Brant Lake Camp features four ‘Core’ sports in it’s instructional programs, although there are many others as noted. They include Basketball, Baseball, Tennis and Soccer. The instruction in these sports is second to none and is equal to any specialty camp, largely due to the experience and age-appropriate experience of our coaching staff.
Basketball
While each basketball session has its own specific objectives based on the skill level of players and whether it is an instructional or game period, our teaching philosophy remains the same. We emphasize the fundamentals of the game, individual skills, and team play. Our instructional sessions are action-packed, with little waste of time. Brant Lake Camp offers many game opportunities which allow campers to put into play those fundamentals and team concepts stressed in practice.
BLC has many middle school, high school, and college coaches, as well as a number of current and former D-1 and D-3 college players, that help coach and run our basketball program.
Learn More About Our Instructional Approach:
Fundamentals
- proper shooting, passing, ball handling and foot work techniques
- offensive moves off the dribble (maximizing a triple threat by teaching a variety of moves off the jab step)
- moving without the ball to use screens and cuts to free oneself.
Team Play
- emphasis on free lance ‘Motion Offense ‘ (or Passing Game), which teaches players to move intelligently no matter what style of play one’s coach utilizes (screening away from the ball, understanding spacing, back-door cuts, v-cuts, etc
- understanding the plus/minus stat to encourage awareness of how to help your team in ways other than scoring
Man-to-Man Defense
- proper stance, balance and footwork
- proper positioning to be a better help defender
- helping against dribble penetration (help and recover)
- handling screens on the ball (hedge, blitz or switch)
- defending screens away from the ball (including back-screens)
- defending post-ups (fronting, playing on the side, doubling down)
- proper rotations and more
- Fast Break Opportunities
- 2 on 1 and 3 on 2 situations
- How to turn a fast break into a Secondary Break to maximize offense without turning the ball over
Baseball
As with our other Core Sports, we have a number of high school and college coaches who run our baseball program, along with the assistance of several D-1 and D-3 players.
Each baseball practice is well planned and has its own goals based on the age and skill level of players. Regardless of the session, our approach is consistent in terms of both teaching proper mechanics and team play. Our instructional sessions are non-stop, with little standing around as campers do many drills in smaller group work stations.
Learn More About Our Instructional Approach:
Instruction points and coaching approaches will vary by age and ability but will include as appropriate:
Defensive Play
- proper throwing mechanics for both infield and outfield including weight balance, shoulder rotation, targeting and release points, proper striding and footwork, vs overhead
- infield play including ground ball at a fielder vs to forehand and back hand, slow rollers and throwing off the opposite foot, sliding stops in the hole, double play footwork, positioning for/proper tagging, cut-off play, run down or pickle cycling, among others
- outfield play including charging fly balls, over-the-shoulder catches, fielding ground balls on the run, dealing with the sun, playing the outfield fence, relays and cut-offs, throwing behind the runner
- team defense and player positioning/backing up, on-field player communication, trick plays,
Offensive Play
- proper hitting fundamentals including bat finger grip, stance, the stride, hip turn and proper rear foot pivot, shoulder, arms and head positioning, role of the top hitting hand and bat speed, opposite field hitting, hitting the curve and off speed pitches, hitting approach and pitch selection, etc
- proper bunting techniques including batting stance vs ‘old school’ square- around, plate management, head, hand and elbow positioning, sacrifice and drag bunts, fake bunt-and-hit, etc.
- base running including one and two-way leads from all bases, stealing, sliding including stand up, modified hook, head first, double play break up, pickle breakers, base approaches and running “off” a base
Pitching and Catching
- Pitching: proper arm mechanics, the stride and centerline, lead foot landing, ‘gathering’, rotation and push off, spotting the ball, pitching strategy, pick off moves, covering first, back up responsibilities
- Catching: proper stance and throwing mechanics, blocking balls, tag positions at home, stealing throws to all bases, target setting and game calling, mask management, fielding bunts, running the infield
Soccer
BLC has many high school and college soccer coaches plus some professional players from the USA, England, Scotland, Wales, and other countries. This allows our campers to receive dynamic and high-quality training and coaching.
Tennis
Tennis instruction is offered in various ways. In additional to the everyday tennis schedule, those boys who desire more frequent lessons may opt for our Special or Intensive Tennis programs.
Our boys benefit from working with Brant Lake Camp’s tennis pros, who run our high-quality instructional program. In addition, we have many high school and college tennis players from the USA and around the world who supplement the pros’ outstanding teaching.
