Kids learn fundaments of basketball at YMCA camp

Roger Raymond strolled with basketball in hand.

Too bad Shaq wasn't there to listen in as Raymond explained the importance of making foul shots to 27 kids in the YMCA Basketball Camp.

The five-day camp ended June 16.

Raymond, boys basketball coach, and Craig Fisher, girls basketball coach at Marco Island Charter Middle School, ran the camp with the help of some former Middle School basketball players.

The kids, ages 6 to 13, exhibited various levels of experience, but Raymond wasn't concerned.

"The introduction to basketball doesn't change. You need to learn how to dribble, pass and shoot," he told the participants.

The youngsters learned the fundamentals of the game — offense and defense — dribbling around cones by using both hands to strengthen the off-hand and to develop better eye control.

"Most of the kids tend to be right-handed, but here they are learning to use their left hand," Raymond said. "We know that in seven hours we can't teach them all they need to know, but if they work on their own, they will improve.

"It is amazing how much they have learned. From a fundamental standpoint, they look good," he added.

In talking about free throws, Raymond alluded to the NBA playoffs. And though he didn't specifically mention the less-than-stellar free-throw skills of Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal, Raymond said, "You'll see the importance of making the foul shots. If you can't make them the other team will foul you as a defensive method to get the ball back."

In the NBA, such strategy is called "Hack-a-Shaq."

Fisher stressed the importance of doing drills correctly. When some players complained, he said, "It only feels awkward because you have been doing it wrong." In a drill in which two kids passed the ball to each other as they go down the court, Fisher urged them to deliver the ball to the lettering on their T-shirts to make the proper pass.

Tiana Bell, 8, was getting her first chance at basketball. She shined in making foul shots.

Parents, Domonique and James Bell, were amazed at how well she was doing.

"She's a little taller than other kids her age and we wanted to see how well she does," Dominique Bell said. "She loves it and I'm glad because I loved basketball too."

James Bell said he was surprised by how well all the kids were doing.

"They are all doing better than I thought," he said.

In the group were a number of sixth-graders, which Raymond said eventually will help the school's junior varsity team. There also were some girls who will someday boost the varsity squad.

Raymond talked about entering middle or high school and trying out for the basketball teams.

"There's a good chance the coaches don't know who you are, but they'll learn quickly if you know the fundamentals," he said.

He also talked about the social part of basketball.

"When the sixth-graders come in, it helps to know someone older at the school," Raymond said. "When they come to the camp they are getting a heads-up in terms of what to look forward to and it's nice to know someone as it's a bit scary in entering a new school.

"The kids are learning basketball and a bit of life."