A few weeks ago, AJ’s family reached out to us through an acquaintance, eager to help him transition from U12 to the more challenging level of U14 basketball. AJ had the talent, but the jump was daunting—he struggled to adjust to the increased pace and physicality of higher-level play. His biggest hurdle? Understanding that success wasn’t just about scoring but about moving efficiently off the ball and contributing on defense.

To assess his skill level, Coach Ermay started with two foundational drills: tag basketball and basketball tennis. These engaging yet purposeful exercises are designed to help players grasp the importance of movement and variability. AJ quickly adapted, showcasing an extraordinary ability to move without the ball for his age.

Click this link to watch what basketball tennis is like

This was a breakthrough moment. By introducing variability into his training—breaking away from the traditional repetitive drills that players are often accustomed to—AJ not only improved his skill set but also found joy in the process. This approach, rooted in the Constraint-Led Approach (CLA) and Differential Learning (DL), is revolutionizing basketball development, even at the highest levels like the NBA, Euroleague and many other leagues around the world. (The Cleveland Cavaliers, for example, are excelling under Alex Sarama, founder of Transforming Basketball and a key advocate for CLA methodology.)

To further challenge AJ, we moved into a differential learning shooting challenge where he attempted and scored at all three medal levels (more on understanding shot selection in CLA click here). The goal was simple yet transformative: each shot required subtle changes in technique but shared a consistent purpose. This highlighted both his strengths and areas for improvement while instilling a deeper understanding of shooting mechanics. Not only did AJ thrive, but he also left the session smiling, motivated, and ready to take his game to new heights.

AJ scored 9 Gold, 8 Silver and 13 Bronze medals (click the link below to understand what they mean).

What Athletes Gain from Training with us

1. Train Effectively on Their Own: Individual challenges and drills focused on self-organization and purposeful repetitions.
2. Improve Coordination and Movement: Learn how to train efficiently both solo and with partners by mastering coordination patterns and movement skills.
3. Sustain Development: Apply constraints and differentiated learning principles with guided instruction and resources that keep progress alive long after the session or camp.

Traditional team training often prioritizes unity, which is crucial, but it can sideline creativity and variability. In real-game scenarios, players with the ability to adapt and finish with ease—skills honed through approaches like CLA and DL—stand out and elevate their performance.

If you want to explore these innovative methods for yourself, I invite all players, coaches, and parents to learn more at our upcoming February camp. Click here to register: Ubuntu Basketball February Camp.

Special Friday Sessions for U12, U14, and U16 Players

Want to try CLA and DL in action? Join me for a one-hour session on:

• Friday, January 24th or
• Friday, January 31st
• 📍 Time: 20:30 – 21:30
• 📍 Location: Apollohal (Small Gym across the enterence)
• led by one of our Ubuntu Basketball Coaches

Typically €20 per session, if you book through this newsletter copy ONLY, it’s only €10 for one of the above dates!

Reserve your spot now: Book Your Session Here.

After the session, you’ll receive a Tikkie link for payment.

Let’s unlock your potential—one movement, one shot, one session at a time.

"Unity on 3, 1,2,3... Unity!"

Ubuntu Basketball