Added to Cart
×
Challenge the Best, Build the Rest: Coaching for Every Level
Close 
Joyce Ekworomadu
DIRECTOR, BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
Joyce attended Texas State University where she averaged 18.9 points a game, was Southland Conference Player of The Year, led the team to the school’s first ever Conference Championship, became the 5th player in Texas state history to record over 1500 points and 600 rebounds, became the 1st player in the Southland Conference to sign a WNBA contract and graduated with a BBA in Marketing. Post college, she played in the WNBA, Poland, Italy, the National Nigerian Basketball Team and is the 12th female of the World Famous Harlem Globetrotters. She has traveled to over 40 countries playing the game of basketball. As the Director of Basketball Operations and Account Manager at Ballogy, she blends her extensive experience in basketball with a deep commitment to operating and constructing player development curriculum. With a focus on strategic planning and execution, she contributes to the continuous enhancement of Ballogy’s training programs and user experience. In her role as an Account Manager, she cultivates lasting relationships with clients, ensuring their success by tailoring solutions to their unique needs. Joyce is dedicated to shaping the future of basketball through innovative technology and collaborative leadership at Ballogy.
Have you ever found yourself in a practice with a few athletes who are year-round superstars—maybe they play AAU in the off-season—while others only show up for school ball and that’s it? If so, you’ve probably witnessed the massive skill gap between athletes on your team. So, how do you run a productive basketball practice when some players are significantly more advanced than others? This situation can be tricky. Some athletes are brand new and still learning the basics, while others are disengaging because they’re not being challenged enough.
Many coaches try to solve this by running drills everyone can do without modification. I get it—you want beginners to succeed. But that approach risks losing the attention of your top-tier players. It’s not a bad strategy, but I believe you can go further and get more out of every player.
Meet Players Where They Are
What works for me? Set individual goals. Give each player what they need, based on where they are. Start with intentional benchmarks. For example. Stay in a defensive stance for a set amount of time. Force a player who only goes right to finish only with their left during layup lines.
Not every goal has to be flashy—it just needs to be intentional. For your top athletes, challenge them. It keeps them focused and engaged. Set them aside before practice and give them personal goals:
- Finish only with your off-hand.
-
Get three assists before taking a shot.
-
Only take two dribbles to get to the basket.
You’ll be surprised how dialed in players get when they’re given a challenge. It forces them to think, adapt, and add new layers to their game. Plus, it keeps practice competitive without making anyone feel left behind.
Group by Skill Level
Another effective strategy? Group players by ability during station work. That way, each player works on drills that match their skill level—no one’s pressured to keep up or slow things down. Advanced players sharpen their skills. Beginners get reps without feeling overwhelmed. If you only have one player who’s far ahead of the rest, assign them a specific goal or challenge for each station. You can also give them extra reps.
Final Thoughts
When you tailor practices to fit every athlete’s needs, you get better outcomes. Advanced players stay mentally sharp and continue to grow. Developing players build confidence through reps designed for them. Don’t overcomplicate it. Just make small, smart adjustments. You already know your players’ tendencies. Lean on your assistants. It takes more planning, patience, and intention—but it’s absolutely worth it.