Purpose of the Program

The AAU Basketball Elite Training Clinics have been developed in response to a growing national need: the enhancement of training and education for players, coaches, and officials within youth basketball. While game play opportunities are abundant in the U.S., AAU leadership acknowledges a significant gap in structured development programming—particularly when compared to international models. These clinics aim to close that gap and elevate the standards of youth basketball across the country.

The initiative is built around three foundational pillars:

1. Player Development
2. Coach Development
3. Officiating Development 

Each clinic is designed to be impactful, informative, and practical - providing tools that participants can immediately bring back to their teams, schools, and communities.

Player Development

Players attending the clinics will receive hands-on instruction from experienced coaches focusing on core individual and team skills. The approach will emphasize both technical training and mental preparation, providing players not just with drills, but with an understanding of how to train with purpose.

Key Focus Areas:

• Ball handling under pressure
• Shooting mechanics and in-game application
• Game-speed transition drills
• Off-ball movement: screening, cutting, spacing
• Understanding pace, intensity, and commitment in practice
  

Although players will only be on the court for a few hours over two nights, the goal is to equip them with months’ worth of skill-development drills they can continue on their own. Coaches will be active and engaging—explaining not just the “how” of each drill, but also the “why.”

Core Messages to Athletes:

• Get better every time you step on the court
• Drill to win
• Treat every opportunity as a chance to improve
• Compete and have fun while working hard
  

Coach Development

Coach education is a cornerstone of this initiative. Clinics will offer a dual-track experience: part classroom instruction, part live-court demonstration. The program acknowledges that many youth coaches operate with limited time, resources, and facilities. Therefore, the focus will be on efficient, adaptable, and proven methods for team and skill development.

Topics Covered:

• Practice planning for maximum engagement and effectiveness
  
• Skill-building drills that require limited space and equipment
• Strategies for reducing idle time during practice
  
• Communication techniques that build trust and accountability
• Managing team dynamics and working with parents effectively
  

The program will also explore how to build a healthy, cooperative relationship with game officials and teach players to do the same. AAU leadership believes that improving the coaching culture will directly impact the overall quality of youth basketball.

Officiating Development

The AAU has partnered with Gary Zielinski, a former NBA official with over 1,100 games of experience, to lead the officiating development component. His experience in both the NBA and as a trainer for the G League and Junior NBA will provide unmatched insight and instruction to both new and veteran officials.

Clinic Elements:

• Mechanics, positioning, and game management
  
• Communication and professionalism
• Understanding coach-official relationships
  
• Conflict prevention and resolution
  

Additionally, the program will recruit and train new officials from local communities, particularly individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who are interested in learning a new skill that can provide a reliable stream of income. This recruitment effort is designed to address the national referee shortage while enhancing the AAU officiating pipeline.

Program Director: Jim Fox

The clinics will be directed by Jim Fox, a respected figure in both grassroots and NCAA Division I basketball.

Jim Fox's Background:

• 19 years of Division I coaching experience
  
• Associate Head Coach at Davidson College during five NCAA Tournament runs including an Elite 8 appearance in 2008. Coached Steph Curry during his college career and continues to maintain contact with him.
• Head Coach at Appalachian State University for five years
• Founder and Executive Director of Lightning Basketball, a Long Island-based AAU powerhouse with over 200 boys and girls teams

Coach Fox brings an exceptional ability to connect elite coaching principles with youth-level implementation. His leadership will ensure that this initiative is well-structured, relevant, and forward-thinking.

How Coaches Can Participate and Benefit

Coaches are invited to attend and engage in all portions of the clinics. You will have the opportunity to:

• Learn from Division I and professional-level instructors
• Gain practical, proven tools to enhance your coaching
• Build relationships with fellow coaches and mentors
• Contribute to the next generation of players and officials
  
• Elevate the standard of your program and your personal coaching development

AAU believes that coaches are the most powerful influence in youth basketball. By investing in your development, you multiply your impact—on your players, your program, and the sport.

We can bring this training opportunity to your city. You need only to recruit players and provide a facility. In return, we will bring top level training to your players, coaches and referees. You can design it in whatever way you believe will work for you. There is also an opportunity for you to generate income for your program. AAU is very willing to enter into a revenue sharing agreement on all profits.

For more information, contact Jim Fox at Coachfox@lightningbasketball.net or by calling 516-351-6642