LeBron James Goes to School

Even the world's best player "goes to school" to learn from one of the game's greats, two-time NBA Champion Hakeem Olajuwon.  Here Olajuwon instructs LeBron on scoring moves around the basket.  Notice that all the moves begin with INSIDE and OUTSIDE pivot footwork.  "You ALWAYS beat the opponent with your feet!"  

The Jump Hook for Guards

DRose displays that the jump hook is NOT just for the bigs ... here he comes to a 2-foot jump stop in the traffic and with balance, poise, and control, he outside pivots back into a jump hook.  Once again, FOOTWORK and MOVES are the key.

Up, Up & Away!!

NRP players look as if they're ready to take off in flight as they perform "ball push-ups." 

The players begin the exercise by doing a one-handed push-up on a Heavy Trainer Ball and balance themselves momentarily on one arm once they complete the push-up.  This is a terrific upper body strength and CORE exercise.

 

Strength & Conditioning -- Plyometric Jumps

Two NRP players working on plyometric jumps with heavy ball.  Plyometric exercises help develop leg strength, balance, and coordination.

 

Developing Scoring Moves

NRP players work on "Dribble Moves" using chairs as imaginary defenders

8th grade summer tournament

NRP Coach Lukens and former NRP All-Stater Rob Rey coaching local 8th grade team in

summer tournament in Wauconda, IL.

Knights on Their Way to Becoming a STRONGER Team

Players are paired and pass Heavy Trainer Ball back and forth with a
CORE strengthening motion

 A comprehensive exercise that works on balance, coordination, upper body strength, and strengthening of the feet and ankles.  Performing certain exercises without shoes helps reduce foot and ankle injuries.

 Pushups using two Heavy Trainer Balls helps develop upper body, hand, and CORE strength along with body balance.  

 Pushups with one Heavy Trainer Ball rolled back and forth between reps helps isolate chest and arm muscles along with further developing the CORE.

Bigs Develop Handles

NRP forwards and centers work on dribbling skills just as do guards.  The NRP motto is:

"Individual Players are Made in the Off-Season, Teams are Made During the Season."

"Leap Frog" Shooting on "The Gun"

Four Knights honing their 3-point shooting by executing a rapid-fire "Leap Frog" drill on "The Gun"

VISION: one of the 3 keys to good ballhandling

John Stockton displays the court VISION that enabled him as a 6'1" 170 pound guard to set the All-Time NBA records for assists and steals.  Stockton "sees the floor" and delivers the ball precisely where the receiver can catch the pass.  In his 19-year career, Stockton was an All-NBA selection 11 times, made the NBA All-Star game 10 times, was enshrined in the Hall-of-Fame in 2009, and was selected one of the Top 50 players in NBA History.