attend this camp and were not disappointed!"


We drove 8 hours to have our Daughter attend this camp and were not disappointed! She learned more in this one weekend than she has learned in 3 years of recreational basketball.

All of the coaches took time to give each camper individual attention. We will be looking at the shooting camp in Santa Fe now.

Coach Jim was wonderful not only with teaching basketball but teaching the kids to be grateful and use their manners. That seems to be something our youth is lacking in this day and age. Hats off to Breakthrough Basketball. Loved this Camp!


- Cindi Bradshaw



Injured granddaughter well taken care of...


Mr. Davis and his staff were very good. On the second day my granddaughter was having trouble with her knees. The staff got ice for her knees and was always checking on her. We had to leave at lunchtime on the second day because of her knees. We talked to Mr. Davis on the way out he told her how impressed he was of her because she tried. He gave her pointers on how to strengthen her knees. Mr. Davis is very professional and cares about the kids that he teaches. I hope to attend other camps with my grandkids.

- Bruce Brown, grandpa of Allyson Brown





"Excellent coaching, camp, and experience for my daughter."


Excellent coaching, camp, and experience for my daughter. She really enjoyed it and said she felt like she knows how to dribble past opponent better and knows how to protect the ball better with dribbling skills learned or enhanced.

- Michelle Tibbs, mother of Alison Tibbs Havana, IL - pictured both with Quentin




Shooting & Ball handling


"The level of ball-handling drills was superb! My son now has a ton of drills he can practice at home to improve upon."

My son was sad that camp was over!! (although he was very sore on that 3rd day!) Needless to say he slept well those nights - Mission Accomplished! I really appreciate coach Bluitt sharing his knowledge of ball handling, defense and shooting techniques that will surely help my son as he prepares to try out for his middle school team in a few weeks! I would definitely sign up for another camp!

I liked the amount of repetition and the attention that coach Bluitt spent with ALL of the kids. The level of ball-handling drills was superb! My son now has a ton of drills he can practice at home to improve upon.

- Keith Wood - White House, Tennessee Shooting & Ball Handling Camp



Shooting Camps


“Our son learned more at this camp than he has in practice over the last three years.”

Coach Charlie was amazing. He broke down all the steps and focused on each individual’s growth. His messages about gratitude, respect, and the game being very mental were well done. His drills were exceptional and kept everyone moving. He would stop a drill to perfect to master the mundane. Our son learned more at this camp than he has in practice over the last three years. The other coaches deserve a special thank you because they really focused on the child when it was their turn for the drill patiently correcting them when necessary. These gentlemen were outstanding and very professional and made the camp experience worthwhile.

- Anonymous - Seattle, Washington Shooting Camp



"I'm signing my son up for the next camp."

The drills were great! The camp was fun, and the time was used efficiently. I liked the station lines, and how coach Quentin showed examples of each drill in the station lines. Also, each station had two coaches to move the drill along and correct any mistakes. Also, coach Quentin's five minute discussions with the campers after each session about life, hard work, being thankful and being a good person was great for the kids to hear.

My son and I learned a lot about shooting and footwork. Coach Quentin Mitchell and his staff did an excellent job. I'm signing my son up for the next camp.

- Marcus Moulton - Chicago, Illinois Shooting Camp



Drove 5 hours and loved it!”

Drove 5hrs from wis to go to camp and my daughter loved it she learned a lot and when it was over she said mom I wish that it was a week long camp.

Thanks again,

- Kathy Lapen - Minneapolis, Minnesota Shooting camp



Best basketball clinic he has ever participated in…Organized... High Repetitions…. Instructors care about the kids… Shooting Camp Reviews


Everything was very organized. You can tell the instructors really care about the kids and want them to learn the skills. They also want them to be better kids and to be thankful for the opportunities that they have in life.

- Tommy Benjamin, parent of James Benjamin.





Very organized.
High repetitions.
Very knowledgeable coaches.
Very friendly coach.

- Dave Berkey, parent of Austin Berkey pictured here with Prileu.










Aidan had a Great Time at the 3 day camp! He said it was the best basketball clinic he has ever participated in. He hopes there will be another clinic from Coach Jim in the near future.

- Timmy Bueno, father of Aidan Bueno - Honolulu Shooting Camp







9th Grade Son Almost Quit Basketball - Breakthrough Camps Changed That And Brought Tears To My Eyes (Also be sure to read my response on why you shouldn't quit basketball.)


Loved that the kids were kept busy the entire time they were there and that they learned multiple skills.

My son (picture to the right with instructor Prileu Davis) is a freshman this year and did not get to play a lot during the basketball season. Basketball is the sport he loves and after a season of only playing 30 or 40 seconds a game he was about to give up. Two days at the Breakthrough Basketball Camp brought that love for basketball back! His attitude has totally changed and his confidence has improved so much! I cannot wait to see him put his new skills to work next season!

After seeing him at this camp it brought tears to my eyes. The love for the game that I know that he has was back!! I cannot wait to sign him up for the next camp and get him ready for next season!!


- Dana Dille - Mt Gilead, OH - 10 Rating


Former Varsity Coach Impressed - Sending Son to another Breakthrough Camp Next Week


I liked the structure. The time spent on minor details may have seemed like a long time to some kids, but these are things that most players would likely not do on their own. By the time they finished with those detail sessions, they were pretty comfortable with those details. By the time the camp was finished, each player was very comfortable in the basics of a good shot. I think kids were engaged for the most part.

I like how Prileu held kids accountable when they were messing around. It helped to make sure that campers who were serious could still benefit from the camp without the distraction of kids messing around. He did a really good job of controlling that. We really enjoyed our time. I thought Prileu made a real effort to get around to each basket and try to touch each kid with a word of encouragement and something to work on.

We are headed to Manton, MI this weekend (for another camp). We are really looking forward to it.


- Mike Donovan - Stryker, OH - 10 Rating


"Biggest Joke for A Camp" - Stoughton Shooting Camp


We drove in a blizzard to have my daughter to attend this camp. We should have stayed home. This camp was so disappointing; we left at the first break. My first issue was the instructor went over the proper form of shooting, but did nothing to reinforce the instruction. The coaches did nothing to reinforce the proper shooting form. After he broke them down into groups, which I thought would be a great time to work on the fundamentals, the students were performing drills. This was not half speed drills, it was full speed. Again, no one was correcting or reinforcing good shooting form. Running drills FULL speed, right after the he stated, “there would not be a lot of running”. Plus, when he would have them perform the drills, he would allow them about 30 to 60 seconds to perform the task. I watched my daughter on three occasions not even able to perform the drill because he was not allowing enough time, and she was in a small group. One of the biggest jokes of a camp I have seen.

I want to know who I can contact to get our money back because this was just a waste of time and resources. I look forward to your reply.


- Rick - 0 Rating - location unknown



My daughter loved the camp! She really enjoyed the whole staff involved too. I asked her on the way home, what the number one thing is she remembered. "THAT I WAS SHOOTING WRONG". That's what you guys helped her over come! She really learned a lot about shooting and the right way to do it. Thanks to all of you! You will hear from us again!

- Derrick - 10 Rating



The pureness and honesty of Charlie was most impressive. There is no glamourizing basketball. Most coaches tend to give young kids/adults a sense of false hope. Charlie spent a great deal of time emphasizing the importance of understanding the process of success. TIPS. The realness and reality of the fact that you're gonna make mistakes and to push through. Each person there seemed important. NICE JOB!

- Erin - 9 Rating



"Breakthrough Basketball has, by far, taught her the most!" (Same Stoughton Shooting Camp with Charlie Miller)


Very fast paced, high standards and very organized! I love how setting goals and mindset was stressed. We have been to many camps and Breakthrough Basketball has, by far, taught her the most!

Thank you for considering us. Please feel free to use our comments and name since we were very honored to be part of your camp and feel like our daughter, Jenna, has many skills that she can now apply at home! Thank you for offering such a wonderful opportunity to our kids!


Jenna Olin and others with Charlie Miller in the pic below.




- Jamie Olin - 10 Rating - Stoughton, WI



5th Breakthrough Camp and they keep getting better!


This was the best one so far, daughter's 5th BTB Bball camp. She actually has a "real" technique now-thank you!

(In the picture to the right, Deven Hoffman with camp instructor Prileu Davis.)

The lead coach was very interactive and for the first time ever, someone finally covered each move in actually taking a shot. Went to two other shooting camps that did not touch on basic fundamentals and were of no use-most parents I spoke to commented on how their kid actually learned something.


- Jen - Harrod, Ohio - 10 Rating



Will definitely be back next year - Taught son the process of success and what it really takes.


The pureness and honesty of Charlie was most impressive. There is no glamourizing basketball. Most coaches tend to give young kids/adults give a sense of false hope. Charlie spend a great deal of time emphasizing the importance of understanding the process of success. TIPS. The realness and realty of the fact that you're gonna make mistakes and to push through. Each person there seemed important. NICE JOB!

Liam will definitely be back next year!

In the picture below, Liam with instructor Charlie Miller.




- Erin Duveneck - Valders, Wi - 9 Rating



"Coach Jim was skilled, knowledgeable, inspirational and entertaining. There was never a dull moment."



Coach Huber was fantastic, especially connecting basketball to life lessons. Focus on fundamentals, with repetition and reinforcement and progression. My son really enjoyed the experience. Coach Jim was skilled, knowledgeable, inspirational and entertaining. There was never a dull moment. I had a great time assisting in the camp and learned many useful drills to use on my teams.


- Ken Cheung, Kailua, Hawaii, father of Nicholas Cheung (Rating 10 out of 10).






"No goofing off... focused on proper technique and fundamentals... (your) character trait discussions... far more valuable than the game of basketball."

As a parent I really liked the fact that it wasn't just a camp full of goofing off, shooting around and scrimmages. It really focused on proper technique and fundamentals. I was really encouraged to see Rustin incorporate character trait discussions at the end of each day. Those things are far more valuable than the game of basketball. My son's generation and society in general could use more of this training for sure.


- Larry Bridges, father of Blake Bridges @ Southern Pines camp with Rustin Dowd (Rating 10 out of 10)



"I really feel the word elite should have been left off the advertising."

The camp itself was a good camp, but I took my son who is a good shooter and wanted to see him given some tools to make him an elite shooter. I really feel the word elite should have been left off the advertising. If fundamentals are what makes a great shooter and he did get that reaffirmed from this camp, but the older more skilled players were looking for the next challenging step past that. I feel you run a good camp.... just not up to the elite part of the advertising. We're signed up for elite guard next level in St. Louis and still looking forward to that as the age level is tighter.


- Erik from Springfield Shooting Camp


Joe Haefner's Response:

Erik, first off, congratulations on helping your son develop into a good shooter. And we appreciate your honest feedback. This is extremely helpful in our continuous desire to have the most valuable camps out there. You actually bring up some great points that many other parents probably think about as well.

First, I went back and checked to see if the word elite was used on the registration pages. I could not locate it being called an "elite" shooting camp anywhere. It does say the instructor is an "elite skills coach". We have our "Elite" Guard Camps. However, there could have been something on a flyer or with the facility advertising that I missed.

Second, with that being said, I would be okay with calling it an "Elite" shooting camp. Everything taught at that camp is what "elite" shooters do. (On a side tangent, whether you should ever use the word "elite" is another topic which I'll address in a future email.)

Back to the topic at hand... our instructors have worked with and developed some of the best shooters in the world. The things in the camp are many of the same things that they work on.

Don Kelbick has worked with NBA players like Bruce Bowen who led the league in 3-point shooting percentage. He trained Raja Bell who is ranked 23rd all-time in 3-point shooting percentage. Both guys were undrafted by the way.

Jim Huber, our coaching & curriculum development director, has trained many great shooters. He takes the exact things he taught to them and incorporated it into the camp. Jim has trained players, NBA lottery picks, like Alec Burks & Willie Cauley-Stein. He has worked with players that have played at great programs like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Michigan St, and many other colleges at different levels.

We use the same progressions that one of our camp directors Troy Slavin has used to train his son Nic Slavin who has developed into one of the best 3-point shooters in the Midwest at the high school level.

It's simple, but it sure isn't easy. It takes an enormous amount of effort and focused repetition, which very few people choose to do.

As Michael Jordan's trainer Tim Grover once said, what makes the best players the best is that they do the basic fundamentals extremely well.

I once had a parent of a 7th grader complain that the workout I did wasn't advanced enough. This was the same workout I just used with an Iowa State commit who played for Fred Hoiberg. And it was a workout I used as a test run to see where the kid was at. If anything, I needed to scale things back.

So don't get caught up in doing anything fancy. Just do the basics extremely well.

Can you get into your shot a bit quicker to speed up your release? Can you explode out of triple threat into a one dribble jump shot just a bit quicker? Can you create a bit more separation when moving without the ball to give you more shooting opportunities? When driving to the basket can you have better balance and strength, so a forearm can't slow you down?

It's simple, but it is hard to accomplish.

I hope this helps you choose what to focus on your son's pursuit of being a great player.



Attack & Counter Post Player Camps with Don Kelbick


"Shameless Don Kelbick groupie... becoming more aggressive... huge shift."


"I am a shameless Don Kelbick groupie, so I was very excited to have my son become old enough to participate in Don's camp. I wasn't disappointed. Ben is now enthusiastically embracing the thought of working on becoming more aggressive and paying more attention to his footwork. That is a huge shift. Thanks, Don!"

Overall, the camp was excellent and my son talked about it the entire way home and he said he is glad he attended the camp so he can use his skills during summer workout and when the season starts back. I am going to get him a membership to our local rec department so he can utilize the gym when school is closed. Once again this camp was top notch and very very good. I truly enjoyed the weekend.

- Kathy Ackerman, parent of Ben Ackerman - Minneapolis Attack & Counter




Now Getting Gym Membership So Son Can Practice What Don Taught Him


I liked the information that was given and the demonstrations. Mr. Kelbick made it easy to understand and had all the players' attention which made them focus and was all hands on. I felt like I could play basketball!!!

Overall, the camp was excellent and my son talked about it the entire way home and he said he is glad he attended the camp so he can use his skills during summer workout and when the season starts back. I am going to get him a membership to our local rec department so he can utilize the gym when school is closed. Once again this camp was top notch and very very good. I truly enjoyed the weekend.

- Tiffany - Atlanta, GA - 10 Rating