Check these amazing highlights from 20 year old and 7'2" Bol Bol!

Never has the basketball world seen a player like Bol Bol! He's a rookie for the Denver Nuggets 7'2" with a 7'8" wingspan.

He's the son of the late Manute Bol who was a former NBA legend who stood at a staggering 7'7" tall. (Our own Don Kelbick has some good stories coaching against Manute in college.)

Never has anybody with the height and length of Bol Bol displayed a skill set where someone can block and pin a shot against the backboard, grab the rebound, dribble the length of the floor, beat a defender off the dribble, and pull up for a 3-pointer... against NBA level players!

As a fan and a coach, it's truly fun and exciting to watch.

What's even more exciting for me is that I can share something I know that is unique about Bol Bol's development. In fact, it might even appear crazy to some novices.

However, it's probably one of the most important things that you can do as a coach or look for as a parent for your child!

My Experience Coaching Against Bol Bol

When I was coaching youth and high school teams in Kansas City prior to moving to Orlando, I got to coach against the teams that Bol Bol played for. We probably played against his teams almost a dozen times over three or four years.

During his youth and middle school years, Bol Bol was extremely tall and long. Imagine that!

However, he didn't possess near the coordination that he displays now. While he was coordinated for his height, many of the kids were much faster, quicker, stronger, and could jump higher.

In fact, if you were ONLY trying to win games at the expense of long term development (which I highly advise against), you'd probably place Bol Bol near the basket on offense and defense. Unfortunately, many well-intentioned youth coaches do this.

If a kid is tall and uncoordinated, they just sit him under the basket where he can rebound and play defense. This is probably the worst thing you can do for their long term development.

While I didn't know Bol Bol's coaches, they did something that was great for his development.

His coaches allowed Bol Bol to play point guard! His coaches also allowed him to take perimeter jump shots... His coaches allowed him to play in the post... His coaches allowed him to play all positions!

Yes... Bol Bol would bring the ball up the court against our teams. We pressured him quite a bit in our half court man to man defense, so he naturally struggled at first.

But to his credit and his coaches' credit, over the years, he developed into a decent ball handler and passer.

And as he got older, he started to knock down 3-pointers against us too!

This is probably a big reason that you're seeing the highlights above.

What's Perfect for Long Term Youth Development

However, none of that would've happened if his coaches let one player dominate the ball or if they had stuck Bol under the basket.

In fact, all players played all positions on those teams. They played in the post and they played on the perimeter. They all handled the ball.

As a coach, this is perfect for long-term development! Who wouldn't want a group of 5 to 10 players that can all dribble, shoot, and pass!?

As a parent, your child will maximize their development! If they don't touch the ball, if they don't play all positions, if they don't bring the ball up the court, how can they possibly fully develop?

They're going to get behind the players who are playing for coaches who do things the right way.

This Sounds Similar to Kevin Durant's Youth Development

From past articles and videos about Kevin Durant, you may know that Kevin Durant's youth coach did the same thing with him!

Durant handled the ball, played in the post, and played on the perimeter thanks to his Uncle's advice.

Prior to Bol Bol, nobody had seen the scoring skill set from a player with such length as Kevin Durant. Durant is one of the best scorers of all-time!

The Obvious Solution Yet Potential Problems!

Obviously, a solution for coaches is to let everybody handle the ball, pass the ball, and play all positions.

This is why we prefer a positionless motion offense.

As a parent, you should find a youth coach who implements these practices.

However, a couple of problems can still arise...

1 - It's hard to find a coach whether it's a geographical situation or just a lack of coaches with a youth development background.

2 - Players are afraid or not allowed to push their limits and make mistakes during games.

Even if you find a coach that uses this approach, indirectly or directly players can be afraid to challenge themselves during games. This means they don't improve as much as they should because of the fear of failure.

Why Basketball Camps Provide A Benefit Not Always Found On Teams

A lack of youth coaching education and a lack of a skill-enhancing environment that reduces fear of failure are two major reasons we created the Breakthrough Basketball Skill Development Camps.

We wanted to give you the opportunity to improve your shooting skills, ball handling skills, scoring skills, and basketball IQ while giving you the opportunity to push your limits and make mistakes in a pressure-free environment with positive, motivating coaches!

At the same time, we teach important character and life lessons, so players develop on and off the court.

If you're interested in learning what it takes to become a...

• Shooter that coaches love
• Scorer that surprise your teammates
• Ball handler with the ability to break down opponents
• And playmaker that your team can't afford not to have on the court

Be sure to check out our Breakthrough Basketball Camp Schedule!

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

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