Whether your player is brand new to the game or already has a killer crossover, getting ready in the weeks leading up to camp can make a big difference.

Here are a few simple ways families can prep in the final stretch—so your player shows up confident, comfortable, and ready to ball.

🔄 Ease Into the Camp Routine

Camp mornings come fast—especially during summer break! Starting to shift into “camp mode” a week or so early can help campers hit the ground running. A few things to try:

• Encourage earlier bedtimes for more rested mornings

• Fuel up with a good breakfast that gives energy without slowing them down

• Do a couple of practice mornings—wake up, get dressed, pack a bag, and get moving by 8:30.

These little shifts can make a big difference by Day 1.

🧠 Get Their Head in the Game

Basketball camp isn’t just about shooting and dribbling—it’s also about mindset. Some campers might feel nervous about trying new things or meeting new people. That’s normal!

Help your player get ready mentally by reminding them:

• Everyone’s learning, and mistakes are part of the process

• Effort and attitude matter more than being “the best”

• Great teammates cheer each other on, stay positive, and respect the game

We’re here to build confidence, not just skills.

At LFT Athletics, we’re all about building strong foundations. Our camps are designed to help young athletes develop skills that stick—not flashy moves that fade.

That’s why we begin every camp with a focus on the fundamentals: dribbling with control, passing with purpose, and shooting with proper form. For kids, learning how to move with the ball and communicate as a team is the key to long-term growth.

Focusing on the basics doesn’t just build better basketball players—it builds confidence. When kids master the fundamentals, they’re more likely to stay engaged, take risks, and enjoy the game. And that’s a win on any court.

We love structure—but we also know that kids need space to explore. That’s why every LFT Athletics camp includes time for free play.

When campers have unstructured court time, they often practice the very skills they just learned, but on their own terms. They experiment. They create. They even invent new games.

As coaches, we love to see their personalities shine. It’s in those moments of spontaneous play that confidence grows and real joy shows up. So yes—free time is a player favorite. And secretly? It’s a coach favorite too.

Looking for a quick, easy drill your child can do at home to boost their ball-handling? Try our "Cone-Free Zigzag Drill."

How it works:

• Find a sidewalk or driveway with space.

• Have your child dribble in a zigzag motion using only their dominant hand (right-right-right-left-left-left movement).

• After a few rounds, switch to their non-dominant hand.

• Bonus: Have them call out “change!” as they shift direction to encourage verbal focus.

5–10 minutes a day goes a long way in building confidence and coordination—plus, it’s fun!

Before LFT Athletics was a business, it was a kid with a basketball and a dream.

Coach Lee found his love for the game in 4th grade and spent years playing rec and team ball before joining AAU at 14. From Las Vegas to Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale and all across the Midwest, basketball became more than a sport—it was a passport to opportunity.

After earning all-county, all-city, and all-state honors in high school, Coach Gary was recruited to play basketball at Albion College, where he played at the collegiate level.

Now, he’s passing that experience on to the next generation—making the game fun, accessible, and meaningful for kids just starting their journey on the court.