Geoff Golden Basketball will be conducting a series of fall Playmaker Clinics at Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron in Broomfield, Colorado.  The clinics will run 4 consecutive Sunday’s beginning November 20th and ending December 11th from 1-3pm.  Registration is open to both boys and girls currently enrolled in 3rd – 8th grade. Clinics may be purchased individually for $30 or in a comprehensive package of 4 at $79. For more information on registration please contact Geoff Golden.

Playmaker Clinics are group workouts designed to build fundamental skill, increase basketball specific knowledge (commonly referred to as basketball I.Q) and develop overall athleticism.  Each Sunday session will be a comprehensive workout with a different emphasis in each of the above categories.  For example, our first Sunday we will specialize in shooting off the dribble, concept of offense spacing and lateral quickness.  Each session will conclude with a controlled scrimmage to help players learn to transfer skills and concepts from drills to game conditions.

Our primary goal with the Playmaker sessions is to provide a competitive environment for young players to learn the game of basketball.  Our emphasis as coaches is to teach the game in a way that builds confidence and allows for transfer of learning to game situations.  We run a disciplined program that gives us the ability to maximize our time on the court and minimize distractions to ensure the most efficient learning and development environment.  In other words, we take our basketball very serious as we hope our students do!

Playmaker Clinics

Who: Boy/Girl basketball athletes in 3rd – 8th grade

When: Nov. 20, 27  Dec. 4, 11

Time: 1-3pm

Location: Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron

*Cost: $30 individually or $79 all 4 sessions

Contact Geoff Golden with any questions:  303.549.1682 0r coachgolden@geoffgolden.com

*All payments must be made in advance. Comprehensive package price (4 – $79) is only valid prior to first session on Nov. 20.  All sales are final. NO REFUNDS regardless of circumstance.

Basketball Club Denver will hold its annual tryouts for the upcoming spring/summer competitive club season on March 13th at Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron in Broomfield, CO.   BC Denver will be looking to fill rosters for 4 competitive teams that will compete on both the regional and national level.

The tryouts are open to competitive girls with a graduating class of 2012-2015 and will be broken down into two age groups.  The class of 2015 (current 8th graders) will workout from 2-4pm with registration beginning at 1:30.  The classes of 2014-2012 (current freshman-juniors) will go from 4-6:30pm. Registration will begin at 3:30.  All participants will be required to check-in at the registration desk near the front entrance before going to the basketball court.  All participants should also plan to being a basketball.

BC Denver has quickly become one of the most competitive AAU/Club programs in the Rocky Mountain region.  As we established in our first season our foundation and primary focus is in the development of our athletes.  We place a premium on individual skill development, athletic development and learning to play the game – basketball IQ.  We feel that development is driven by quality coaches, quality practice and quality competition.  We have 3 mandatory practices per week – 2 team practices/1 skill-athlete development practice.  A 4th optional shooting practice is available to all athletes in the program on Friday nights.  At BC Denver we believe hard work is the price of admission to being a great player and we stive to give our athletes that opportunity.

If you have further questions regarding BC Denver or our upcoming tryouts please feel free to contact me anytime. 

Geoff Golden – 303.549.1682

Geoff Golden’s 3rd Annual Holiday Hoops Camp will run December 20-23 at Lakeshore Athletic Club in Broomfield, Colorado.  This years Holiday Camp will take on a slightly different format that guarantees to maximize performance for all competitive levels.  If your a competitive basketball athlete in the 6th- 12th grade this camp will give you a tremendous competitive edge over the Holiday break.  Whether you are in the middle of your high school season or your preparing for your upcoming Gold Crown season this camp will give you an opportunity to take your skill level and athletic performance to another level.  Two choices over break…take a step forward OR take a step back! 

Our format for the first 3 days will be a comprehensive approach to improving fundamental skill and athletic performance/conditioning along with competitive game play.  Every day every athlete will get 1 hour of technical skill development, 1 hour of athletic performance training/conditioning and 1 hour of competitive game play against some of the top players in the northern Colorado region.  After 3 hard days of work the 4th and final day will be a chance to show off your game with a competitive skills challenge day.  All participants will have the opportunity to compete for some great prizes in numerous skill competitions including a 3pt shootout, free throw challenge, 1 on 1 competition, hot shot and 2ball championship and more.  This day will be a well deserved day of competition and fun!

Camp will run 1-4pm each day and is open to both boys and girls age 6th – 12th grade.  Age groups will be divided appropriately during camp to maximize the competitive environment. 

Registration deadline will be December 15th.  All registration will take place through the front desk at Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron.  300 Summit Blvd, Broomfield, Colorado.  80021

Geoff Golden Basketball and Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron will be teaming up to offer a 3 on 3 youth development league designed to help players improve skills and learn advanced game play techniques in a fun environment.  The league will operate on Sunday afternoons starting November 7th and conclude Sunday December 12th.  All six sessions will include a 30 minute skill development clinic designed to teach basic fundamentals and 60 minutes of 3 on 3 instructional game play. 

Benefits of 3 on 3 instructional play:

 A 3v3 league promotes fun, learning and development rather than competition and winning.  Players compete, but winning is not the end goal.  This league challenges players like a 5v5 league but is more developmentally oriented and learning based.  Rather than one or two players dominating the ball, all players handle the ball and players have more space to make a move and shoot.  Rather than sloppy, bumblebee-ball, players play “real” basketball within a team environment with positive coaching and more emphasis on skill development and fun games.

Game Play Format:  Games will consist of 15 minute running clock.  Teams of 3 or 4 players will play multiple games against other teams in thier division.  Older divisions will call thier own fouls and a court /basket supervisor will provide positive instruction for both teams while overseeing the action. 

Game Play Divisions:  Divisions will consist of both boys and girls and will be broken down into age groups to provide a consistent level of competition.  Play in your age/grade bracket or play up.

Registration/Liability:  Players must register as individuals and indicate on thier registration form other players they would like to play with.  Individuals who do not indicate other players they prefer to play with will be placed on a team the first week of the league.  All registration forms and payments will be collected through the front desk at Lakeshore Athletic Club.  Registration deadline is October 26th or when divisions are full.  We encourage you to sign up early as space is limited.

Location:  All sessions will be held at Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron, 300 Summit Blvd, Broomfield, CO.  Please check in at the front desk then proceed to the adult basketball court. 

For additional questions or information please contact Geoff Golden at 303.549.1682 or coachgolden@geoffgolden.com OR Paula Lambert 303.729.2552 or plambert@powerwellness.com.

Geoff Golden Basketball will be hosting 6th grade boys Gold Crown tryouts on October 6th from 7-9pm at Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron.  The tryouts will run from 7-8:30 with a parent meeting to follow from 8:30-9.  All participants should should bring a ball and be ready to work as the tryouts will be organized in an intense practice format.  The parent meeting will provide information on coaching philosophy, practice schedule, financial obligations etc.  The cost of the tryout will be $5 to cover gym cost for the evening.

All participants should arrive at least 10 minutes early to ensure registration is complete by 7pm.  Registration will begin at 6:30.  Participants will not be allowed on the court until registration is complete. 

For more information or questions please contact Geoff Golden at 303.549.1682 or coachgolden@geoffgolden.com.

Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron , 300 Summit Blvd., Broomfield CO. 80020.  www.lsac-flatiron.com

Geoff Golden 2010 Shooting Camp will be held June 14-17 at Lakeshore Athletic Club in Broomfield, CO.  The camp will run 1:30 – 4:30 Monday thru Thursday and is open to both boys and girls ages 8-18. 

The camp will focus on the ability to score the basketball in what we refer to as the “complete player series”.  Spot shooting, shooting of the dribble, cut-catch and shoot along with finishing at the basket.  Areas of emphasis will be proper shooting mechanics, footwork, creating space from the defender with and without the ball.

The camp is appropriate for all skill and experience levels and will be conducted by a professional staff including former pro/college players along with local high school/club coaches.

Early registration is required through the front desk at Lakeshore Athletic Club by Saturday June 12th.  Camp flyer and registration form can be found at www.lsac-flatiron.com under basketball.

Please contact Geoff Golden at 303.549.1682 with any questions or concerns.  Hope to see you at camp!

Stay in shape and take your game to the next level over the Holiday break with Geoff Golden’s 2nd Annual Holiday Hoops Camp set for Dec. 28, 29, & 30 at Lakeshore Athletic Club-Flatiron in Broomfield, Colorado.  The clinic will run from 1-4pm each day and will focus on improving the “Fundamental Super 7” along with increasing basketball I.Q. through game situation play. 

Guest instructors will include Ron Pelletier, former Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Colorado 14ers, who will give a daily dose of basketball specific performance training and 6’10 Ted Allen, former Colorado Buffalo and former professional basketball athlete.  Ages 8 to 18.  No experience necessary all abilities welcome!  Sign up now to reserve your spot! 

Early registration cost $119; day of registration $150.  Lakeshore members:  $99 early registration; $125 day of registration.  For more information contact Geoff Golden at 303.549.1682 or www.geoffgolden.com.  Also visit Lakeshore Athletic Club at www.lsac-flatiron.com.

Geoff Golden Basketball and Lakeshore Athletic Club – Flatiron will be teaming up to offer a variety of new youth basketball programs to begin in October.  The developmental programs will be designed for all abilities and will have an emphasis on learning and improving fundamental skill while increasing basketball I.Q through game specific drills.   All sessions will begin the first week of October, 2009.

*Little Hoopsters - Never to young to learn the game! This program is designed for 5 and 6 year old athletes looking to get an introduction into the basic fundamentals of basketball while developing a love for the game.  Each session will run 45 minutes every Saturday morning at 9am beginning October 3rd.

*All-Stars - Program designed for athletes age 7 to 10. Learn the fundamentals – shooting form/technique, ballhandling, passing, offensive and defensive footwork etc.  All abilities welcome!  Each session will run 60 minutes every Saturday morning  at 10am beginning October 3rd.

*MVP’s – Program designed to teach the fundamentals of the game while increasing basketball I.Q. for athletes ages 11-14.  All abilities welcome…if you have a desire to become a better player and prepare for success at a higher level this is your program.  Each session will run 60 minutes every Wednesday night at 6pm beginning October 7th.

All programs are on a month to month basis and will run year around.  Pro rates are available if you are unable to start at the beginning of the month.  All programs will be limited to 25 athletes so sign-up up today to reserve your spot.  All registration will be conducted through Lakshore Athletic Club. 303.729.4300 or www.lsac-flatiron.com.  For more information or questions regarding program content please contact Coach Golden at 303.549.1682 or coachgolden@geoffgolden.com. 

Geoff Golden Basketball – “Preparing for Success”

In preparing for shooting camp a couple of weeks ago I came across some old notes that I had taken at a shooting clinic a few years back by basketball guru Dave Hopla (Washington Wizards).   As a player development coach I’m always in search of new ways to make a point or really drive a point home to athletes of all ages and abilities.  One very simple portion of the notes really stood out to me regarding what it takes to become a great shooter.   I decided to share the thoughts in my camp:

“How many of you would be interested if I could tell you how to become the world’s greatest shooter?  I have the answer for you….its actually a very simple concept that contains only two steps and anyone is capable.   So here it is….to become the world’s greatest shooter you to must (1) learn proper from and then (2)shoot more than anyone else in the world!  That’s it….there’s your answer!”

As you can imagine this doesn’t get a raving applause from a group of young athletes who are growing up in the “microwave culture” and have very little appreciation for “delayed gratification”.  They want the quick fix…the magic pill…the answer that gets results immediately.  But that isn’t how the game works…its a process to become a great shooter or player for that matter and if I can get them thinking in those terms then I think I’ve made some progress.

The bottom line is this…shooting the basketball effectively is about form and repetition.  Learning proper form at a young age is crucial as bad habits can be very difficult to correct as an athlete gets older.  Attention to detail with the feet, elbow, hand placement on the ball and follow thru are all key elements in proper development.  As I have always said with every repetition you are either forming good habits or bad habits and those habits determine your success.  With young basketball athletes a lack of strength is a very common reason for developing bad habits…adjust accordingly.  Use a smaller ball, shoot at a lower basket, stay closer to the basket when getting repetition (stay away from the 3pt line) etc. 

In terms of repetition it just comes down to the amount of quality time you are willing to put into the process.  There is no secert here…the more you shoot the basketball the better shooter you will become.  With that said its also important to note that not all repetition is equal.  Game shots at game spots at game speed are going to get much quicker results than what I like to refer to as “social shooting” that does not contain the same energy and focus.  As with all great accomplishments there is always a price to be paid…I think that is a decision each individual athlete must make on thier own.  As an athlete are you willing to make the “time” sacrifice, the “effort” sacrifice, the “social” scarifice.  There isn’t a great shooter out there that hasn’t made those sacrifices in the past to get where they are today because every great shooter follows the same path to success…form and repetition!   Shooters are made not born so if your one of those basketball athletes who are willing to learn proper form and then take the quality repetition to another level of commitment maybe…just maybe you could become the “worlds greatest shooter!”

Coach Golden

Geoff Golden - NCAA Tournament 1997

Geoff Golden All Skills Camp will be held June 1 through July 29 at Impact Sports Performance in Broomfield, CO.  The camp is scheduled to meet every Monday and Wednesday for 8 weeks (16 sessions) from 1-3pm. 

All Skills Camp is the ultimate performance basketball camp.  Each two hour session is divided into an hour of basketball skill development and an hour of athletic performance training.  In the basketball portion athletes will focus on all major areas of skill development : shooting, dribbling, passing, offensive-defensive footwork, rebounding etc.  In the athletic performance portion athletes will put thier energy and effort into developing more explosiveness, quickeness, lateral speed and agility and improving vertical leap.  All performance sessions will be led by a certified strength and conditioning specialist through Impact Sports Performance.

If you are serious about being a player, this is a camp you will not want to miss! Registration is open to athletes of all ages and abilities through Geoff Golden Basketball (www.geoffgolden.com) or Impact Sports Performance (www.myimpactsports.com).  Even if you can’t make the entire 8 week commitment plan to participate when your schedule allows with pro rated cost options.  See you there!!