About Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics
Your children will experience the most intense, fun, invigorating basketball training with Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics. These clinics are designed to bring out the best in players: increased respect for sportsmanship enhanced fundamental athletic abilities, and a deeper understanding of teamwork and responsibility. Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics also prepares young players, ages 5-18, for high school, college, and professional basketball.
We will focus on fundamental aspects of the game while introducing concepts such as "defensive cut-throat" "triple threat," and "hands ready." We will emphasize being young ladies of integrity, being a good teammate, and always working hard in the classroom, on the court, and in the community.
Vanessa McClendon, based on the philosophy that children need attention and direction in their lives, founded Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics in August 2009. This basketball coaching method does just that. Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics serves as a basis for learning important life lessons like self-confidence and the value of self-discipline, just as much as they provide instruction in ball handling and basketball shooting techniques. Our mission is to teach children using the most effective methods to help them be their best on the basketball court and beyond.
Prior to starting Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics, founder Vanessa Selden-McClendon was herself a student of the best coaches and professional examples. For example, Joyce Walker, a Garfield, LSU, and former Harlem Globe Trotter star, was instrumental in the idea of development of the Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics’ method for teaching shooting skills. Vanessa’s own basketball journey contributed to the development of the program to include an imperative peace that focuses on repetitive drills in dribbling and ball handling.
Meetings with top high school, AAU, and college coaches and trainers led to the understanding that young players and experienced professionals alike need continual focus on the basic fundamentals of the game. Consultations with specialists in education helped design programs that stimulate and motivate players to learn.
Repetition is the common approach used by all the best coaches at every level. Repetition at Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics comes in the form of practice drills. Every training session, the majority of time is spent focused on learning the fundamentals of basketball through practicing.
The drills used at this level are intended to help players become better at their individual game. These same drills are used successfully with players as young as age 5 through high school and are practiced routinely even at the professional level.
Muscle Memory is the Key
Learning to become proficient at any physical skill involves repetitive practice. This learning method applies to everything from walking, riding a bike, and playing the piano. The term “muscle memory” means repeating a motion until the body retains that motion in the subconscious. In other words, true learning means developing abilities, which no longer require conscious effort.
Developing muscle memory requires repetition. This repetition can be done continuously, but Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics has found that, for all ages of players, daily practice over time helps to maintain interest while still building fundamental skills.
First timers, to Northwest Magic Clinics, in only one week, may practice a fundamental skill literally thousands of times. More advanced players, through drills designed for higher-level skills, may complete an incredible 2,500 to 5,000 repetitions during a one week clinic time. This level of repetition produces very strong muscle memory.
Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics are recognized for its ball handling and dribbling. Armed with this critical “building-block” skill, our players are then able to progress in their mastery of the game. Dribbling and ball handling being the gateway to mastering other basketball skills. We have a series of clinics: Post Play Clinic (PPC); Guard Play Clinic (GPC); Shooting Clinic (SC); and Basic Fundamental Clinic (BFC).
Focus on Game speed/Game ready
Northwest Magic Basketball Clinics is a well-balanced mix of practice drills and hard work. While our players will attest to the amount of hard work required, they would also share with you how much they have developed. We strive to enhance our clinics to help players prepare for game play by practicing at game speed.
“There are two types of players…trained and untrained…Northwest Magic Basketball Camp…you have been trained…”
PLEASE CLICK "CLINICS" IN SIDE BAR FOR DAYS AND TIMES OF TRAINING.
